Jasmine Davidson
McKenna Woliczko of Archbishop Mitty with a reverse against Clackamas. *Photo by Chris Hansen.
MESA, Arizona – The 2024 Nike Tournament of Champions is the marquee high school event for girls basketball during the scholastic season. Since 2006 we’ve been making the trek to the desert to see great team matchups and some of the nation’s top players compete.
After bouncing around the gyms across the City of Mesa, here are some takeaways from a great weekend in Arizona.
Winners win.
Archbishop Mitty (CA) repeats as the Vincent Cannizzaro division champions. Behind another MVP performance from junior McKenna Woliczko. She was far from alone in the Monarchs run to another title. A pair of transfers are making a big impact with sophomore guard Zani Patterson and junior Devin Cosgriff. New faces and another powerhouse team for head coach Sue Phillips is impressive but not surprising.
Sienna Betts of Grandview High School.
*Photo by Chris Hansen.There’s something to a true five-star player elevating her team to heights others cannot and that’s exactly what we saw from UCLA-bound post Sienna Betts of Grandview High School (CO). Her team’s second round matchup against eventual runner-up and nationally ranked Ontario Christian (CA) showed that sometimes having the best player on the floor is the great equalizer. Betts not only produced at a high level, her confidence and impact lifted up her teammates level as well, among them guard Ava Chang who made countless gritty plays. Though Grandview went 2-2, the way the team battled along with Betts sets up an interesting season in the State of Colorado.
Ontario Christian (CA) is one of the most talked about programs in the country. The Knights made the championship in part behind the team’s three-headed monster – Sophomore Kaleena Smith plus freshmen Sydney Douglas and Tatiana Griffin. But the team has other weapons with senior Alanna Neale showing well as well as getting contributions from underclassman Dani Robinson.
Another dynamite senior, Jasmine Davidson of Clackamas High School (OR), showed why she’s been in the conversation to be the 2025 class’s top player, yet again. She showed her two-way ability, not only carrying the scoring load for her squad when needed, but she really showed she can defend the other team’s top player, be it a matchup with one of the nation’s top forwards in Woliczko of Archbishop Mitty (CA), or guarding any one of the talented guards and forwards on the Bishop McNamara (MD) roster.
Colorado State signee Allie Roden stepped up in a big way in her Clackamas (OR) squad’s matchup with Archbishop Mitty. With Davidson dealing with foul trouble in the first half, Roden had to guard Mitty’s Woliczko, one of the top interior players in the country and provide some scoring punch to keep her squad in the game. It was an impressive effort that rallied her team to keep the game within reach.
Emilee Skinner of Ridgeline High School.
*Photo by Chris HansenDuke signee Emilee Skinner of Ridgeline High School (UT) was in her bag all week. She deals with constant double teams and still managed to lead her team to the Joe Smith Division championship.
We mentioned Grandview but they weren’t the only team from the Rocky Mountains making waves. Jess Caldwell’s program has had no shortage of major talent and this year’s group is lead by seniors Quinn Vansickle (Pepperdine) and Rylie Beers (Belmont) as well as junior scoring sensation Peyton Jones. Keep an eye on sophomore guard Kate Fuessel as well. If she can build the confidence throughout the season this team will be a tough out come playoff time.
Quality post play is limited in today’s game. So it was no mystery that the college coaches section at Xavier College Prep (AZ) games was packed. And while it would make sense that Hall of Famer Jennifer Gillom would have a good team, folks were there to see 6-5 junior Noelle Guiamatsia.
Osbourn Park (VA) has a lot of pieces to worry about. One minute it’s sophomore guard Payton Waltersmaking you choose between taking away the three or trying to keep her out of the paint and the next thing you know junior guard Key Rainey is getting down hill drawing help and creating chaos for the defense. They also got good play from junior Janey Salinas when we were in the gym.
It's hard to say a roster like Westtown (PA) is short-handed given the depth of talent but without standout sophomore forward Jordyn Palmer it was nice to see Jessie Moses, a 2027 guard, step up and carry the scoring load.
Keep an eye out for Jayda Rogers of Highlands Ranch High School (CO). The freshman guard brings instant pace to the floor for coach Caryn Jaroki and her staff. You can see the confidence on the floor beyond her years and she’ll be one to watch develop in the coming months. Big Ten and Big 12 schools are already tracking this dynamic prospect.
Lara Somfai of IMG Academy.
*Photo by Chris Hansen.IMG Academy has a loaded roster. Stanford commit Lara Somfai was a matchup nightmare with her fluid agility and size. Pair her with Connecticut signee Kelis Fisher at point and you’re rolling. It starts to feel unfair when you add Tennesse signee Deniyah Prawl, Illinois signee Manuella Alves, Auburn commit Nylah Wilson and transfer Brooklyn Charlo from Colorado. The number of weapons the Ascenders have is incredible. A 2-point loss in the semifinals to PHH Academy cost them a chance at a perfect week but it was an impressive trip to Arizona regardless.
Mater Dei (CA) had a terrific week, with big wins over Christ the King (NY), Bishop McNamara (MD) and Bullis (MD). The sole loss was to eventual champions, Mitty. The duo of junior forward Kaeli Wynn and senior Iowa commit Addison Deal. It wouldn’t be right to omit the work Stella Hoss put in. The 6-1 sophomore had to guard Olivia Vukosa, Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka, Georgia commits Meghan Yarnevich and Zhen Craft, as well as Woliczko, a tall task for anyone.
AROUND THE RIM
Archbishop Wood has a legacy of elite players over the years. Sophomore guard Ryan Carter brings size, handle and the swagger to be the leader on the floor.
Providence signee Princess Moody earned her reputation as one of the top perimeter defenders and the Bishop McNamara guard has grown her game by becoming a knock-down catch and shoot player.
Bella Vista (AZ) junior Mackenzie Buckner showed her inside-outside ability on the offensive end. She’s a tough player to guard in the pick-and-roll. Especially when paired with dynamite senior point guard Sophie Morales.
Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka of Bullis.
*Photo by Chris Hansen.There’s a lot of buzz around the Sage Hill (CA) program. Junior guard Amalia Holguin has supreme confidence with the ball in her hands and brings a calmness to the floor for the Sabercats.
Vukosa is a problem for opposing defenses. The Christ the King (NY) junior post showed she can be a scoring threat and also facilitate offense from the high post or the trail position.
Centre of Excellence (Australia) was rolling and a 5-point loss to PHH Prep was the only blemish on their trip across the world to compete. With five Power 4 signees on the roster the expectations were high and they backed it up.
Legion Academy (TX) split their four games in Arizona. Let by excited junior forward Kamora Pruitt and shifty junior point guard Rieyan DeSouze, they dispatched both American opponents but took a losses to ATC out of New Zealand and COE out of Australia.
Bullis sophomore Wilson-Manyacka is a work horse. She works the glass, makes you guard her in the face-up game and you can see why she’s one of the most followed 2027 in the country.
Ella Peper is a freshman to watch from Dexter Southfield (MA). Her combination of size at 6-4, agility, balance all point to a matchup problem as she gets more and more experience.
Chris Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and serves on the McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Trophy selection committees. He was a co-founder of and the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012 and is the director of the Check Me Out Showcase and ELITE is EARNED events. He can be reached at chris@chrishansenbasketball.com.
