Holiday Hoops Classic slideshow

Last week’s Holiday Hoops Classic was a basketball showcase that featured 24 boys games and 10 girls games contested over two days in three gymnasiums on the Maricopa High School campus.

“The tournament has been an overall success,” said Maricopa boys basketball coach Andy Branchik, who coordinated the event. “It ran smoothly. All of the teams have enjoyed themselves. There have been a lot of compliments. It’s been a fun tournament.”

Branchik’s Maricopa boys team finished 3-3 in the tournament, defeating Tucson Empire twice and Globe once while losing to Fountain Hills, Apache Junction and Chandler Seton Catholic.
Tucson Ironwood Ridge finished 6-0 to win the eight-team boys bracket.

In the girls bracket, coach Jennifer Miller’s Maricopa Rams won their second consecutive Holiday Hoops Classic, defeating Cibecue, Glendale, Tucson Pueblo and Globe to earn the championship.

“It doesn’t really matter which girls we put on the floor,” said Miller, whose team received contributions from every player on the varsity roster. “They seem to be able to get the job done.”
The Rams outscored their four opponents by a combined margin of 239-120, beating Cibecue 68-38, Glendale 63-18, Pueblo 52-41 and Globe 56-23.

Miller said the keys to the Rams’ tournament victories were “rebounding, points in the paint and defense – and most importantly, defense.”