What: 1^st Annual adidas Double Pump Hoop Challenge
Nine games: First game 9:00 a.m.; last game starts 9:00 p.m.
When: Saturday January 16, 1998, MLK, Jr. Holiday Weekend
Where: Cal State Dominguez Hills, Carson California
Who:

Ok, so we lied. We said we'd already done some analysis of the matchups; that part is true. But we're not finished yet.   The first game gets underway at 9:00 a.m. between Canyon and Ocean View, two perennially good Orange County teams.  Division II-AA v. Division II-AA.  A true matchup of teams in the same division (in fact it may be one of the few matchups of teams who could meet up later in the playoffs).  But unlike most "early morning" games played at tournaments, this is no cream-puff matchup. These are a couple of serious contenders.   Here are the rosters:

Overall look for Canyon to make a signficant run for a Century League title and to go deep again in Southern Section Division II-AA playoffs. This team is strong at several positions: Its shooters, Neil Hammad, who is currently averaging close to 20 ppg, Roger Hogan who is averaging close to 6 assists per game and is one of the top three-point shooters in Orange County; Tom Burke;  and Travis Klein; and its inside post players Romberg, Eftekhari, Sherman and Minhas; its defenders, Willis, Solomon and Taylor; and its passers and playmakers, Yu, Solomon, Taylor and Hogan. Hammad is a catch-and-shoot type of player, and can also push it. Also at the two is Jamal Taylor and Travis Klein. At point, Yu and Hogan, are both crafty, dangerous players. Solomon is a very physical defender while Burke is a capable shooter. Omid Sherman, is a tough rebounder while Romberg presents the best scoring threat inside, and he’s currently being recruited by Eastern Washington, Boise State, UC Davis and Cal Poly Pomona. Jeff Minhas, a transfer from Virginia, is a solid 230 lbs.  

Ocean View finished 26-5 overall last year, 10-0 in league, and year before the team was 20-7 and 9-2 in league. They've won 8 league titles, and last year won the CIF SS II-AA title over Barstow. This year Jim Harris is looking to have his team repeat that repeat that success.  Tony Dow,  a great shooter and D-I prospect who will sign in spring, was the CIF Player of the Year in Division III-AA.   He's not averaging nearly the same scoring records this season, but has now turned himself into one of the leading assist men (5.4 assists per game). Backing up Tony will be Ryan Westbrook. Casey Lawson will start at the 2 spot, with Mike Antonon, backing him up. At the 3, is Torin Beeler one of the best sophomore players on the West Coast this year, who is averaging about 16 ppg. In the frontcourt will be Rashaw McAfee, a great outside shooter off the wing, and Jason Silletto, Jeremiah Bell, Neal Smith and Michael Cavinder all taking turns at the post.

This game will feature a matchup of some great shooters, and we'd expect to see Beeler and Hammad/Hogan going at it, while Tony Dow gets into the act in the backcourt action. Inside it's going to be anyone's game but Romberg may have the advantage.

A great game, 9:00 a.m. at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Sure it's early, but it's also going to be exciting action. It's never too early to watch great matchups like these. And it only gets better.

See you there.