Nike TOC Session 1: Wednesday Observations

The final day of the Nike Tournament of Champions in Indianapolis was held on Wednesday with bracket play in several divisions. Multiple teams from Missouri advanced to the championship game with a couple of them bringing home championship trophies. Here are some observations for Wednesday’s action at the Nike TOC. *The Lady Brad Beal Elite 2021 squad won the championship of the 2021 Aqua Platinum Division with a 52-45 victory over Ohio Future Black. It was a one-point game at halftime, but Lady BBE started the second half on a 19-0 run to take control of the game. The big run by sparked by 5’9" 2021 point guard Marshaun Bostic (Gateway Stem), who scored nine points in the half and put the defensive clamps on Ohio Future’s top player. Lady BBE’s overall defense was stifling for about 10 minutes.  Bostic’s speed in the open court is breathtaking as she can break down defenders in the half court or going the full 94 feet. The combination of Bostic and Tyler on the defensive end is formidable when they apply the pressure together. Rounding out the squad were forwards Samya Johnson (McCluer North) and Tyler Butler (Belleville East). Several players contributed to the championship effort with 5’10" [player_tooltip player_id="106877" first="Jaliyah" last="Green"] (Holt) scoring nine points as she consistently found ways to score in the lane while hitting a 3-pointer. Along with Green, [player_tooltip player_id="162388" first="Saniah" last="Tyler"] (Incarnate Word), [player_tooltip player_id="107967" first="Jaiden" last="Bryant"] (Incarnate Word), Niyah Cooper (Vashon) and Sofia Tweedie (Francis Howell Central) all knocked down 3-pointers. 6’4" 2022 K.K. Brody (Rock Bridge) displayed a nice shooting touch from the mid-range off the catch in the second half.   *Blue Star-St. Louis 16U (Silvey) won the 2022 Aqua Gold bracket championship in convincing manner with a 62-29 victory over Game Ball 16U. The standout performer from this game was 5’7" 2022 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="107975" first="Brooke" last="Highmark"] (Westminster Christian), who scored a game-high 21 points. She was on fire from 3-point range early in the game, which got her going. Her backcourt mate is 5’7" 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="168748" first="Anna" last="Finley"] (Owensboro), who can do a little bit of everything. It was a very impressive showing by Blue Star as they won six games in three days with only seven players, which also included Edwardsville (IL) teammates [player_tooltip player_id="168750" first="Macy" last="Silvey"] and [player_tooltip player_id="168749" first="Elle" last="Evans"], 6’2" forward [player_tooltip player_id="107987" first="Carlie" last="Vick"] (Westminster), 6’0" guard [player_tooltip player_id="107988" first="Mia" last="Nicastro"] (St. Charles West) and 6’2" [player_tooltip player_id="168746" first="Ally" last="Fitzgerald"] (Marquette). Their overall size and length was very impressive on the defensive end.   *The best game that I watched during the day was between Blue Star-St. Louis 15U vs. Always 100 Elite in the championship game of the 2023 Aqua Platinum Group. It featured two evenly matched teams that battled on even terms from start to finish with Always 100 Elite taking a 67-64 victory. Despite the loss, several girls from Blue Star really stood out in the championship game. [player_tooltip player_id="170618" first="Brooke" last="Coffey"], a 6’1" wing from Incarnate Word, was really tough in the second half. She was scoring in the post, knocking down 3-pointers and running the court for transition buckets. She also had an impressive step-back jumper in the second half that was effortless. [player_tooltip player_id="107016" first="Natalie" last="Potts"], a versatile 6’2" wing, also from Incarnate Word, was a problem with her length on the defensive end and her skill set on offense. I was also impressed with 5’7" point guard Allie Turner, an incoming 2024 at John Burroughs. She is a pass-first point guard with an excellent feel for the game. More players who caught my eye Riley Arnold 5’7" Yanders Law 16U: A skilled combo guard from Blue Eye with a nice 3-point shooting stroke and good handles to go along with it. She also displayed the ability to get into the mid-range area to create a shot. Makayia Brooks 5’9" Midwest United 3SSB 17U: The 2021 Memphis commit has one of the smoothest shooting strokes around. Her release his quick and effortless and she will let it fly from well-beyond the 3-point line. Attends Springfield Central. Jayla Bush 5’6" Lady BBE 2024: An incoming freshman at Cardinal Ritter displayed all of the attributes of being a standout point guard. She’s quick with excellent court vision and the ability to drop dimes with both hands. She’s very poised with a high basketball IQ. Her on-ball defense was also excellent. Emma Perry 5’8" KC Running Angels Gold 17U: The 2021 wing is an impressive 3-point shooter from Liberty North. She was very good off the catch with a quick release. She is a threat to any zone defense. [player_tooltip player_id="162386" first="Lexi" last="Rubel"] 6’0 SEMO Sizzle 2022: The talented southpaw from Cape Notre Dame was one of the more impressive performers with her all around game. She displayed three level scoring ability while creating matchup problems for the defense. Maddie Barrett and [player_tooltip player_id="106895" first="Rachel" last="Senn"]: All-Missouri Attack 17U (Peck): A pair of 6’2" twin towers who both attend Kickapoo rotated in and out with each other and both were very effective around the basket. Senn was very active and challenged shots on defense. She seals well in the post and she makes her free throws. Barrett displayed a nice turnaround jumper in the lane and good fundamentals. She catches the ball and keeps it high. She is also a good passer out of the post.