mlk announce

The 4th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Challenge
At UCLA's Pauley Pavilion
January 19, 1998

This year, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Challenge has gone big time. No holds barred. Pulled out all the stops. They've got their own website, and it can be found by clicking on this link. SoCalHoops will provide complete and up-to-date information and coverage on this event, and we'll be working with Dinos Trigonis and Phil Gatton, both of whom are behind (or way out in front of) this great event to bring you the latest information as it happens, along with SoCalHoops' own analysis of the event, the games, players and coaches.

In case you missed it here's the Official MLK Holiday Challenge logo We're guessing that there will be hats, T-shirts, and other memorabilia available for purchase at the event bearing this great new design. We'd go just to get some shirts, if for no other reason.

But there will be more, much more to this event than just great clothing, T-Shirts and hats. There will be basketball. Hoops. SoCal style. And lots of it from morning until night. Featuring some of the top prospects and the best teams in the area.

While the official website and the promotional material we received boasts that the event is "hosted by Dominguez High School", it will actually be played at Pauley Pavilion, and not in Compton. The 1998 MLK Holiday Challenge's Official Sponsor is, officially, Nike, which not coincidentally, also donates uniforms and shoes to a number of schools in the area, including Dominguez. Notice we said "donates". And we mean it, too. Sure they want to sell shoes, and why not. But they really do want to help the sport and the kids in it. And they've graciously agreed to sponsor this wonderful event.

This really is not a "tournament", but is instead an "exhibition" in the same fashion as the John R. Wooden High School Invitational, which made its inaugural debut (is that redundant or what?) this past December. The event will showcase some of Southern California's premier high school hoop talent in eight separate single-game contests.

The MLK Holiday Challenge promises to be one of the premier single day events played in SoCal. Last year's event, highlighted by Dominguez's thrilling 101-90 victory over Crenshaw was witnessed by over 7,500 fans, coaches and media.

The cast of characters and the teams playing makes this truly a top-flight event. We've featured some of these teams, either in our High School Previews, or in our Daily Articles. Here's the list

Dominguez High--1997 CIF State Division II Champions, ranked preseason No. 3 by USA Today and led by McDonald's All-American candidate Tayshaun Prince, freshman sensation 7'-0" Tyson Chandler, and a whole lot more.

Crenshaw High--1997 CIF Division I State Champions, featuring seniors Brandon Hawkins and Anthony Garrison.

Westchester High --1997 LA City CIF 4-A Finalists, featuring by All-American candidates Tony Bland (Syracuse) and David Bluthenthal (USC), and recent Best in the West Tournament Champions.

Artesia High-- Best in the West Tournament Second-Place team, led by one of California's top juniors Jason Kapono; played early at the Compton Tip-Off Classic, and at the Best in the West.

Fairfax High--Expected to contend this year for the LA City Section 1998 CIF 4-A title, featuring Stanley Thorne, Flinder Boyd, Jason Morrissette, Joe Shipp (possibly injured), Diondre Carter, and more. This team just won the 46th Annual Pacific Shores Tournament in early December, 1997.

Compton High-- Also expected to contend for LA City Section Championship, featuring Best in the West players David Hamilton, Deandre Moore, with junior sensation Tito Maddox, and featuring Reggie Howard, Milton Riley, Ray Ross, Terry Hosendove and more. Played at the Compton Tip-Off Classic, won the Tournament of Champions, and played in the Reebok Vegas Holiday Prep Classic and at the Best in the West.

University of San Diego High-- 1997 State Regional Finalist, and San Diego CIF Division III Champions, featuring Best in the West players Luke Walton (Arizona) and David Abramowitz (San Diego State). And check the USDHS Dons Website for specific information on the Dons.

Etiwanda High--1997 CIF I-A Finalists, led by Best in the West candidate Gary Colber

Bell-Jeff HS - This team is turning into either a one or two man show, powered by Best in the West Ruben Douglas (University of Arizona) and Mike West, both extremely talented and high scoring.

Now that you've gotten some information about the teams and some of the players, including some background data, check out these terrific matchups. While they are all worth seeing, we're especially looking forward to Compton v. USDHS, Dominguez v. Westchester, and Crenshaw v. Etiwanda, an opportunity to see two teams which have been mostly known this year by reputation alone, particularly Crenshaw, which has been competing out-of-state over the holidays.

9:30 am	Redondo Union HS (Redondo Beach) vs. Torrance South HS
11:00 am	Mater Dei HS (Santa Ana) vs. Canyon HS (Anaheim)
12:30 pm	Artesia HS (Lakewood) vs. Long Beach Jordan HS
2:00 pm	Compton HS vs. University of San Diego HS (San Diego)
3:30 pm	Long Beach Poly HS vs. Fairfax HS (Los Angeles)
5:00 pm	Crenshaw HS (Los Angeses) vs. Etiwanda HS
6:30 pm	Dominguez HS (Compton) vs. Westchester HS (Los Angeles)
8:00 pm	Glendora HS vs. Bell-Jeff HS (Burbank)

Don't miss even a minute of this great event. Check back here, or at the Official MLK site often for further updates and additional information.

Tickets to the event are $8 for adults and $6 for students. Tickets are good for all-day admission.

Seating: Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no assigned or reserved seats.

Programs: Programs to the event are tentatively $3. If planning to purchase a program, it is recommended that you do so early. In past years, programs have sold out by 3:00 pm.

Concessions: Food and beverages will be served at the Pavilion's concession stands.

See you at Pauley Pavilion on Monday, January 19, 1997, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Challenge.