Top teams from the left and right coasts highlight the Third Annual 'Iolani Girls Prep Classic basketball tournament, which starts today at 'Iolani School.

The eight-team field features defending New York state champion St. Michael Academy, which went 25-3 last season and is currently ranked No. 4 in ESPN Rise's Fab 50.

The Eagles have three players who have committed to NCAA Division I programs: Jennifer O'Neill, a 5-foot-5 point guard (Kentucky); Jelleah Sidney, a 6-1 forward (Syracuse) and Brittany Webb, a 6-3 post (South Carolina). St. Michael will take on defending Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up 'Iolani in tonight's feature game at 8.

The Eagles will be joined by three elite teams from the West Coast: Four-time California Interscholastic Federation state champion Long Beach Poly, Southridge (Beaverton, Ore.) and Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.).

Long Beach Poly, ranked No. 16 in the ESPN Rise Fab 50, features 5-7 guards Ashley and Brittany Wilson, both of whom have committed to Colorado. According to ESPN Rise, the Jackrabbits have three returning starters and "at least seven potential Division I players."

Former Radford standout Ta'Nitra Byrd, who was an Advertiser All-State second-team selection as a sophomore in 2008 and O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference (Division I) Western Division Player of the Year as a freshman, also plays for Long Beach Poly.

She scored 12 points in the Jackrabbits' title game victory last year that made them California's first four-time defending champion.

Long Beach Poly opens against Mid-Pacific at 5 p.m. today.

According to 'Iolani Classic director Glenn Young, Southridge is ranked No. 2 in Oregon and is coming off a 19-5 season. Southridge features a 6-foot point guard, Aubrey Ashenfelter, who has committed to Eastern Washington.

Two of her teammates also have made DI commitments: 6-1 forward Allie Brock (Portland State) and 6-4 center Nicole Santucci (Columbia).

Southridge faces defending state champ Konawaena at 3:30 p.m. today.

Clovis West is a central California power that is coming off a 21-7 season and features three players who have made college commitments: 5-10 guard Brianna Orlich (Columbia), 6-3 center Janae Coffe (Long Beach State) and 5-9 forward Se'nyce Parrish (Sacramento State).

Clovis West meets Kahuku at 6:30 p.m. today.

The top local entry is Konawaena, which started three freshmen and a sophomore in last year's double-overtime victory over Punahou in the state championship game.

That included freshmen Lia Galdeira, a 5-9 swing player who was Advertiser State Player of the Year, and point guard Dawnyelle Awa. Junior shooting guard Thea Hanato-Smith is another returning starter.

'Iolani returns Advertiser All-State second-team guard Lori Yamashita and sophomore guard Kylie Maeda.

Kahuku was the OIA White Conference (Division II) champion last season. Mid-Pacific features 5-11 post Keaton McFadden, who signed a national letter of intent last month to play for Portland State next season.

The Classic continues tomorrow with consolation bracket and semifinal games, followed by the seventh-place, fifth-place, third-place and championship games on Saturday.

MOANALUA 'PEEK' TOURNEY TIPS OFF WITH FOUR GAMES

Moanalua's First Hawaiian Bank/"Preseason Peek" Tournament begins today with four games — Kaimukí vs. Pearl City at 3 p.m., Kamehameha vs. Moloka'i at 4:30, Kapolei vs. Waiäkea at 6 and Moanalua vs. Radford at 7:30.

The tournament continues through Saturday.

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com