KELSEYVILLE >> Six days and counting until the 23rd annual Lake County Record-Bee Hoop Classic tips off at the Kelseyville High School gym on Thursday afternoon.
Junior varsity and varsity boys basketball teams from Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Middletown are entered and will compete for the title of county champion. A year ago it was Kelseyville’s varsity and Clear Lake’s JVs posting 3-0 records at Middletown High School to bring home the first-place trophies. It was Kelseyville’s third varsity title in a tournament that began in 1994 and a Hoop Classic-best eighth championship for the Clear Lake JVs.
Four games — two in the JV division and two in the varsity division — are held each day of the tournament. 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, are also invited to take part.
The round-robin format used in both the varsity and JV divisions guarantees that every team faces every other team during the three-day tournament.
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 awards and programs. Admission prices are set by the host high school.
A concession stand will be in operation throughout the tournament.
While the first two Hoop Classics were held in Middletown, the event 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.
With the exception of the first game each day — 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 17 — all starting times are approximate depending on whether the tournament is running ahead 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.
Hoop Classic schedule
23rd annual Lake County Record-Bee Hoop Classic basketball tournament
Dec. 15-17 at Kelseyville
Tournament schedule
(First team listed in all game pairings is VISITING TEAM)
Thursday, Dec. 15
JV division
Clear Lake vs. Middletown, 2:30 p.m.
Lower Lake vs. Kelseyville, 5:30 p.m.
Varsity division
Clear Lake vs. Middletown, 4 p.m.
Lower Lake vs. Kelseyville, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 16
JV division
Lower Lake vs. Clear Lake, 2:30 p.m.
(JV and 3-point contest), 4 p.m.
Middletown vs. Kelseyville, 4:30 p.m.
Varsity division
Lower Lake vs. Clear Lake, 6 p.m.
(Varsity free-throw, 3 and 3-point contests), 7:30 p.m.
Middletown vs. Kelseyville, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17
JV division
Middletown vs. Lower Lake, 3 p.m.
Clear Lake vs. Kelseyville, 4:30 p.m.
Varsity division
Middletown vs. Lower Lake, 6 p.m.
Clear Lake vs. Kelseyville, 7:30 p.m.
(Awards ceremony follows final game)
