Berkeley Invite a stepping stone for boys hoops squad

Posted Feb 12, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 13, 2012 at 10:42 AM

Berkeley Prep boys basketball coach Bobby Reinhart noted an interesting fact Sunday: the teams who took part in this year’s Berkeley Prep Invitational tournament over the holiday break are doing alright for themselves.

Six teams from the tournament in December —Berkeley, Wharton, St. Petersburg, Vero Beach, East Bay and Lakeland—went on to win their respective districts and another squad, Strawberry Crest, was a district runner-up despite losing two starters to an FHSAA suspension.

Last year, all eight participants in the tourney won a district crown.

This week, it’s win or go home time as regional quarterfinals action begin. Thursday games involving Hillsborough County squads include:

(2A): Winter Haven All-Saints Academy at Cambridge Christian
(3A): Seffner Christian at Lakeland McKeel Academy of Technology
(3A): Lakeland Christian at Tampa Prep
(4A): DeSoto County at Berkeley Prep
(5A): Boca Ciega at Jesuit
(5A): Robinson at Lakewood
(6A): Lakewood Ranch at Sickles
(6A): Strawberry Crest at Palmetto
(7A): TBT at Lakeland
(7A): Haines City Ridge Community at East Bay
(7A): Seminole at Chamberlain
(8A): East Lake at Wharton
(8A): Plant at Sarasota Riverview

All games are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start Thursday. Admission is $7.