Plenty to cheer for

If the opening game of the 2008 Tournament of Champions was to serve as any indication as to what the weeklong event would hold, then it certainly would be a dogfight as to who would win the crown.

Host Ocean View took on Centennial of Compton on Monday to launch the tournament and the Seahawks had to go overtime to get past the Apaches, 60-59, in a terrific tournament opener. Centennial forced overtime when junior Kurt Davis hit a three-point shot in the closing seconds of regulation to tie the score at 55. The Apaches failed on two shot attempts in the final 10 seconds of overtime that would have given them the lead.

Junior center Ryan Okwudiboyne’s impressive performance included 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Seahawks. Anthony Brown and Avery Johnson contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Ocean View hit six three-point shots in the game.

Oilers take the prize: Huntington Beach won four games to bring home the championship from the Cypress/Western Classic.

The Oilers capped the tournament with a 46-26 rout of Cypress in Saturday’s final. Robert Clark scored 10 points to pace Huntington in the title game.

Clark was named to the all-tournament team. Zachary Kimber, who scored in double-figures in three of the Oilers’ four games was named tournament MVP.

Huntington opened the tournament with an 82-52 romp past Santiago. After the Fullerton win came a 61-47 victory over L.A. Narbonne on Dec. 4.

“I thought we played well in stretches, but we definitely were not firing on all cylinders,” Huntington Coach Fabian Luna said.

“Our defense was really what anchored us this weekend and I was pleased with our overall effort on that side of the floor.”

Huntington currently is playing in the La Quinta Tournament in Westminster.

Marina wins tourney title: Marina laid claim to the 2009 La Quinta Tournament title Saturday by defeating Laguna Beach, 45-34, in the final.

Brendan Holmes hit five three-point baskets en route to a team-high 18 points. Garrett James scored 17 points and Jacob Tricarico pulled down 17 rebounds.

The Vikings also received big contributions from Tyler James, JJ James, Steven Murray, Ryan Lehane, Dana Gomez and JP Lichtenberger.

Holmes and Garrett James shared tournament MVP honors. JJ James was named to the all-tournament team.

Marina had defeated Bolsa Grande (75-55), Pacifica (91-70) and El Modena (62-51) to reach the championship game.

“Our team defense and rebounding were the keys to us winning the tournament,” Marina Coach Roger Holmes said. “If we can continue to grow in those areas, we will be right where we want to be.

“We beat some well-coached, athletic teams and showed some real signs of improvement.”

The Vikings travel to Monroe High in North Hills for a nonleague game Saturday.

Edison wins opener: Edison began its season Dec. 4 with a 62-56 home court win over San Clemente. Kyle Boswell poured in a game-high 28 points and Max Prendergast grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Chargers weren’t as fortunate Friday at Aliso Niguel. With Boswell, Jeff Trojan, Mikey Rivera and Jordan Zumwalt sitting out the game due to injuries, Edison suffered a 56-51 overtime loss to the Wolverines.

Despite the loss of several key performers, the Chargers — who suited up just seven players for the game — still received solid performances from Ryan Walker (12 points, eight rebounds) and Dylan Garrity (19 points).

On Monday, Edison, still depleted in its line-up, dropped a 69-58 game to University in the first round of the La Quinta Tournament. Garrity tied for game-high scoring honors with 25 points. Prendergast and Walker each scored nine points.

Edison continues play today through Saturday at the tournament.

Fountain Valley falls: Fountain Valley ended play Dec. 4 at the Mission Viejo Classic with a 76-56 loss to Woodbridge. Guards Chris Lee and Robbie Daquilla both scored nine points and captain Artie O’Keefe had 11 more for the Barons, who resume play Dec. 15 with a nonleague game at La Puente.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

The Huntington Beach Oilers moved to 2-0 Tuesday at the Hoops Challenge girls’ basketball tournament at Fountain Valley High by routing the La Quinta Aztecs, 74-36.

The Oilers raced to a 19-6 lead after one quarter and were in charge at the half, 37-16. Noelani Viloria scored a game-high 24 points, Chelsey Pinegar had 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Maya Kennedy scored 11 points, Meghan White had eight points to go along with 14 rebounds and Kelsey Minato had six points and nine assists.

Huntington connected on 10 three-point baskets in the game, which is the same number of three-point shots they hit in a season-opening win over El Modena on Dec. 2.

“It’s been a great start to the season watching a young, quick run-and-gun team go up and down the floor,” Coach Russell McClurg said after Huntington improved to 3-0. “It’s been fun to watch. This is probably the best shooting team I’ve ever had.”

In its tournament opener Saturday, Huntington pulled away in the second half to rout Schurr of Montebello, 65-42. Four Oilers scored in double figures, led by Viloria’s 16 points. Minato scored 14 and Kennedy and White each scored 12. White also hauled in 13 rebounds.

Huntington and El Modena will meet for a second time in 11 days when they play a 7:45 p.m. semifinal game Friday.

The Hoops Challenge culminates Saturday.

Fountain Valley rally falls short: The Barons rallied in the fourth quarter against El Modena in Monday’s opening-round play at their own Hoops Challenge, but fell short in their comeback attempt and fell, 49-41, to the Vanguards. Sami Little scored 13 points and LaRee Reeves 10 points for Fountain Valley.

Edison wins tourney title: The Chargers won their first four games of the season at the Century Tournament to win the tourney title.

In the final Saturday, the Chargers defeated Northwood, 40-34. Bonnie Samuelson topped the Chargers with 12 points and Michelle Yamasaki scored 10.

Prior to defeating Northwood, Edison scored tournament wins over Laguna Beach (65-7), Westminster (74-26) and El Dorado (48-35).

Marina rolls: The Vikings rolled in their University Tournament opener Saturday, beating host University, 65-47. Rita Sitivi netted a game-high 24 points and Alyssa Kinoshita scored 14 to lead the Vikings.