lasvegasprep report

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Las Vegas Holiday Prep Classic
To Get New Look--(April 5, 1999)

The Las Vegas Holiday Prep Classic will get a new and greatly different look this coming December. According to a published report in the Las Vegas Sun, for the first time in 23 years, the Holiday Prep Classic will feature an all-time record 64-team field, and those 64 clubs will be split into four, 16-team divisions, as opposed to the tradition single bracket. That means that in addition to the usual "elite" division, which would feature national powers such as 1998 champion Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, the tournament will also have other, less tough divisions which will make the competition level a bit more even between the other schools entering the tournament.

"There are two reasons for (the change)," Larry McKay, the tournament's executive director and founder told the Sun. "One is to make it more competitive for all the teams, and the other is that these changes were needed to respond to ever-changing National High School Federation guidelines." McKay said the new tournament format is likely to increase the participation level of local Las Vegas teams in the event, although he also said that several area schools may opt to remain in the event's premier bracket.

Larry also told us back in December that he was uncertain if Reebok would continue to sponsor the event beyond last year, and apparently it's still unclear whether they will provide sponsorship this year.

According to the Las Vegas Sun, the tournament field should be announced during the first week of May.