TOC Day One Analysis

By Chris Hansen
National Director of Scouting
Posted Wed, 12/19/2007 - 23:17 We take a look at the top half of the Black Bracket from day one at the 2007 TOC.

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STORY & PHOTOS BY CHRIS HANSEN

Chandler, Ariz. - The offensive explosion of the day at the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions went to Southridge’s Alex Earl who set a career high with 30 points in their 53-47 win over Narbonne. The Arizona State signee eclipsed her previous high of 26 points and became just the second Skyhawk in school history to hit the 30-point mark.

Southridge needed every one of those points as Narbonne was clawing back from a 15-point halftime deficit behind the 17 second-half points of senior guard Reiko Thomas, who finished with 19 points. Narbonne cut the lead to 51-47 when senior point guard Danielle Lenoir stripped the ball from Michelle Jenkins and then hit a step back three pointer of Jenkins outstretched arms. Freshman guard Allison Greene knocked down a huge three-point shot with just less than two minutes remaining to seal the deal the deal for Southridge.

Two of the smallest schools in the Black Bracket, Sequoyah and Ursuline Academy, squared off. Ursuline hung around with Sequoyah for a half without their star player, Elena Delle Donne, who is recovering form a bout with mononucleosis. But an 11-0 run by Sequoyah which started with back-to-back three’s in the first minute of play by seniors Lorin Hammer and Brea Brewer. Kansas-bound point guard Angel Goodrich stole a pass the next possession and converted for two and Hammer dropped the hammer with another three to put the game out of reach with less than two minutes running off the clock to start the second half. Sequoyah cruised on to a 67-40 win and will take on Southridge in the quarterfinals.

The pressure-cooker game was between Auburn Riverside and Shelbyville Central in what amounted to the nightcap. Riverside looked like it was going to cruise to an easy win during the first few minutes of the game because of its fullcourt pressure and physical style of play. However, 20 points from junior guard Ceny Phelps kept the Eaglettes in the game. Shelbyville actually took the lead in the fourth quarter, but turnovers in crunch time were too much to overcome and Riverside sophomore Mercedes Wetmore hit two free throws to seal it. Katie Grad, a Washington State signee, scored a game-high 22 for Riverside, which advances to play Notre Dame Academy in the quarterfinals.

Starting off the morning was the No. 1 seed, Notre Dame Academy, taking on Lynwood. The game was a low scoring affair for a half before Notre Dame scored 30 second-half points to take a 48-35 victory. Mia Nickson led all scorers with 12 points and had success in NDA’s high low schemes. Notre Dame advances to play Auburn Riverside in the quarterfinals.

Kayla Miller on the break.

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Chris Hansen is the National Director of Scouting for Women’s Basketball at HoopGurlz.com. He leads the panel that evaluates and ranks girl's basketball prospects nationally for HoopGurlz. Chris has been involved in the women’s basketball community since 1998 as a coach, trainer, evaluator and reporter. He can be reached at chris@hoopgurlz.com.

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