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Holiday Tournament Wrap: Players Who Ran The Show

Holiday Tournament Wrap: Players Who Ran The Show
Byron Xerxes Livsey
Byron Xerxes Livsey December 28, 2025 @ 02:36 PM
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In this article:

Kaylee Clarke
Kaylee Clarke 5'11" | PF/SF | 2027
IL
Natalie McGhee
Natalie McGhee 5'7" | SG | 2028
IL
Michaela Pilgrim
Michaela Pilgrim 5'9" | CG | 2026
IL
Lexi Baer
Lexi Baer 6'0" | SF | 2026
IL
Danyella Mporokoso
Danyella Mporokoso 5'6" | CG | 2026
IL
<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">With most of the holiday tournaments wrapping up this past weekend and a few finishing up this upcoming week, select players from each event ended up earning MVP honors. Whether it was driven by the stat sheet or simply being the most impactful player on the floor, these athletes separated themselves over the course of the tournament. Below is my selection of some of the players who truly took over the holiday tournaments.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["593853"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1579114,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695194d17f77d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>It's a rarity that players get better as they get to a higher level.. but Baer has that aura about her that points in that direction. From the outside of the arc.. this kid has no fear and is absolutely one of the best shooters in the state. But her energy on the boards is what I think Butler will love most about her. After having a dominant tournament showing over the holidays.. it's easy to see how seamlessly she will fit into Butler's program. Hell of a talent.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514035"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695194d17f819"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>There's no denying that Danyella is one of the best players in this state, and when you've been as consistent as she has been since the start of the year.. you end up with no losses in your record, as well as MVP honors from your respective holiday tournament. Danyella has continued to show she's one of the best in the state, as well as the country.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["900140"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695194d17f88c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>McGhee has made her argument as a top 25 player in this class, and what she's been doing for the majority of December could bring a ton of attention to her come playoff time, as well as for the AAU season. She was dominant at the Loyola Academy tournament and is putting on an all-state select-type season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1323079"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695194d17f8f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>You have to love watching a player who gets herself going before she's asked to. Clarke is one of the more high energy players in her class, and that type of attitude usually brings you individual awards.. especially if it truly affects the outcome of a game. Clarke has been a major stock riser. She has added some patience and skill to her low post game as well. Major stock riser.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832491"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695194d17f963"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Pilgrim has been dominating her area this season so far, and the 1k career points were notched during the holiday tournaments as well. This kid can score the ball effortlessly, and even when multiple eyes are on her, she still figures out a way to get her buckets, but most importantly, get the win. She can adapt, she can be versatile, and she shows the maturity of a true leader. Big fan.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

With most of the holiday tournaments wrapping up this past weekend and a few finishing up this upcoming week, select players from each event ended up earning MVP honors. Whether it was driven by the stat sheet or simply being the most impactful player on the floor, these athletes separated themselves over the course of the tournament. Below is my selection of some of the players who truly took over the holiday tournaments.

Butler
Lexi Baer

Lexi Baer

IL
SF
HEIGHT 6'0"
POS SF
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Lexi
Baer SF
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
HS
Peoria Notre Dame
|
IL
Holiday Tournament Wrap: Players Who Ran The Show
It’s a rarity that players get better as they get to a higher level.. but Baer has that...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Butler
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Lexi Baer

Instagram Twitter
State: Illinois
School: Peoria Notre Dame
Club: Midwest Elite EYBL
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Illinois State
Danyella Mporokoso

Danyella Mporokoso

IL
CG
HEIGHT 5'6"
POS CG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Danyella
Mporokoso CG
Class
2026
Height
5'6"
HS
Waubonsie Valley
|
IL
Holiday Tournament Wrap: Players Who Ran The Show
There’s no denying that Danyella is one of the best players in this state, and when you’ve been...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Illinois State
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Danyella Mporokoso

Instagram Twitter
State: Illinois
School: Waubonsie Valley
Club: M14 Hoops
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Natalie McGhee

Natalie McGhee

IL
SG
HEIGHT 5'7"
POS SG
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Natalie
McGhee SG
Class
2028
Height
5'7"
HS
Thornton Fractional North
|
IL
Holiday Tournament Wrap: Players Who Ran The Show
McGhee has made her argument as a top 25 player in this class, and what she’s been doing...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Natalie McGhee

State: Illinois
School: Thornton Fractional North
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Kaylee Clarke

Kaylee Clarke

IL
PF/SF
HEIGHT 5'11"
POS PF/SF
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Kaylee
Clarke PF/SF
Class
2027
Height
5'11"
HS
St. Ignatius
|
IL
Holiday Tournament Wrap: Players Who Ran The Show
You have to love watching a player who gets herself going before she’s asked to. Clarke is one...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Kaylee Clarke

Twitter
State: Illinois
School: St. Ignatius
Club: Full Package
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Michaela Pilgrim

Michaela Pilgrim

IL
CG
HEIGHT 5'9"
POS CG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Michaela
Pilgrim CG
Class
2026
Height
5'9"
HS
Limestone
|
IL
Holiday Tournament Wrap: Players Who Ran The Show
Pilgrim has been dominating her area this season so far, and the 1k career points were notched during...
Written by Byron Xerxes Livsey
Read more at PrepGirlsHoops.com
Prep Girls Hoops

Michaela Pilgrim

State: Illinois
School: Limestone
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Prep Girls Hoops

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