Godinez High School is the site of the Santa Ana Prep Classic Friday night. (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
It started as a dream for Leon Raya, president of the RAYA Foundation.
Raya wanted to start the Santa Ana Prep Basketball Classic featuring seniors from the six Santa Ana Unified School District girls and boys basketball teams.
The games were scheduled to start in 2020 but due to the coronavirus pandemic, they were delayed until last season. The response from the community was tremendous, Raya said, with more than 800 fans attending the inaugural event.
It’s back this year with two games on Friday, March 17 at Godinez. It starts with a three-point shooting contest at 5:30 p.m., then the girls game at 6:30 p.m. and the boys game at 8 p.m.
Players received commemorative shirts and awards and programs were also printed which had pictures of all the players and coaches at last year’s event. The costs were covered through proceeds from the event, sponsored by the RAYA Foundation, Raya said.
“The remainder helps support RAYA Foundation programs, for example our youth track meet on May 14, our youth basketball clinics and leagues, leadership work shops and scholarships,” Raya added.
Tickets for Friday’s event will be available for $10 at the door.
OC Sports Zone will once again provide full coverage of both games.
Click below for more coverage:
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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