KELSEYVILLE >> The 23rd annual Lake County Record-Bee Hoop Classic boys basketball tournament tips off Dec. 15 at Kelseyville High School.
Junior varsity and varsity teams from Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Middletown go head to head in the round-robin tournament, which runs through Dec. 17. Kelseyville’s varsity squad and Clear Lake’s JV team posted 3-0 records last year at Middletown to bring home the championship trophies. It was Kelseyville’s third varsity title in a tournament that began in 1994 and a tournament-best eighth championship for the Clear Lake JVs.
Four games — two in the JV division and two in the varsity division — are held each night. On Dec. 16, free-throw and 3-point shooting contests take place for JV and varsity players alike. Each team designates one player for each contest and returning champions, provided they haven’t graduated, also take part.
Former Middletown varsity boys basketball coach Bill Foltmer was instrumental in creating the tournament back in 1994 and he enlisted the Record-Bee’s support. All proceeds benefit the host high school’s basketball/athletics programs. Team entry fees cover the cost of officials while the Record-Bee provides all tournament awards and programs. Tournament admission prices are set by the host high school.
A concession stand will be in operation throughout the tournament.
While the first two Hoop Classic tournaments were held in Middletown, the tournament has rotated to different schools throughout the county ever since. From 1994-2010 all five of the county’s high schools participated. Upper Lake dropped out after the 2010 tournament, citing it could no longer compete with other county schools. When all five schools participated the tournament began on a Monday and ran through Saturday, with a bye day on Wednesday.
Other than the first game each day — 2:30 on Dec. 15 and 16, 3 p.m. on Dec. 17 — all starting times are approximate depending on whether the tournament is running ahead of schedule or behind schedule. Fans are advised to show up early to be safe, and that includes the free-throw and 3-point contests on Dec. 16.
