The 2014-2015 high school girls basketball season kicked off on Monday at Marcos De Niza High School for this year's Marcos De Niza Thanksgiving Pre-Season Tournament. Featuring many of the state's top girls programs in this year's event, day one was filled with many blowout vicotories.
I was able to catch the final game of the evening, as host, Marcos De Niza High School (0-1) faced visiting Casa Grande High School (1-0) in the first round of this year's tournament. With very few fans in the gymnasium, Casa Grande stormed out to an early 15-9 first quarter lead, behind the strong guard play of two talented freshman prospects, point guard Veronica Perez and 6-foot freshman forward Kyla Williams.
Casa Grande would build their lead to 32-21 by halftime, and then never look back - winning the game comfortably and easily, also in blowout fashion, 60-35.
Casa Grande, led by the strong leadership of head coach Ursula Doll, would press for much of the game - forcing countless turnovers for an outmatched Marcos De Niza ballclub that was led by the strong play of 6-foot junior forward Angelicah Tso. Tso is a big-time wing prospect that is able to handle the basketball in the open floor and has a pure shooting stroke with unlimited range on her shot. She was good on the night but had very little help, as Casa Grande pressed the Marcos guards into coughing up the basketball consistently on the night.
Casa Grande had a well balanced attack on the night as everyone got involved in the action and, ultimately, the victory. Casa Grande received strong play also from skilled sophomore guard Savannah Anderson, juniors Anisa Monteau, Ciera Walker and Abigail Salinas. Seniors Sarah Hill (Committed to Hollins University, VA.) and Aryanna Walker were also instrumental in the win.
Casa Grande will now move on to face Corona Del Sol and Taylor Kalmer (Oregon State commit) on Tuesday at 6PM in another test for this Cougars ballclub.
The high school season is now off and running around the state.