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The annual holiday boys basketball tournament is set to get underway tomorrow (Thurs., Dec. 27) with the semifinals and then wrap up on Friday, Dec. 28 with the consolation and championship games, all to be played at North Branch High School.

The Green Devils (4-1) start it off Thursday at 6 p.m. with a battle against unbeaten Capac (4-0). The Raiders (3-2) follow at approximately 7:30 against a winless North Branch squad (0-5) that is likely much better than their record indicates.

The Chiefs of Capac appear to have a legitimate shot at winning the BWAC this season behind a tough post combination of Danny Jackson and Joe Harvey.

"Jim Seidell, (BC assistant coach) went and scouted Capac and came back very impressed," pointed out BC coach Tony Burton, whose team is the defending tournament champion. "They have two big kids - Danny Jackson is 6-6 and Joe Harvey is 6-3 and a big bodied kid.

Burton went on to add, "They also have four kids that can shoot the ball and knock down the threes. It sounds like we have our hands full"

The Devils don't get any bigger than 6'2" in forward Donovan Ogboh and 6'3", maybe, in Jon Muxlow.

"Obviously, we have to match up inside somehow," added Burton. "We'll put Donovan on one and Jon on the other. We have to keep them off the offensive glass."

Coach Chris Storm at Marlette has a mismatch problem of his own in the paint against the Broncos, who played their first two or three games without 6'7", 260 pound Zac Hueter. The North Branch senior, who has verbally committed to Central Michigan University to play football, came back from a foot injury to score 14 points in a loss to state-ranked Frankenmuth a week and-a-half ago.

"He's huge," remarked Storm. "I know he hasn't been playing, but he'll be back. He'll get his points, but we'll have to try to double-down on him when we can. Then, hopefully, we can get out and run."

The Raiders have no true post players. In a 10-point loss to a good Lakers team last Wednesday, 5'11" Shane Mitrovich and 6' guard Austin Comment led Marlette in rebounding with nine boards apiece, but it came against a team that they matched-up with in height.

Like Storm had mentioned, he would like his team to get out into the open court and use their quickness against the Broncos. He has been rotating eight or nine players, so far, to help keep the pace."

"This is in their gym and it'll be a tough game," said Storm. "But, I don't think there's an easy game on our schedule."

Overall, Storm thinks the team to beat will come out of the first semifinal. "I think Brown City or Capac have to be (the favorite). I think Brown City's always a favorite. They've got three good players right now. If they get some other help, they'll be tough to beat."

Burton also mentioned that regardless of the outcome of the holiday tournament, it will be a good experience for his team.

"It's a nice little tournament," he commented. "It gives us a chance to play during the holidays instead of trying to line-up a couple of scrimmages."

The consolation game at North Branch will start at 6 p.m. on Friday night, followed by the title game.