Holidays mean tourneys
Some basketball and soccer programs decide to take a two-week break when the Christmas/New Year’s holidays approach. Others believe that playing competitively over the holidays is beneficial in many ways since the end of their schedules arrive next month followed by the postseason playoffs.
Island Coast, Mariner and Ida Baker boys’ basketball, Mariner boys’ and girls’ soccer, Cape Coral, Island Coast, Bishop Verot and Oasis girls’ basketball teams all are involved in tournaments through the end of the year.
The action starts Friday and Saturday as Mariner hosts its Tritons’ Invitational soccer event for boys and girls. Oasis picks up the play Monday and Tuesday hosting the Santa Slam II with Island Coast in a 13-team field.
Mariner played one game Thursday night in the City of Palms Classic ahead of hosting a Christmas Shootout among four teams next Saturday. They also head to Tennessee to play in the five-day Arby’s Classic starting the day after Christmas.
Baker’s boys are slated to play in a Holiday Madness Tournament at East Lee County between Christmas and New Year’s as are the Cape Coral and Bishop Verot girls in the Queen of Palms Tournament.
And that’s just to name a few.
College Soccer
Southwest Florida’s Drew Burwash was named the NAIA Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year earlier this month after guiding his Lindsey Wilson College team to its fourth NAIA national championship.
Burwash also was named coach of the year after winning titles in 2004 and 2006.