Top performers from the Nike TOC at Skyline High School

By Adam Beadle

Multimedia Specialist

Many players stood out at the annual Nike Tournament of Champions held Jan. 3-5 at various East Valley high schools. (Adam Beadle/Staff)

Skyline High School was the place to be to catch all the action for the Saguaro and Sonoran brackets during the 2025 Nike Tournament of Champions Phoenix.

During the three days, during which 24 games took place, several exciting, shocking, and heartbreaking moments occurred, including Basha’s comeback against La Mirada (Calif.) in the semifinal game of the Saguaro bracket.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Bears pulled ahead thanks to two clutch free throws from junior guard Mason Magee, who scored 13 of Basha’s last 15 points. 

With a three-point lead, the Matadores had little time to make a comeback. But all hope was diminished when Magee interrupted the Matadores inbound, stealing the ball, putting it through the net, and giving the Bears a five-point lead.

Basha defeated the Matadores and faced Redondo Union (Calif.) in the finals. The Bears fought until the very end but came up just short of a tournament victory.

Though Basha would fall short, Boulder Creek managed to take home the trophy as champions of the Saguaro bracket thanks to a stellar performance from the Saguaro brackets MVP, senior forward Andrew Bhesania, who finished with 

Magee and Bhesania’s successes over the weekend were key to their teams' success, but they weren’t the only players who shined.

Here are some other top performers from this past weekend’s Nike TOC.

Valor Christian (CO) — G Cole Scherer

If a trophy were given out for the weekend's top performer, it would’ve gone to Valor Christian (CO) senior guard Cole Scherer. Scherer, a 6-foot-2 Eastern Washington commit, was nothing but dominant during the weekend, averaging 34 points in the three games the Eagles played.

Scherer doesn’t look like the kind of guy you see on the floor and immediately thinks he poses a threat, but he most certainly does. His ability to drive in the lane and get to the rim was unlike any other player from this weekend. An added bonus, he can let it fly from range, too.

Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.) — G Kaiden Bailey

The way junior guard Kaiden Bailey launched 3-point shots so nonchalantly during the weekend was absolutely incredible to watch. Bailey finished with 35 points in a win over Campbell Hall (Calif.). Some of Bailey’s teammates said he’s not getting much college attention, but that will likely change soon.

Volcano Vista (NM) — F Kenyon Aguino

No one could stop Volcano Vista (NM) senior Kenyon Aguino from scoring in the Hawk’s game against Williams Field, in which Aguino dropped 35 points. The Montana commit’s 6-foot-7, 205-pound frame was a nightmare matchup for teams defensively.

Aguino also dropped 15 points in a loss to Redondo Union (Calif.), ending the Hawk’s 28-game winning streak.

Brophy College Prep — G Ryan Burbach

Brophy only won one of three games during the weekend, but they had some tough competition. In the Broncos’ lone win against Corona Centennial (Calif.), senior guard Ryan Burbach, committed to Cornell, couldn’t miss from beyond the arc and finished with 37 points.