Holiday Classic Diamond Bracket: Oregon’s Top 6 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Portland Holiday Classic Diamond Bracket boasted three nationally ranked teams — Etiwanda (CA), Tualatin, and Mater Dei (CA). Etiwanda defeated Tualatin 51-41 in the final to win the Diamond Championship on Tuesday. Tualatin dominated Mater Dei 63-38 in a semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei defeated Oregon's top-four-ranked Benson 57-42 in the Third-Place game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benson fell to Etiwanda (CA) 65-69 in a thrilling semifinal. The Lady Astros led most of three quarters, but Etiwanda took a 5-point lead late in the fourth and held on to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Etiwanda's junior guard Chasity Rice averaged 15.7 points (shooting 41% from the field), 4.7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game in the Diamond bracket. The Eagles' Florida-commit Arynn Finley averaged 14.7 points (shooting 41% from the field) and 4 rebounds per game at the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei's junior guard Harmony Golightly averaged 16 points through three Diamond bracket games. The Monarchs' junior forward Stella Hoss averaged 9.8 points (shooting 65% from the field) and 3.4 rebounds per game at the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union (WA) defeated Lake Washington 72-60 to place fourth in the Diamond bracket. In her first two games, the Titans' Oregon-commit Brooklynn Haywood averaged 29 points (shooting 45%), 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Washington's junior Julia Benthin averaged 20 points (shooting 50% from the field) and 6.5 rebounds through her first two Diamond bracket games. The Kangaroo's Oregon State-commit Ashley Uusitalo averaged 16 points and 6.5 rebounds through the same two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are Oregon's top six performers from the Diamond bracket:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1013457"],"_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-6959943a9079d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1013457' first='Jayla' last='Lackey'] is playing like Oregon's top power forward prospect, regardless of class. Lackey has a strong and under control inside game. She battles on the offensive glass, bangs in buckets on the bounce through contact, and has a nice midrange jumper. Lackey led Benson in scoring with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a narrow semifinal loss to nationally ranked Etiwanda. She averaged a double-double (13.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG) in the Portland Holiday Classic Diamond bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1013041"],"_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-6959943a90800"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1013041' first='Kemara' last='Phillips'] is having a strong early season as a starter for Benson. The athletic two-way guard is a playmaker who can run the point, knock down three-pointers, and score in transition. Her pull-up midrange jumper is nice. She put up 15 points and 6 rebounds against nationally ranked Etiwanda in the Holiday Classic Diamond bracket semifinals. Phillips averaged 12.7 points (shooting 47% from the field) and 4.3 rebounds per game at the tournament. She should be ranked in the top ten in Oregon's Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["921538"],"_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":1609545,"_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-6959943a90862"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Uncommitted [player_tooltip player_id='921538' first='Maaya' last='Lucas'] is having a standout start to her senior season. Lucas has been consistently winning offensive boards and knocking down three-pointers. She put up double-digit scoring through three Holiday Classic Diamond bracket games. She averaged 12 points (shooting 44% from the field), 3 three-pointers made, and 5.3 rebounds per game at the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832599"],"_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-6959943a908c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Uncommitted [player_tooltip player_id='832599' first='Samarah' last='Massey'] continues to bring the upperclassman leadership that is so valuable to a young and very talented Benson squad. Massey is a strong playmaker in the paint who can dish or finish around the rim. She also runs the court for transition buckets. Massey averaged 12 points (shooting 52% from the field), 6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game in the Holiday Classic Diamond bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1014114"],"_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-6959943a9090f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Already established as a top-three player in Oregon's class of 2028, [player_tooltip player_id='1014114' first='Kendall' last='Dawkins'] has shown that she has leveled up her game in the offseason. Dawkins is a strong driver and rebounder. She led Tualatin in scoring with 15 points and 15 rebounds in a first-round win over Union (WA) at the Holiday Classic. Dawkins averaged 9.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in the Diamond bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1013738"],"_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-6959943a90952"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Love Best is so clutch. The underclassman's maturity on the court and poise with the ball continue to impress. Best knocked down a buzzer-beater three-pointer to defeat Washington's 4A reigning champion A.C. Davis in a Holiday Classic Showcase game. The next day, she led her team from the start, totaling 24 points (shooting 60% from the field), including 4 three-pointers made, in a dominant win against nationally ranked Mater Dei. Best averaged 16.7 points and 2.7 assists per game in the Diamond bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DS1Mr60FNWU/?img_index=1","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DS1Mr60FNWU/?img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/box-score {"name":"acf/box-score","data":{"game":["1594558"],"_game":"field_6a1b2c3d4e5f7"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6959943a90af7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/box-score {"name":"acf/box-score","data":{"game":["1587134"],"_game":"field_6a1b2c3d4e5f7"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6959943a90b19"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/box-score {"name":"acf/box-score","data":{"game":["1587250"],"_game":"field_6a1b2c3d4e5f7"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6959943a90b36"} /-->