Frank Burlison

REDONDO BEACH, Ca.  – The 2015 edition of the Top Flight Challenge, hosted by Redondo Union High, is going to have to go a ways in order to surpass what took place in the inaugural event over the course of some 12 hours on Saturday.

Two of the final three games (of the seven played) weren’t decided until the final possessions, with Los Angeles Loyola remaining unbeaten in the finale by the collective hair on its chinny chin-chin while edging Compton, 64-63, after Tarbabes’ senior point guard Kyron Cartwright missed two free throws with a second remaining after Thomas Welsh’s follow with seven seconds to go proved to put the Cubs ahead to stay.

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LAKE FOREST, Ca. – The second day of the JCTEES.com Orange County/North-South Challenge tips off at 1:30 Saturday afternoon at El Toro High.

Action begins with the Los Alamitos vs. San Juan Capistrano Saddleback Valley Christian contest.

Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley-Huntington Beach tips at 3, followed by Irvine Woodbridge-Fullerton Sunny Hills (4:30), Dana Point Dana Hills-La Habra Sonora (6) and wrapping up with host El Toro and Huntington Beach Ocean View (7:30).

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INGLEWOOD, Ca. – The Paul Pierce Winter Classic, sponsored by the Real Run Basketball League, tips off at noon Friday at Inglewood High.

Twelve games are scheduled, split between boys’ and girl’s contests.

Among the more tantalizing matchups in the event are the 6 o’clock Friday game between girls’ powerhouse Mater Dei and St. Mary’s College High, and the 7:30 game Saturday night between the boys’ squads from Long Beach Poly and Bishop Montgomery.

 

The complete schedule:

FRIDAY

GIRLS: Noon, El Camino Real vs. Inglewood; 3 p.m.,

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REDONDO BEACH, Ca. – The first-ever, seven-game Take Flight Challenge, hosted by Redondo High, gets underway Saturday morning at 10 o’clock.

It figures to draw a large crowd of fans and college coaches alike, and could prove to be the most competitive and entertaining “one-day event” in the west this season.

Seven of the 14 teams in the field were ranked in the most recent Top 25 Southern California team ratings that I compile for the Long Beach edition of the Orange County register: L.A. Loyola (No.

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LAGUNA NIGUEL, Ca. – OK’s here’s my New Year’s Treat for all of those of you want to see who impressed me the most during:

*My two days at Torrey Pines High (for the National Division of the 24^th Torrey Pines Holiday Classic);

*My one day at Carlsbad La Costa Canyon High (for the American Division of the above event) and;

*My one day at Rancho Mirage High (for multiple championship and third-place games in the Max Preps Holiday Classic).

What follows are the 30 players who, more or less, most impressed me when I watched them over those four days.

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