LEWISTON, ID- The 11th annual Avista holiday tournament kicks off tomorrow at LC State in the P1FCU activity center. The tournament features 8 varsity teams each for the girls and boys brackets.

"It certainly is good for the student athletes, it gets them into game situations, which hopefully they'll use down the road. It's a three day tournament, very similar to a state tournament," said Avista Regional Business Manager Mike Tatko.

The local LC Valley tournament teams are competing in represents four states: California, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

"Rocky mountain from meridian, they're head coach is originally from Lapwai, so there's a contact there. Downey, a team from southern California near Los Angeles, their head girls coach is from Kendrick," Tatko said.

"Sometimes you make contacts from outside the area, maybe they've heard about the tournament or even played in the tournament because this is our 11th year."

It's also a chance for student athletes to compete on holiday break, and for the community to enjoy some competitive basketball.

"It's a great opportunity for someone from a little town or out of town who may not get to play in a facility like this. Hopefully they take in the moment, they don't get intimidated by the big crowd or the loud roars, because it does get loud in here when these high school fans are here."

In addition, athletes will receive a free Avista holiday tournament t-shirt, and a lanyard as a holiday gift from Avista.

"We want them to come away with something besides the wins and losses. It's an opportunity for us to give back to the student athletes of the participating teams both on varsity and junior varsity," Tatko said.

The Avista holiday tournament kicks off tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. starting with the Grangeville girls going up against Lewiston.

Then at 10:30 a.m., the Kendrick boys will face off against the Lewiston Bengals.