Annual Interleague Game Seen for Ventura County

A Thousand Oaks High athletic official Thursday proposed the creation of an annual boys’ basketball event matching teams from Ventura County’s large-school leagues--the Marmonte and the Channel.

Jim O’Brien, athletic coordinator at Thousand Oaks, said he has sent information to athletic officials in both eight-team leagues outlining his plan. O’Brien said he would model the competition after the ACC-Big East Challenge, the popular event in which each Atlantic Coast Conference team played a Big East team. O’Brien, who hopes the event will begin next season, said the competition would take the place of early-season tournaments.

“I think there will be a lot of interest in this,” O’Brien said. “Just like in the (college event), teams from the same league could root for each other against the other league.

“I think the kids would really love it.”

O’Brien said the event hinges on complete participation.

“We really need everyone to join in to make it work,” O’Brien said. “More than anything, this is something that could give the kids a lot of pride in their leagues if we get everyone involved.”

O’Brien hopes to learn how many schools would be interested in participating within a few weeks.