For the past 13 years, the Flagstaff Hoops program in Arizona has been helping young women move forward on and off the basketball court.
“Our main goal is to do what we can to put these players in front of as many college coaches as possible,” said program director Danny Neal. “We also work hard to teach them basketball skills, and then we want them to be as good as people off the court as they are players on the court.”
The Flagstaff Hoops players will be in front of numerous college coaches when they travel to Las Vegas for the Lake Las Vegas Classic, which will be played at the Westin Lake Las Vegas complex on July 10. The field in Nevada will be loaded with outstanding programs from around the country.
Flagstaff Hoops will be paced by a trio of outstanding perimeter players in Las Vegas. That group includes Marissa Copely (2016, 5-8, CG), McKenzie Alcott (2016, 5-4, G) and Shay Toehe (2016, 5-6, G).
“Marissa is very athletic, and she is a great defender,” said Coach Tyrone Johnson. “She has speed and she jumps well. She can score the basketball, and she is especially good off the dribble. Marissa also rebounds well, so she is very versatile.
“McKenzie is a strong on-ball defender. She has a unique ability to see the game, and she has a high basketball IQ. McKenzie also has a very good work ethic, and she brings a lot of energy to the court.
“Shay is a very good shooter, and she was named the city player of the year as a junior.”