High school basketball teams gear up for December tournaments

The most famous basketball tournament in the world happens in March, with 64 hopeful college teams vying for a national championship in what has come to be known as “March Madness.” But in Sonoma County, the start of winter and the holiday season brings its own version of “December Madness” to the Redwood Empire.

During the course of the month, there will be more than 15 girls and boys high school basketball tournaments involving teams from the Redwood Empire and the wider Bay Area.

More than six boys and girls tournaments are starting this weekend or already have started, with the championship games set for Saturday.

The third annual Cardinal Newman Classic got the girls basketball tournament season started Thursday.

The eight-team tournament features some of the best high school girls basketball teams in California.

Last season's combined wins-and-losses record of every team in this year's tournament is 178-43. The tournament features six league champions, the No. 3-ranked team in the nation and the defending state champion.

Cardinal Newman coach Monica Mertle said this year features the best competition the tournament has had in its three-year history. Mertle expects there to be 20 to 30 future Division I college players on the floor in the tournament.

“Its really amazing, the level of athletes we will have in Sonoma County in this tournament,” Mertle said. “It should be a special weekend.”

The 59th annual Redwood Classic kicked off the tournament season in Anderson Valley with a 16-team boys field.

The tournament will feature teams from all over Northern California, including Cloverdale, Laytonville, Round Valley and the host Anderson Valley Panthers.

Anderson Valley coach Luis Espinoza said the tournament provides a good way for teams to start off the season and see what other competition is out there.

“There will be a good mix of teams, including several championship-caliber teams competing from multiple divisions,” he said.

Espinoza expected the gym to start filling up Friday night for the semifinal games, with the stands packed for tonight's championship game.

The Fred Iten Invitational in Ukiah will feature three NBL boys teams - Maria Carrillo, Windsor and host Ukiah - plus five other teams from the North Bay.

Carrillo coach Will Parker said he usually doesn't like to play other NBL teams before league play starts, but believes it's a good opportunity to scout other teams and prepare for league play.

“One of us will be forced to face off at some point in the tournament, and that should make things interesting,” Parker said.

Other tournaments this week include the Russ Peterich Tip Off boys tournament at Montgomery High School, the Dragon Classic girls tournament at Sonoma Valley High School, and the 44th annual Stokes boys tournament at Kelseyville featuring Elsie Allen, Sonoma Valley and Technology High School.

Tournament season continues through next weekend throughout the Redwood Empire.

Two boys tournaments take place up north, with the Arcata tournament featuring Montgomery and the John McMillan Invitational in Cloverdale.

Healdsburg will host its annual Redwood Empire Invitational featuring multiple opponents from the North Bay.

In girls basketball, Windsor will host the Lady Jaguar Annual Rumble in the Jungle Jamboree. Windsor begins the tournament facing Deer Valley on Wednesday.

Cardinal Newman's annual Rose City boys tournament tips off Dec. 13, followed by Casa Grande's Brett Callan Memorial tournament Dec. 15 to 17.

Tournament season will wrap up before league play begins in the new year, but not before the Windsor Holiday shootout on Dec. 27.

To coaches and athletic directors: If your school is hosting or playing in a tournament in December, tell us. Call 526-8500, extension 3 or email details of your tournament to sports@pressdemocrat.com.