Tavora's MVP award goes beyond points
Low-key Gabriel Tavora of Monterey Trail was named the MVP of Saturday's 38th annual Jack Scott Tournament at Rio Americano, adding his name to a list that includes former NBA players Kevin Johnson and DeMarcus Nelson, and Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes.
The senior's selection surprised more than a few in the crowd after Monterey Trail beat Jesuit 64-56 for the tournament title.
Tavora's layup just before the final buzzer accounted for his only points in the championship game, though he scored 24 points in the Mustangs' earlier tournament wins over Oak Ridge (in overtime) and Rio Americano.
Tavora, a 6-foot, 155-pound guard and one of only two seniors on the Mustangs' roster, was recognized for his defense, leadership – and high pain threshold.
Tavora already had two fingers on his shooting hand taped because of a dislocation earlier in the season, then he mangled another finger on the same hand against the Marauders.
"We don't need him for his shooting," Monterey Trail coach Ken Manfredi said. "We need him for everything else. He's our warrior."
The Mustangs (4-1) play West of Tracy today at 7 p.m. in the opening round of their Mark Macres Tournament.
Other opening-round games are Foothill vs. Christian Brothers at 4 p.m.; Granite Bay vs. Campolindo of Moraga, 5:30 p.m.; and Reno vs. Pleasant Grove, 8:30 p.m. Saturday's championship is at 6:45 p.m.
Busy tourney hoops schedule this weekend
Sacramento High will host the St. Hope Classic girls basketball tournament today through Saturday at the charter school's Oak Park campus.
Today's games are Sheldon vs. Rosemont, 3:30 p.m.; St. Francis vs. Brookside Christian, 5 p.m.; Benicia vs. Inderkum, 6:30 p.m.; and Sacramento vs. Cosumnes Oaks, 8 p.m. The championship is Saturday at 7 p.m.
In other tournaments:
• Oak Ridge and West Campus, last season's section D-I and D-IV girls runners-up, respectively, highlight the field in the Trojan Shoot Out at Oak Ridge. Today's schedule: Pleasant Grove vs. Lincoln of Stockton, 3:30 p.m.; Nevada Union vs. El Dorado, 5 p.m.; Oak Ridge vs. Winters, 6:30 p.m.; and West Campus vs. El Camino, 8 p.m. Saturday's title game is at 4 p.m.
• Perennial power Sac High will play Dublin at 4 p.m., and defending D-II section champion Antelope will face 2012 CIF SoCal D-I Regional runner-up Bullard of Fresno today at 5:30 p.m. in the 59th Gridley Invitational boys tournament.
• The 26th annual Folsom-Vista Classic boys tournament starts tonight at the two schools. At Folsom: Folsom vs. El Dorado, 7 p.m.; Rocklin vs. American of Fremont, 8:30 p.m. At Vista del Lago: Vista vs. Del Campo, 7 p.m.; Woodcreek vs. Center, 8:30 p.m. The championship will be Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Folsom.
– Bill Paterson
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