How to fully enjoy holiday basketball tournament season

For those hoping for a restful holiday season, think again.

It’s time for basketball. Lots and lots of high school basketball.

Boys and girls teams are about to scatter around the state to play in tournaments of all shapes and sizes. It’s enough to make your head spin.

Fear not. While we’ll be providing previews and a good amount of game coverage in the next couple weeks, I’m here to offer some friendly tips for making the most of the holiday basketball season.

Fill up the gas tank

If the weather cooperates -- and it looks like it might -- hit the road for some tournaments.

Interstate 55 is a good path to take. The 92nd annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament features some of the best boys teams in the state, including unbeaten Benet.

The field at Pontiac is so good, Benet was only able to snag a third seed behind Curie and Bloom.

Head south a bit and you’ll find the 64-team State Farm Holiday Classic in Bloomington-Normal.

Small- and large-school boys and girls brackets, with 16 teams each? Tempting ... very tempting.

See the small gym

As mentioned above, some of these tournaments are huge. The Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York High School, for example, boasts 32 boys teams.

That requires a second, smaller gymnasium to accommodate all the action over the course of five days. The idea of a smaller gym may seem less than ideal, but you’ll still see solid basketball there.

Even if it’s the consolation bracket, the small gym will be worth your time.

Set the alarm clock

This is a tough one, especially for us night owls.

Some tournaments start mighty early in the morning. And not on ideal days.

It’ll take some dedication to hit that 8:30 a.m. game Dec. 26 at York. Or any of the other sunrise start times. OK ... maybe I’m exaggerating.

I’m not sure how early a basketball player has to wake up to be ready for an 8:30 a.m. game the day after Christmas. I’m not sure I want to know.

But let’s give those kids some support. Try to pry yourself away from the presents you received and watch some breakfast basketball.

I’ll still be in bed sleeping, if you need me.

Buy, buy, buy

Those holiday leftovers may be tempting, but try to save some of your appetite for the tournament concession stands.

For one reason, you never know what interesting goodies you’ll find beyond the standard hot dogs. The bigger reason, though, is to support the programs sponsoring the concession stands.

Buy a hot dog and a pop, and you could be helping fund the school’s marching band or speech team. Or any number of athletic programs.

Every little bit helps, so add some chips to that order!

Get comfortable

It’s the holidays, right? Take it easy, sit back and enjoy your time in the gym.

While some tournaments are stingy with session passes, many others charge a reasonable fee to watch all the games you want in a given day.

From Dundee-Crown to Morton College, and from Wheeling to Hinsdale Central, there’s no shortage of chances to fill your holidays with prep basketball.