Palisades High girls basketball coach Torino Johnson is never one to shy away from a challenge. He thrives on competition and once again his team will play one of the toughest schedules in California in 2015-16.
The Lady Dolphins open the season hosting the 12th annual Palisades Beach Invitational, running Nov. 23-28, which will feature many of the top programs in the state. Last year, Santa Ana Mater Dei and Chaminade of West Hills met in the finals — the same two teams that played for the Southern California Regional championship several months later.
Palisades placed eighth in last year’s tournament, which also included Southern Section powers LA Windward, Gardena Serra, West Torrance and Fullerton Troy along with perennial Central Section power Bakersfield Garces.
The Lady Dolphins are also slated to play in the St. Monica Tournament (Dec. 8-11), the West Coast Jamboree (Dec. 28-30) and the Legacy Tournament (Jan. 4-8).
The nonleague schedule also includes games at CIF Open Division state finalist Mater Dei (Jan. 2) and Stockton St. Mary’s (Jan. 18).
Palisades won 20 consecutive games on its way to going undefeated in the Western League and capturing the City Section’s inaugural Open Division title in in March to earn a berth in the CIF state Open Division playoffs, where they lost in the first round to Mater Dei.
Johnson has led the program to three City championships — one in the Open Division and two in Division II.
— Steve Galluzzo
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