By Joe Henricksen

The Pontiac Holiday Tournament, arguably the best and most unique tournament in the state, will welcome the state's top team to its tournament once again. Simeon earned the top seed in a tournament field that should be competitive and balanced after Rob Smith's Wolverines.

Simeon, the defending state champs and one of the top teams in the country, will be the story in Pontiac. The remaining field, however, is extremely balanced. And first-round matchups like West Aurora-Oak Park, United Township-Niles West and Waukegan-Lockport show the depth of the tournament.

While Simeon was the no-doubt-about-it No. 1 seed, Warren, Peoria Manual and Curie round out the top four seeds at Pontiac. The action will tip off Tuesday, Dec. 28.

Pontiac Pairings (In bracket order)
9:00 a.m. Lockport vs. Waukegan
10:30 a.m. Curie vs. Danville
1:00 p.m. West Aurora vs. Oak Park
2:30 p.m. Simeon vs. Schaumburg
4:00 p.m. Plainfield North vs. Bloomington
6:30 p.m. Peoria Manual vs. Joliet West
8:00 p.m. Warren vs. Pontiac
9:30 p.m. United Twp. vs. Niles West