Frank Burlison

SAN DIEGO – As far as chills and thrills go, Wednesday delivered on each front during the National Division action in the 22^nd Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

At least that was the case in the final game of the night . . .

Woodland Hills (CA) Taft, Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha, Newark (CA) Memorial and Los Angeles Windward each advanced to Thursday night’s championship semifinals with victories in quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Taft (56-39 over Torrey Pines), DeMatha (in an 83-47 dismantling of Lakewood Mayfair) and Newark Memorial (57-49 against Playa Del Rey St.

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SAN DIEGO – There isn’t going to be a gymnasium this season that will play host to more of the best California senior boys’ basketball players than the one on the Torrey Pines High campus this week during the 22^nd Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

But it was a player from the Class of 2013 who created the most buzz during Tuesday’s eight-game, National Division schedule.

San Jose Mitty junior Aaron Gordon – like a certain basketball writer I’m quite familiar with – was battling the effects of a cold Tuesday as he led his team against a very gifted Compton squad, led by one of those elite-level California seniors, 6-foot-6 Victor Robbins.

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The best of post-Christmas high school hoops – anywhere – can be found in San Diego County for the next five days.

The 22^nd Torrey Pines Holiday Prep Classic is set for five San Diego high schools, with the featured National Division contests held at host Torrey Pines (3710 Del Mar Heights Road), beginning with three games that get underway Monday night at 5:25.

Competition at all five schools (Torrey Pines, La Costa Canyon, Westview, Cathedral Catholic and Rancho Bernardo) begins Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock.

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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The basketball teams from Cypress Bay and Taft high schools went about winning championships in very different – but equally impressive – fashions Tuesday night.

Cypress Bay (from Weston, Fla.) used a stout half-court defense and precise offensive attack to build a quick advantage and then coast to a 66-45 victory over the Mission Prep Royals in the Elite Division of the Mission Prep Christmas Classic.

And, in the final contest of the event, Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft came from 14 points behind late in the first half to overtake Carlsbad (Calif.)

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SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – Anyone willing to invest 12 hours of his or her life in the Mission Prep gymnasium Monday was treated to eight nifty high school basketball games in return.

And the semifinal action in the National and Elite divisions of the school’s annual Christmas Classic produced the participants in what should be a couple of terrific championship games on Tuesday evening.

The host school’s team – led by forward Zach Allmon, one of California’s most underrated players – will take on Cypress Bay (from Weston, Fla.)

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