Nike TOC Session 1: Tuesday Observations
Day 2 of the Nike Tournament of Champions in Indianapolis brought about the end of pool play and the beginning of bracket play. Thanks to the live stream, we had a chance to monitor the large contingent of players and…
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Continue ReadingDay 2 of the Nike Tournament of Champions in Indianapolis brought about the end of pool play and the beginning of bracket play. Thanks to the live stream, we had a chance to monitor the large contingent of players and teams from Missouri in the field.
Here are some observations from Tuesday’s action.
*The Lady Brad Beal Elite 17U advance to the Final Four in the Platinum Bracketof the 2021 Aqua Division. On this day, Lady BBE got stellar play from an impressive trio of forwards in 5’10” 2022 Jaiden Bryant Jaiden Bryant 5'10" | SF Incarnate Word Academy | 2022 State MO of Incarnate Word, 5’11 Jaliyah Green Jaliyah Green 5'10" | SG Holt | 2021 State MO of Wentzville Holt and 5’11” Samya Johnson of McCluer North.
Nelson is a versatile wing player who is capable of guarding multiple positions. She is strong on the dribble and can hit the Corner 3-ball while also being able to take her game inside. Green is an athletic slasher who has an uncanny way of getting buckets in the lane. She works well in tight spaces as she maneuvered inside to score. Johnson is a long and active forward who can rebound and defend with her athleticism and length. She also displayed some quick moves in the low post. The dynamic point guard duo of 5’9″ 2021 Marshaun Bostic of Gateway STEM and 5’6″ 2022 Saniah Tyler Saniah Tyler 5'7" | PG Incarnate Word Academy | 2022 State #43 Nation MO of Incarnate Word can also get it done at both ends of the court. Both are exciting to watch. 6’4″ 2022 forward Kyra Brody of Rock Bridge hold things down in the middle with her shot blocking while 5’10” 2021 wing Sofia Tweedie of Francis Howell Central can shoot from 3-point distance.
A few other players who caught my eye on Tuesday:
Paige Clubb Paige Clubb 5'9" | CG South Callaway | 2021 State MO 5’10″ Columbia Sparkz 17U: A 2021 point guard from South Callaway with excellent court vision and a good feel for the game.She can put it on the floor and shoot the 3-pointer. She also had a little flash in her game with some of her passing.
Anna Finley Anna Finley 5'6" | CG Owensville | 2022 State MO 5’7″ Blue Star (Silvey) 16U: A versatile 2022 point guard from Owensville who is fearless when attacking the basket, but can also hit 3-pointers. She is a very unselfish player who will distribute the basketball.
Malie Peck 5’11″ All-Missouri Attack 17U (Peck): A 2021 forward from Marshfield who was putting in some excellent work in the low post. She knows how to seal her defender with good position and finish with drop steps to the basket. It works against smaller and bigger defenders alike.
Natalie Potts Natalie Potts 6'2" | PF Incarnate Word | 2023 State MO 6’2″ Blue Star 15U: A 2023 wing from Incarnate Word who was a major problem with her length at the top of team’s zone press. She had deflections and many steals that led to many easy buckets. She is also a solid ball handler who can also shoot the basketball.
Alexa Rubel Alexa Rubel 6'0" | CG Cape Notre Dame | 2022 State MO 6’0″ SEMO Sizzle 2022: A versatile 2022 lefty guard from Cape Notre Dame who is comfortable playing anywhere on the floor. She can handle things at point guard while also being able to work on the wing and low post with equal effectiveness.
Lacy Stokes Lacy Stokes 5'4" | CG Mt. Vernon | 2021 State MO 5’5″ All-Missouri Attack 17U (Meinders): A slick lefty 2021 point guard who dropped some beautiful dimes with her excellent court vision, including one behind the back pass in transition.She has a quick first step to the basket on offense and will pick pockets on defense with her ball hawking.
Kennedi Watkins Kennedi Watkins 5'10" | SF Marquette | 2021 State MO 5’11″ Midwest United 3SSB 17U: A SEMO commit, the versatile 2021 combo forward from Marquette who creates matchup problems with his length and quickness with the basketball. She can consistently beat opposing defenders off the dribble and score in traffic. She is also a very good rebounder.
Mackenzie Wilson 5’4″ Lady BBE 16U: The 2022 point guard from Lift for Life checked all the floor general boxes in the one game I watched her play. Her on-ball defense was outstanding as she sat down and moved her feet while also picking pockets. She knocked down three 3-pointers, found open teammates and kept things organized.
Here’s a look at how other teams have fared in bracket play:
*All-Missouri Attack 17Us (Meinders) have advanced to the Final Four of the 2021 Aqua Gold bracket
*All-Missouri Attack 17Us (Peck) have advanced to the Final Four of the 2021 Blue Platinum bracket
*Columbia Sparkz 17Us have advanced to the Final Four of the 2021 Blue Platinum bracket
*Blue Star 16U (Silvey) advanced to the Final Four of the 2022 Aqua Gold Bracket
*Yanders Law 16Us have advanced to the Final Four of the 2022 Blue Platinum bracket
*Blue Star 15Us have advanced to the Final Four of the 2023 Aqua Platinum North bracket
*Lady BBE 2024s have advanced to the championship game of the 2024 Aqua Gold North bracket