SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – It was Lady’s Night at the Hoophall Classic here on Friday.
The event known for the strongest boys’ field in the country on Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, turned Springfield’s College’s Blake Arena over the girls for a handful of games, mainly with regional teams — save two national powerhouse programs from Pennsylvania and California.
In the nightcap game, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), regionally ranked in the Elite 25, coasted to a 67-44 win over hometown Springfield Central. Sophomore Tatiana Jones recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, for the winners, while Chyna Nixon, a Mississippi recruit, added 17 points. Central’s Phyness Baldwin netted 18 points and joined Jones as their team’s Most Valuable Players in the contest.
Central entered the game having won its previous five games against Western Massachusetts competition by nearly 60 points per outing, but could not match the talent level of the two-time Pennsylvania state champions, who also were crowned national champions following the 2014-15 season.
There were earlier games on Friday.
No. 11 Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 62, Bishop Feehan (Attleboro, Mass.) 48: The Jackrabbits took down the top-ranked squad from Massachusetts. It was close after one quarter, 13-8, before Poly comfortably pulled ahead and maintained leads of 11, 13 and 15 points the second half. Feehan’s Emily Miccile had 11 points and 6 rebounds. Poly’s Jasmine Jones contributed 10 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to earn MVP honors. Feehan entered the game unbeaten and the top-ranked Division 1 team (largest classification) in the state.
Enfield (Conn.) 68, Braintree 64, OT: The Eagles were down double digits most of the game but prevailed in overtime. Enfield battled back in the fourth after trailing by 10 points, 42-32. Braintree’s Rachel Tutkus forced overtime tying the game at 58 with 10 seconds left on a lay-in.
Senior guard Keelah Dixson tossed in 17 of her 31 points in the first half. She also scored the first six points of the extra session. Enfield’s Danielle Delano scored 19 points, junior center Mary Baskerville had 18 and Caterina Fonseca added 14.
Braintree took leads of 11-9 after one quarter and 29-19 at halftime. Enfield, which entered the game unbeaten, was hampered early when 6-3 junior center Mary Baskerville was saddled with two fouls. Keelah is from great bloodlines. Dixson’s aunt, Melina Dixson, was an All-America at Old Dominion and later played on the USA Olympic Team in 1992. Her dad played college ball at St. Francis (Pa.).
Chicopee (Mass.) Comprehensive 55, Holyoke (Mass) 51: Senior guard Ashley Rouleau scored a game-high 29 points, including the game-winning basket with under a minute left. Holyoke trailed 12 points after three quarters (44-32) but tied it twice late. Senior center Callie Cavanaugh tallied 16 of her 23 points after halftime.
Friday Night Standouts
Mary Baskerville, 2018, 6-3, Enfield (Conn.): Prolific shot blocker and rebounder. A big target in the post that seals off her defender. Long wingspan. For a big she sees the floor and gets everyone involved. She has a good post moves and runs well in transition. She can absorb contact and finish. She is already fielding offers and getting looks from major programs.
Keelah Dixson, 2017, 5-7, Braintree (Mass.): She’s deceptively quick and makes very good decisions with the ball, especially in up-tempo. Active hands. Defends the perimeter well and slides into the post to double the ball. Draws contact and does not shy away from it. Dependable in tight situations. Reliable 3-point shooter. Committed to Colgate and will be a solid player in the Patriot League.
Caterina Fonseca, 2018, 5-7, Enfield (Conn.): Most athletic player on the floor. A wing guard with a good handle. Pushes the ball in transition. She’s active at both ends and defends well.
Callie Cavanaugh, 2017, 6-3, Holyoke (Mass.): She’s considered the top player in Western Massachusetts. She’s a post with a handle. Good change of direction. Often advancing the ball on the press. Wide base and needs to stay closer to the rim but showed signs of a good mid-range game. Likely a D1 with raw skills that need to be honed.
Jasmine Jones, 2017, 5-11, Poly (Long Beach, Calif.): Gives any team an offensive bump. She’s always around the ball. Quick, agile athletic 2 or 3. Very good, aggressive defender and a steal for hometown Loyola-Marymount. Will excel in the West Coast Conference.
Tatiana Jones, 2019, 6-0, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia): Inside presence at both ends. Wide base. Does not back down, possessing a fearless attitude. Relentless rebounder. Draws contact and finishes. Likely a high major prospect.
Chyna Nixon, 2017, 5-10, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia): She was the best player on the floor the entire night and showcased on her polished skills at both ends. She’s explosive, athletic and pesky on defense. Chyna leads the break, pulls up in transition for a mid-range jumper or deft pass and has quickness leaves an opponent in her wake. Signed with Mississippi, where she will be one of the SEC’s top incoming freshmen next fall. A McDonald’s All-American finalist.
Jaliena Sanchez, 2019, 5-6, Springfield (Mass.) Central: Jet quick point guard that attacks the gaps in the lane. Solid handle. Anticipates passes on defense, disrupting. A bundle of energy but raw. Still needs to stay under control but the pieces are there.
Ashley Rouleau, 2017, 5-6, Chicopee (Mass.): Prototypical combo-guard that does a little of everything. Demands the ball when the game is on the line. Can finish with contact. Would make a wonderful D3 guard. Shows leadership skills.
Deja Williams, 2019, 5-6, Poly (Long Beach, Calif.): A spark plug that orchestrates the offense. Nose for ball and will take the contact in the paint. Hard-nosed defender on the perimeter. A true 1.
Senior Writer and national analyst for Blue Media and compiles the Blue Star Elite 25 national boys and girls high school basketball and football rankings during the season. Lawlor, an award-winning writer, is a voting committee member and advisor for several national high school events, including the McDonald’s All-American Games. He previously wrote for USA TODAY and ESPN.com, where he was the national preps writer, while compiling the national rankings in four sports.