MIDDLETOWN >> With victories in three of the last four Record-Bee Hoop Classic tournaments, the Middletown High School varsity boys’ basketball team should feel right at home during the 22nd annual edition of the tourney, which tips off Dec. 17 and runs through Dec. 19 at the Middletown High School gym.
The round-robin competition features junior varsity and varsity boys’ teams from Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Middletown high schools. Two JV and two varsity games are played each day. Special events include free-throw and 3-point contests on Friday.
No team has played better in the Hoop Classic in recent years than Middletown’s varsity. The Mustangs didn’t win their first Classic title until 2005 — the 12th year of the tournament — but have been on a big-time roll ever since, adding championships in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012 and last year. If they hold serve on their home court again this year for a seventh title, it will match the seven championships won by Clear Lake’s varsity.
Middletown’s success hasn’t been limited to the varsity ranks as far as the Hoop Classic is concerned. The JV Mustangs have five overall championships, four of those in the last seven years. Clear Lake is the all-time tournament leader with seven JV titles.
All proceeds from the Hoop Classic benefit the sports programs at the host high school. Admission prices are set by the host school and a concession stand will be in operation throughout the tournament. All awards other than those given to winners of the free-throw and 3-point contests on Friday night are presented following the final game on Saturday night. There will be team trophies for first and second place, a spirit award for the top cheer squad, and All-Tournament teams with sixth-man and MVP awards.
Other than the first game each day, all game times are approximate. Fans should arrive early to the gym in the event the tournament is running ahead of schedule.
Middletown last hosted the tournament in 2003. The 2016 Hoop Classic takes place in Kelseyville.
The tournament schedule is as follows:
Thursday, Dec. 17 — Lower Lake JVs vs. Kelseyville JVs, 2:30 p.m.; Lower Lake vs. Kelseyville varsity, 4 p.m; Clear Lake vs. Middletown JVs, 5:30 p.m.; Clear Lake vs. Middletown varsity, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 18 — Lower Lake vs. Middletown JVs, 2:30 p.m.; JV free-throw and 3-point contests, 4 p.m.; Kelseyville vs. Clear Lake JVs, 4:30 p.m.; Lower Lake vs. Middletown varsity, 6 p.m; varsity free-throw and 3-point contests, 7:30 p.m.; Kelseyville vs. Clear Lake varsity, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19 — Clear Lake vs. Lower Lake JVs, 3 p.m.; Kelseyville vs. Middletown JVs, 4:30 p.m.; Clear Lake vs. Lower Lake varsity, 6 p.m.; Kelseyville vs. Middletown varsity, 7:30 p.m.; awards ceremony, 9 p.m.
