The annual Tournament of Champions is always highly anticipated.
“No exaggeration this tournament is always on my mind year round even when we’re not in it,” said Glendale Head Basketball Coach Brian McTague. “It’s just a great opportunity for our kids and for our program to be a part of it to etch their name in history of this tournament going forward.”
The Glendale Falcons are making their 12th tournament appearance taking on Paul IV out of Virginia. Paul VI is the No. 1 ranked team in the nation according to MaxPreps, with five hoopers committed to Division I schools.
“It will be tough no doubt about it,” McTague said. “You know it’s hard to match up with them but you know the way we look at it they got to match up with us too.”
The Central Bulldogs are coming off a Blue and Gold championship win to face St. John Bosco, a California program with national talent on the roster.
“I like that we are going to be competitive,” said Central Head Basketball Coach Jordan Epps. “We have guys that it doesn’t matter who we play, whether they are the No. 1 team in the nation or the last team in the nation they are going to come out and compete the same way. I think we showed that over the last couple of weeks that it doesn’t matter who we play you are going to get our best. You are going to get the Central Bulldogs.”
The first matchup in the opening round includes tournament first-timers Edmond North up against tournament veterans Rainier Beach. The first day will be capped off by the top team in Class 4 out of St. Louis in Vashon, versus the No. 13 team in the country, Georgia’s McEachern.
“Lower bowl Friday and Saturday is completely sold out,” said SPS Athletic Director Josh Scott.
The First Tip-off is slated for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11.
