Best Monday Matchups at the 36th Annual Coach Kipps Hoopsfest

Byron Xerxes Livsey January 18, 2026 @ 02:45 PM

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Coach Kipp's Hoopsfest isn't just another tournament. It's the standard. For over 3 decades, this event has set the tone for what a true girls' basketball showcase should look like, bringing together high-level programs, real college prospects, and matchups that actually reveal who's ready for the next level. Year after year, players step onto this stage and leave as names that matter moving forward. If you're in the building for the final day of Kippsfest, these are my top two games that you should be in your seat from tip-off to the last second for.</h2>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">FIRST YEAR VS FINAL YEAR - WAUBONSIE VALLEY VS CARMEL</h2>   <p>Two of the best talents in the state will be going head-to-head in this matchup. On one side.. you have easily one of the best scorers in the state in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='514035' first='Danyella' last='Mporokoso']. A player who is a legit 4 level scorer with no off button. There aren't many holes in her offensive game, and whoever is ever guarding her will be in for a long night. On the opposing side.. you have a freshman phenom who has a legit arguement has a top 10 player in this state. Though [player_tooltip player_id='954119' first='Liv' last='Johnson'] is young.. her game is far from it. The skillset is polished just enough where she completely stands out, and not to mention the collegiate frame that allows her to power through whoever, whenever. </p>   <p><strong>MY PICK: </strong><em><strong>WAUBONSIE VALLEY</strong></em> </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PACE VS PRESSURE - PEORIA NOTRE DAME VS BOLINGBROOK</h2>   <p>There are high level atheltes on both sides of this matchup, but on the Bolingbrook side, the speed and athtleicsin seems to be the forefront of their offense and how they can simply run teams out of the gym. Leading that pack is [player_tooltip player_id='469632' first='Natalie' last='Frempong'], and there aren't many guards in the state that can honestly stay in front of her, or even slow her down. She's strong, quick, and has a tight handle to go with it. Peoria Notre Dame, on the other hand, doesn't lack athleticism by any means, but they have a ton of success working in the halfcourt, and when you have a player like [player_tooltip player_id='732518' first='Emy' last='Wardle'] who can break down the defense and find openings with ease, you understand why they play with the flow and pace that they do. </p>   <p><strong><em>MY PICK: PEORIA NOTRE DAME</em></strong> | <em><strong>PLAYERS OF THE GAME - LEXI BAER & [player_tooltip player_id='469632' first='Natalie' last='Frempong']</strong></em></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DOWN TO THE WIRE - WHITNEY YOUNG VS BENET</h2>   <p>Both teams in this matchup have a solid core of players who can completely change the outcome of a game. On the Whitney Young side, a lot of the success comes from the underclassman core, but the veterans on this team provide stability too ([player_tooltip player_id='514883' first='Chellise' last='Jones'], Nina Llyod). [player_tooltip player_id='885956' first='Jordyn' last='Ellis'] is the focal point of the offense, but guards like [player_tooltip player_id='879531' first='Morgan' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='879727' first='Yanni' last='Smith'], and Cooper can get things going as well. Benet has a deep core, too, but a ton of it swings on the upperclassmen. [player_tooltip player_id='419726' first='Emma' last='Briggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='626814' first='Ava' last='Mersinger'], and [player_tooltip player_id='407517' first='Bridget' last='Rifenburg'] are the big three for this squad, and when they're on, they're on. </p>   <p><strong><em>MY PICK: BENET | PLAYERS OF THE GAME - [player_tooltip player_id='407517' first='Bridget' last='Rifenburg'] & [player_tooltip player_id='885956' first='Jordyn' last='Ellis']</em></strong></p>