How Are Top Washington Teams Performing in Holiday Tournaments?

Post Christmas tournaments are one of the most exciting times of the high school season, outside of rivalry games and playoffs. Some teams travel out of town, or take advantage of opportunities to play against teams from other leagues, or even states. Schools from Washington traveled across the state, or even as far as California and Arizona seeking different competition and a chance to bond as a team. <em>Prep Girls Hoops</em> attended, tracked and viewed multiple top Washington teams games on line as well. Here's a quick breakdown of how things are going so far: <span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>3A teams suffering some tough losses: </strong></span> <strong><em>Garfield</em> </strong>entered the PIL Holiday Classic with an 8-0 record. That improved to 9-0 after a blowout win versus McMinnville (OR). Game number two versus Benson Tech (OR) proved to be a different story. Both teams played exclusively zone in their matchup. The game was extremely slow paced for the amount of athletes on the floor. A lot of missed free throws and jump shots made the game seem pretty sloppy to go along with the slow pace, but Garfield was in control for 3/4 of the game. Benson finally made a couple of outside shots to turn around the momentum and squeezed out a tough win in the end by a score of 42-40. 2019 5'7 G <strong>Samaiyah Tolliver </strong>(unsigned) had a big game with 21 points, thanks to some hot 3-point shooting, and a couple of runners. Her defense and scoring was consistent all game, but it wasn't quite enough in the end. Garfield will play in a consolation game tomorrow versus La Jolla Country Day (CA, 10-6). <em><strong>Seattle Prep </strong></em>traveled down to Orinda, California to play in the diamond bracket of the West Coast Jamboree event. They improved their record to 8-1 after day one, with a win over a scrappy Esperanza (CA) team. 2021 W <strong>Tamia</strong> <strong>Stricklin</strong> scored a game high 24 points and made 13-15 free throws. They were quickly humbled by Kelly Sopak's Miramonte squad that utilizes a run and gun system. Miramonte plays a 2-2-1 3/4 court press to raise the tempo and then turn around and shoot quick threes early in the shot clock. The tempo and turnovers proved to be problematic for Seattle Prep and they eventually fell 83-65. 83 is the most points Prep has given up this season, by far. They will play in a consolation game tomorrow versus Christian (CA, 8-4). <em><strong>Prairie</strong></em> traveled to the Surf n' Slam event in San Diego, California. They defeated Olmsted Falls (OH) in game one by a score of 61-54. Prairie is hands down one of the favorites to win 3A in Washington's State Tournament, but their next opponent was not daunted by that. National Powerhouse Archbishop Mitty (CA) was too much for Prairie, behind 2019 6'1 W <strong>Haley Jones</strong> (Stanford Signee). A 67-51 loss is tough for a team with state title aspirations, but they do not have much time to hang their heads, as they have La Costa (CA) in their final game before the new year. 2019 6'3 F <strong>Brooke Walling </strong>(Fresno State signee) anchors the middle for the Falcons. &nbsp; <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 4A Teams Performing Well: </span> </strong> <em><strong>Kentridge</strong></em> is on a roll this season! They improved to 10-0 on the year after wins over McNary and Beaverton, each from Oregon. They are also in the PIL Holiday Classic, but in a different bracket than Garfield. Next up for Kentridge (10-0) is Sierra Canyon (CA, 14-0). Sierra Canyon is widely regarded as a top 25 team in the country and Maxpreps has them ranked as the number one team in California. This matchup has a chance to be one of the most exciting games of the year, on paper. 2020 6'1 F <strong>Jordyn Jenkins</strong> has been dominant in the event so far. She has provided consistent scoring, rebounding and athletic plays that leaves defenders feeling overpowered. 2020 5'8 PG Daylani Ballena has provided ball and tempo control from the point guard position. 2022 6'0 W <strong>Naomi Hall</strong> has provided timely baskets off the bench. The freshman plays on a upperclassmen-heavy team, but Naomi is one to watch in the future with her ability to run the floor and make outside shots. <em><strong>Woodinville </strong></em>is one of a few undefeated teams left in all of Washington (1A-4A) at 10-0. They have only played one formidable opponent in University HS (Spokane, WA) where they won by a one point margin. They have won both of their games in the Surf n' Slam by huge margins versus inferior opponents, but Archbishop Mitty will give them a true measuring stick of exactly how good they are. The 4A runner up from a season ago is back in the hunt for the 4A state title and 2019 5'8 PG <strong>Madison Dubois</strong> (Seattle U Signee) is a big reason for that. The leading scorer on the team is 2021 5'10 PF/C <strong>Mia Hughes</strong>. They will both need to step up huge, along with everyone else, in order to give them a chance at beating the nationally ranked Archbishop Mitty Monarchs. &nbsp; <em><strong>Other Notes:</strong></em> <ul> <li>1A <em><strong>Lynden Christian</strong></em> is still undefeated (10-0) after taking down 3A defending Champion, <em><strong>Gig Harbor </strong></em>(6-4)</li> <li>3A<em><strong> Mt. Spokane</strong></em> has already played in two other events before any Christmas Tourneys and they head into the new year with a perfect 10-0 record</li> <li>1A <em><strong>La Salle</strong></em> is still perfect at 9-0 after defeating fellow 1A <em><strong>Cashmere</strong></em> who fell to 9-2</li> <li>4A <em><strong>Eastlake</strong></em> is 1-2 in the So Cal Holiday Prep Classic with one more game to go</li> </ul>