Thoughts from NIKE TOC 2024
All-Tournament Selections from Archbishop Mitty (L-R): 2026 Emma Cook, 2026 McKenna Woliczko, and 2027 Tiera McCarthy.
The Scene from the 2024 Nike TOC
December 27, 2024
Previously the final results and official all-tournament teams and MVP’s of the top two Federation divisions and non-Federation division were posted. In this article, the focus will be on some thoughts about the event, various teams of these three divisions and several individual players including our unofficial Hoops Review top 5 overall from these three divisions.
Moved back to high school setting
The two previous years the event was held at the large multi-court facility at the Arizona Athletic Grounds (I think that is now the name as it has changed a couple of times) in Mesa, Arizona. The TOC management was unable to come to terms with the new facility ownership and the event was moved to high schools of the Mesa Public Schools with Skyline High School being the top gym site.
With two courts, Skyline was able to comfortably host the top [Cannizzaro] Federation (schools belonging to the National Federation of High Schools) division and non-Federation [Droesch] division (a mixture of academy, prep and foreign schools lying outside the boundaries of Federation state series (play for a state title) schools). The non-Federation division had representation from Australia, Canada and New Zealand with Canadian Crestwood Prep winning the division. Having attended TOC for several decades, this was the best set-up using a high school in the history of the event. While college coaches would prefer the large multi-court to evaluate more players in a smaller time, this was the next best thing and most long-time high school coaches prefer the school to multi-court setting. As players often compete in multi-court settings in club ball, they really do not voice a preference as do high school coaches (particularly longer tenured ones).
Power always makes right? Guess so!
Most of you reading this do not understand the elaborate work that goes into receiving sanctions to hold an event involving Federation schools from all over the country. Essentially, each state with member schools participating must sign off on the event before the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) would sanction the event. I can assure you that the TOC staff is meticulous in meeting all requirements for sanctioning and has been for years.
As normal, the forms were sent into NFHS for sanctioning well before deadline and all appeared good to go. Brackets (I am part of the bracketing committee) were drawn and posted online about one week before the start of the event. NFHS knew who all participating schools in the seven Federation Divisions would be well before that. On Friday (event started the following Wednesday) the NFHS essentially declared the event “out of sanction” as California Member (CIF) decided to take exception to Texas-based TCAL schools (Legion Academy and Cornerstone Christian-San Antonio) being in brackets with its member schools.
Cornerstone had in the last year played a CIF member in volleyball. Legion Academy was scheduled to play two CIF schools in girls’ basketball later this season. In reality, CIF was punishing these TCAL schools for TCAL (a Texas-based NFHS Affiliate) taking in another Texas high school under sanction by NFHS Texas member UIL. Interestingly, UIL schools continue to play TCAL schools and UIL did not put up “red flags” as to either of the TCAL schools playing in NIKE TOC. The school in question (Faith Family Academy – Oak Cliff out of the Dallas area) was not participating in NIKE TOC yet CIF/NFHS essentially demanded (or face possible sanctioning refusal going forward) the brackets be re-drawn with these TCAL member schools being placed into the non-Federation division.
Thus, on Friday night somewhere around 6pm ET, I helped re-draw the brackets while in Virginia (covering She Got Game DC) for the most park using my cell phone, a pad of paper, text messages from two other bracketing committee members in Arizona and California, greatly helped by a TOC staffer writing down the rotation of teams in eight separate brackets. In about an hour and a half, we got it done be it perhaps not perfectly.
So, what was so frustrating?
The NFHS rep admitted the error was not of TOC’s submission, but incorrect sanctioning information given to TOC staff by NFHS. Now, less than five days before the event, CIF/NFHS essentially demanded changes or risk future events run by the organization not be sanctioned. In essence, “our bad but your problem!” The classy thing to do given the error was not of TOC’s making would have been to approve the posted bracket and say going forward use the new guidelines. But no, power had to be exercised!
The chilling thought from this is that NFHS can come into any event any time before (and maybe during) it starts and declare the event out of sanction even if it had previously been approved.
Striving for excellence? Not so much these days
One problem dogging the event more and more often in recent years is so many coaches of teams begging for placement in weaker brackets. As a member of the NIKE TOC bracketing committee, I can tell you it was a battle to find 16 teams willing to play in the top (Cannizzaro) Federation division. Some coaches just feel they cannot compete while other hesitant coaches just want confidence building wins. Regardless, it took “hand holding” with multiple coaches to complete the 16-team field.
Another reason for begging for lower brackets is too many states have some form of power point system where wins are rewarded, and losses punished regardless of strength of opposition. Some variants of this encourage teams to play against in-state opponents with another variant only rewarding points for wins over only in-state or states contiguous to the state in question.
A good example of contrasting systems is the post-season seeding of team from southern (SoCal) vs northern California (NorCal). SoCal seeds its post-season based on decisions of a seeding committee that examines strength of opposition. NorCal uses the bean counting method of "a win is a win, a loss a loss” I think you can guess which area's teams are more concerned about getting W's regardless of the quality of opposition.
I would strongly urge the end to all post-season seeding based on just getting wins and ignoring strength of opposition. If Southern California (SoCal) can form a respected seeding committee, other states can do likewise. The goal should be to strive for excellence not mediocrity!
A final reason making it difficult is the expense of travel (often north of $15,000 total to play in this event when factoring in air and hotel costs for teams from a long distance) when there is ample competition much closer to home at much lower expense. Thus, a lot of quality never makes it to this event.
One major reason to attend Nike TOC is the numerous college coaches in attendance. Pictured here are Lisa Boyer (left) & Dawn Staley of South Carolina. Seated a row below is Premier Basketball/ESPNW staple, Jason Key. Photo courtesy of Nike TOC.
Below are comments about some of the teams and players in the three divisions covered
Cannizzaro Division
Archbishop Mitty
Mitty Coach Sue Phillips must rank up there with the very best coaches as to taking high level high school talent and make these individuals play together as a team. Mitty players are skilled but on top of that they play smart and share the ball on an ongoing basis. Regularly we see other teams that have one of the above characteristics but not this complete package. Mitty always plays to win while so many others just play. Archbishop Mitty leaves TOC as the consensus number 1 team. Last year they fell short at the end (losing to Etiwanda High School in the CIF Open Division final). Time will tell if matters end more successfully this year.
The Nike TOC trophy regionally represents the area in which it is hosted quite well. Photo courtesy of Nike TOC.
Ontario Christian
I knew this team had three future major D1 players. The reality is they have at least 5 (probably 4 majors) D1 prospects. Ontario Christian has played a challenging schedule to start this season and triumphed over all until Mitty. The issue was against Mitty the team's youth (starring 2 sophomores and 2 freshmen) showed not matching Mitty's focus and intensity out of the gate. In the second half, they started to settle in and the situation stabilized but they were way too far behind. They will play Mitty again on January 4 and perhaps in the CIF Open Division final in March. Mitty is a NorCal team and Ontario Christian from SoCal which the California Federation would match them up in the last game in March. With Mitty and Ontario Christian both young teams, the mythical national title for Federation state series teams likely goes through California this year and next.
Mater Dei
Finishing third in the Cannizzaro (top) bracket was Mater Dei out of Santa Ana in Southern California [there is a similarly named school in San Diego area). Mater Dei likely has perhaps the best pair of tall perimeter shooters in high school today in Iowa commit Addison Deal (6-0) and junior Kaeli Wynn (6-1).
The Mater Dei team celebrates a win at Nike TOC. Photo courtesy of Nike TOC.
Bullis School
The team won the Smith Division last year and was eager to try their lot in the top (Cannizzaro) division this year. With multiple future major division 1 players led by all-tournament selectee Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka, the team posted a creditable 4th place result going 2-2. The loss of the third-place game can be summarized two stars (53 points) for Mater Dei to one star in Wilson-Manyacka (21 points) losing 72-57.
Bishop McNamara
Out of the DC area finishing 5th was Bishop McNamara. They start an athletic D1 line-up with their best prospects mostly underclass players. The team plays solid defense, but its offense is not as far along. They shot blanks down the stretch losing to Mater Dei. They bounced back to defeat Grandview for 5th.
Grandview
This school has been one of Colorado’s best for some time. Having a star in Sienna Betts certainly helps but they got enough contributions from others to post a 2-2 result.
Clackamas
Clackamas High School is a public high school of around 1200 students in the Portland (Oregon) suburbs. In an era where the power in the sport of girls’ basketball is shifting more and more to private Federation and academies and prep schools, Clackamas has to date bucked the trend. The team finished 7th at NIKE TOC losing to Archbishop Mitty in overtime and Bishop McNamara. Clackamas had 4 seniors sign with D1 schools (2 to major D1). Rankings appear to be moving Clackamas down for its showing at TOC. That might be the wrong direction!
Purcell Marian
When you suddenly have to compete without the consensus best player in your state in Cincinnati-bound Darriana Alexander (unable to play at the event), winning can become a lot more difficult particularly against high quality opposition. A 1-3 finish certainly becomes more understandable.
Mt. Zion
Losing one of its best players to injury before the event, expectations may not have been so high. Still winning three (9thplace finish) after dropping the opener to Grandview showed having depth matters.
Brookswood Secondary
The British Columbia school which won a class title back home struggled to compete in this division failing to come close to winning a game. As a member of the bracketing committee, I thank them for volunteering to play in the division when many more talented teams were running away from the top division as fast as possible. Hopefully, in spite of on-court setbacks, they came away with something positive from the trip. Over the years, it has not been uncommon for teams to lose four games in the NIKE TOC, go home and win a state title (for one Sacred Heart of Kentucky last year).
Smith Division:
Ridgeline High School
Ridgeline came into TOC never having played in such a strong field (granted not as strong as the top Cannizzaro Division). As a Utah 4A school where 6A is the highest division, results are often discounted as opposition is considered weaker in most states as you get below the largest and here second-largest size of schools as to enrollment particularly with public schools. Also, the team graduated several players from its 4A championship squad of last year. Playing against team after team with multiple D1 prospects, Ridgeline ran the table.
The team has one signed D1 senior player and one younger (2027) in post Abby Munford (all-tournament team selectee) who may eventually get D1 offers. The senior was what I call a "senior stud." While younger stars may appear to be more talented, top-level seniors often play more with a "refuse to lose" attitude. Duke signee Emilee Skinner did just that posting big game after big game capping it off with a 37-point final outing vs Osbourn Park (VA).
Osbourn Park
The team had enough talent to compete in the top division, having at least three future division one players. Given the domination of private schools in the Meto DC area, they are still one of the best teams in the area but get limited notice. Their problem in the final is that they had no match-up for Ridgeline’s Skinner. Regardless, they placed two (junior Key Rainey and sophomore Payton Walters) on the all-tournament team. With a lot back, it would be nice if they could return to TOC next year.
Droesch Division
Bracketing this division was hard to start with given the number of foreign teams of uncertain quality. Then you can add unaccounted injuries to one of the favorites. Result was “expect the unexpected.” The bracket was deeper in talent than in recent years due to stronger foreign participation and growing strength of domestic non-Federation/federation non-state series play in the sport. In much of New England and the province of Ontario in Canada, the pool of talent has essentially switched to the academy/prep scene. In much of the USA, high school ball remains the dominant bastion of division one talent, but this appears to be lessening almost annually.
Westtown School (one of the pre-event favorites) came in minus its star player (2027 Jordyn Palmer) and first two reserves (both D1 senior signees). Thus, the 2-2 7th place result was still something to be proud of as well as placing Kennedy Henry on the all-tournament team!
Two positive surprises of the event were the two Australian teams in the 16-team field.
ATC Academy Premier (sort of a traveling club team coming to the USA looking for college scholarships) finished fourth with multiple players garnering D1 offers. Ruby Perkins, a 2026 point guard with a fearless attitude and three-point stroke, garnered all-tournament honors. The coaches were pleased to finish ahead of Centre of Excellence which was loaded with major D1 signees but fell into the losers' bracket sooner (losing to PHH Prep in round two) than ATC Academy Premier which finished fourth.
Centre of Excellence - Australia is (then called AIS) the school that gave us Australian WNBA superstars Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor. Its point guard Sienna Harvey (University of Washington signee) is a stylish passer and made the all-tournament team. The team finished 3-1 and hopefully will be a regular in this event in the years ahead.
IMG (another pre-event favorite) was playing shorthanded due to injuries but managed to finish 3-1. Illinois signee Manuella Aves made the all-tournament team.
The surprise of the Division was probably PHH Prep (a basketball academy) out of the Phoenix area with a second-place finish (lost to Crestwood 46-41). Coach Scott Campbell is the brother of TCU Coach Mark Campbell. Caia Campbell (Scott's daughter) led the team and received all-tournament honors.
Finally, congratulations to Crestwood Prep for winning the Division behind MVP guard Avery Arijie. A 2027 lefty with high major upside, she can score at all three levels. This win is perhaps sweeter given major losses (graduations and outbound transfers) from last year.
Special thanks to Erik Boal and Cedric Cobb who served with me on the bracketing and all-tournament selections committees.
Players discussed below are in alphabetical order with listed height, position, graduation year and school. Home state is in parenthesis.
Hoops Review NIKE TOC 2024
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Sienna Betts, 6-4, PF, 2025, Grandview H.S. (Colorado)
A UCLA signee, Betts is tall, mobile and a tough stop as a strongly built lefty in the lower paint.
Jazzy Davidson, 6-1, G, 2025. Clackamas H.S., (Oregon)
Another lefty, Southern Cal signee Davidson is long and able to score in bunches at all three levels.
Emilee Skinner, 6-0, G, 2025, Ridgeline H.S. (Utah) Duke signee Skinner dominated the Smith Division with power off the bounce and a strong all-around game.
Kaleena Smith, 5-6, PG, 2027, Ontario Christian High School (California)
Smith is perhaps the best small guard in high school today. She is called Special K for a reason.
McKenna Woliczko, 6-2, PF, 2026, Archbishop Mitty High School (California)
A back-to-back Cannizzaro Division MVP, unlike last year, she was the clear choice for the award with intense, focused play in the paint. The last back-to-back MVP winner for the TOC top division was Katie Lou Samuelson of California’s Mater Dei High School. She won the award outright in 2013 and 2014 and shared the award with older sister Karlee in 2012. Both played in the WNBA this year.