Mission Prep Christmas Classic

[http://www.myspace.com/mpchristmasclassic]

History

The Mission Prep Christmas Classic began 10 years ago in San Luis Obispo, California with a 15-team event that was won by Miami Christian. The tournament was founded by former coach and athletic director Tom Mott and Mission Prep has been the host school for all ten years of the event. [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%2011D9EB6E848EE690%20)&p_docid=11D9EB6E848EE690&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=11D9EB6E848EE690&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=Q57W5ADPMTIyMzM1NzkzNy41OTM4NDc6MToxMDoxMjkuNjUuMC4w&&p_multi=SLOC ] In 1999 the event was sponsored by Rim Rattler and in 2000 Reebok and Copeland's Sports. In the last three years the event has moved into more of a community based event with sponsorships coming from a variety of sources. [http://www.myspace.com/mpchristmasclassic]

This event has become one of the top high school basketball events in the nation with some of the top teams and players descending on San Luis Obispo for 5 days of tournament action [http://www.dioceseofmonterey.org/observer/2006/feb/basketball.html] .

Teams have traveled from as far away as Washington, Texas, Rhode Island, Florida and Maryland to play in the tournament's three tiers -- the national, elite and prep school divisions. [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%2011D9EB6E848EE690%20)&p_docid=11D9EB6E848EE690&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=11D9EB6E848EE690&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=Q57W5ADPMTIyMzM1NzkzNy41OTM4NDc6MToxMDoxMjkuNjUuMC4w&&p_multi=SLOC ]

The 2008 Classic will take place December 18-23 at Mission Prep High School in San Luis Obispo, California.

Controversy

In 2006, a recruiting scandal at Mission Prep High School threatened the status of the tournament. Tom Mott, the tournament starter, former Mission Prep athletic director and boys basketball coach -- a high profile alumnus who turned the team into a state power -- was the lone face of a recruiting scandal that originated from within Mission Prep's own inner workings and from a school administration that offered few details.

When most of the controversy had subsided, the Royals had been stripped of two CIF-Central Section Division V championships and put on probation -- punishments that were below the maximum, according to CIF-Central Section commissioner Jim Crichlow, because the school self-reported the violations.

Just like that, Mott's career 151-73 record, six straight 20-win seasons and three straight section titles were tainted. Mott became known more for the scandal than his playing career at Mission Prep and college baseball days at Santa Clara University, his five-year professional baseball career or for being the grandson of former longtime Cal Poly athletic director Robert Mott. [http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:SLOC&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11653F5B90FA09F0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB4ED0FDDAF0A]

Past Players

The Mission Prep Christmas Classic has hosted more than 60 players who have signed to play Division I basketball. [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%2010E8FCA4F87F2E38%20)&p_docid=10E8FCA4F87F2E38&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=10E8FCA4F87F2E38&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=F53L56BLMTIyMzM1ODYzMC44MTI0MzY6MToxMDoxMjkuNjUuMC4w&&p_multi=SLOC]

Marcus Barnes (Miami) was probably the most dominating scorer the tournament has seen. Faced with constant double-teaming, Barnes was still able to create his own shot and still holds the tournament single game scoring record with 41 points. Barnes signed with University of Miami where he played for two years before transferring to Northeastern.

2005 saw the most talented group of players to ever walk through Mission Prep Gym. Those players included Matt Bouldin (Gonzaga), Quincy Pondexter (Washington), Ryan Anderson (California - Berkeley), James Harden (Arizona St), Derek Glasser (Arizona St.), and Tre'Von Willis (Memphis).

The 2006 tournament also saw some very talented players come through: Jrue Holiday (committed to UCLA), Malcolm Lee (UCLA), Jordan Hamilton - Compton Dominguez, Justin Holiday (Washington), and Darnell Gant (Washington).

In 2007, the tournament saw standouts Demar Derozan (USC), Jeff Withey (University of Arizona), Storm Warren (LSU) and Reggie Moore (Fresno St.] ).

Josh Childress (Olympiacos) was the first Christmas Classic alumnus to make it to the NBA.

Twins Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets) and Robin Lopez (Phoenix Suns) played in the tournament in 2005.

UC Berkeley and Oak Ridge High School alum Ryan Anderson was selected as the 21st overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets. Anderson participated in the Christmas Classic in 2004 and 2005. [http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/draft/tracker/player?playerId=19084&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnbadraft%2fdraft%2ftracker%2fplayer%3fplayerId%3d19084]

NFL Tight End Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars) is also among the alumni of the tournament.

Team Champions

2007 - Rainier Beach - Seattle, WA

2006 - Campbell Hall - North Hollywood, CA2005 - Artesia - Lakewood, CA

2004 - ThunderRidge -Highlands Ranch,CO

2003 - Bishop McNamara - Forestville, MD2002 - Millikan - Long Beach, CA

2001 - Crenshaw - Los Angeles, CA

2000 - Crenshaw - Los Angeles, CA

1999 - Miami Christian - Miami, FL

[http://www.mpchristmasclassic.com/history.html]

Most Valuable Players

2007 - Reggie Moore - Rainier Beach

2006 - Justin Holiday & Jrue Holiday (CO-MVPs) - Campbell Hall

2005 - James Harden - Artesia

2004 - Matt Bouldin - ThunderRidge

2003 - Tywon Lawson - Bishop McNamara

2002 - Justin Onaka - Millikan

2001 - Terrance Jones - Crenshaw

2000 - M'Jumbe Williams - Crenshaw

1999 - Kelly Ortiz - Miami Christian

[http://www.mpchristmasclassic.com/history.html/]

[http://www.mpchristmasclassic.com/photos.html]

References