During winter break, the Canyon Girls Varsity Basketball Team took their talent across the state line in order to compete in the twenty-fourth Annual Nike Tournament of Champions (The TOC) in Phoenix, Arizona. “The event [featured] 96 elite teams from 22 States and Canada, including the majority of the preseason top 25 teams in the nation,” said The TOC. The girls went 3-1 winning the Derril Division Consolation Bracket.

The TOC did not start out like the team wanted as they took their first and only loss in Arizona to McClintock High School. The girls were up the first 3 quarters but fell short in the fourth quarter which cost them a 40-39 loss. Varsity guard, Genesis Gonzalez, scored 16 points and sophomore, Josie Regez contributed with 12 rebounds and 4 steals.

Following their loss, the Cowboys bounced back with a momentum building win of 68-30. Regez finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Aaliyah Garcia added 18 points to the big win.

The third game of the tournament might have been the most successful for the girls. The Cowboys, ranked in Division 3AA, battled against the Division 1A team, Valley View High School. After struggling to contain one player, the team bounced back after halftime to finish with a final score of 60-54. Both Garcia and Regez finished with 20 points each.

After their last 3 games, the Cowboys planned to end their stay in Arizona on a high note and that is exactly what they did. They faced Cibola High School and came out on top beating Cibola 46-41. Gonzalez led the Cowboys in scoring with 16 points and Garcia added 12 points. Gonzalez said, “The team came out with a lot of energy since it was our last game in the tournament. We were glad to end the day with a huge win.”

The Girls Varsity Basketball Team dribbled, shot, and scored their way through the Tournament of Champions. The Cowboys look to finish the season with a league championship after coming in at third for the last few years.