The 55th annual Snowball Classic Basketball Tournament tips off today at 12:45 p.m. with a game between host Abbotsford and Robert Bateman.
This year the popular tournament hosted at Abbotsford Senior Secondary from Jan. 14 to 18 welcomes back Los Angeles basketball powerhouse Fairfax High School, a two-time state champ that’s currently ranked fifth in the U.S. and No. 1 in California after winning the Under Armour Holiday Classic in San Diego, one of the biggest holiday tournaments in the States.
Fairfax has won the Snowball tourney twice, in 2011 and 2013.
B.C. schools participating in this year’s Snowball tournament include two top-ranked teams in the province, Abbotsford (No. 1 AAA) and Burnaby South (No. 1 AAAA), along with Robert Bateman, Kelowna, Brentwood College, St. George’s, Yale, MEI, WJ Mouat, Walnut Grove and Kitsilano.
“There will be some pretty great games,” said Prentice Lenz, coach of the Abby Panthers and longtime tournament organizer.
For a complete schedule and more info about the tournament, visit www.snowballbasketball.com.
The News will carry a live blog from the Snowball on Thursday, the first full day of the tournament, at abbynews.com.