Soon after its inception in 1983, the 'Iolani Prep Classic quickly established itself as one of the nation's premier boys basketball tournaments, annually drawing many of the country's top teams and players for the next 25 years.

In just its second year, the 'Iolani Girls Prep Classic appears to be following the same blueprint.

The Girls Classic tipped off in 2007, featuring three highly regarded California programs along with five local teams. This year's event, which begins today with four games starting at 3:30 p.m., showcases the nation's top two teams, according to USA Today.

Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (San Francisco) is ranked No. 1.

The Fighting Irish are 3-0 so far coming off a 33-0 season capped by a mythical national championship. Tierra Rogers, a 5-foot-11 senior guard who has made a verbal commitment to play for the University of California, is rated by scouting services as the 20th ranked recruit in the country.

Fellow guard Ki-shawna Moore also is in the Top 100.

Long Beach (Calif.) Poly, ranked No. 2, features three players who are ranked among the top of their respective classes of prospects. Monique Oliver, a 6-3 center, is regarded as the nation's sixth-best senior. Thaddesia Southall, a 6-2 forward, is rated as a Top 50 junior and 5-7 guard Aryia Crook-Williams is considered a Top 25 sophomore.

The other two Mainland programs in the Classic's eight-team field — Oregon City (Ore.) and Westlake (Atlanta) — are no slouches, either.

Oregon City was a 2008 state runner-up, and Westlake returns all five starters from a team that reached the Georgia 4A semifinals. Among the Westlake starters is 6-3 center Tamika Willis, regarded as a Top 100 senior.

The four Hawai'i teams — Konawaena, Farrington, Punahou and 'Iolani — will get a taste of the elite competition right away. Perennial Big Island power Konawaena takes on Oregon City at 3:30 p.m. today, Farrington faces Westlake at 5, defending state champion Punahou meets Sacred Heart Cathedral at 6:30 and defending state runner-up 'Iolani plays Westlake at 8.

"We asked to play them first," Punahou coach Mike Taylor said. "It's a great opportunity, to play the No. 1 team in the nation and a couple of great guards. We just have to trust that we'll be competitive and creative, and just try to enjoy the moment."

WILLAMETTE COACH HAD STRONG HAWAI'I TIES

Bruce Henderson, the Willamette University women's basketball coach who collapsed and died at age 47 during practice on Monday, was a familiar figure among the Hawai'i girls basketball community.

Henderson, who grew up in Papakolea, regularly recruited Hawai'i players and had two of them — freshmen Tiana Abbley of Kamehameha and Dayna Jandoc of 'Iolani — on this year's roster. He also was a gracious host every summer when a Hawai'i all-star team from Dennis Agena's Kalakaua Foundation Clinic would play in a prestigious tournament in Portland.

"He was a great friend of ours," Punahou coach Mike Taylor said. "He always took care of us — he'd come to all our games, take us on campus tours, let us use his gym ... He showed a lot of aloha for the Hawai'i kids and coaches."