Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The CorsaIrs react during a recent game.

By Ray Hamill — A legendary old friend will be remembered at College of the Redwoods this week, as the Corsairs get set to host the Coach Tregs Classic for the first time in two years.

After last season’s event was canceled because of the pandemic, the annual tournament returns this year bigger — and hopefully better — than ever.

The expanded seven-team field includes some quality opposition that will feature in three games a day for three days.

“We’re excited to have seven teams coming up into Eureka to play in our tournament,” CR head coach Ryan Bisio said.

The Corsairs (5-1) will be playing for the first time in two weeks after last weekend’s scheduled game against Simpson JV was postponed because of COVID protocols, but the entire roster is back together on the practice court this week and eager to resume play.

The CR men open against West Hills Coalinga on Thursday night at 6 p.m.

Opening day matchups also include Mendocino and Shasta at 4 p.m.,  and Sierra and Lassen at 8.

The tournament was originally slated to include eight teams, but Marin was forced to pull out this week because of COVID protocols.

The Corsairs will also match up against Sierra on Saturday at 3 p.m.

“The tournament is an opportunity to see some college basketball being played locally,” Bisio said. “I think it’s going to be a really good field. And I think it’s going to be a good tournament.”

And of course it’s an opportunity to remember the legendary coach Bill Treglown, who racked up 500 wins and made 14 state playoff appearances in his 33 years in charge of the program.

“We all loved coach Tregs, and I think about him all the time,” Bisio said. “And for all of us who knew him this is a special week for us.

“It’s the first time we’ve had eight teams (at the tournament) and I think he would have been happy about that.”

It’s also another chance for local basketball fans to check out a CR Team that has serious conference and playoff ambitions this season.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Thursday

Mendocino College vs. Shasta College, 4 p.m.

West Hills – Coalinga vs. Redwoods, 6 p.m.

Sierra College vs. Lassen College, 8 p.m.

Friday

Shasta College vs. West Hills – Coalinga, 3 p.m.

Lassen vs. SWOCC, 5 p.m.

Sierra College vs. Mendocino, 7 p.m.

Saturday

SWOCC vs. West Hills – Coalinga, 11 a.m.

Lassen vs. Mendocino College, 1 p.m.

Sierra vs. Redwoods 3 p.m.