This is a time of year that high school basketball coaches find invaluable.
This is the time of year the groundwork is laid for what they hope will come in February.
It’s tournament time, as in holiday tournament time.
It’s time for teammates to pile into a bus — or in some cases, a plane — and travel to play in a tournament.
It’s a few days on consecutive days — at least for one local team, it means four consecutive days of games — against some quality opponents in other areas of the state, or from other states, or even from other countries.
They’ll spend time eating together, sleeping together and hopefully learning to win together.
So here’s a rundown of where local teams will be competing in tournament action this week.
We’ll start with girls basketball. But first a reminder.
Don’t forget to call
Coaches, we need you to report your scores each day when you play in a holiday tournament. Because, trust me, Monsignor McCoy of Medicine Hat, Alberta — or whoever you play — isn’t going to do it for you.
You can call 360-735-4484 or email at sports@columbian.com. Just remember, don’t call before 3 p.m. because there likely won’t be anyone in the office to take your call.
Girls basketball
• Skyview got the week kicked off Sunday with a 46-44 win to Southridge of Beaverton, Ore., in the Nike Interstate Shootout in Lake Oswego. The Storm continue in the tournament, which concludes Wednesday, against South Salem at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
• Columbia River opens play in the Vince Dulcich Christmas Tournament in Astoria by facing Sutherlin, Ore., at 2:30 p.m. Monday. The tournament concludes Wednesday.
• Prairie and Hockinson both head to Phoenix to take part in the Cactus Jam tournament. Prairie faces Monsignor McCoy of Medicine Hat, Alberta at 10 a.m. Monday in the Cactus bracket. Hockinson faces Chinook High School of Lethbridge, Alberta at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the Jam bracket. The tournament concludes Wednesday.
• Evergreen hosts the Hoops on the Holiday tournament Monday through Wednesday. On Monday, Evergreen faces Madison of Portland at 11 a.m., La Center meets Benson of Portland at 12:30 p.m. and Heritage faces Parkrose of Portland at 5 p.m. This is not a bracket-style event, so you can plan ahead. On Tuesday, La Center plays Roosevelt of Portland at 2 p.m. and Woodland meets Parkrose at 5 p.m. On Wednesday, Woodland faces Roosevelt at 11 a.m., La Center meets Parkrose at 12:30 p.m. and Evergreen plays De La Salle North of Portland at 5 p.m.
Boys basketball
• Union plays in the San Diego Surf ‘N Slam Tournament Monday through Wednesday. The Titans open against Bullitt East of Mount Washington, Ky., at 11:30 a.m. Monday.
• Camas plays in the Oregon Holiday Hoopfest in Bend, Ore., Monday through Wednesday. The Papermakers face St. Joseph/Notre Dame of Alameda, Calif., at 12:45 p.m. Monday.
• Skyview plays in the Barlow Trail Tournament in Gresham, Ore., Monday through Wednesday. The Storm open against Newberg, Ore., at 4 p.m. Monday.
• Prairie makes the trip to Gillette, Wyo., for the Energy Classic on Monday through Wednesday. The Falcons open against Alta of Sandy, Utah, at 9:30 a.m. Monday.
• Hockinson plays in the boys bracket of Vince Dulcich Christmas Tournament, opening against Clatskanie, Ore., at 4 p.m. Monday.
• Battle Ground plays in the two-day Mountlake Terrace Holiday Tournament, opening against Edmonds-Woodway at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
• Seton Catholic plays in the two-day Ilwaco Tournament, facing Montesano at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday and then Ilwaco at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.
• Several local teams are playing in the SunDome Shootout in Yakima on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, Ridgefield faces Southridge of Kennewick at noon, La Center plays W.F. West of Chehalis at 1:30 p.m., King’s Way Christian plays White River of Buckley at 3 p.m., Woodland meets Cedarcrest of Duvall at 3 p.m. On Wednesday, Ridgefield meets Archbishop Murphy of Everett at 10:30 a.m., Woodland plays Black Hills of Tumwater at noon, La Center faces White River at noon, and King’s Way Christian meets Anacortes at 4:30 p.m.
• And finally, Columbia River plays in the three-day Centennial New Years Basketball Bash in Caldwell, Idaho. The tournament starts on Thursday, New Year’s Eve, with the Chieftains meeting Vallivue of Caldwell at 9:45 a.m.
Tim Martinez is the assistant sports editor/prep coordinator for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4538 or tim.martinez@columbian.com or follow his Twitter handle @360TMart
