By JAMES W. WADE III
Staff Reporter

The annual Villa Holiday Classic basketball tournament was held Sunday Jan. 9, at the Wolstein Center. Celebrating the 10 year in Ohio and second in Cleveland that brings quality high school basketball every winter.

Promoter Jeremy Treatman said the 12-team, six-game event and 15-minute concert by hip-hop group Travis Porter attracted approximately 4,000 fans and indicated the event would return for a third year in 2012.

Two of the first four games went into overtime. Another went to double overtime. The games that did not require extra time were entertaining; even Cleveland Heights' 69-46 win over Glenville.

John Hay coach Chris Sanders said playing four games in six days took its toll on his team, which fell to Shaker Heights, 79-77 in two overtimes. The Hornets, ranked 15th in The Plain Dealer Top 25, beat John Adams on Tuesday and John Marshall on Friday and lost at Canton Glen Oak on Saturday.

"We really wanted to play at Cleveland State University (CSU) but we already had those other games scheduled when they called us and made the invitation," said Sanders. "I didn't want to pass up the chance but I think it really hurt us, especially near the end of the game."

Revere High School (5-1) played Central Catholic (3-4) with it's 6-7 star Senior Larry Nance Jr., that's right, the son of the former Cavs great Larry Nance is making quite a name for himself over his last two seasons at Revere. Averaging 21 points and 9 rebounds a game is a great college prospect.

Last year, he led the Minutemen all the way to the district finals before bowing out to St. Edward. Nance led Revere to its first Suburban League title since 1976, and was a mainstay on a team that finished 19-4. Coming into this season, Nance's teams have a combined record of 33-10 over his first two years starting at the varsity level.

Nance had his coming-out party during the Villa Holiday Classic and may have come out as the best player of the day.

Treatman said he expects the lineup for next year to include Garfield Heights. The Bulldogs, whose team is loaded with talented juniors and sophomores, are expected to join returnees St. Edward, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Mentor and Cleveland Heights. Benedictine officials said they were undecided on 2012. Revere coach Dean Rahas said he would like to return but he graduates most of his team, including Larry Nance Jr.