Mission Prep boys’ basketball not shying away from a challenge

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It’s rare to have the state leading scorer playing in your tournament and it’s even more bizarre to see a host team purposefully schedule a game against one of the toughest teams in the tourney.

So you have tip your hat to Mission Prep Coach Terrance Harris, pictured, for not flinching in the face of extreme odds. The Royals will take on state leading scorer Demar DeRozan [35.3 ppg] and the rest of the highly-talented Compton basketball crew in an ‘out-if-bracket’ contest at the 20-team Mission Prep Christmas Classic tonight at 8.

The freelance Royals know they’re facing an uphill battle in this one, but you know everyone on Mission Prep is pumped up about the opportunity to play against some players who could be collegiate and, possibly, professional stars someday. And who knows? Last year, Mission Prep upset a very talented Crenshaw team, so anything is possible.

I know Mission Prep will be playing some more down-to-earth opponents once bracket play begins Thursday, but I think it’s great the Royals are not backing down from a challenge. Even though they’re a small school, they still want to play the best and they should be proud that a ton of talented teams are in their tournament.

-- Austin Knoblauch

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