GILBERT, Ariz.—Yes, the holiday has come and gone.  Yes, all that over commercialized build up from Halloween through Christmas Eve has crashed around us. Yes, everyone is back to ignoring each other on the sidewalks and utilizing sign language at intersections or on the freeways.  And yes, the Nike Tournament of Champions has come and gone once again.  But before we move on and wrap up all the TOC action with the dying pine trees, tattered ribbons and empty stockings, we thought we would take one last look back at some of the individuals who rose to the occasion a moment or two out in Arizona.

For a look back at our day by day coverage as well as the final brackets and results, follow the links below.

http://www.bluestarmedia.org/21st-nike-tournament-champions-day-one/ – Day One

http://www.bluestarmedia.org/nike-tournament-champions-day-two/ – Day Two

http://www.bluestarmedia.org/day-three-nike-tournament-champions/ – Day Three

http://www.bluestarmedia.org/nike-toc-championship-friday/ – Day Four

https://basketball.exposureevents.com/95611/nike-tournament-of-champions/documents/brackets?r=6151 – Final Brackets

Some of today’s athletes were included in previous coverage and other’s we’ve yet to mention before now.  Others still we didn’t get the chance to see as the brackets shaped up based on wins and losses.  When all is said, and done there will be additional athletes who played some great basketball on the biggest stage yet because of the size of the event and constraints of space we can’t get to this time around.  We’ll look forward to seeing them in another gym soon.

Out of the gate, let’s go ahead and get MVP Haley Jones (Archbishop Mitty) and Aquira DeCosta (St. Mary’s), who battled in the coveted Joe Smith final, out of the way.  There was an army of elite players across the rosters at the TOC and these two rose to the top…and the occasion.  There’s not much else to be said about them and their games that hasn’t been written before.  There’s plenty of work for both still to do before they walk on campus in their respective freshman years but for a moment last week…they set the standard. – Mark Lewis

Shakira Austin – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – Riverdale Baptist – Maryland signee…At her best can dominate…Length and agility challenges any defender…Can create her own in the middle of traffic…Keeps it high and can finish…Avoids contact at times throwing her off balance…Should go to the line a dozen times a game…Wingspan makes her imposing defensively…Consistency will be critical to being the impact player she can be – Mark Lewis

Grace Berger – 2018 – 5-11 – Guard – Sacred Heart (Ky.) – Indiana signee – Strong and efficient with the ball in her hands…Showing greater physical strength and a willingness to use it…Creating and improving passes more efficiently than in the past…Penetration is there with improved acceleration…Pull up is and has been exceptional…Step back creates separation…Off ball play is evolving still but better…Competing defensively – Mark Lewis 

Nicole Blakes – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – Archbishop Mitty – San Diego signee…Critical to championship…Lean but lots of length…Often undeservedly overshadowed…Covers plenty of ground with first two steps on both ends…Moves efficiently in traffic…Handles contact well despite lack of bulk…Wingspan is huge asset finishing and altering shots on the other end…Gets out and runs the floor…Only going to get better at the next level – Mark Lewis

Madison Campbell – 2019 – 5-11 – Point Guard/Guard – Clovis West — Scorer alert…Dropped 41 points in the Desper Semi-Finals…Serious three point threat…Quick release and drains it on the move…Smart and skilled…Plays a lot of point for them, so she can handle…Impressive week for her – Travis Ponton 

Haley Cavinder – 2019 – 5-7 – Combo – Gilbert – Strong effort throughout…Can create both shots and passes off strong individual skills…Plays with a competitive edge…Feisty on the defensive ends of the floor…Hesitation move serves her well…Utilizes ball fakes to set up her attack…Range and stroke forces tight closeouts from opposition…Size necessitates point at the next level – Mark Lewis

Taylor Chavez – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Valley Vista — Another well-known weapon heading to play for Oregon…Good size on the wing…Can shoot and score of course, but her assists and rebounding prowess also can effect outcomes…Changes pace and direction with the ball so well…Vocal guard with court vision on display – Travis Ponton 

Aicha Coulibaly – 2020 – 6-1 – Guard – New Hope Academy — Imposing figure on the wing…Rip and go pull up jumper…Three ball also falls off the bounce…Athletic defender guarding inside and out…Real stand out moments on defense this week…Developing face up game when she catches inside – Travis Ponton

Zanoria Cruz – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Lake Highland Prep — Strong and aggressive…Will handle and drive often…Rebounds and starts the break on her own…Some creativity in her finishing…Athleticism is there…Watch out when the skill set gains more consistency – Travis Ponton

Marisa Davis – 2021 – 6-1 – Forward – Valley Vista — Long forward…Can bang a little inside…Has some quick ups…Can get her own shot in the paint, but finishing touches are still coming along…Hits the 15 foot pull up…Excited to see how she develops – Travis Ponton 

Brooke Demetre – 2021 – 6-3 – Guard/Forward – Mater Dei – Established and well known already…Big time skills on display…Scores it in every way imaginable…IQ is elite…Movement without the ball sets her up to score…Dynamic is the best description…Not just a one way player, impact on defensive end as well – Travis Ponton 

Daylee Dunn – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – Bishop O’Dowd — Long, athletic wing…Can attack off the bounce…Not shy at the three point line…Only growing her jumper game…Good decision maker…Ceiling is high – Travis Ponton 

Ayana Emmanuel – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – Dillard — Playmaking wing guard…Got to the rim often…Will take the three and pull up jumper…Has some ups to board…Good feet on creative finishes…Standout performer – Travis Ponton

Emily Engstler – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – St. Francis Prep — Future Syracuse Orange stood out in many ways…Post game and guard skills were a nightmare match up wise…Knows the game…Continues to grow as a leader and share that knowledge with her teammates on the court…Will take that next step…Poised to go out with a bang in her senior year – Travis Ponton

Alyssa Frescas – 2021 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Mater Dei — Great showing for the young floor general…Knows where to go with the ball and how to feed the post…Plays hard at a quick pace…Shoots three very well, making three in one half alone – Travis Ponton

Azzi Fudd – 2021 – 5-10 – Combo – St. John’s College – Rushed early in game one but settled in…Mixed her attack, speed and direction well against strong defense…Adapted to physical play…Pushed the ball and handled contact thrown her way…Pull up was solid at times…Demonstrated the ability to get better in the context of a single game or event…Becoming more assertive on the ball defensively…Not afraid to get on the floor…Just another step – Mark Lewis

Shaylee Gonzales – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Mesquite – BYU bound…Has plenty of size and depth to her game…Rare instinctual player…Strong individual skills allow her to create and improve options…Has more speed with the ball than first impression…Plays with effort and emotion…Tools are there to contribute in multiple ways…Anticipates on the defensive end of the floor…Well prepared for the collegiate game – Mark Lewis

Jiselle Havas – 2018 – 5-10 – Guard – Lake Highland Prep — Lafayette-bound senior put up 20 spot in the Desper semi-finals…Shooter first but a nice runner in the mid range is very effective as well….Size and length for an off guard…Should play well at the next level – Travis Ponton 

Alasia Hayes – 2020 – 5-7 – Guard – Riverdale (Tenn.) – Small but dynamic guard…Has elite speed with the ball in her hands…Deceiving strength despite her size…Turns the corner on the drive with authority…Form is there on the shot but has a narrow base…Quick hands and feet defensively…Gets multiple touches…Only going to advance her skill set – Mark Lewis

Angel Jackson – 2019 – 6-5 – Post – Salesian — Big time junior post…Difficult to even keep her from getting position in the paint, let alone stop her…Huge target…Has a nice move set…Spins into the post in transition…Soft hands…Nice passer with her back to the basket – Travis Ponton 

Kiara Jefferson – 2018 – 5-8 – Point Guard/Guard – West Campus — Future UCLA Bruin showed off that quick, compact pull up game…Speed with the ball is next level…Competed hard…No doubt playing to win out there…Can string makes beyond the arc – Travis Ponton

Kayla Ivey – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Riverdale Baptist – Deceptive component on a loaded team…Adds needed consistency to the mix…Young and attacking…Looks to create both shots and passes…No issues about taking it into traffic…Tools are there to set up and improve teammates options…Can handle physical bigs putting a body on her off the drive…Aggressive on the ball defensively…Going to continue to advance – Mark Lewis

Ariel Johnson – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – St. Mary’s – Florida commit…Quick and athletic with the ball in her hands…Becoming more of a factor without…Pull up and floater both serve her well as defensive rotations come…Setting up teammates with better looks…Pushes the ball in transition…Can get to the rim in traffic…Gets off the floor for her size – Mark Lewis 

Kseniia Kozlova – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – Montverde Academy — Active forward…Knows how to fight for good position inside…Developing move set with the ball…Vocal wanting the basketball…Offensively still raw…Adding a face up game and improving 15 foot jumper will make her an even bigger threat…Interesting prospect – Travis Ponton 

Zakiya Mahoney – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard/Forward – Bishop O’Dowd — A true small forward…Beast on the boards…Tough and strong…Can bang with the bigs…Faces up to drive and finishes strong off two feet…Court vision is there…Doesn’t give up on a play – Travis Ponton

Liz Martino – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard – Riverdale Baptist – Finding her stride again…Played with more confidence…Slashes and slices in traffic…Finished more effectively…Still settled on occasion…Got out in transition…On ball and one pass away are strong, weakside is evolving – Mark Lewis

Chynna Mattair – 2021 – 5-7 – Point Guard/Guard – Dillard — Athletic combo made some plays with her time off the bench…Active defensively…Size and length for position…Got to the foul line…Mature freshman to watch the next few years – Travis Ponton

Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – Omaha Westside — Face up forward does some nice things in the high post…High effort kid…Strong and athletic…Potential for continued growth as a basketball player is very clear…Strong play helped lead her team to the Anderson finals– Travis Ponton

Mir McLean – 2020 – 5-11 – Forward – Roland Park – Plays at the rim…Just when you thought the ups couldn’t get any better…Against elite posts, her athleticism not only allows her to hang, but flourish…Consistent double-double…At least one 20 point effort to lead them all the way to the Anderson Finals – Travis Ponton

Yo’myris Morris – 2018 – 6-2 – Post – North Little Rock – TCU signee…Has the size and frame to mix it up at the college level already…Plays with assertiveness and doesn’t back down…Wants the ball down low…Dropstep covers ground and gets her to the rim…Form is there from the mid-range…Touch needs consistency…Works for position on the glass at both ends…Will put a body on opponents defensively – Mark Lewis

Malu Tshitenge-Mutombo – 2019 – 6-3 – Forward / Post – St. John’s College – Took big steps…Showed more consistency…Handled contact against stronger opposition…Kept it high and finished confidently…Got up on the glass…Active on the defensive end of the floor…Key component…Continued improvement only makes her more so – Mark Lewis 

Zaniya Nelson – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Putnam City West — Built more like an athletic wing than a #4…Stood out on defense initially…Then look up and see she’s approaching 20 points…Can dribble and score inside some…Range is stretching to the arc…Sneaky good – Travis Ponton 

Karisma Ortiz – 2018 – 6-0 – Swing – Archbishop Mitty – Penn State signee…Versatile…Fluidity and smooth attack makes her deceivingly athletic…Active with and without the ball…Plays upright at times but still very effective off the dribble…Communicates with her teammates and steps up when needed…Elevates on the pull up…Has the footspeed to contribute multiple ways defensively – Mark Lewis 

Charisma Osborne – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Windward – Elite individual skills…Tools are there to develop and improve her own looks and those of teammates…Change of speed and direction serve her well…Acceleration off any move can leave defenders standing…Floater and body control are there off the drive…Pulls the reigns back at times with a more measured attack…Tools are there to dominant – Mark Lewis

Ramani Parker – 2019 – 6-4 – Forward – Central — Legit size and length…Very mobile on both sides of the ball…Can get good position in the post…Handles some on the perimeter…Has the build and skill set to dominate in the face up game…Long stride to the basket…Wingspan is impressive…Two way game changer – Travis Ponton 

Khylee Pepe – 2021 – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – Mater Dei — Shooter off the catch or bounce…Can handle and drive well…Comfortable in the post on both ends…Strength and power are plus attributes…Young and skilled but also gritty – Travis Ponton

Makayla Pippin – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – Rock Creek Christian – Playing some of her best basketball recently…Showing a physical and aggressive approach that translates well to the next level…Wanting the ball more and creating her options as opposed to waiting on them to come her way…First move off the catch is explosive for size…Can work well out of the high post…Making herself more and more of a presence on the glass…Can put a body on an opponent defensively– Mark Lewis 

Champney Pulliam – 2019 – 5-10 – Guard – Clovis West — Bigger guard…Can handle, pass, shoot, and score in the paint some…Surpassed 20 point barrier in a Semi-Final win in the Desper bracket– Travis Ponton

Honesty Scott-Grayson – 2018 – 5-10 – Combo – Riverdale Baptist – Baylor sign…Continues to be a threat on every possession…Tools are there to create both shots and passes…Scores more efficiently when distributing more…Change of speed and direction are top tier…Elevates on jumper, pull up, floater and at the rim…Quick hands and feet give her the tools to defend on ball and one pass away…Weakside is still a work in progress – Mark Lewis

Ce’Nara Skanes – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – Putnam City West — FIU bound next year…Will face up and shoot or drive…Range is to the arc…Got out in the passing lanes…Hard to stop her from getting to the rack…A player you can go to when you need a bucket – Travis Ponton 

Jada Thorpe – 2019 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Montverde Academy — Lanky point can get hot and score in bunches…Gamer…A threat to shoot or to drive…Keeps her composure running the offense…Can step up and make some big time plays down the stretch of close games against very good opponents – Travis Ponton 

Erin Toller – 2020 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Sacred Heart (Ky.) – Breakout performance…Lived up to expectations…Compact and aggressive…Small but physically strong…Gets deep into traffic with impressive acceleration…Crossover is quick and low…Form, touch and range necessitate close out on the catch…Pull up had some moments…Only scratching the surface – Mark Lewis

Bri Tollie – 2018 – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – Montverde Academy — SMU bound…Loves to face up and go to work…Length creates problems on both sides of the ball…Bouncy…Active feet…Covers a lot of ground with the dribble…Range is to the arc but prefers to pull up at 15 feet – Travis Ponton

Lindsey VanAllen – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – Mesquite – Santa Clara signee…Written up twice earlier in the event…Demonstrated long range, form and consistency against assertive defense…Plays with an aggressive and attacking mentality…Willing to take it into traffic…Absorbs contact despite lean build…Takes chances on defense…Makes plays – Mark Lewis 

Brynn Wade – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Gilbert – Solid frame and strength…Deceiving footspeed…Makes herself a factor at every opportunity…Can take it from the elbows…Nice floater for size…Major factor on the glass…Quick outlet defensively…Doesn’t back down from the contact and physical play – Mark Lewis

Eboni Walker – 2019 – 5-11 – Forward – Centennial – Dynamic athlete…Active and aggressive on both ends of the floor…Critical component…Team tends to go as she does…Can make plays away from the rim…Passing is there…Gets to the bucket off the one and two dribble drive…Elevates on both a pull up and floater…Vertical serves her well defensively and on the glass…Undersized #4 or ultimately a #3?? – Mark Lewis

Quinn Weidemann – 2018 – 5-9 – Guard – Omaha Westside — Wyoming signee led her team to Anderson finals…Deep three point range off the catch or bounce…Plays smart and consistent…Fun to watch her on the offensive end – Travis Ponton

Alexis Whittington – 2018 – 5-10 – Wing – Riverdale (Tenn.) – Strong with some size on the perimeter…Ball skills and passing are in place…Textbook approach…Can get to the rim or pull up efficiently…Gets off the floor well…Has both touch and rage…Competitor…Willing to mix it up defensively and on the glass – Mark Lewis