Hoops Classic tips off at Kenai Central High

The Holiday Hoops Alumni Classic basketball tournament will tip off for the fifth straight year Saturday at Kenai Central High School. The one-day tournament gets under way at 9 a.m., with championship games scheduled for 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m.

The event features graduates of five area high school programs -- Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna, Skyview and Cook Inlet Academy -- split into three divisions.

Not only does the tournament feature some talented players on the court, the event has become an informal class reunion for both the players and the spectators in the stands.

Division A, the Ageless bracket, includes female graduates. Skyview plays Kenai at 10 a.m. while Nikiski plays Soldotna at noon. Winners play in the 5 p.m. championship game while the losing teams face off in a 3 p.m. consolation game.

Division AA, the All-Round Alumni, is comprised of male graduates that finished their high schools careers in 1991 or earlier. A combined Kenai-Nikiski team will play a Soldotna-Skyview team at 6:30 p.m.

Division AAA, the Actively Agile Alumni, features male athletes that graduated between 1992 and 2000. Kenai plays the Cook Inlet Academy squad at 9 a.m. Soldotna plays Nikiski at 11 a.m. and the winner of the Kenai-CIA game plays Skyview at 1 p.m.

Winners advance to the 8 p.m. championship game while the losing teams play in the consolation bracket with games at 2 and 4 p.m.

A spectator at Saturday's tournament will have the opportunity to take a half-court shot for two round-trip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies, courtesy of K-Bay radio.

All-day admission to the tournament is $10 for a family (up to six people), $5 for adults, $3 for students in kindergarten through 12th grade and $3 for senior citizens. Children under 5 years old will be admitted for free.

Holiday Hoops Alumni Classic

Rosters

Division A

Kenai -- Rio Sinadjan, Cory Hershberger, April Wilson, Kara Pike, Stephanie Arbelovsky, Randi Canady, Connie Herrick Best, Sandra Huss Lewis, Michele Gere.

Soldotna -- Carrie Hollier, Jennifer Fosse, Holly Stogsdill, Meghan Meacham, Lorraine Spady, Katie Howard.

Nikiski -- Lindsy Glaze, Mary Glaze, Anne Berdahl, Tammy Berdahl, Natalie Miller, Mikki Harris Patterson, Oralie Nudsen, Tiffany Cason, Cherise Carlson.

Skyview -- Brandy Jackson Nelson, Trina Jackson, Julie Powell Tree, Jenny Galic, Jenny Husdon, Heather Davis, Stephanie St. Clair, Angie Wheat.

Division AA

Kenai-Nikiski -- Andy Hanson, Bruce Jackman, Reid Kornstad, James Dye, Mike Dye, John Stockton, Barry Jackman, Scott Gere, Scott Samples, Kevin Stalker.

Soldotna-Skyview -- TD O'Reagan, Phil Sheridan, Bo Ansel, Matt Fischer, Wade Marcuson, Clayton Phillips, Tim Jacobson, Dan France.

Division AAA

Kenai -- Casey Hershberger, Jason Kornfield, Willie Castillo, Aaron McCubbins, Joel Reemstma, Chip Fanning, James McCubbins, Shawn Wilson, Scott King, Timm Meeks. Alternate -- William Lee.

Cook Inlet Academy -- John Jenckes, James Jenckes, Brian Hutchins, Kris Russell, Brian Stanton, Gabe Swank, Noah Shields, Max Babiloff, Travis Knutsen.

Soldotna -- Troy Karsten, Mark Wackler, Clinton Carroll, Matt VanHoose, Lee Steadman, Josh Demsky, Chad Steadman, Bryan MacKenzie, Brandon Avery, Derek miller, Paul John Zobeck.

Nikiski -- Russell Queen, Ryan Ellis, James Arness, Jamie Queen, Greg Miller, Mike Miller, Jeremy Kouf, Scott Carlson, Micah Edwards, Cory Wilson, Danny Carew.

Skyview -- Jerrod Reynolds, Toby Colvin, Donnie Kier, Ronnie Kier, Jonas West, Ben McGarry, Dorian Heatherly, Tony Travers, Timmy Travers, Dan Davis, Jesse Glaves, Kyle Johnson. Alternate -- Wayne Johnnie.