Reigning club NIT champion United / Photo: Jackie Finlan
While the single-school portion of the National Invitational Tournament is close to fielding full Division I and Division II brackets, the high school club portion is eager to see new teams register for the competition.
Of the eight teams that are currently registered, three are newcomers (keep in mind that registered teams are not officially confirmed yet). The Coastal Dragons out of southern California, White Horse of Pennsylvania, and the Provo Steelers in Utah are all potential debuts for the NIT. It is also reported that Brunswick (Ohio) has struck a deal with its high school, and in order to let their seniors walk in graduation, the team would potentially play in the club bracket as compromise.
Of the returners, Morris (N.J.) and South Bay (Calif.) are the longest-serving NIT participants and finished fifth and seventh overall last year. United is making its third-straight appearance and heads to Tennessee as the reigning champion. The Utah side defeated Fallbrook 36-7 last year (read more).
North Bay (Md.) and KC United (Mo.) debuted at the club NIT last year, and the experience encouraged the return trip.
Club NIT administrator Pam Laura indicated that are more registrations pending, and individual follow-ups with teams suggest that more teams are still deciding on the trip to Tennessee. That said, there is an obvious absence from Northern California staples. There is a consolidation of efforts in this densely talented region to bring a west coast showcase to the fore. More to come.
The high school clubs compete from Friday-Saturday, May 18-19, while the single schools play Saturday-Sunday, May 19-20.
HS CLUB NIT REGISTRANTS
Coastal Dragons – California
KC United – MissouriMorris – New Jersey
North Bay – Maryland
Provo – Utah
South Bay – California
United – Utah
White Horse – Pennsylvania