12/20-12/23: High School Girls Basketball: Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions In its fourth decade, this tournament has showcased some of the nation’s best teams and players (Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird). Among the 16 teams vying for the Gold Division trophy are Ventura (coming off a 44-41 victory over Harvard Westlake, the state’s No. 1–ranked team), North Torrance, Buena, Hanford, Bishop Montgomery, and Westview of San Diego. Santa Barbara, the defending champion, was matched against Los Alamitos, with sophomore sensation Cailyn Crocker, in the opening round. Another 14 teams will play in the Green Division at San Marcos High and Bishop Diego (except for Friday’s championship and third-place games at SBHS). Dos Pueblos, off to a 7-0 start, is among the division favorites. Thu.: Gold semifinals, 6 and 7:30pm. Fri.: Green championship, 6pm; Gold championship, 7:30pm. J.R. Richards Gym, S.B. High, 700 E. Anapamu St. Free-$6. Visit sbtoc.com.
