Poly finds teamwork, wins Nike TOC

The finale lived up to the hype. With many of the other Nike Tournament of Champions teams in the packed house at Hamilton High, No. 1 Notre Dame Academy and No. 4 Long Beach Poly put on a basketball masterpiece that many won't see in their home states.

In the final 40 seconds of the Black Division final, Notre Dame Academy cut Long Beach Poly's lead to one but couldn't get another basket as the Jackrabbits made three free throws to hold on for a 58-54 victory.

"We had our backs against the wall, but the kids made plays down the stretch and made it happen," Long Beach Poly coach Carl Buggs said. "It's a tremendous feeling."

But the night's biggest success wasn't just the TOC title for Poly.

The Jackrabbits had been struggling with the team concept this season, and focusing on their individual efforts instead. That especially came to light in a loss to San Francisco's Sacred Heart Cathedral two weeks ago in Oregon. They haven't lost since, but Saturday was the game that everything finally clicked.

"We pulled together as a team finally and played as one," said junior Kelli Thompson, who led Poly with 16 points. "Instead of playing my game or your game, we all came together. And this is what happens."

With the win, the Jackrabbits have the upper hand over Notre Dame Academy on upcoming national rankings if they continue winning.

Early in the championship, it looked like a back-and-forth battle with no team taking more than a four-point lead until an 11-2 Poly run to close the first half. It appeared that the Jackrabbits finally had all their separate pieces clicking together as one.

And then a potential disaster struck for Poly as NDA was making a final push. With 1:22 to go in the game, tournament MVP Jasmine Dixon fouled out. NDA senior Azania Stewart hit two free throws and a timeout by the Dragons followed.

The Jackrabbits inbounded the ball and danced around the court, hoping to take time off the clock, but without Dixon's leadership, they turned the ball over. On the other end of the court, Stewart got a quick two and drew a foul from Monique Oliver, her fifth, with 39.5 seconds remaining. Stewart's and-one made it a 55-54 Poly lead without the Jackrabbit's two leaders on the court.

But Thompson's composure sealed the deal. She made two free throws with 17.7 seconds on the clock to cap her team-high 16 points. After a quick three-point miss from NDA, senior April Cook hit Poly's final point on a free throw to finish off the game.

"(I wasn't worried) at all," said Dixon, who finished with 12 points. "I knew that my team could keep the composure even though me and Mo did foul out. We're family. We've got each other's back."

Stewart, who is signed to play at Florida next year, led all scorers with 19 points.

"It was a big opportunity for us," Stewart said. "It definitely leaves a big hole in the heart, because I played my hardest to win the game and so did my teammates. But it's only December."

Both teams now return home to prepare for the remainder of the season -- nearly three months of basketball are still on the schedule.

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Joe Smith Most Outstanding Player award
Jasmine Dixon, Long Beach Poly

All-Tournament team
Azania Stewart, Notre Dame Academy
Monique Oliver, Long Beach Poly
Mia Nickson, Notre Dame Academy
Angel Goodrich, Sequoyah
Alyssa Brewer, Sapulpa
Michelle Jenkins, Southridge
Meagan Fulps, Highlands Ranch
Kerri Shields, Archbishop Carroll
Ceny Phelps, Shelbyville Central

Saturday's results

Championship: Long Beach Poly 58, Notre Dame Academy 54
3rd place: Southridge 56, Highlands Ranch 47
5th place: Sequoyah 49, Archbishop Carroll 45
7th place: Bishop Gorman 59, Auburn Riverside 58
9th place: Sapulpa 47, Shelbyville Christian 44
11th place: Narbonne 45, Punahou 42
13th place: H. D. Woodson 72, Lynwood 49
15th place: Christ the King 44, Ursuline Academy 42