Top 20 Teams Headline Hancock's 50th Annual Holiday Classic, Action Starts Dec.28

Top 20 Teams Headline Hancock's 50th Annual Holiday Classic, Action Starts Dec.28
December 22, 2014

With half of the eight-team field ranked in the Top 20 in California, there promises to be plenty of talent and action for basketball fans to catch later this week in Joe White Memorial Gymnasium. The Allan Hancock College men's basketball team will host its 50th annual Holiday Classic from Sunday, Dec. 28, through Tuesday, Dec. 30.

The Bulldogs will welcome in Santa Barbara, Fresno, Cuesta, Cerritos, Rio Hondo, San Jose City and Bakersfield. Hancock is off to a 5-7 start under second-year head coach Tyson Aye. The Bulldogs are searching for their 15th Holiday Classic title and first since 2011.

San Jose City College is ranked third in the most recent state poll and second in Northern California. The Jaguars are off to a 10-2 start and searching for their third Holiday Classic title after a runner-up finish in the tournament last year.

Off to a 13-3 start, Fresno City College enters as the ninth ranked team in the state and fifth in Northern California. The Rams have defeated Hancock twice this season, including 78-68 last week on their way to the Modesto Tournament title. Fresno won the Holiday Classic last year, its eight AHC tournament title.

Hancock's central Coast rival Cuesta College is ranked 14th in the state and seventh in Southern California. The Cougars are off to a 9-4 start and led by Rafael Casanova, who ranks fifth in the state at 21.8 points per game. Bakersfield is ranked 20th in California and tenth in Southern California. The Renegades are 8-3 and coached by former Hancock coach Rich Hughes. The Renegades are led by 6'9" freshman Deandre Dickson, who averages 19 points and 13 rebounds per contest.

Santa Barbara (4-5) tips off the tournament on Sunday, at 1 p.m. against Fresno (13-3), followed by Cuesta (9-4) against Cerritos (5-7) at 3 p.m. Hancock (5-7) battles Bakersfield (8-3) at 5 p.m., while Rio Hondo (10-5) and San Jose (10-2) close the opening day with a 7 p.m. matchup. Games begin at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29. The consolation title game is at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec.30, followed by the third place game at 3 p.m. and the championship game at 5 p.m.

Tickets for seniors and people 17 years old and under are $3 per day or $6 for adults. A three-day tournament pass can be purchased for $15 at the door.