If you’re looking for a break from all the unwrapping of presents, food and eggnog, there is plenty of tournament basketball to keep you busy.
Here’s a quick breakdown of all the tournament action taking place Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
A full list of tournament pairings and times can be found on Page 19 (scoreboard).
BOYS
IAABO Tournament (Thursday-Friday)
Matchups: Bradford vs. Nichols (Buffalo, N.Y.), Warren vs. Olean
Players to watch: Wil Bathurst (Olean), Chris Miner (Nichols), Jake McBride (Warren), Ryan Boyer (Bradford), Sam Eckstrom (Olean), Cam Lewis (Nichols), Tanner Stanz (Warren), Andrew Bacha (Bradford)
The rundown: The young Owls come into this tournament at 1-6 and will have their hands full. Nichols, Warren and Olean are all very solid teams.
The Huskies are off to a very good start despite a brutal schedule, and will be tested against a Warren team that is coming off a 35-point win over Bradford.
Nichols escaped with a one-point win over Warren in the first round last year and then beat Olean by nine in the title game.
Bradford coach Brian Hobbs has been looking for guys on his team to “break out” and take on leadership roles, and this tournament would be the perfect opportunity for them to do so.
Port Allegany Tournament (Thursday-Friday)
Matchups: Smethport vs. Galeton, Port Allegany vs. Austin
Players to watch: Dakota Shadle (Galeton), Jordan Seefeldt (Port Allegany), Ryan Stratton (Smethport), Kade Logue (Austin), Bob Williams (Galeton), Tre Garzel (Port Allegany), Nate Wilber (Smethport), Anderson Nicka (Austin)
The rundown: North Tier League newcomer Galeton comes in at 5-1 and might be the favorite.
Port Allegany is a relatively young team, while Smethport comes in at 2-6. The Gators have a victory over the Hubbers on their early season schedule.
Meanwhile, Kade Logue has been very solid for Austin.
EQ Energy Classic (Thursday-Friday-Saturday)
Matchups: Clarion vs. Kane, Kittanning vs. Bridgeport (W.Va.), Johnsonburg vs. Ridgway, Elk County Catholic vs. St. Marys
Players to Watch: Cameron Grumley (Johnsonburg), John Wilfong (Bridgeport), Cory Huff (Elk County Catholic), Josh Roselli (Ridgway), Cole Peterson (Johnsonburg), Chase Robey (Bridgeport), Noah Kunst (Kittanning), Caleb Bennett (St. Marys), Jeff Kocjancic (Kane)
The rundown: The new format to this Elk County Tournament has a loaded field with plenty of star power.
Johnsonburg, Elk County Catholic and Ridgway enter playing very good basketball, with just one loss each. The Rams come in ranked No. 5 in the state in Class A, while ECC checks in at No. 7 and Ridgway is an honorable mention team.
Bridgeport was a state semifinalist last season, and returns three of its five starters.
Kittanning enters with a 3-5 record, while many of Clarion’s players are trying to round into basketball form after a deep run in the Class A football playoffs.
St. Marys comes in after a nice win over Brookville and a four-point loss to Class A honorable mention DuBois Central Catholic, while Kane’s Jeff Kocjancic is averaging close to 20 points per game.
Maple Leaf Tournament at Coudersport (Friday-Saturday)
Matchups: Northern Potter vs. Cowanesque Valley, Coudersport vs. Bucktail
Players to Watch: Andrew Rigas (Coudersport), Darren Keglovits (Coudersport), Aaron Olney (Northern Potter)
The Rundown: Coudersport has looked very good, getting off to a 4-1 start. They once again appear to be one of the top teams in the North Tier League and are favorites to win their own tournament.
Sheffield Tournament (Friday-Saturday)
Matchups: Cameron County vs. Youngsville, Sheffield vs. Union
Players to watch: Nate Sestina (Cameron County), Dylan Clingan (Cameron County), Cole Morris (Union)
The Rundown: The Red Raiders are 5-0 and are favorites to win this tournament. Nate Sestina has become one of the top players in District 9, with Dylan Clingan has emerged as a double-figure scorer.
Union comes in at 4-2 and is a good bet to meet the Red Raiders in the title game.
GIRLS
IAABO Tournament (Thursday-Friday)
The Matchups: Bradford vs. Randolph, Jamestown vs. Olean
Players to watch: Ali Rinfrette (Bradford), Haley Vinelli (Bradford), Chrisanna Green (Jamestown), Anne Campion (Jamestown), MacKenzie Yanetsko (Olean), McKenna Maycock (Randolph), Peyton Terrette (Randolph)
The rundown: Defending champ Bradford headlines another very good field.
The Lady Owls are off to a 5-1 start, led by last season’s tournament MVP, Ali Rinfrette, who is closing in on 1,000 career points (957).
Jamestown comes in at 6-0, while Randolph’s McKenna Maycock has been a scoring machine, averaging just over 27 ppg.
Much like last year’s tournament, expect the 2013 version to be very competitive.
Port Allegany Tournament (Thursday-Friday)
Matchups: Smethport vs. Galeton, Port Allegany vs. Austin
Players to Watch: Becca Lathrop (Port Allegany), Brooke Roys (Port Allegany), Morgan Okerlund (Smethport), Latascia Shadle (Galeton), Hannah Glover (Austin)
The rundown: The host Lady Gators come in 5-0 and have had balanced scoring across the board. They have also won every game by double figures.
Austin comes in 1-3 but has been very competitive, while Smethport is a young but improving squad.
Galeton, meanwhile, comes in at 2-2, and has already played Port Allegany.
EQ Energy Classic (Thursday-Friday-Saturday)
Matchups: Clarion vs. Kane, Kittanning vs. Bridgeport (W.Va.), Elk County Catholic vs. St. Marys, Johnsonburg vs. Ridgway
Players to Watch: Taylor Morgan (Kane), Macy Neureiter (Elk County Catholic), Julie Sweeney (Elk County Catholic), Emily Knepshield (Kittanning), Kiana Ho;ohuli (St. Marys), Chelsea Benson (Johnsonburg), Jacquelyn Wolfe (Bridgeport), Kyla Miles (Clarion)
The rundown: The Elk County Catholic girls come in at 6-0, and along with West Virginia power Bridgeport, appear to be the tourney favorites.
A young Kane team is quickly developing under veteran coach Dave Kiehl, while the same can be said for Clarion under Roger Walter.
St. Marys comes in at 3-3 and will be a team to keep an eye on as well.
Maple Leaf Tournament at Coudersport (Friday-Saturday)
Matchups: Cameron County vs. Coawanesque Valley, Coudersport vs. Northern Potter
Players to watch: Jenna Gabreski (Coudersport), Suzie Guisto (Cameron County), Amanda Painter (Cowanesque Valley), Keirsten Counts (Coudersport)
The rundown: Much like the boys, the Coudersport girls are favorites in their own tourney.
The Lady Falcons are off to a 5-0 start, with Gabreski leading a balanced squad.
Cameron County comes in winners of two straight, including an 18-point win over Northern Potter.
