PHOENIX, Ariz.-Few things in sports need nothing more than a single word to clue people in as to what you’re talking about. All you have to say is “Augusta” and folks know you’re talking about the Masters. If you say “Boston” no additional information is necessary to identify the pinnacle of marathons for runners. In our world, “D.C.” in the summer is all you need to let someone know you’re headed for the summer gold standard and the USJN National Championships. And every December “Phoenix” is all it takes to let fans understand it’s the scholastic crown jewel, the Nike Tournament of Champions.
For the 22nd year the Nike TOC is once again the place to be if you want the spotlight of the national stage. Over that time 19 eventual national champions have come through the brackets in December. State champions from 42 different states have sharpened their game in the TOC before making their title runs back home. Individually five Olympians have taken part as well as 22 players who went on to WNBA careers including five number one draft picks.
This time around 112 teams from 20 states, the District of Columbia and Canada are competing for top honors in seven different divisions. The top bracket this year carries a new name honoring the late Clare Droesch who herself was a TOC standout during her scholastic career at Christ the King (N.Y.). Wednesday’s round one action is in the books. You can find complete brackets and results by following the link below.
https://basketball.exposureevents.com/124085/2018-nike-tournament-of-champions/schedule
Today we profile four performers who, not surprisingly, had some strong moments out of the gate in the 2018 Nike Tournament of Champions.
It wasn’t surprise to see that the first players on the floor at Powerhouse Hoops Wednesday morning were St. John’s College heralded sophomore guard Azzi Fudd and three of her teammates. Mind you their game wasn’t until five hours later but it’s not the first time we’ve seen Fudd early to the gym and her performance usually lends credence to the extra work. The 5-11 guard is playing with a target on her back these days and she drew plenty of attention from an aggressive Benson Tech team out of Oregon including a couple of rare blocked shots. In the end she demonstrated again the ability to read defenders while mixing her attack. Her patented pull up has become a nightmare for defenders but she also offered some aggressive drives into traffic slashing among helpside defenders coming her way. Knocking down the perimeter kept defenders honest and allowed her the luxury of keeping them guessing before attacking. While not her best performance, it was still elite and eye opening for those opponents and fans who were seeing what they had read about for the first time. Fudd and her teammates move on to face Miami County Day Thursday by way of their 65 – 32 win over Benson Tech
The opening game of the Clare Droesch Division pitted Angle Jackson and her Salesian teammates against the always tough Centennial program of Coach Karen Weitz. The 6-5 post and future USC Trojan was something the folks from Nevada really didn’t have an answer for. Over the years Jackson has added to her game both physically and in terms of the skill set that she brings to the floor. Jackson’s awareness of her role and what she’s looking for is now setting her apart from her peers in the post. Few can set up shop on the block like she does and take an angle that challenges defenders hoping to get around. Her wingspan and target hand are more often than not uncontested and make her a threat if her perimeter teammates can deliver the ball. On the catch she keeps it high and reads the defenders as well as she ever has. The habit of having her mind made up seemingly has been addressed and makes her an uphill battle for man or zone defenses. She gets out and runs the floor well for her size but is equally adept at the trail spot for reversal and high low options. Defensively she anticipates well and is seeing the floor better than ever. Add to that some solid rebounding production and you’ve got some promising play in the post. Salesian got a 12 point win over Centennial to advance to a match up with New Hope Academy Thursday.
Like Fudd, many consider Archbishop Mitty senior Haley Jones the top player in her class. Though Mitty fell in overtime to Southridge Wednesday, the effort Jones, a Stanford signee, put forth would not have done anything to dispel those who have her at the top of their list. The 6-1 multi-positioned threat possesses both the physical tools and the skill set to take advantage of any match up. She can handle the point if needed but is equally adept at the off guard, wing or even the four. In some scholastic match ups she would even qualify as a first rate post up threat as well. In their round one loss she was productive getting to the rim but also found success with her pull up that shows off plenty of elevation. A few times she may have been better off pulling up as the player control bug bit her a couple of times. At times her attack finds her running into defenders who have yet to react to the first step or fake. Jones has an awareness that is exceptional and allows her to deliver some sharp passes both on the break as well as in transition. On a well-coached team she is both an option and an decoy at times. On a final baseline inbounds play at the end of regulation she got a good look off a well prepared and executed play without the benefit of a timeout. Though the shot didn’t go Southridge was holding their breath and ultimately got the best of Mitty in overtime. Jones and company will face Grandview (Colo.) Thursday in their second game.
Few players taking the floor at the TOC look more “college ready” than Miami Country Day guard / wing Koi Love. Athletic and physically strong, she brings a frame and attack to the floor that overwhelms some high school defenders. What’s more, Love has an attacking mentality that is the hallmark of any productive scorer. The 5-10 Vanderbilt signee is playing with an assertiveness that has come and gone in the past. She’s now making herself an option on virtually every possession with active play both with and without the ball. She understands her physical tools and how to use them to her advantage versus smaller or weaker opponents. Her crossover is sharp and comes with an extended first step that leaves defenders in the dust. Love goes up strong inside and handles the contact when it comes her way. Her elevation is also an asset both on the pull up and at the rim. Defensively she’s exploiting those tools more and more which will come in handy down the road in the SEC. Love and the rest of the Miami Country Day squad got a hard fought nine point win over a talented Long Island Lutheran team earning them a Thursday round two match up with St. John’s College.
