'Bubu' makes a return

The Catalina cheer team took advantage of a rare chance to perform at the McKale Center by breaking out the old school mascot, Bubu.

"It's an old mascot costume we're trying to bring back," second-year cheer coach Lucy Quintana said. "Not everyday do we get to play here and cheer here."

Senior cheerleader Eddie Lopez sported the oversized head with a furry blue strip on top and large brown eyes in addition to the shiny armor vest over his standard blue uniform for Catalina's boys game against Sabino.

"I've worn it for pep rallies and things like that but today was my first game," Lopez said. "It's pretty hot in there."

Quintana said she wants to keep Bubu around, and Lopez said he's planning on suiting up for the rest of the season.

Unfortunately, the Trojans are off to a 0-1 start with Bubu around after losing 51-49 to the Sabercats.

The Holzman Anthem

Green Fields Country Day senior forward Maya Holzman had double-duty Monday.

Before her team's game against Fort Thomas in the MLK opener, Holzman sang the national anthem on the McKale Center court, something she does for all Griffins home games.

"I was a little more nervous than normal," Holzman said with a smile. "It was a neat thing to get to do. I feel like it went pretty well."

Holzman's teammates joined her on the court during her anthem, all holding hands.

The senior, who finished with 12 points, was honored at halftime as the school's MLK Classic honoree. Each team had someone from its school honored at half. Holzman was the only player selected.

The big number

87 Nogales, always one to travel well, brought its band, cheer team and dance squad, a total of 87 students, to McKale Center

From five to six

This year's event featured six games for the first time since the tournament came to Tucson in 2007.

Previously, there were just five games on the schedule, but tournament organizer Herman House added a sixth game this year to accommodate a state champion.

"Everyone kept telling me, 'You have to get Nogales here, you have to get Nogales here,'" House said. "We were able to get them up here and add another game to this great event."

House said the field for the event is set by June. He picks the teams based on their finish from the previous season and their potential for the upcoming season.

Next year, the Tucson Unified School District athletic director said he plans on putting together a committee made up of current and former coaches to help with the selections.

House also said all of the referees from Monday donated their game checks to the MLK scholarship fund.

Quotable

"We spoke about Martin Luther King and what this day means before we took the court. It's an honor to play in this tournament and I wanted our team to understand that." - Sabino boys coach Gary Malis

Klassen in the house - to watch

Last year, Chris Klassen was on the sidelines of Lute and Bobbi Olson Court, coaching Palo Verde in the marquee game of the MLK Classic against Amphitheater.

Although his Titans lost to the Panthers - the eventual 4A-II state champions - Klassen loved the experience.

"Coaching here was awesome," he said. "This is my dream, I would love to coach at a big-time school whether it's a head or assistant coaching job.

"We were lucky enough to sit where Arizona sits so it was like a dream," Klassen added.

Now he is in his first year as assistant coach for the Pima College men's team. But he could still be found watching the 2012 Classic from section 24 along with his wife, Katie.

Klassen said this was a good chance for him to watch some potential recruits for Pima.

Compiled by Daniel Berk and Daniel Gaona