Softball Preview: Nike event could be real Classic
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The inaugural tournament in Huntington Beach is loaded with top teams.
The Ramada Express Tournament of Champions from Thursday to Saturday at Mohave High of Bullhead City, Ariz., usually is one of the top softball tournaments in the nation.
The TOC attracts the top teams from California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Utah, and this year's field of teams is no exception. Mission Viejo, El Toro, Foothill, Beckman, El Modena, Mater Dei, Pacifica, Woodbridge, Los Alamitos and Fountain Valley are the county teams playing.
The first Nike Fastest to First Classic from March 13-15 at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex could end up becoming even bigger than the TOC. The Nike tournament has the backing of StudentSports.com.
Canyon co-coach Lance Eddy helped put together the tournament. Eddy said they got off to a late start and couldn't get all of the top teams from other states that they wanted, but they still put together a strong field.
The Nike tournament features seven of the top-15 teams from last season's final StudentSports.com Fab 50 national rankings, including No. 1 Valencia of Valencia. Sheldon of Sacramento, Pacifica, St. Mary's of Phoenix, Spanish Springs of Sparks, Nev., and San Benito of Hollister all won state or section titles last season.
Canyon, El Modena, El Toro and Kennedy are the other county teams entered. The championship game will be held Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Kennedy is No. 1 in StudentSports.com's preseason Fab 50 national rankings. The other CIF-SS teams in the rankings are No. 12 Hart of Newhall, No. 16 Norco, No. 20 El Modena, No. 28 Pacifica and No. 45 Valencia of Valencia.
PRESEASON FAVORITES
Here is a list of the county's preseason league favorites: Oxford Academy (Academy); Kennedy (Empire); Fullerton (Freeway); Rancho Alamitos (Garden Grove); Ocean View (Golden West); Village Christian of Sun Valley (Olympic); Savanna (Orange); Estancia (Orange Coast); Beckman (Pacific Coast); Saddleback Valley Christian (San Joaquin); El Toro (Sea View); Mission Viejo (South Coast); Marina (Sunset); and Mater Dei (Trinity).
Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com
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