Campbell Hall and Compton set to meet, let the hoop-la begin

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High school basketball fans, die-hard and fair weather alike, boy, do I have some good news for you. A must-see game. It’s tonight, between two of the top teams in Southern California, Campbell Hall and Compton, and two of the top players in the nation, Jrue Holiday, pictured, and Demar DeRozan. Opportunities to see showdowns of this caliber don’t come around very often.

Getting out to Ocean View High early for this Tournament of Champions game is highly recommended because the place is going to jumpin’. Expect a packed house for the 8:15 p.m. tipoff. I mean, how could there not be? We’re talking about the UCLA-bound Holiday matched up against USC commit DeRozan. We’re talking about two teams ranked among The Times’ top 10.

‘When we entered this tournament, we knew there was a chance we might end up meeting Compton,’’ Campbell Hall assistant coach Paul Tait said late Wednesday night after learning the particulars of the game. ‘These are the types of events you want to be associated with. This one has some star power. There’s going to be a great atmosphere. This is a big deal.’’

Indeed it is. This game might be worth leaving the wife and kids at home for a few hours. Might be worth finishing your homework early for one time this semester. Might be worth making the trip out to Huntington Beach and grabbing a courtside seat or any spot available in the bleachers. This one is bound to live up to the hype.

-- Sean Ceglinsky

-- Image by Richard Hartog/Los Angeles Times