This year marked the 14th iteration of the Mission Prep Christmas Classic Tournament, featuring 16 teams from all over the country. In an area that averages far fewer than one Division I college recruit for every senior class, the Christmas Classic is a golden opportunity to see high-level high school basketball here on the Central Coast.

Mission Prep sophomore point guard Quinton Adlesh is one of only a few San Luis Obispo-area players being recruited by Division I schools. By Owen Main

Last week, teams from Pennsylvania, Colorado, Utah, Washington, and all over California descended on San Luis Obispo and brought their styles with them. A team from Marin County operated machine-like — no player was above about 6’3”, but everyone ran, handled the ball, rebounded, and seemed to shoot really well. A team from Seattle that eventually was the tournament runner-up featured multiple players who will play Division I college basketball. The Utah state runners-up showed flashes of brilliance, but were beaten by a quicker team from Philadelphia.

Two teams from southern California featured sons of former NBA players — Seven-footer Kameron Rooks from Mission Hills (son of Sean Rooks) and Lamond Murray, Jr. from tournament champion Bishop Montgomery. Both look like they’ll be Division I players.

A few years ago, I attended the tournament and one team (who will remain nameless) had 2-3 Division I recruits. They also had 11 coaches. And 13 players. I counted. Also, they brought their own public address announcer. It was a sideshow. An awesome, fun, completely non-SLO County entourage. They dominated the entire tournament, on and off the court. It was a sight to behold, and one of many that the Christmas Classic brings for our viewing pleasure each year.

The contrasting styles, and the fact that there are so many teams with their OWN distinct styles is a side of preps basketball that we rarely get the opportunity to enjoy here in San Luis Obispo. While high school hoops are always fun to watch here, the tournament is a great way for local fans to get a glimpse of what’s happening elsewhere. And to see guys who might be real stars later-on.

You want proof? Throughout the tournament, a series of banners hung on the wall of the Mission Prep gym. The banners featured images of players like James Harden, Jrue Holiday, Tywon Lawson, Malcom Lee, Tyler Honeycutt, Brook and Robin Lopez, and others. The images featured 16-18 all of these players in their NBA jerseys. And they had all played in this tournament.

On Thursday, a local kid named Cameron Walker — a sophomore at Righetti high school — took a lob pass from a teammate and threw it down two-handed. Walker will almost certainly play Division 1 basketball — possibly in a major conference like the Pac 12. And, for one weekend at least, Walker wasn’t the only one.

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Host Mission Prep lost a close game on Saturday to Taft. Photos by Owen Main

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Mission Prep’s annual Christmas Classic tournament is happening this week. On “Challenge Day,” teams from the National and Elite brackets were paired. The tournament runs through Saturday.

In the first game I got to, LaVerne Lutheran went up against Marin Catholic, with La Verne Lutheran winning 61-35.

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The nightcap featured host Mission Prep against a visiting Bishop Montgomery squad with plenty of Division I college talent, including Lamond Murray Jr., and a relentless defense to top the hosts 72-57. Mission Prep showed poise to keep the lead around 15 for most of the second half, keeping the game within reach.

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Lamond Murray Jr. is one of many super-talented high school players featured in this year’s Mission Prep Christmas Classic. By Owen Main