Torrey Pines High School will host the 35th Holiday Classic basketball tournament on Dec. 26-27, 29-30. Before tournament action officially begins, local squads will face off in a Tip Off Night on Tuesday, Dec. 23, a new tradition that debuted last year.
Starting at 3:30 p.m., the match-ups include Carlsbad vs. Olympian, Mission Bay vs. Victory Christian (5 p.m.), and Santa Fe Christian vs. Cathedral Catholic at 6:30 p.m. with the host Torrey Pines playing Francis Parker to close out the night at 8 p.m. All eight teams are listed in the San Diego Union Tribune’s top 10 preseason rankings, with the “big and tough” Torrey Pines solidly in second.
Junior Jaylan Virgil, an all-state guard in Northern California, is new to the Torrey Pines High School squad this year. (Anna Scipione)
The Falcons, defending Coastal League Champions, will take on the Lancers, this year’s favorite to win the Open Division.
Torrey Pines is led by senior Tevaris Green who last year averaged 15 points, five rebounds and two assists per game. According to the Holiday Classic site, the Falcons also feature two junior newcomers: Jaylan Virgil, an all-state guard from Northern California who has fielded several college hoops offers, and 6’6″ wing Tyler Humphrey, “who can score from anywhere on the floor.”
Another player to check out is Chase Rogowski, a 6’7″ senior who has a 4.83 GPA and is eyeing MIT and CalTech, according to the UT.
Francis Parker’s roster includes standouts like California’s sixth-ranked guard Tavid Johnson and scorer Ezekiel Walker, who sat out last season but is coming off a strong summer of play.
Solana Beach’s Santa Fe Christian is led by first-year coach Johnny Dee, the University of San Diego’s all-time scorer who had a 10-year professional playing career overseas in Europe. The Eagles boast Dax Hall, one of the top players in San Diego County: the 2024 Coastal League Player of the Year averaged 20.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game last year.
The Dons are coming into the season with high hopes after reaching the Open Division semifinals last year. The team features returning senior starters Max Meza and Kai Calson, one of San Diego’s most promising top freshmen in Anthony Ali Nayab and two strong transfers: Charlie Barajas, a 6’6” transfer from Scripps Ranch, and Sei’Mir Roberson, a point guard from New York Catholic Central.
Tickets are $23 for general admission, $15 for children 6-18 (children under six are free). For more information and schedules, visit theholidayclassic.org