From staff reports

Classes may not be in session, but for many area teams the competition goes on despite Christmas vacation.

Thursday, December 27, 2001

Classes may not be in session, but for many area teams the competition goes on despite Christmas vacation.

Three Albert Lea High School teams and three area squads are participating in holiday tournaments.

It began last night, with the Albert Lea High School girls’ hockey team at the Faribault Invitational. That tournament, which also includes Faribault, Waseca and Park of Cottage Grove, concludes tonight.

The toughest test for a local squad could be in boys’ hockey, with the surprising Tigers traveling to the always-tough Blake Invitational starting today. In the opening round the Tigers face Blake, rated No. 3 in the state in Class A. The tournament runs through Saturday. The Tigers are coming off a 3-2 upset of Big Nine leader Rochester Mayo.

The other ALHS team in action heads west as the boys’ basketball squad travels to the Worthington Invitational tonight. The second and final round is Friday.

One area team hosts a tournament: the United South Central boys’ basketball team’s Rebel Classic. It begins tonight and ends Friday.

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team, coming off a 43-37 upset of No. 6 ranked Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, competes in the Blue Earth Area Invitational tonight and Friday.

The Alden-Conger girls’ basketball team travels to Mankato for the Loyola Invitational starting tonight. It concludes Saturday.