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...

The Tigers have completely owned the East Valley for the past 4 years.  They have made 4 straight trips to the Final 4 in both 6A and 5A.  Each of those trips they fell to West Valley powers Millennium or Valley Vista.  Once, 2019, they were able to make it to the championship game, but fell again to Millennium.  But against the rest of state and particularly the East Valley, they have won an astonishing 88 games with only 1 loss in that 4-year span.  They truly have dominated the East Valley.  Now with Millennium and Valley Vista losing so many top players to graduation and Prep Schools, is 2021 the year the Gilbert can win a 5A Championship? Time will tell. The Tigers graduated 33 points a game from its 2020 Final 4 team.   But with seniors graduation, comes plenty of opportunity for younger players to contribute in 2021.   They will be led by some players with extensive varsity experience.   One of these players is Nicole Evenson.  ...

During our previous post we discussed how the Prep Schools recently arose in Arizona This type of talent drain in one state is not common.   In states like California, New York, and Ohio, the most talent laden teams are nonpublic, often private academies such as Arch Bishop Mitty, La Jolla Country Day, St. Johns, and Riverdale Baptist.   Since these schools have established campuses, curriculum, and teaching staffs, the top players in areas around them would flock to play at these prestigious and elite schools.   In Arizona open enrollment has allowed Public High Schools like East Valley schools Hamilton, Perry, Gilbert, and Chandler and schools like Valley Vista, Millennium, and Tolleson in the West Valley to be power houses.   In addition to this, Tucson schools such as Sabino and Sahuaro have been strong contenders.   With that said there are a few traditional private preparatory academies that have had major success in the past 15 years such as Seton Ca...