Columnist Spencer Patterson: Holiday Prep Classic ushers in changes

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, April 1, 1999 | 11:34 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers prep sports for the Sun. Reach him at 259-4085 or spencer@lasvegassun.com

For the first time in 23 years, the Holiday Prep Classic will have a very different look when the prestigious boys basketball tournament rolls into town this December.

Not only will the event feature an all-time record 64-team field, but those 64 clubs will be split into four, 16-team divisions, as opposed to the tradition single bracket.

In addition to the usual "elite" division, which would feature national powers such as 1998 champion Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, the tournament will be home to three other divisions in an effort to create a more even level of competition.

"There are two reasons for (the change)," Larry McKay, the tournament's executive director and founder, said. "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 local participation in the event, although he said that several area schools may opt to remain in the event's premier bracket.

The tournament field should be announced during the first week of May.

* HONOR ROLL: Chaparral's David Brown sank the prep golf season's first hole in one last week, sinking his tee shot on the eighth hole at Stallion Mountain in a victory over Silverado. ... Cimarron-Memorial's Jino Gonzalez broke his school's strikeout record with 15 Ks in a 7-1 win over Palo Verde last week. The junior left-hander topped the mark held by teammate Mike Esposito, who rang up 13 batters in a game last year. ... Basic senior Jen Redding pitched her second no-hitter of the season on Tuesday, striking out 13 batters in a 3-0 win over northern foe McQueen. ... Las Vegas junior Anthony Pluta won the home run derby title at this year's Adidas Invitational prep baseball tournament on Tuesday, blasting four homers to top the field. His final shot sailed well over the 375-foot sign in right-center.

* TIDBITS: Defending event champion Green Valley was knocked out of the winner's bracket at the Lions Club Easter Prep Baseball Tournament in San Diego on Wednesday, falling 7-6 to Monte Vista (Calif.) The Gators got a strong performance from starting pitcher Jake Dittler, but made three costly errors . ... It turns out Cimarron baseball coach Calvin Valvo will have the option of sending Esposito, his ace, to the mound when his team resumes its suspended game against Durango on Wednesday. Although the senior right-hander left the game before it was postponed with the score tied at four after nine innings, high school rules allow pitchers to re-enter games. ... Sign-ups are underway for Durango's seventh annual Blazer Basketball Camp. Two sessions are available for boys and girls ages 8-16, June 7-10 and June 14-17. Counselors expected include area grads Pr ince Fowler, Thomas McTyer and Ra'oof Sadat and current UNLV star Shawn Marion. For more information, call 363-7805. ... Cox Cable Channel 48 will air today's Bishop Gorman-Pleasant Grove (Calif.) baseball game next Thursday at 7 p.m.