URGENT UPDATE: The **69th Emmett Thompson Memorial Dad’s Club Basketball Tournament** kicks off today at **Kaiser Permanente Arena** in **Santa Cruz**, running from **December 7-9, 2023**. This annual high school basketball showdown features **eight teams**, all vying for the championship title, making it an essential event for local sports fans!
The action begins today with **Soquel facing Willow Glen** at **3:30 PM**, followed by **Central Catholic vs. Monterey** at **5:00 PM**, **San Luis Obispo vs. Los Gatos** at **6:30 PM**, and **Santa Cruz battling Scotts Valley** at **8:00 PM**. As the excitement builds, each team is looking to establish momentum for the season ahead.
Valley Christian of San Jose enters the tournament as the reigning champions, having defeated **San Luis Obispo 74-52** for the 2024 title. Coach **Lawan Milhouse** of the Santa Cruz Cardinals expressed optimism about the tournament’s competitive field. “I think it’s a pretty good field,” he stated, highlighting the high stakes for his young team, which returns only one starter from last season.
In addition to the Dad’s Club Tournament, the **sixth annual Jacob’s Heart Pediatric Cancer Shootout** will be held on **Saturday**, featuring every program in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League. Cardinals coach **Todd Trowbridge** aims to raise **$6,000** for pediatric cancer, underscoring the event’s significance. “Fighting cancer is more important than playing basketball,” Trowbridge said, as the community rallies for this noble cause.
Every participant will don special event shirts to promote childhood cancer awareness, further emphasizing the human impact of this initiative. The girls’ tournament will also see action, with **Soquel facing Notre Dame of Belmont** at **9:00 AM** Saturday, before they race to compete in another tournament in San Jose later that day.
As the excitement unfolds, today’s games promise to deliver thrilling basketball action while also supporting a vital cause. The community is encouraged to attend and cheer on their local teams as they battle on the court while contributing to a worthy fundraising effort.
With such a packed schedule and intense competition, the **Emmett Thompson Memorial Dad’s Club Basketball Tournament** and the **Jacob’s Heart Pediatric Cancer Shootout** represent not just a celebration of high school athletics but also a commitment to supporting families affected by pediatric cancer.
Be sure to catch all the live updates and highlights from these pivotal events as they unfold!
