Undefeated Brea Olinda to Face Top Teams at Ohio Tournament

After two years of trying to get into the tournament, Brea Olinda probably gets its stiffest three-day test in school history beginning Friday when it plays in the Pickerington (Ohio) Lady Tiger Classic.

Five of the eight teams in the tournament are ranked among the top 25 in the USA Today national poll.

Brea opens the tournament Friday against Memphis Harding (8-2) in a battle between the tournament’s two shortest teams. Brea doesn’t have a player over 5-11, and Harding has only one taller than 5-11. That player is Kansas-bound Nikki White, a 6-foot-4 center who averaged eight rebounds and four blocks last year.

White is one of two preseason Kodak All-Americans at Harding; the other is Juana Brown, a 5-10 guard who played on the U.S. Junior National team and is headed for North Carolina. Harding’s two losses are to defending state champions in Tennessee.

Should Brea (8-0) win, the Ladycats will face Pickerington in a matchup between two teams that have been among the top five in USA Today’s national rankings. Pickerington has eight players 6-0 or taller.

One advantage for the Ladycats--there is no shot clock.

Both games will be broadcast on AM 1190 KORG at 8 p.m. The tournament concludes Sunday.