The Kendall Arnett basketball tournament is approaching quickly. It’s the sixty ninth annual tournament and teams from around the greater Sacramento area look forward to it each year. It’s been a tradition for Placer to host this tournament since the year of 1941 and the team is looking forward to another great tournament.

            Although the tournament has been going on since 1941, it was named and titled the Kendall Arnett in 1945. The tournament was named after a beloved Placer teacher and coach that died suddenly. He had a heart condition that he had a secret to the faculty and students therefore; his death was a shock to the whole school. It was a very emotional time and the basketball team named the tournament, The Kendall Arnett Tournament, in his memory and honor.

            “We have our senior night at the tournament as one of our traditions,” said Varsity Coach Mark Lee. There are many traditions that have been preformed over the tournament’s long history. Teams look forward to these specific traditions each year and it has become a yearly event for sports teams and fans alike. The Kendall Arnett has created many memories and is an event that people around town look forward to and anticipate.     

“There’s going to be steep competition this year, but if we play like we normally do and work hard, we will do just fine this year,” stated junior Cody Riggs. Although the Placer team is young and only has three, existing seniors; the under classman have stepped up to the plate and are doing their best to fill in and do what is expected of them. The young players have big shoes to fill and need to let their determination out way there lack in experience.

            “The teams are fairly even this year, everyone has similar records, so we have good competition this year,” said Coach Mark Lee. The team has to play their A game and really push forward to their full potential if they want to succeed. They need to stay focused and play their best if they want to go far and last long in this year’s tournament.

             “Del Oro and Del Campo are really good but we will give them a run for their money and put up a fight if we play them,” stated Riggs.

            Even though there are good teams, the basketball team will do all in their power to defeat their opponents. The team will have to scavenge every ounce of their ability and skill to win the tournament. If they play like champions, through hard work and determination, they will become champions.