The MaxPreps Classic at Torrey Pines has changed in name and in the number of divisions but since year one the holiday classic has always drawn some of the nations’ best teams and players. 

This year the marquee player hails from San Diego, San Diego High that is.    6’10” Louisville commit Jeremy Tyler ’10 is considered by most the best player at the MaxPreps. 

On Friday San Diego opened the tournament against Santa Rita (Tucson, AZ) but with no player over 6’4” Santa Rita had no answer for 6’10” Jeremy Tyler who scored 22 of the first 23 points for San Diego.  Tyler made all the field goals for San Diego for almost the entire first half.  Santa Rita’s perimeter shooting, led by junior standout guard Terrell Stoglin kept the game close late but Jeremy Tyler turned on a switch (scoring 41 points) and San Diego was able to hold on for the 60-58 first round win. 

Last year Santa Rita met Compton in the first round, led by McDonald’s All-American Demar Derozan, and lost in the last minute after a great basket by Terrell Stoglin.

In the National Division quarterfinals Jeremy Tyler, in some ways, had his local coming out party.  San Diego played West Valley (Hemet), a rematch from last year’s state playoff first round when West Valley lost at San Diego 76-64. 

West Valley is led by 6’8” Oregon State signee Joseph Barton and 6’1” San Diego State signee Eric Lawton; with coach Steve Fisher in the house watching his recruit.  With 6’8” Joseph Barton minding the paint Jeremy Tyler  used his full arsenal of weapons including his fluid 3-balls, quick mid-range jumper and thunderous dunks.  Barton and Eric Lawton more than held their own but Tyler & Co. came away with a 73-59 victory with Tyler scoring 41 points. 

Jeremy Tyler has had his fair share of press for a junior all-american candidate but some prominent prep writers had not seen him in person until last weekend.  With state # 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) in Florida and the MaxPreps being the top holiday tournament on the west coast most, if not all of the state based prep writers were at Torrey Pines to see Tyler. 

In Tyler’s freshman year he played under Jamelle Horne’s (Arizona) shadow and last year he was inconsistent and foul proned.  Plus, last year San Diego played nearly every big game outside the state while not playing their first game in the San Diego area until January 8th. 

The only big game in San Diego before the 2008 playoffs that San Diego High played in was vs. Horizon at the inaugural Mark Hall Memorial Classic at Hoover.  And this year San Diego opened the season at the Maui Classic. 

So last weekend many local fans were able to see Jeremy Tyler against a state ranked opponent and Tyler didn’t disappoint;  so much so that the crowd tried to spur on San Diego’s opponents as the clear underdogs.

If CIF clears San Diego’s three transfers, which include 6’ 5” Terrance Boyd and 7’ 0” Zech Smith, then the Cavers won’t lose to any local teams, including new league rival Hoover who is led by 6’9” sophomore sensation Angelo Chol. 

With the transfers San Diego may defeat nationally ranked Fairfax (Los Angeles) in a much anticipated ESPN2 televised game at City College on January 23rd. 

San Diego faces Eisenhower (Rialto) in the semifinals tonight, which like Santa Rita, is also vertically challenged with no player over 6’4”.