Holidays a special time of the season

We interrupt this girls basketball season for something special.

The holiday tournaments are always something special. They're a little fun, ething different before the grind that the regular season becomes in January and February.

This year's tournaments are no different. For girls basketball fans, there's plenty to see here.

Montini Christmas Tournament, Dec. 26, 28-30

The field: Batavia, Benet, Bolingbrook, Evanston, Geneva, Hersey, Huntley, Kenwood, Marian Catholic, Marist, Montini, Oak Park-River Forest, Rolling Meadows, Romeoville, Whitney Young.

The favorite: Montini.

The scoop: There's no shortage of talent at this tournament, which has quickly grown to become one of the best - if not the best - girls holiday tournaments in the state. With eight future Division I college players, the Broncos should go far. They won't have it easy, though, and that's how they planned it. Either Benet or Whitney Young could meet the Broncos in the final; Benet already has won two tournaments this season. Ali Andrews of Huntley is committed to play at Illinois. Geneva and Batavia also are teams to watch.

Wheaton North Bill Neibch Holiday Classic, Dec. 21-23, 26

The field: Downers Grove North, Elgin, Elk Grove, Glenbard North, Glenbard South, Glenbrook South, Hinsdale Central, Jacobs, Lyons Twp., Palatine, St. Charles East, Schaumburg, Waubonsie Valley, West Aurora, Wheaton North, Willowbrook.

The favorite: Glenbrook South.

The scoop: This is annually a very good tournament, but some of the past winners are a little down this year. No. 3 seed Glenbard North is looking to regain the momentum it had after defeating Geneva for the Glenbard East tournament title at Thanksgiving. Unseeded host Wheaton North is very young, but the Falcons are on a three-game winning streak and seem to be gaining confidence every day.

Oswego East Holiday Classic, Dec. 21-23, 26

The field: Aurora Central Catholic, Downers Grove South, East Aurora, Harlem, IC Catholic Prep, Joliet Central, Lemont, Metea Valley, Oswego, Oswego East, Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Plainfield North, Proviso East, Sycamore, West Chicago.

The favorite: Oswego East.

The scoop: Oswego East has some of the best players in this tournament, led by Sydney Schultz and Ty Battle. The host school is 9-1, the only loss to Benet. Proviso East shouldn't be ignored either. Downers Grove South is quietly putting together a good season, while Metea Valley is young but maturing quickly.

Lisle Holiday Cage Classic, Dec. 26, 28-30

The field: Antioch, Chicago Christian, Coal City, Hampshire, Hinckley-Big Rock, Illiana Christian, Latin, Lisle, Newark, Reed-Custer, St. Edward, St. Francis, Timothy Christian, Walther Christian, Westmont, Wheaton Academy.

The favorite: Antioch.

The scoop: Antioch is undefeated and looking like it could again win the best small-school tournament in the Chicago area. Hampshire is 8-3 and shouldn't be ignored either. Wheaton Academy fell to 10-2 after a lackluster outing Tuesday. The Warriors will look to regain their momentum at Lisle. The home team has a loss to Wheaton Academy on its schedule already, but the Lions plan to make an impression.

Riverside-Brookfield Holiday Classic, Dec. 23, 26-30

The field: Argo, Beecher, DeLaSalle, Glenbard East, Glenbard West, Hinsdale South, Morton, Niles North, Oak Lawn, Queen of Peace, Riverside-Brookfield, St. Ignatius, Shepard, South Elgin, South Shore, York.

The favorite: Riverside-Brookfield.

The scoop: A round-robin tournament broken into four groups, it will conclude with teams being reseeded for the championship round. Glenbard East is having its best season in years, and Glenbard West is much improved from last year. Hinsdale South has one of the top players in the tournament, Sydney Kopp. York is missing two of its most experienced players, but it shouldn't be overlooked.

State Farm Classic, Dec. 28-31

The field: Bloomington, Champaign Centennial, Chatham Glenwood, Geneseo, Mahomet-Seymour, Morton, Normal Community, Normal West, Normal U-High, North Lawndale, Peoria Richwoods, Plainfield South, Rochester, Rock Island, Springfield, WW South.

The scoop: WW South is opting for a change of scenery, going to Bloomington-Normal for a second consecutive season. With a young roster, it's a chance for the Tigers to learn about themselves away and get ready for the second half of the season. Five teams are ranked in the AP's state poll.

Sterling Shootout, Dec. 18, 19, 23

The field: Freeport, Hononegah, Moline, Naperville Central, Richwoods, Sterling.

The scoop: The Redhawks will play Hononegah, Sterling and Freeport, Moline in the Shootout, a good opportunity to get away, spend a night in a hotel bonding and see some different competition. And by different competition, we don't mean weak competition. Naperville Central will be challenged.

Dundee-Crown Charger Christmas Tournament, Dec. 26, 28-30

The field: Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Burlington Central, Crystal Lake South, Dundee-Crown, Fenwick, Hononegah, Maine South, Maine West, Naperville Central, New Trier, Prospect, Resurrection, St. Charles North, Stevenson.

The scoop: In case Naperville Central isn't challenged enough at Sterling, it will challenge itself again after Christmas. The Redhawks will start with Maine West. Buffalo Grove or Fenwick would follow if the Redhawks get past Maine West.

Mundelein Holiday Tournament, Dec. 21-23, 26

The field: Auburn, Cary-Grove, Conant, Grant, Grayslake North, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Lake Park, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Mundelein, Nazareth, Niles West, Prairie Ridge, Streamwood, Vernon Hills.

The scoop: The break from the DuPage Valley Conference schedule comes at a good time for the Lancers, who have struggled lately. They open against Vernon Hills.