McDonald's Basketball Classic Tournament announced
This year's McDonald's Basketball Classic Tournament was announced Wednesday and it is scheduled from Dec. 1-3 with most games at Eastlake High School and a handful of other games at local schools.
Boys teams
There will be eight teams, including four from El Paso. Franklin, which is the defending champion returns to play in the tournament along with Chapin, Canutillo and Eastlake. Franklin, Chapin and Canutillo were all playoff teams last season and Eastlake looks to be improved this season.
The other four teams are Shabach Christian Academy from Landover, Maryland, Cooper International School from Chino, California, Arizona Compass School from Chandler, Arizona, and Balboa School from San Diego.
Girls teams
The five team field includes Pebble Hills from El Paso, Lubbock Monterey, Shabach Christian Academy from Landover, Maryland, Arizona Compass School from Chandler, Arizona and San Joaquin Memorial High School from Fresno, California.
Boys Players to watch
Gio Gutierrez, Canutillo
Joseph Martinez, Canutillo
Bryson Goldsmith, Chapin
Diego Villanueva, Chapin
Cedric Lath, Balboa school
Girls players to watch
Kiana Valdez, Pebble Hills
Jordan Sapien, Pebble Hills
Aaliyah Chavez, Lubbock Monterey
Jaelyn Morrison, Lubbock Monterey (Former star at Hanks)
Laila Reynolds, Shabach Academy
What the players are saying
"The McDonald's Tournament is a great tournament to be a part of," Sapien said. "We'll get quality games in and we can use this tournament to get ready for the district play."
Added Franklin's Aaron Vargas: "It'll be a great challenge to be a part of this tournament once again. We'll get several quality games in and we're excited for the challenge of trying to win the tournament again."
More: HS Hoops girls players to watch High School Girls Basketball: 10 players from El Paso to watch for 2022-23 season
More: HS hoops players to watch High School Boys Basketball: 10 players from El Paso to watch for 2022-23 season
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Field announced for annual McDonald's Basketball Classic Tournament
