Larson tourney field complete

WASILLA — Word has spread about the Doc Larson Roundball Classic. As the annual prep basketball tournament moves into its third year, organizers are excited to see the local event evolve.

“We like the progress we’ve made,” Wasilla boys basketball head coach and tournament organizer Ryan Engebretsen said of the tournament, which starts Dec. 19 at Wasilla High. “It’s word of mouth. Teams are talking to teams that travel all the time saying it’s one of the best tournaments, if not the best.”

The third annual Larson Roundball Classic will include Alaska basketball powers such as the West Anchorage boys and Juneau-Douglas girls, but it’s the interest from Outside programs that really excites organizers. The tournament was designed to bring quality teams from outside of Alaska to the Valley to give local programs the opportunity to see different competition without having to travel.

This year the boys’ and girls’ fields will includes teams from Alaska, Alabama, Colorado and Washington.

On the boys’ side, Engebretsen said he’s excited about Carver High of Montgomery, Ala. Carver, an Alabama Class 6A state semifinal squad last year that includes the top prospect in Alabama, Craig Sword. The senior shooting guard, who is also listed among the top 100 recruits in the nation by multiple publications, has committed to play for Division I Mississippi State.

The boys’ field also includes the Golden High Golden Eagles of Golden, Colo. Golden advanced to the Colorado 4A state championships last season.

The four-team girls’ field includes a pair of squads from the Seattle, Wash., area. Kentlake, a 4A team from Kent, Wash., and Lake Washington, a 3A squad out of Kirkland, will both compete in the 2011 tourney.

Engebretsen said the field did have four from Outside, but a pair of teams from the Lower 48 recently pulled themselves from the field.

The field now sits at six, with four Alaska and two Outside teams. In addition to host Wasilla, West Anchorage, Chugiak and Palmer will compete in the boys’ round-robin tournament. Engebretsen said he’s excited about the Alaska teams in the field.

“It’s a solid field,” Engebretsen said.

West Anchorage is an annual power and Chugiak is once again led by longtime head coach Kevin Fullmer, who spent a brief time away from the program.

With Palmer, Engebretsen said it’s also good to have another Valley team in the field.

“It helps promote basketball in the Valley,” Engebretsen said.

The girls field also includes Alaska power Juneau-Douglas.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

2011 Doc Larson Roundball

Classic schedule

Dec. 19:

Chugiak boys vs. Carver (Ala.), 1 p.m.

Lake Washington (Wash.) girls vs. Kentlake (Wash.), 2:45 p.m.

West Anchorage boys vs. Palmer, 4:30 p.m.

Juneau-Douglas girls vs. Wasilla, 6:15 p.m.

Golden (Colo.) boys vs. Wasilla, 8 p.m.

Dec. 20:

Chugiak boys vs. Golden (Colo.), 1 p.m.

Juneau-Douglas girls vs. Lake Washington (Wash.), 2:45 p.m.

West Anchorage boys vs. Wasilla, 4:30 p.m.

Kentlake (Wash.) girls vs. Wasilla, 6:15 p.m.

Carver (Ala.) boys vs. Palmer, 8 p.m.

Dec. 21:

Palmer boys vs. Chugiak, 1 p.m.

Kentlake (Wash.) girls vs. Juneau-Doulas, 2:45 p.m.

Golden (Colo.) boys vs. West Anchorage, 4:30 p.m.

Lake Washington (Wash.) girls vs. Wasilla, 6:15 p.m.

Carver (Ala.) boys vs. Wasilla, 8 p.m.