PHOENIX -- The defending champions are into the semifinals at the Nike Tournament of Champions, and a team that was unranked at the start of the tournament has clawed its way into the final four. Some big-time recruits are sure to have a say when the semifinalists take the court Wednesday on Day 3 of the power-packed annual event. Here's a look back at Tuesday's action and a peek at what's still to come.
Game of the day
Just installed at No. 4 in the espnW 25 Power Rankings, Grandview (Aurora, Colorado) continues to live on the edge. And win.
A day after a one-point victory over powerhouse Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, California), Grandview got a last-second putback from undeclared sophomore forward Alisha Davis to seal a 44-42 win over in-state favorite Seton Catholic (Chandler, Arizona) to advance to the semifinals of the Joe Smith bracket.
Grandview raced off to an early 6-0 lead before Seton Catholic went on a 12-2 run to post a 12-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. By halftime, Gonzaga signees Jenn Wirth and LeAnne Wirth had lifted Seton Catholic to a 25-16 lead.
But Grandview went to work in the third quarter, with the frontcourt of Davis, UCLA signee Michaela Onyenwere and undeclared junior Leilah Vigil combining for 12 points, bringing Grandview back to within two, 34-32, to start the fourth quarter.
Then Davis went on a solo act. She hit a reverse layup to start the final quarter to tie the score at 34-34. She hit another layup at the 5:01 mark to give Grandview a 40-36 lead.
After a three-point play by Seton Catholic junior Sarah Barcello and a jumper by Liz Holter, the score was tied 42-42 with 22 seconds to play.
Following a Grandview timeout, Davis scored on an Onyenwere miss to seal the game as the buzzer sounded.
Vigil, Onyenwere and Davis finished with 12 points apiece.
Stars of the day
Alisha Davis, Grandview: If you're reading this report top-to-bottom, this selection should come as no surprise. The 6-foot-2 sophomore was the driving force down the stretch in Grandview's 44-42 win over Seton Catholic. Davis scored eight of her 12 points in the fourth quarter to push Grandview into the semifinals.
Maggie Brown, Brentwood Academy (Tennessee): The 6-foot freshman was phenomenal, scoring 19 points to help Brentwood Academy top Good Counsel 62-51 in the John Anderson bracket. Brown was scoring off missed shots and burying jump shots during key times of the game.
Aquira DeCosta, St. Mary's (Stockton, California): She's not ranked among the best prospects in the 2018 class for nothing. The ultra-athletic DeCosta, an undeclared 6-foot-2 power forward, was simply dominant in St. Mary's 67-43 win over Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Maryland). DeCosta scored 23 points, including 10 in the second quarter, to send the defending champions into the semifinals of the Joe Smith bracket.
Channise Lewis and Kelsey Marshall, Miami Country Day (Florida): This backcourt tandem is electric. Need proof? The Illinois-bound Lewis and the Miami-bound Marshall combined for 45 points, including eight 3-pointers, in Miami Country Day's 63-58 win over Long Beach Poly (California).
Statement game
When you think of California powerhouses, Clovis West may not immediately come to mind.
Overshadowed in recent years by the likes of St. Mary's, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California), Chaminade (West Hills, California), Long Beach Poly, Windward (Los Angeles), Miramonte (Orinda, California) and Archbishop Mitty, Clovis West is making a case that it belongs among not only the state's best, but the nation's as well.
No. 8 in the espnW 25 Power Rankings, Clovis West took command early against No. 2 Centennial (Las Vegas) and never looked back, cruising to a 57-42 win.
The backcourt duo of San Jose State signee Danae Marquez and UC Santa Barbara signee Sarah Bates established tempo, while Boise State signee Tess Amundsen delivered 16 points in the paint.
Clovis West, known for its ability to deliver deep, hit only six 3-pointers in the game but was lethal in the paint.
"We tried to limit their second-chance points and identified who their perimeter shooters were, as well as the rest of their personnel," Clovis West coach Craig Campbell said. "We want to make teams play chaotic with our trapping pressure and our intensity. I feel that we did that tonight."
Day 3 outlook
It's probably not whom you expected, but the semifinals of the Joe Smith bracket feature two intriguing matchups.
It will be an all-California affair when No. 21 St. Mary's and superstar DeCosta try to keep their title defense alive against No. 8 Clovis West.
The second semifinal features big-time recruits Onyenwere, Lewis and Marshall when No. 4 Grandview plays No. 13 Miami Country Day.