The champions have finally been crowned in the Red and Blue Divisions of the Nike Tournament of Champions.

In the Red Division, Narbonne of California came back from a 33-12 deficit at halftime to defeat Hanford, also of California, by a score of 56-54. This game could possibly send Narbonne into a selection of being No. 1 in America. Shawntinice Polk came out of the blocks for Hanford dominating the boards in the first half and scoring at will and Narbonne seemed defeated. Nothing seemed changed through the first four minutes of the third quarter but Polk got into foul trouble and Narbonne finally came alive and went on a scoring rampage using a tenacious full-court press. With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Polk finally fouled out and the momentum shifted to Narbonne. Without their 6-5 center, Hanford couldn't match Narbonne's Wilnett Crockett's inside game. Crockett was sent to the line 15 times and completed 10 to ice the game for the Gauchos of Narbonne and give them their second straight Nike Tournament of Champions title!

In the Blue Division, Council Rock of Pennsylvania completed their journey in the Windy City by capturing their first Nike Tournament of Champions award. This game was also a nail-biter with Council Rock's Julie Sailer battling Briarcrest's Ashley Earley through the entire contest. Sailer's team came out on top with a 56-52 decision as she poured in 24 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field and 8-for-9 from the charity stripe to go along with her 7 boards. Ashley Earley tried to keep her team alive going down the stretch but her 21 points and 17 rebounds weren't enough! Congratulations to a great Council Rock team!

FINAL STANDINGS

Red Division

1st Place - Narbonne, California
2nd Place - Hanford, California
3rd Place - Mountain View, Utah
4th Place - Germantown Academy, Pennsylvania
5th Place - South Sioux City, Nebraska
6th Place - North Atlanta, Georgia
7th Place - Upperman, Tennessee
8th Place - Berkeley, California
9th Place - Riverdale Baptist, Maryland
10th Place - Nashua, New Hampshire
11th Place - John Marshall, Illinois
12th Place - Bellevue, Washington
13th Place - The Bullis School, Maryland
14th Place - Mt. Vernon, Virginia
15h Place - Miami Edison, Florida
16th Place - Harft County, Kentucky

Red Division All Tournament Team

Liz Dancause - Nashua
Monique Currie - The Bullis School
Tiffany Stansbury - Riverdale Baptist
Cappie Pondexter - John Marshall
Danielle Cheesmen - Mountain View
Gillian Goring - Germantown Academy
Katie Robinette - South Sioux City
Amy Parrish - Hanford
Shawntinice Polk - Hanford
Loree Moore - Narbonne
MVP - Wilnette Crockett - Narbonne

Blue Division

1st Place - Council Rock, Pennsylvania
2nd Place - Briarcrest Christian, Tennessee
3rd Place - Oregon City, Oregon
4th Place - Peoria Central, Illinois
5th Place - Brea-Olinda, California
6th Place - Dunbar Vocational, Illinois
7th Place - Campell County, Wyoming
8th Place - Bellevue East, Nebraska
9th Place - Mountain Pointe, Arizona
10th Place - South Broward, Florida
11th & 12th Place Tie - John Hope, Illinois and Manley, Illinois
13th Place - Dougherty, Georgia
14th Place - Whitney Young, Illinois
15th Place - Hyde Park, Illinois
16th Place - Westinghouse, Illinois

Blue Division All Tournament Team

Jessica Schlueter - Bellevue East
Candace Jackson - Whitney Young
Kelsey Wicks - Campbell County
Holly Johnson - Mountain Pointe
Desiree Wheeler - Dunbar
Britney Jordan - Peoria Central
Jackie Lord - Brea-Olinda
Jada Mincy - Briarcrest Christian
Ashley Earley - Briarcrest Christian
MVP - Julie Sailer - Council Rock

DAY THREE - December 20th

Hanford High's Shawntinice Polk's strong defensive performance against standout center Gillian Goring of Georgetown Academy proved to be the difference as the Ladypups won 53-44. Polk grabbed 12 boards, scored 13 and held Goring to 7 points and 7 rebounds. Amy Parrish, a 6-1 senior guard, led all scorers with 14 points for Hanford as they advance into the Championship Game of the Red Division and meet either Narbonne or Mountain View.

Danielle Cheesman tried to propel her Mountain View teammates into the final game against Hanford, but her 25 big points weren't enough as the Bruins bowed to the Narbonne Gauchos by a score of 54-47. Loree Moore led the Gaucho offensive charge with 17 points, but a balanced attack proved to be the key and the much-awaited match-up between them and Hanford has come true. This will truly be a game to see!

Briarcrest Christian of Tennessee jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead and never looked back as the Lady Saints won convincingly 76-60 over a spirited Oregon City team. Senior sensation Ashley Earley lived up to her billing as one of the best players in the nation as she pumped in 29 points on 12-for-15 shooting. Jada Mincy was huge on the boards and Laura Mitchell was unstoppable from 3-point land as they await the winner of the Council Rock/Peoria Central for the Championship of the Blue Division. The Pioneers of Oregon City were led by Kerra Wordarski and Lisa Faulkner who combined for 25 points.

The final contest is set as Council Rock of Pennsylvania, led by the 18 points and 9 boards of Julie Sailer, propels the Indians into the Championship of the Blue Division against Briarcrest Christian. Colleen White and Karen Habrukowich combined for 24 points to ensure Council Rock's advance to the final. Peoria Central's Britney Jordan scored 22 in a losing effort and 6-2 junior center Brittney Daugherty added 14. The finals have basketball fans from around the nation chomping at the bit for tomorrow's exciting action.

In other consolation games, Dunbar High of Chicago defeated Bellevue East of NE by a score of 51-47. Desire Wheeler was unstoppable with 30 points for Dunbar. The Bullis School, behind 28 combined points from Monique Currie and Erin Ferrell beat Hart Co. 47-38. Virginia's Mt. Vernon got into the win column with a 67-57 victory over Miami Edison. Lauren Troupe and Jessica Henley scored 17 and 15 respectively for the Majors of Mt. Vernon. Riverdale Baptist bested John Marshall of Chicago 62-59. Cappie Pondexter scored 35 for John Marshall but the balanced offensive performance of Dawn Sims, Tiffany Stansbury and Darby Burke proved too much. Pre-Tournament favorite South Sioux City's effort proved too much for Berkeley, CA as they won by a score of 66-51. Jenny Flynn and Katie Robinette combined for 33 points for Sioux City. North Atlanta thrashed Upperman 59-39 behind double-digit scoring from Tenille Floyd, Danyelle Ingram and Khaili Sanders. Nashua of NH was victorious over Washington's Bellevue 60-50, behind the strong offensive performance of Mexanne Whitney. In one of the closest games in the tournament, Brea-Olinda managed to hold on to defeat Campbell Co. of Wyoming by a score of 61-49. Kelsey Wicks scored 21 for Campbell but Brea's Jennifer Katsuyama bested her by pumping in 23. Florida's South Broward High had little trouble in defeating Manley of Chicago 65-32. Lamese James and Lashaunda Slade both scored 14 in the winning effort. Holly Johnson, Katie Bartsch and Jackie Lee combined for 48 points to lead Mountain Pointe of AZ over John Hope of Chicago. Akila Harris scored 27 in a losing effort. Dougherty of GA had little trouble with Hyde Park of Chicago as they won convincingly by a score of 68-48. Domoni Craig and Dionne Webb proved too much inside and combined for 27 points. In a Chicago crosstown battle, Whitney Young stymied a furious comeback effort by Westinghouse High as they were victorious 62-56. Alex Clinton and Candis Jackson each scored 18 for the winners.

TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR ALL THE EXCITING BASKETBALL ACTION FROM THE WINDY CITY!

DAY TWO - December 19th

Eight big games were played in two Championship Brackets - four games apiece in the Red and Blue Divisions.

Campbell County of Wyoming played tough but eventually got worn down by a powerful Briarcrest Christian team from Tennessee and lost by a score of 53-46. Kelsey Wicks scored 24 to lead Campbell but her performance couldn't match the big-time play of Ashley Earley who pumped in 29 to lead the Saints into the semi-final round on Wednesday.

Oregon City continued their offensive and defensive excellence against a very talented Brea-Olinda team from California and rushed into the semifinals with a convincing victory, 56-45. Kelli Spencer and Lisa Faulkner chipped in with 20 and 13 points respectively to lead the Lady Pioneers. Senior Jackie Lord hit for 18 points, including 4 threes to lead the Ladycats of Brea-Olinda.

In what was touted as possibly the best match-up of the tournament, No. 8-ranked Hanford of California knocked off favorite South Sioux City of Nebraska (ranked 2nd) by a score of 65-57. Tara Chennault, Amy Parrish and 6-5 center Shawntinice Polk combined for 55 of the Ladypups points and Polk and Parrish pulled down a combined 24 boards. Look for Hanford to make a run at the Tournament of Champion title.

Mountain View of Orem, Utah had little trouble dispensing of perennial powerhouse North Atlanta as the Bruins came through with a convincing 64-38 decision behind senior center's Danielle Cheesman's powerful offensive showing with 28 points and 9 boards on 10-for-14 shooting. Based on today's performance, Mountain View clearly has their eye on the championship trophy.

In one of the best games of the tournament thus far, Georgetown Academy of Pennsylvania managed to edge out Berkeley of California by the slim margin of 57-54. Freshman guard Laura Kurz led the Patriots of Germantown with 18 big points and junior center sensation Gillian Goring added 12 of her own to go along with her 14 boards and 6 blocks. Senior forward Robin Roberson led all scorers as she amassed 18 big points for Berkeley.

Peoria Central of Illinois didn't disappoint the local crowd in another big quarterfinal contest, as super soph Britney Jordan came to play and scored 19 as the Lady Lions defeated Dunbar Vocational of Chicago by a score of 55-49. Arizona-bound senior guard Desire Wheeler also wanted to show her wares to the hometown audience as she pumped in 29 big points to lead all scorers in a losing cause for the Mighty Women of Dunbar.

Junior Emily Christian, the only player over 6 foot for the Lady Bees of Upperman High of Tennessee, did her best on the boards with 11 rebounds but couldnt't match the height of No. 1-ranked Narbonne of California as the Gauchos of Harbor City advanced to the semis with a 60-50 victory. Loree Moore and Jamie Funn both scored in double digits to lead a balanced offensive attack for Narbonne.

In consolation action today: Hometown John Marshall High beat Mt. Vernon of Virginia 63-53 behind the 26-point effort of Cappie Pondexter. Arizona's Mountain Pointe cruised to a 78-43 victory over Westinghouse of Chicago as Jackie Lee threw in 19 big points. Nashua of New Hampshire defeated Hart County of Kentucky in a defensive battle, winning by a score of 48-26. Liz Dancause controlled the game for Nashua, scoring 16 points and grabbing 17 boards. In a contest between two Chicago schools, John Hope defeated Whitney Young 58-45 behind 30 combined points delivered by Shuntae Robenson and Akila Harris. The Bellevue Wolverines of Washington hung on to defeat The Bullis School of Maryland by a score of 61-53. Senior guard Kedzie Gunderson led the Wolverines with 23 points and Monique Currie scored 26 with 10 boards for Bullis. Riverdale Baptist of Maryland came out with a strong, balanced offiensive attack and defeated Miami Edison 51-39. Raven Mallard, Tiffany Stansbury and Ashley Whisonaut alll scored in double figures. In a low scoring affair, South Broward of Florida won 39-29 over Dougherty of Georgia behind the performance of Lashaunda Slade.

DAY ONE - December 18th

Defending National Champions, Narbonne of Harbor City, CA, came ready to play as they met a tough Hart Co. team from Kentucky and defeated the Lady Raiders 57-43. Outstanding performances were turned in by 6-3 sophomore forward Jamie Funn, who pumped in 16 points on 8-for-12 shooting, and 6-2 junior forward transfer Wilnett Crockett who domimated the boards with Funn.

Perennial power Mountain View of Orem, Utah also came out hot. They are ranked No 8 by the Fox Fab 50 and lived up to that billing as they downed a tough Bellevue team from Washington State by a score of 49-39. Danielle Cheesman, a 6-2 senior center, led the way for the Bruins with 18 points and 7 boards. Mallary Gillespie and Brittany Tressler chipped in with 10 points apiece and combined for 11 rebounds.

The undefeated Oregon City, one of the best basketball programs in the country, opened up with a 89-33 drubbing of Westinghouse High of Chicago, IL. No less than 15 Pioneers scored, with 6-2 forward Kelli Spencer and 6-3 sophomore center Ashley Gonnerman leading the offensive charge with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

In a highly touted 1st round match-up, USA Today's No. 8th ranked Hanford of California defeated USA Today's No. 19 John Marshall of Chicago 70-66, despite 47 points from senior guard Cappie Pondexter. The Ladypups of Hanford were led by Amy Parrish and Jenny Thigpin who combined for 42 points and 20 rebounds to power them into the 2nd round against Fox Fab 50's second-ranked South Sioux City of Nebraska.

Six-seven junior center Gillian Goring led the highly-touted Germantown Academy of Fort Washington, PA with 22 big points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks as the Lady Patriots overpowered the always tough Riverdale Baptist Crusaders of Upper Marlboro, MD 65-5. Sophomore guard JoAnna Rhoads also added 22 points for Germantown as they won their 1st round contest to advance to the quarterfinals against Berkeley of California.

Council Rock from Newton, PA had little trouble against Hyde Park of Chicago as the senior-laden Indians led from the opening whistle to win 79-43. Forwards Julie Sailer and Karen Habrukowich dominated offensively, with Sailer scoring 25 points to go along with her 17 boards and Habrukowich contributing with 17 points of her own. Council Rock could be a dark horse in this year's Tournament of Champions.

Briarcrest Christian of Memphis, TN, were expected to be led this year by Nike All-American senior forward Ashley Earley. She didn't disappoint as she led the Lady Saints to a 85-37 victory over Whitney Young of Chicago. Earley led the way with 20 points and 10 boards and got a lot of support from sophomore center Jada Mincy who had 19 big points and 10 boards of her own to go along with senior guard 3-point specialist Laura Mitchell's 16 points.

The Lady Cardinals of South Sioux City, Nebraska, ranked second in the Fox Fab 50, advanced easily to the second round by defeating Mount Vernon, a perennial powerhouse in Virginia, by a score of 64-37. Sophomore guard Amanda Wiltgen was outstanding by pumping in 17 points as her team looks forward to a second round contest against Hanford, CA.

Miami Edison of Florida, ranked fourth in the nation by USA Today, suffered a 1st round defeat at the hands of Berkeley, CA, ranked 15th. The Yellowjackets of Berkeley were led by Robin Roberson, a 6-0 senior forward, who chipped in 23 huge points and added 7 boards in the winning effort as Berkeley slipped by with a 48-41 victory.

The Campbell County Camels of Gilette, Wyoming, got off to a fast start as they had little trouble in defeating John Hope of Chicago by a score of 82-45. Notre Dame recruit Kelsey Wicks, a 6-1 senior forward, dominated the boards with 12 rebounds and also had 16 points to lead the Camels into the 2nd round of the Championship Bracket. Sophomore center Michelle Lieber added points to propel Campbell County.

North Atlanta returned all five starters from their State Championship team last year and defeated The Bullis School of Potomac, MD, who was ranked seventh by The USA Today, in the first round. The Lady Warriors of North Atlanta were led by 6-3 senior center Khaili Sanders, who led the way offensively with 18 points. This was one of the tightest games in the 1st round with Fox Fab 50's 21st ranked team scratching out a 59-55 victory.

In another highly-touted 1st round match-up, the Lady Bees of Upperman, hailing from Baxter, Tennessee, had little trouble in advancing to the 2nd round as they were victorious over USA Today's fifth-ranked Nashua of New Hampshire as they won by a score of 69-41. Emily Christian, Kim Blankenship and Amber Rose provided most of the damage as they combined for 49 of Upperman's points.

In other 1st round contests: Brea-Olinda of California defeated Mountain Pointe of Phoenix, AZ by a score of 68-62, Illinois' Central Peoria was victorious over Dougherty High of Albany, GA 62-47 behind sophomore sensation Britney Jordan's 26 points, Dunbar Vocational of Chicago defeated South Broward of Florida 54-44 with Arizona-bound Desire Wheeler pumping in 21 points, and the Bellevue East Chieftains of Nebraska advanced to the second round of the Championship Bracket behind balanced scoring and defeated Manley High of Chicago by a score of 59-35.