Katie Lou SamuelsonCHANDLER and PHOENIX, Ariz. -- In it's 18th year, the Nike Tournament of Champions continues to be one of the premier high school girls basketball tournaments of the school season. Here are two standout seniors from the opening day of action in the desert.
Katie Lou Samuelson (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Mater Dei HS 2015
A year ago, Samuelson made her mark here on day two of the event. This year, it only took her one game. The 6-foot-3 wing has become of one the countrys premier all-around prospects. A Connecticut signee, Samuelson went bananas in the opening round contest against Skyline High School out of Dallas, Texas, finishing with a Mater Dei record 41 points. In the process, the five-star senior also set another record with 10 3-point shots made. The scary part for whoever else stands in Samuelsons way this weekend is that she could have easily finished with another two or three made after seeing a couple roll off the rim. Samuelson has long been considered by our staff as the nations No. 1 wing prospect in the senior class and this showing did nothing but show the basketball community why we hold Samuelsons overall skill set in such high regard.
Emily Surloff (Los Angeles, Calif.), Windward 2015
This future Columbia Lion contributes to her team in a lot of different ways, especially on offense. Shes not the prototypical wing-forward but has tools to make plays anyways. She continues to be one of the premier catch and shoot players in the class but today her improved conditioning allowed her to showcase other skills, such as keen passing skills. The 5-9 prospect has the gift of being able to put the right touch on passes, even in tight spaces. Follow @BrandonClayPSB
Clay is the owner of the JumpOffPlus.com International Scouting Report, PeachStateBasketball.com and ProspectsNation.com. He can be reached at brandon@prospectsnation.com.
Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and a McDonalds All-American selection committee member. He was the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012. He can be reached at chris@prospectsnation.com.
