Boys’ basketball: Get the sleeping bags ready for Crespi-Loyola

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Break out the sleeping bags and hot coffee, because basketball fans who want to attend the Jan. 4 Mission League opener between Los Angeles Loyola and host Encino Crespi might have to sleep overnight at Crespi to get a ticket if the two schools make it through this week unbeaten. And a fire marshal might want to show up, too.

Crespi (10-0), ranked No. 7 by The Times, begins play in the Redondo tournament on Tuesday. Loyola (8-0), ranked No. 2, travels to Washington D.C. to play in the National Jesuit Christmas Classic beginning Wednesday.

Imagine the excitement and frenzy that will be created if each school enters the league opener with an unbeaten record. All I know is that the two schools’ athletic directors had better figure out a plan how to deal with the many people who will want to attend the game.

And I have a small request: Can I get a seat, too?

-- Eric Sondheimer