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Lady X Tournament

In one of the more exciting Championship games at the Lady X Tournament Millennium defeated Perry in an overtime thriller in which Tournament MVP Kassady Dixon delivered a last second assist to Sophomore Guard Mia Amundsen, who was able to drain a game winning 3 as time expired.  The matchup showcased the 2018 Champion vs the 2019 Champion.   While this year's tournament did not have all the perennials powers that it usually showcases, presumable due to it postponement from its June slot due to the the pandemic, it did not disappoint in terms of game play and excitement.  What follows are some take a ways that we have about the teams that made the Lady X Tournament a success in 2020.   Millennium (Finished #1 with an Overtime victory over Perry) is still talented.  They have a D1 committ in Kassidy Dixon (GCU) and a top 5 Freshman in Ellie Guiney.  However they are not still a defensive minded program. In the past the Tigers would hang their hat o...
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5A Contender: Casteel

In 2019, Casteel went from a double- digit seed who no one thought would get past round one, to make the Final 4 in 5A.  Early in the Semifinal game vs eventual State Champion Millennium, they showed the signs of the contender that they would be for a next few years, shocking the Tigers with a barrage of great shooting.  The Tigers’ debth proved to much for Casteel, but that run proved that the Colts were a Contender in 5A.  The upstart school, who’s only graduated 2 senior classes was poised to make a run in 2020.  Injuries derailed the Colts early in the season, but they got healthy at the right time and were able to take the No. 2 Seed Sunrise Mountain, down to the wire, before falling in the state quarterfinals.  Now 2021, could be the season that the Colts are able to get over the top and take home the Golden Ball Trophy. 

If Casteel is able to bring home their first Championship, they will need to be led by Seniors Daeja Johnson and Autymn Franks.  Johnson led the team with 15 points a game in ’20 and should be able to up that total in ’21.  She is good from deep and doesn’t miss many once her feet are set.  Due to injuries in the back court she was forced to handle the ball more in ’20, which has given her more confidence off the dribble.  Franks is the floor general.  An early season injury derailed her senior year and it took her a majority of the season to get on track in 2020.  Her ability to get in the lane will be key as the Colts surround her with deep threats and like Johnson and others.  She will be asked to bring ball pressure on defense and force tempo for the Colts to be successful. 

Senior Camilla Norton will need help spread the floor.  Her ability to knock down shots will be key to the Colts ongoing success.  She will need to up her points a game in ‘21 from the 5 points she averaged in ’20 to around 8 or 9 in her senior season.  Defensively she can be a stopper for other teams’ guards which Casteel will need if it is to dethrone perennial San Tan Region Champ, Gilbert. 

The injuries that the Colts went through in 2020, should help in 2021.  Due to thin line ups, young players like Kierney Murphy, Rayn Holton, and Lucia Gondra Castelar were able to valuable minutes.  This experience should pay off for Casteel in the future.  In 5A, the Colts have one of the deepest returning teams with tons of playoff experience to lean on. 

In addition to the Colts returning players, they have added some other threats for the 2021 campaign.  Grace Oken has announced a transfer from Perry, and there is talk that another East Valley guard is looking to transfer to Casteel.  However, it is unknown how many games will be missed by the transfers in ’21 as the AIA will have to rule on eligibility due to club associations, and hardship appeals.  The word is that they want to crack down more on transfers, but with the large numbers of top players leaving the AIA for the club teams, they might rubber stamp any transfers to keep themselves relevant. 

Some big questions for Casteel will be based around health and high expectations.  Will the injury bug that bit the team in ’20, return for ’21 or will the stay healthy?  Will the colts be able to overcome Gilbert in the San Tan Region or will the Tigers continue to own the region as it has for the past 2 seasons?  Will the transfers be able to come in and help right away or will there be hurdles that the Colts need clear?

If Casteel can go through the season unscathed they have an opportunity to win the program’s first State title in 2021.   


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