Boys' basketball: Bright lights, big-time local teams

Several local boys' basketball teams will have games broadcast on the ESPN family of networks this season, potentially starting next month with top-ranked Mater Dei in the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.

If the Monarchs reach the third-place or championship games on Dec. 23--no given considering the field is loaded with national top-25 powers--they will be televised on ESPNU. The third-place game is at noon PST and the championship game is at 2 p.m. PST.

Mater Dei's game against Chicago Whitney Young and Michael Jordan's son Marcus in the Springfield, Mass., Hall of Fame game will be broadcast by ESPNU at 1 p.m. PST on Jan. 19.

Fairfax and Renardo Sidney will get the national spotlight when the Lions play San Diego High at 6:30 p.m. PST Jan. 23 on ESPN2.

Two games involving local teams in the Nike Extravaganza on Feb. 7 at Mater Dei's Meruelo Athletic Center will be broadcast by ESPNU: Compton Dominguez versus Concord De La Salle at 7 p.m. PST and Mater Dei versus Newark (N.J.) St. Benedict's Prep at 9 p.m. PST.

--Ben Bolch

Photo: Fairfax's Jordan Weathers, left, and Renardo Sidney celebrate during the Lions' 55-53 victory over Westchester in the 2008 City Section Championship Division semifinals. Credit: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times