Return of the SJIT

tAlented teAms tAke the CouRt At 35th sAInt jAmes InVItAtIonAl touRnAment (sjIt)

The Saint James Invitational Tournament was another SJS tradition put on hold during the pandemic, and we were happy to see the tournament return for the 35th time to Alumni Hall on February 3-5, 2022. Planning for an indoor tournament during this time came with a unique set of challenges and contingency plans. "Bringing the tournament together required the collaboration of many dedicated individuals across several departments on campus,” said basketball coach Kevin Breslin. “Were it not for the leadership of the Athletic Department, Development and Communications teams, and especially Father Dunnan, we would not have been able to continue this great tradition. The challenges presented by Covid-19 stretched our committee to think outside the box regarding scheduling, ticketing, and parking but we were able to bring people together for three days of elite high school basketball.”

The lineup of eight teams changed as the tournament date approached as a few teams were not able to participate, leading to a slightly different format with three one-day showcase teams—but the quality of basketball did not diminish, with highly-entertaining, fast-paced games and players draining threes and making highlight-reel dunks.

The seating capacity was limited each day, and those in attendance were able to watch many Division-I college prospects take the court, including those from Southern California Academy, the #17-ranked team in the country at the time. The championship game went down to the final possession, with Southern California coming up with a defensive stop to beat National Christian Academy, 50-47.

We had many SJS alumni attend the SJIT and held a reception before the championship game. It was wonderful to welcome them back to campus.

Tarkett Sports and Abacus Sports Installations were once again the lead sponsors of the tournament, and we want to thank all of our generous sponsors for their support of the SJIT. The money raised by the tournament supports the Saint James Scholarship Fund. We also want to thank the many volunteers who helped make the tournament possible.

“As we have been doing for 35 years, the strength of our school community affords our basketball program the terrific opportunity to showcase our hard work against some of the best teams in the country," said Coach Breslin.

We are already looking forward to the 2023 SJIT!

Championship Day Scores

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Southern California Academy, 50 National Christian Academy, 47

THIRD PLACE GAME St. Maria Goretti, 72 Combine Academy, 60

All Tournament Selections

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER Isaiah Coleman, National Christian MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Jaxon Kohler, Southern California ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM Amaree Abram, Southern California Solomon Ball, Saint James Liam Craven, Combine Academy Turner Harris, National Christian Khalil London, Scotland Campus Jordan Nkoa-Abessolo, St. Maria Goretti Tyson Oghene, St. Maria Goretti Lebron Thomas, Trinity Collegiate