Nike Tournament of Champions Preview

New Year’s Day, for many it’s a date built upon the pursuit of a better future and the ability to hit the reset button and start over.

But for the hoop fans and close to 100 teams from throughout the West Coast, it’s the ultimate hoop holiday showdown.

Starting today and continuing into the weekend, Nike presents their annual Tournament of Champions featuring Hoophall West.

Hundreds of the top basketball players in the country, predominantly from the West Coast have made their way to the East Valley to compete in one of the top events nationally.

Skyline high school in East Mesa will play host to Hoophall West and NextUpAZ will have live coverage from Skyline throughout the three day event and recaps from each day.

Tournament of Champions will be spread throughout the city of Mesa at five different high schools in the city and although it may not have the powerhouse names and programs as Hoophall, the quality of the tournament will not waver.

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Saguaro Bracket

Rosenberg Winner: Highland

Seliga Winner: Highland

Rosenberg Dark Horse: Willow Canyon

Seliga Dark Horse: Brophy

Players To Watch: Maurice Carter II, Willow Canyon, LJ Diamond, Perry

The top bracket in T.O.C features five Arizona teams all who have a chance to capture the bracket championship. Highland enters as the top seed and has looked like a contender for the Final Four in the Open Division. Willow Canyon has played the toughest schedule of any 5A team and former region foes Chandler and Brophy each are ready to make a run. Perry is a sneaky contender as this will be the first time they will be at full strength.

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Sonoran Bracket

Rosenberg Winner: Arcadia (CA)

Seliga Winner: Higley

Rosenberg Dark Horse: Pinnacle

Seliga Dark Horse: Campbell Hall

Players To Watch:

Owen Eteuati-Edwards, Arcadia (CA), Jacobi Thompson, Arcadia (AZ)

Division One talent is all over the court in this bracket as Higley led by its talented starting five is one of the teams to beat here, but do not sleep on Mountain Pointe who looks built to make another run to a 5A championship game. Pinnacle has the balance of youth and experience on their side and Arcadia has been one of the biggest standouts in Arizona to start the year.

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Coyote Bracket

Rosenberg Winner: Ironwood

Seliga Winner: Deer Valley

Rosenberg Dark Horse: Deer Valley

Seliga Dark Horse: Carl Hayden

Players To Watch: Carsyn Dean, Ironwood, Prince Cash, Carl Hayden

One of the most exciting brackets in the event is this one. Casteel enters as the top seed and after losing a few key pieces still is a strong team. Ironwood, Deer Valley, and Campo Verde are a strong trio in the bottom half of the bracket and Carl Hayden in the top half just like the aforementioned trio has a chance to win this event.

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Jackrabbit Bracket

Rosenberg Winner: Desert Vista

Seliga Winner: Hamilton

Rosenberg Dark Horse: Valley Christian

Seliga Dark Horse: Tucson

Players To Watch: Colby Jessup, Valley Christian, Alex Taylor, Desert Vista

Balance is the key to this bracket as team play will be critical in these matchups. Desert Vista after losing key transfers in the offseason has become a united unit and looks improved from last season. Hamilton has multiple threats at all times, Tucson has been a strong team with pieces who can make plays at all times. Valley Christian however may have the best player in the bracket in Colby Jessup who can win the Trojans games in this bracket when he’s on fire.

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Grand Canyon Bracket

Rosenberg Winner: Boulder Creek

Seliga Winner: Desert Edge

Rosenberg Dark Horse: West Point

Seliga Dark Horse: Red Mountain

Players To Watch: Matt Delgado, Boulder Creek, Samuel Kalikilwa, West Point

Another bracket full of contenders is the Grand Canyon pool which will be played primarily at Dobson high school. Westview after a stellar start to the year was placed as the top seed and they’ll open against a tough Cienega team that is led by a salty trio. West Point has multiple pieces that can win them this pool primarily the previously mentioned Kalikilwa and Tyrell Curry. Desert Edge who’ll be at full strength for the first time will face 6A’s Apollo who has played a tough schedule. And Boulder Creek who has bounced back from a slow start will face a Red Mountain team ready to continue its early season success.

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Camelback Bracket

Rosenberg Winner: Cornerstone Christian (CA)

Seliga Winner: Canyon View

Rosenberg Dark Horse: Canyon View

Seliga Dark Horse: Dysart

Players To Watch: PJ Nowlin Jr, Canyon View, James Perry, Cornerstone Christian

This bracket is the definition of the phrase “AZ vs Everybody” that was originally coined by Zach Alvira. All four Arizona teams in this bracket will open up against out of state teams. A young and exciting Desert Mountain team faces the toughest out of state team in this pool, a talented Canyon View squad opens up against a team out of Georgia that can defend with ease, Dysart who has been tested already faces Victory Christian (CA), and Williams Field a year removed from its most talented team looks to prove they’re still a challenger against Rancho (NV)

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Trailblazer Bracket

Rosenberg Winner: Desert Ridge

Seliga Winner: Coconino

Rosenberg Dark Horse: Mountain View

Seliga Dark Horse: Mesquite

Players To Watch: Jaeden Imbesi-Jenkins, Desert Ridge, Caden Lozen, Prescott

The lone all-Arizona bracket is a 4A conference heavy bracket with a splash of 6A programs mixed in. A pair of Grand Canyon region foes in Prescott and Coconino earned spots on opposite sides of the bracket, Mesquite who turned heads in victories such as their Thanksgiving game over Boulder Creek looks to score another win against a 6A opponent. Mountain Ridge and Mountain View are two retooling 6A programs who each have promising pieces for the future and in the case of Ridge, a budding star as a senior. Gilbert Christian is the small school representative here but don’t let their conference fool you, they have game. Desert Ridge has the best player in the pool but faces a hard nosed Eastmark team ready to pull an upset.

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Pioneer Bracket

Rosenberg Winner: ALA Ironwood

Seliga Winner: ALA Ironwood

Rosenberg Dark Horse: Dobson

Seliga Dark Horse: Buckeye

Players To Watch: Zachary Jiggens, Dylan Hayes, ALA Ironwood

The eighth and final bracket of the Tournament takes us to Red Mountain where a unique blend of small school and big school talent will meet in matchups we only get during events like this. ALA Ironwood is the most talented team in this pool, but it’s a wide open group with almost every team having a chance to win this bracket. North drew the one non Arizona team in this pool but appears to be the favorite in that one and can set up an all-Arizona winner’s bracket.