The top boys basketball and girls basketball teams in California, and according to several media outlets the country, are leading a group of 11 programs from the state scheduled to participate in the Army National Guard Hoophall Classic presented by Spalding, with the five-day schedule beginning Thursday at Blake Arena in Springfield, Mass.
Eastvale Roosevelt is among eight California boys teams expected to compete, with Ontario Christian leading a trio of girls programs at the national showcase, which concludes Monday.
Ontario Christian girls basketball | Photo courtesy of Ontario Christian
Eastvale Roosevelt (22-1), which still has a Big VIII League contest Thursday against Corona Centennial (10-13) before traveling to Massachusetts, is scheduled to square off at 11 a.m. EST against Gonzaga College Prep from Washington D.C. (14-2).
The Mustangs, led by senior Brayden Burries, still have one more out-of-state opponent before the CIF Southern Section playoffs, scheduled to participate Jan. 25 against Bishop Gorman from Las Vegas (14-4) as part of Nike Extravaganza XXX at Mater Dei.
Albany (11-4) is the first California boys team competing at 1 p.m. EST Thursday against Newton North from Massachusetts (7-0).
Santa Barbara (15-5) matches up at 1 p.m. EST Friday against Ridgefield of Connecticut (5-1).
Santa Maria St. Joseph (17-1) competes at 10:30 a.m. EST Saturday against Holy Innocents Episcopal from Georgia (13-2).
St. John Bosco (18-2), looking to rebound from a 62-59 Trinity League loss Friday at Mater Dei, is taking on Paul VI from Virginia (11-3) at 4 p.m. EST Friday.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (16-2) follows at 5:30 p.m. EST Friday against Columbus of Florida (15-3), with Sierra Canyon (14-3) matching up at 7 p.m. EST against Grayson from Georgia (16-1).
Prolific Prep of Napa Christian (18-3) is a non-Federation California boys program competing at 8:45 p.m. EST Sunday against Highland School of Virginia (19-5).
Archbishop Mitty is the only California school competing twice in Massachusetts, with girls games scheduled Friday and Saturday.
Archbishop Mitty girls basketball | Photo courtesy of Archbishop Mitty
Despite the loss of junior standout McKenna Woliczko to an ACL injury in her right knee, the Monarchs (12-1) have won three in a row since a 61-44 loss Jan. 4 to Ontario Christian (22-1) at the fourth Sabrina Ionescu Showcase at Carondelet High.
Archbishop Mitty has a showdown at 4:30 p.m. EST Friday against Sidwell Friends from Washington D.C. (11-1), followed by a 1:30 p.m. EST Saturday matchup with Morris Catholic of New Jersey (10-0).
Ontario Christian, which has won eight in a row led by sophomore star Kaleena Smith, is the first California girls team to compete in Massachusetts at 3 p.m. EST Friday against Christ the King from New York (8-3).
Etiwanda (13-4) competes at 9 a.m. EST Monday, looking to halt the national record girls high school basketball winning streak of 140 consecutive games by Incarnate Word Academy from Missouri (9-0).
Etiwanda girls basketball | Erik Boal photo
The Eagles, led by senior guard Aliyahna “Puff” Morris, still have games scheduled Thursday against Fairmont Prep (14-5) and Friday against Upland (11-9), before traveling to Massachusetts.
Incarnate Word Academy plays Thursday against Mater Dei of Illinois (14-5), looking to extend its remarkable run to 141 in a row.