Top teams ready for Nike Classic
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The Nike Fastest to First Classic from Thursday-Saturday at Huntington Beach Sports Complex features 13 teams that were in StudentSports.com's preseason Fab 50 national poll.
No. 1 Kennedy, No. 2 Santiago of Corona, No.4 Sheldon of Sacramento, No. 12 Hart of Newhall, No. 14 Buena of Sierra Vista, Ariz., No. 16 Norco, No. 19 Pembroke Pines, Fla., No. 20 El Modena, No. 21 Spanish Springs of Reno, Nev., No. 23 San Benito of Hollister, No. 28 Pacifica, No. 44 Centennial of Peoria, Ariz., and No. 45 Valencia of Valencia are the nationally ranked teams in the tournament.
Valencia might be the hottest team heading into the tournament. The Vikings lost star pitcher Jordan Taylor to graduation, but they still have plenty of talent. Tennessee-bound Jessica Spigner was the MVP of the prestigious Tournament of Champions after leading the Vikings to the title last week in Bullhead City, Ariz.
“I watched Valencia play Pacifica in the semifinals,” El Toro coach Jim Daugherty said. “They were very good even without Jordan Taylor. They have another girl (Spigner) that hasn't pitched in a while, but she's real solid and they have some sticks.”
Valencia knocked off Beckman, 8-1; Splendora, Texas., 5-0; Elkins, Texas., 5-1; Pacifica, 4-1; and Riverside Poly, 11-3, to capture the TOC title.
The best first-round matchup looks like Hart vs. Pembroke Pines on Thursday at 5 p.m.
The second round is where things could get interesting with a possible showdown between Kennedy and Santiago. Kennedy is coming off a victory over San Pedro, an L.A. City Section powerhouse, in the championship game of the Downey Tournament. The Sharks are off to a 3-0 start.
Other potential high-profile games in the second round on Friday are Pacifica vs. Hart and Valencia vs. El Modena.
The semifinals will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. with the championship game scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
TOURNAMENT TIME AT LAGUNA HILLS
Laguna Hills plays host to the Saddleback Valley Tournament, which started on Monday and ends Thursday with the championship game at 7 p.m. at Alicia Park in Mission Viejo.
Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com
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