By Mike Wood: Las Positas Opens With Costello Tip-Off Classic

Castro Valley CA

02 November, 2021

8:01 PM

Description

Live basketball is back at Las Positas College. And what better way to welcome it back than by honoring one of its most beloved coaches.The Tony Costello Tip-Off Classic, which starts Thursday, Nov. 4, marks the return to The Nest for the first official basketball game action since February 2020. Las Positas, ranked No. 5 in the Northern California Preseason Top 25, played two scrimmages last May as part of the shortened spring season and has had recent scrimmages with Sonoma State and Pacific Union, a Division II NAIA school that the Hawks had a strong performance against, Las Positas coach James Giacomazzi said.Honoring the late Costello, who Giacomazzi remembers fondly dating back to serving on the CCCMBCA board together, is "without a doubt" a great way for the return to live game action. It's a strong bond and the weekend marks a way of remembering Las Positas' first men's basketball coach."We had so many great conversations," Giacomazzi said. "A great man and a great family."Giacomazzi, who doubles as the Las Positas athletic director, has invited members of Costello's family to attend. "It'll be a really good weekend."Face coverings are required for entry to the indoor event. The Tip-Off is free of charge."We're not charging," he said. "We've been off for quite a while so we wanted to make it free so people can stop by and enjoy and see what we're doing." In the round-robin format, Las Positas faces Butte, ranked 20th in the preseason top 25. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. Thursday."We have had a lot of really good games with them over the years and we're expecting a good, competitive game," Giacomazzi said. That will be followed by games with Sacramento City at 5 p.m. Friday and College of the Siskiyous at 4 p.m. Saturday. "We don't get to see a lot of the teams from the Northern area, so this is a great opportunity for that," Giacomazzi said.As the Hawks, they are rounding into shape, dealing with a couple of ankle injuries. "We have 15 on the roster, so we're a deeper team," Giacomazzi said.The following week the Hawks will host Modesto at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 and Merritt at 3 p.m. Saturday Nov. 13. Las Positas opens conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 5 at Ohlone at 7 p.m."It's going to be hot and heavy with a couple of games each week," he said. "We are looking forward to this."