Basketball teams don’t just battle it out on the court—they bond off it too. In a unique moment during the San Juan Hills Invitational basketball tournament in Orange County, the San Juan Hills team and their opponents from Damalan College Prep in Australia faced off for 48 minutes. But after the game, they set aside competition and headed to In-N-Out together for a much-deserved postgame meal.

This kind of camaraderie is a hallmark of basketball tournament season in Orange County. The San Juan Hills Invitational, hosted by Capistrano Valley Christian and San Juan Hills, is one of several tournaments happening this week. These events are more than just games—they’re vital fundraisers for schools. Teams pay a $475 entry fee to participate, while ticket sales and snack bar purchases bring in additional funds. According to Capistrano Valley Christian coach Jon Bahnsen, who has organized tournaments for nearly three decades, this money helps cover travel costs for teams attending out-of-town tournaments in places like Palm Springs or Las Vegas.

Running a high-quality tournament isn’t easy, but Bahnsen takes pride in it. This year’s San Juan Hills Invitational includes teams from the Los Angeles City Section, San Diego Section, and even two squads from Australia. However, securing team commitments has become a challenge. Some teams back out even after signing contracts, which can shrink brackets at the last minute.

In addition to the San Juan Hills Invitational, Orange County is hosting several other long-standing tournaments this season. The Orange Holiday Classic, held at Orange High from Dec. 26-30, is celebrating its 59th year. This tournament features eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams. Meanwhile, Estancia High will host the Coast Classic during the same dates, marking its 39th season with 16 participating teams across two divisions.

Tournaments like these not only showcase exciting basketball but also help programs stay financially strong. Estancia coach Xavier Castellano shared how his school has been fortunate to host the Coast Classic without major issues over the years. For players and coaches alike, these events are about more than competition—they’re opportunities to connect and grow. And sometimes, they come with a bonus: a postgame trip for some In-N-Out burgers, maybe with grilled onions.

### Quick Tournament Updates:
– **North Orange County Championships Semifinals:** Friday at Sonora High: Pacifica Christian vs. Pilibos (6 p.m.) and Canyon vs. Etiwanda (7:30 p.m.). The championship is on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
– **Los Alamitos Varsity Showcase:** Friday and Saturday. Key matchup: St. Pius X-St. Matthias vs. Los Alamitos on Friday at 7 p.m.
– **Maya Enomoto Showcase (Girls’ Basketball):** Saturday at Esperanza High. Big games include Brentwood vs. Esperanza (6 p.m.) and Mater Dei vs. Sage Hill (7:30 p.m.).
– **Orange County North/South Challenge:** Dec. 21 at Tesoro High, with games starting at 9 a.m. Highlights: San Clemente vs. Los Alamitos (6 p.m.) and San Juan Hills vs. Cypress (7:30 p.m.).
– **Tustin Holiday Classic:** Dec. 26-30 at Tustin High with teams like Edison, Newport Harbor, and Tesoro.
– **Recent Wins:** El Dorado claimed the Gary Raya Classic title with a 66-63 victory over Yorba Linda, and Newport Harbor edged out Tustin 61-60 in the Euclid Extravaganza.

### Notable Mentions:
– **Lance Stewart Tribute:** Lance Stewart, a standout athlete and coach who excelled in volleyball and football, recently passed away at 61. He was known for leading multiple CIF championship teams.
– **Servite Soccer Update:** The team tied Aliso Niguel 0-0 and defeated Valencia 4-2 this week.
– **Fairmont Hockey Dominates:** The Huskies are leading Division 1 of the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League with standout performances by Cole Bieksa, son of former NHL player Kevin Bieksa.
– **CIF Weekly Show Launch:** “CIF Southern Section This Week” premieres Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Spectrum SportsNet.

High school sports bring intense competition, moments of unity, and plenty of unforgettable memories. From basketball battles to hockey triumphs, Orange County athletes are giving it their all this season—and maybe grabbing a Double-Double along the way.