The tourney took on a new identity three years ago when it was renamed the Glenn Ventura Pioneer Classic in honor of its founder. And the 2003 version of the Ventura Classic is scheduled to run Dec 3 through Dec 5 in the Pioneer High School gym.

The first round match-ups on Dec. 3 pit Oak Grove against Westmont at 3:30 p.m., Leigh versus Soquel at 5 p.m., Piedmont Hills playing Monta Vista at 6:30 p.m. and host Pioneer meeting Scotts Valley at 8 p.m. Second round games on Dec. 4 and third round games on Dec. 5 will follow the same time schedule. On Friday, the consolation championship game is at 5 p.m. with the third-place game at 6:30 p.m. and the championship game at 8 p.m.

The Classic has characteristically provided a higher level of competition among the participants and this year is no different. Oak Grove, Westmont, Leigh, and Piedmont Hills compete in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League. Monta Vista is in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. Both of these divisions are considered "A" level. Soquel and Scotts Valley play in the always tough Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and Pioneer is in the Santa Teresa Division of the BVAL.

The road to the 2003 championship will most likely go through Soquel since the Knights have won the tourney the last three years in a row. They have a pair of seniors in Ashley Dunn and Ashley Oakes who should lead the way. Both were varsity players as freshmen when the Knights began their run. Oakes was the tourney Most Valuable Player in 2000 as a freshman and Dunn has been the tourney MVP for the past two years.

Piedmont Hills is always a strong contender. The Pirates won the very first Classic in 1983 and have been participants every year since. They finished second in 2002 and have two standout returning players in seniors Allyson Yabumoto and Bianca Russell who provide the Pirates with firepower to contend for the title again.

The Eagles from Oak Grove may provide a few surprises. They took third place in 2002 and have junior guard Jackie Tofa returning to lead the team. Tofa was an all-tournament selection in 2002 as a sophomore.

Monta Vista can never be counted out. The Matadors, with a rich tradition of solid and talented teams in their program, have also been a participant in the Classic from the very first year and have the distinction of having won the most championships over the history of the tourney (five).

Westmont always puts a competitive and tough team on the floor and was the last team to win the championship in 1999 before Soquel began its string. They also took the consolation trophy in 2002 after losing their opening round contest. The Warriors have juniors Rachel Gelman, Stacey Stenzel, and Ann Baumgardner who have the experience of being varsity players since their freshman year and could provide what is necessary to dethrone Soquel.

The darkhorse could be host Pioneer. Senior Gina Biviano provides a strong scoring punch, having led the Mustangs in scoring in 2002­03. Biviano was the team MVP as well as 2003 junior of the year in the BVAL Santa Teresa Division. The Mustangs also have junior Camille Brown, who was the 2003 sophomore of the year as a varsity player in the Santa Teresa Division. Pioneer brings an additional element into its mix that was not there last year with senior transfer Brenae Perkins. Senior Shawn Killin provides four years of varsity experience which could be invaluable as the Mustangs face the tough competition of the tourney.

The 21st version of the Glenn Ventura Pioneer Classic should provide once again the fine hardwood competition that has become its tradition.