This week's high school tournaments are a perfect complement to the holiday season: a bouquet of matchups with all sorts of tasty possibilities. The games won't have a significant impact on the postseason, but there is fun to be had.
BOYS' BASKETBALL
Augsburg tournament: Five of the eight teams in the field are ranked, including Hopkins (Class 4A, No.11), Wayzata (No. 12), Eastview (No. 13), St. Paul Johnson (Class 3A, No. 2) and Minneapolis North (Class 1A, No. 1). The tournament began Monday and runs through Wednesday.
Eden Prairie Invitational: A solid four-team field, led by host Eden Prairie (Class 4A, No. 6). The Eagles came in with a 9-0 record and averaging more than 83 points per game, including back-to-back 100-point outings in victories over Johnson and Minnetonka. Other entrants are Shakopee (No. 9), Chaska (No. 18) and Waconia (Class 3A, No. 5). The third-place game is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, followed by the championship game at 7:30.
BOYS' HOCKEY
Schwan Cup • Gold Division: A top-flight eight-team field, including four teams ranked among the top seven in Class 2A: Edina (No. 2), St. Thomas Academy (No. 4), Hill-Murray (No. 5) and Eden Prairie (No. 7) and featuring 12 players who have made Division I hockey commitments. All games are at Ridder Arena. The tournament began Monday and runs through Wednesday.
Sports Authority Classic: The field is equally as good at the St. Louis Park Rec Center, with six of the top 20 teams in Class 2A playing in a round-robin affair from Monday through Wednesday. Top teams include No. 1-ranked Lakeville North, Wayzata (No. 3), Benilde-St. Margaret's (No. 7), Prior Lake (No. 9), Holy Family (No. 17) and Moorhead (No. 19).
WRESTLING
The Clash Duals: An annual must-see event for fans kicks off the new year with 32 of the nation's best high school wrestling teams at the Rochester Community and Technical College on Friday and Saturday. Most of the top teams in Minnesota will be there, including Apple Valley, St. Michael-Albertville, Hastings, Simley and Totino-Grace, as well at traditional powers like Oak Park, Glenbard North and Carl Sandburg from the Chicago area, Wasatch (Utah), Jefferson (Ga.) and Bound Brook (N.J.). Wrestling begins Friday at 9 a.m. and continues through Saturday's finals at 8 p.m. For more information, go to www.clashmn.com
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
St. Olaf Holiday Classic: Fifteen games are on the schedule, five each on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The biggie comes on Wednesday, when Class 4A, No. 1 Eastview meets No. 2 Hopkins at 5 p.m. It will be the second meeting of the season between the two powers. Defending state champion Eastview won the first one, 75-70 in overtime on Dec. 6.
