Tornado warning at Staples

High school basketball fans will have plenty to look forward to

Saturday.

Like it was written in this space last week, the much-anticipated

third annual McDonald’s Invitational will be starting at 10 a.m. at

Pasadena City College.

The one-day event will feature some of the best boys’ basketball

teams in Southern California, including Santa Ana Mater Dei and L.A.

Loyola, not to mention the intriguing matchup between local rivals La

Canada and Crescenta Valley at 7:25 p.m.

But there is something else newsworthy happening on the same day

featuring a local boys’ squad, and it’s something many of you might

not have been familiar with.

Normally, a matchup between Hoover and South Pasadena would not

have much intrigue, but Saturday’s 11 a.m. contest has plenty, and it

has everything to do with where the game will be played.

The Staples Center, home of the L.A. Lakers, Clippers, Sparks,

Kings and Avengers, will play host to a high school basketball game

Saturday -- two of them, actually.

Bellflower St. John Bosco will take on Downey at 9:15 a.m., which

will then be followed by the Tornadoes taking on the Tigers. Both

games are regular nonleague contests, but obviously, that’s about the

only thing regular about these games.

“The kids are very excited for this, and I think it’ll be a big

thrill for them playing at a venue like this,” Hoover Coach Kirt

Kohlmeier said.

Hoover (10-10) got the chance to play at the Staples Center

because of South Pasadena Coach Ryan Weisenberg. Weisenberg’s

assistant coach, Chris Bodaken, is the head scout for the Lakers, and

Weisenberg is his assistant.

The Tigers played last year at the Staples Center, and Weisenberg

is hoping that all this can one day turn into a mini tournament --

held, of course, at the Staples Center.

“This is just big for the kids,” he said. “They’re probably never

going to get a chance to play at a venue like the Staples Center, so

for them to get this opportunity is something they’ll never forget.”

Tickets for the game can be purchased two ways. The Hoover players

have 100 of them and they’re selling it for $5 each. Otherwise, it’s

$10 at the door.

Those of you looking to purchase tickets from the Tornado players,

contact Hoover Principal Kevin Welsh at 242-6801.

In addition to playing at the Staples Center, the players and

coaches from the four teams will also get an another perk: Free

tickets to the Lakers/Jazz game at 7 that night.

So, if you’re like me and looking to catch some good high school

basketball, Saturday was a day made just for you.

FULL-COURT PRESS is a weekly high school basketball column. Sports

Editor Hamlet Nalbandyan can be reached at 637-3226 or by e-mail:

hamlet.nalbandyan@latimes.com.