Thirty two teams, including eight CIF top-ten ranked teams will converge on the fields of South Torrance High School when the school hosts the boy’s edition of its Holiday Tournament beginning Wednesday, Dec. 19
The annual tournament runs through Saturday, Dec. 22 concluding with the Championship Bracket title game at 4 p.m.
Leuzinger (No. 9, Div. 1) will defend its 2011 title among a field that includes ranked teams Loyola (No. 3, Div. 1), Los Alamitos (No. 7, Div. 1), Palos Verdes (No. 5, Div. 1), Coachella Valley (No. 2, Div. 2), Channel Islands (No. 3, Div. 3), El Rancho (No. 2, Div. 3) and Animo Leadership (No. 2, Div. 6).
Mira Costa head coach Gary Smith begins his 20th season at the helm and expects to battle Palos Verdes for the Bay League title. His Mustangs open the tournament on Thursday, Dec. 20 at 4:30 p.m. against Torrance.
“Our strengths are athleticism and a competitive nature,” Smith said. “We have strong players with good skills.”
The Mustangs return four starters from last year’s squad that lost to Servite on penalty kicks in second round of the CIF playoffs.
Senior midfielder Grant Southwood is the top returner for Mira Costa which will rely on junior goalkeeper Madison Gesser to keep the Mustangs in the game.
Joining Southwood at the midfielder position will be seniors Teddy Pappas, Frank Ralyea and Travis Bradford. Top forwards include juniors Chase Sandera, Sebastian Thomas and Mateo Nieto. The defense will be led by seniors Rudy Aguilar, Zack Primm, Josh Cavallo and junior Tanner Warner.
Redondo opens the tournament Wednesday with a 7:30 p.m. game against Narbonne. Head Coach Ignacio Lopez expects the Sea Hawk’s defense and midfield to carry the team while the offense improves.
“Colin Jackson, Gus Pamungkas, Dustin Herold, James Tanaka and Shane Staudle will be our key players entering the season,” Lopez said, who expects Palos Verdes and Leuzinger to be the teams to beat in the race for the Bay League title.
The Sea Hawks had a season-opening tie with St. John Bosco before shutting out Santa Monica 2-0 when goalkeeper Griffin Thomas recorded seven saves.
