Toledo’s Standout Tournament Performers
Photo: Toledo Blade Notre Dame and Rogers have emerged from the district tournaments as Toledo’s hopefuls for a 2019 State Championship. Their elite talent has guided the Eagles and Rams to regional finals this weekend, but they’re not the only…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPhoto: Toledo Blade
Notre Dame and Rogers have emerged from the district tournaments as Toledo’s hopefuls for a 2019 State Championship. Their elite talent has guided the Eagles and Rams to regional finals this weekend, but they’re not the only 419 prospects ones who have made their mark on the tournament.
Zia Cooke (2019), 5’9” G, Rogers
Cooke commands one of the few Toledo-area teams who remains alive in the tournament. They will look to keep their title hopes alive tonight at Mansfield Senior, as they take on Bellevue in a regional championship. Cooke — even though it goes without saying — is one of the top guards in the country. Very polished ball-handler and shot-creator with an uncanny ability to finish around the basket. Ambidextrous player with elite passing instincts. Cooke scored 23 points in their regional semifinal over Napoleon. A week earlier, Cooke led Rogers past Toledo Central Catholic with a stat-line of 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Maverick Delp (2019), 5’11” F, Toledo Central Catholic
Delp and the Irish put pressure on no. 1 seeded Rogers in the Holland District final. The senior forward provides a presence around the rim as a help-side defender. Uses effort and defensive instincts to change shots and steal lofted balls in the passing lanes. Offensively, Delp’s ability to finish with either hand in traffic impresses. She scored 17 points against Rogers and averaged 10.9 points and 6.6 rebounds for Central this season.
Jala Johnson (2019), 5’8” G, Notre Dame
Johnson, ND’s leading scorer, has dropped 17 points in back-to-back blow-out wins. Next up is Canton McKinley on Saturday for a chance to make it to Columbus. Johnson is a creative guard who is shifty with the ball in her hands. Dynamic player who can drive-and-kick or score it in traffic. Johnson is also very capable of shooting off the dribble from distance when she creates space.
Madison Royal-Davis (2021), 5’11” W, Rogers
Against Medina, Royal-Davis led the way with a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds, just a week after scoring 22 on Central. After the standout performances, the coveted recruit has 1,000 points in sight before season’s end. Royal-Davis is a versatile weapon for the Rams with her ability to score from anywhere on the floor. While her mobility and size is hard to contain on the dribble drive, defenders also cannot allow space for the outside jumper.
Grace VanSlooten (2022), 6’1” F, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s freshman phenom hasn’t shrunk underneath playoff pressure — quite the opposite, actually. Her 12 points and five rebounds against Southview followed up by 11 and nine against Medina have been crucial for ND. Surrounded by four senior starters, she provides a glimpse into the future and is receiving valuable minutes in year one. VanSlooten is a three-level scorer with an elite combination of size, speed, and ball skills. Strong prospect with tremendous footwork around the basket. Runs the floor very well.