By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
LA FERIA — One of the longest-running and arguably one of the best basketball tournaments in the Rio Grande Valley is back for its 87th installment.
The C.E. Vail Classic tips off today at both La Feria and Mercedes high schools. The tournament will feature 32 teams and 70 games during the next three days, culminating with the championship game Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
With some of the best programs in the Valley competing, some of the area’s smaller schools will have a chance right out of the gate to see how they measure up to the bigger programs.
Santa Rosa, which has won 11 consecutive district titles, will get thrown into the Lion’s Den early to take on the Brownsville Veterans Chargers.
Vets was ranked 24th in the latest Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 6A state rankings this week.
For the 3-5 Warriors, however, this is nothing new, having faced tough teams such as Corpus Christi Miller, King, Moody and Edinburg North already this year.
“It’ll be another measuring stick as to where we’re at,” Santa Rosa head coach Johnny Cipriano said. “We’re working on certain things and trying to get better. Hopefully games and tournaments like this get us ready for when the playoffs come.”
Santa Rosa and Brownsville Veterans tipoff at 1:30 p.m. in La Feria.
While smaller schools are looking to see where they stand, programs like South are not overlooking anyone in this tourney.
The Hawks drew Athlos Leadership Academy at 9:30 a.m. in Mercedes.
“Anytime we get to these tournaments, we try to take it a game at a time and not look past anyone,” said South head coach Brian Molina. “Athlos is a newer school, but they have size and they do good things basketball-wise. We’re just trying to get better.”
At the same time, Santa Maria, who has had its share of recent postseason success, will take on Harlingen.
San Perlita will face Weslaco at noon in Mercedes and Lyford will try their hand against Miller.
Back in La Feria, Raymondviile will face Los Fresnos.
Hosting La Feria will face PSJA Memorial and Mercedes will take on San Benito.