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 on defensive pressure that would stifle and harass other teams guards, effectively taking them out of their offense.  That is not the case at this point in 2020.  Teams like Mesquite, Perry, and Sandra Day O'Conner were able to run their offenses and get into the paint on a consistent basis during Lady X.  Millennium has chosen instead to  to live on talent to overcome adversity. Dixon was able to will the Tigers to victory in the Championship compounded by a key 3 point play with under 1 minute remaining.  

Perry (Finished #2)

This is not the Perry of the past few years.  But they are still skilled with an ability to get to the basket and shoot the 3. Perry showed just what they were made up in this tournament defeating top seeded Cactus Shadows and 3rd place finisher Mesa Westwood.  They were missing a few key players in the championship game that played all weekend.  And judging on their ability to get to overtime, one wonders if those players might have been the difference.  Big question going forward is will they be able to defend in 6A this season? 

Mesa Westwood (Finished #3) 

No shocker here Westwood is small.  But they don't play small.  They play fast and with lots of energy.  They can go on shooting streaks were they make 10 3 pointers in a row and dry spells where they miss everything for 5 minutes stretches.  Case in point their semifinal game vs Perry they struggled down the stretch to knock down shots, but in the 3rd place game their timely shooting and zone defense proved too much for O'Conner after trailing for most of the game.  All their players are not afraid to shoot it and they are the definition of streaky shooters. They struggle with rebound at times. Mya Johnson will be their leader this season, look for them to contend in 6A.  

 

Sandra Day O'Conner (Finished #4)

O'Conner has the skill and speed. There size will be their biggest disadvantage. Their guards can really go and shoot the ball well, however if they are not turning teams over with their pressure they might struggle to get stops vs bigger teams.  They should be top 10 in 6a 

Casteel (Finished #5)

We had high expectations for this Colts team. But after a lack luster performance many questions still exist. Will they be able to guard the post? Can their guard play be enough to score on a consistent basis? They were able to move the ball well in the Consolation bracket and get some action clicking between their players.  Their transfers did play in Lady X but will they be able to mesh with the team at some point this season when they become eligible? 

Pinnacle (Finished #6) 

Pinnacle played without post Kennedy Basham. Their guards showed  flashes or being able to handle the load scoring. But their zone gets a lot better with the addition of a 6’7” post in the middle of it. Look for them to contend in 6A this year. 

Mesquite (Finished #7)

Mesquite is always well coached and an organized team.  They run great stuff and when running their stuff is a tough team to stop. Can they run their stuff consistently?  At times they seem disinterested and lacked energy.  No doubt they will be a contender this year in 4A.   

Cactus Shadows (Finished #8) 

Cactus Shadows came in as the top Seed.  They however were very underwhelming this weekend. The Falcons will have to figure out what their style is with the loss of Syrene Sanders.  Will they be able to defend 94 feet as they have in the past, or will they have to go to a zone with out their water bug point guard who seems be on track to miss the season due to a leg injury.