Hart, Burbank Bracketed in Tournament

Two teams that have dominated the Foothill League in recent years could meet away from those league wars in the Hoover-Burbank basketball tournament, which begins tonight.

Burbank, league champion in 1983 and again last season, meets Santa Monica at 8 p.m. Hart, the 1984 champion, plays Hoover at Hoover, also at 8.

If the two advance today and Thursday, they will meet Friday at Hoover for the tournament championship.

But Santa Monica is a major obstacle for Burbank. The Vikings are the No. 1 pick in the Southern Section 4-A Division’s preseason poll. Santa Monica was 21-5 last season, but forfeited all its victories for using an ineligible player.

The Vikings are led by returning starters Keith Harris, a 6-6 senior forward, and Carrick DeHart, a 6-4 senior guard.

The Bulldogs of Burbank have just one starter back from last season--Tom Clausen, a guard.

Buckley of Sherman Oaks is hosting its own tournament beginning today. The Griffins take on Pilgrim at 3:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., Oakwood will play Oak Hill, followed by Rosamond against California Christian.

Montclair Prep also begins tournament action today in the Orange Lutheran Tournament. The Mounties, who reached the 1-A semifinals last season, play Southern California Christian at 6 p.m.

The Nordhoff Tournament begins Thursday, featuring three Valley-area teams. Newbury Park takes on Oxnard at 3 p.m., while Saugus plays Bishop Diego at 6:30 p.m. In the night’s final game at 8:15, Moorpark will play Nordhoff.

Also on Thursday, Crespi opens play in the San Luis Obispo Tournament with a 5 p.m. game against San Marcos.

The St. Monica Tournament in Santa Monica includes two Valley teams--Alemany and Agoura.