Field Set For 45 th Plano Hoop Classic
Deep Field Headlines Area Basketball Tradition
By Bill Lidinsky
In what may be one of the strongest fields in years, Plano High School’s Annual Varsity Basketball Christmas Classic pairings were unveiled Wednesday night at a dinner hosted by Hayden’s Athletics Specialists of Montgomery, IL for all 16 of the participating team coaches.
Thirteen of the participants have records so far this season that reflect a better than 500 mark, almost unheard of in the rich 45 year history of the IHSA Small School traditional event that will take place from December 26 th through the 29 th .
“You look at it and see some great first round matchups and some nice second round games that could be mighty interesting,” said Plano Athletic Director Jim Schmidt. “That’s what makes this tournament so great when you have great balance and this year’s field most definitely has that. All 16 teams are capable of winning their first round contests.”
Six Times area squads will be competing for the coveted title at Plano with Seneca (6-1) being the highest ranked at No. 3 behind top ranked Spring Valley Hall (8-0) and No. 2 seeded Genoa-Kingston (7-1).
The three time consecutive champion Irish will open defense of their strangle hold on the crown with a first round matchup against familiar foe Ottawa-Marquette (1-6) at 2 p.m. on the 26 th .
“I’ve never seen a field as deep as it is at Plano this year. Trying to seed everybody was almost impossible,” said Seneca head basketball coach Doug Evans. “It’s just a great tournament, and to be able to have another shot at a fourth straight championship of the event will be a dream come true. Many of the local rivalries got picked for first round matchups and we got placed against Marquette. They are definitely a dangerous team, one that we better be ready for.”
“Obviously there are no secrets between Marquette and Seneca. It’s an unbelievably strong rivalry that has been a little bit one sided over the past few years,” said Marquette head basketball coach Kevin Schultz. “When you go against a program like Seneca, quite honestly it’s an honor. Our kids will look forward to getting the opportunity to play against them as we have some many times in the past.”
Another huge area rivalry will take place at 8 p.m. opening night at Reaper Gymnasium as fifth seeded Somonauk (5-1) will battle Sandwich (5-4). The matchup marks a reunion of sorts between head coaches. The Bobcats head man Ron Hunt and the Indians first year leader Scott Bantz worked together in the 90’s at Sandwich and will now face each other at Plano in round one.
“It’s a natural rivalry with Sandwich being so close,” Hunt said. “Coaching golf I heard from the Sandwich kids that they would be good this year and they are. They’re fundamentally sound and their kids play smart and I look forward to the matchup.”
“Ron’s doing a great job with his kids at Somonauk. I think it will be a great game,” Bantz said. “I think everybody will be fired up ready to play with a little local flavor and a home town who’s the best at stake.”
The other two area teams won’t be playing one another in the opening rounds fortunately, but each will face a tall task in round one of the loaded field.
Newark (5-2) will take on seventh seeded Hinckley-Big Rock (4-2) in a rematch of last Friday’s 77-66 Little Ten Conference matchup won by the Royals. The contest will open the Christmas Classic at 9 a.m. on the 26 th .
“They’re (H-BR) a very good team and we just played them and got beat so we’re certainly going to have to improve between now and then,” said Newark head basketball coach Rick Tollefson. “The tournament is a very balanced field. The first day should be interesting. I think you could see a few upsets there. We’ll give it a second try against H-BR.”
Serena (4-1) will take on eight seeded Coal City (4-2) in the fifth contest on opening day at 3:30 p.m. The Huskers have faired very well at Plano during the past two seasons placing eighth in 2006 and second to the Irish in 2005.
“I know Coal City is very strong and physical playing in such a tough conference as the Interstate Eight,” said Serena head basketball coach Jonathan Immel. “We’ll have to scout them between now and the 26 th . Historically the level of competition at Plano is just great. To take you into the second half of the season is just fantastic. Hopefully we’ll do well in just an awesome tournament.”
With the top level of play expected at Plano this season, there’s no telling who will come out as champion at this point.
“We definitely like the early good strong matchups and the strong tournament field,” Schmidt said. “It’s always nice to see a full house. We’ve got a big gym and it’s great to see a packed house. It should be interesting and we’re hoping for a well played, exciting bunch of games with such a strong field of excellent ballclubs.”
The host Reapers (0-4) will battle fourth seeded Aurora Christian (3-3) in the marquise 7 p.m. game on the 26 th . Plano still is trying to find its basketball legs after their state championship run in football. But Plano remains undaunted in their pursuit of greatness in their own tournament.
“Even the bottom two clubs Ottawa-Marquette and Plano have a great shot at pulling off an upset,” Schmidt said. “You haven’t seen that in a long time at the Christmas Classic with the 15 th or 16 th ranked teams possibly winning in the first round. With this great field, anything is possible.”