Helix Charter High School will host the 24-team Surf N Slam basketball tournament Dec. 27-30 with an emphasis on out-of-state competition. Helix Charter will host most of the games, though Christian High School and Monte Vista High School will also host games.
The tournament field includes 16 boys teams in two divisions (Surf Division and Slam Division) plus eight girls teams.
It should be entertaining for fans to watch, according to Helix boys varsity coach Jason Cavazos.
“There’s lots of different styles in high school basketball in other states unlike what’s being played in San Diego,” he said.
The Highlanders (3-11) and Patriots (6-3) will represent East County in the boys field. The Highlanders are coming off a 1-3 showing in last week’s tournament at Sweetwater High School while playing short because of injuries. “We haven’t been at full strength all season,” Cavazos said. “Hopefully before the season is over we’ll be at full strength. That’s my ultimate goal.”
Helix defeated Southwest San Diego, 49-45, in pool play but lost to Lincoln (57-47), Mission Bay (78-45) and Mater Dei Catholic (83-60) to close out tourney play. The Highlanders’ showing was respectable considering the undermanned lineup pitted against some of the region’s top teams.
“We’re still developing,” Cavazos said. “We have the potential to be good this season. We should be good next season.”
Helix junior Jason Black earned selection to the all-tournament team. Other top players this season include junior Kristian Giordano, sophomore Brian Hammerstrand and freshman Trey Cavazos (coach’s son).
Helix tips off Surf N Slam play with a 9 a.m. game Friday against Alaska Wasilla. Christian opens against ULS from Hawaii Friday at 4:30 p.m.
