Top Arizona girls' high school basketball performances over the holidays

For some schools in Arizona girls’ high school basketball, the holiday period meant a three-week break as players rejuvenated for the season’s second half. For others, it brought the busiest stretch of the season, packed with game after game.

That leaves us with plenty of standout performances to pick from for The Republic’s players of the week, holiday edition:

Thalia Daniels, Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor

In O’Connor’s lone win at the Nike Tournament of Champions, Daniels led the way with 22 points on 8 of 14 shooting, carrying the Eagles past Cornerstone Christian (Texas).

Navae Guidry, Gilbert Mesquite

Mesquite has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season thus far in its 14-2 start. The Wildcats finished in fifth place in their division at the Tournament of Champions as Guidry averaged a team-high 18.3 points in the four-game event.

Shay Ijiwoye, Phoenix Desert Vista

Ijiwoye continues to show why she topped The Republic’s top 50 players in the state rankings last month. At the TOC, she averaged 13 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and three steals. Nobody else can impact a game in all areas quite like she does.

More: Elite 50: Counting down top 2023-24 Arizona high school girls basketball players

Aspen McClees, Gilbert

McClees led Gilbert with 18 points in a 40-37 win over Window Rock to win the Epic Tourneys New Years’ Classic. She’s scored in double figures in every game this year for the 14-1 Tigers.

Sarah Miller, Phoenix Xavier Prep

Xavier Prep notched the most impressive result from an Arizona school over the holiday period, beating Sacred Heart (Ky.) — a top-10 team in the nation — to open the TOC. Miller led the Gators in that game, scoring a game-high 24 points, which was also a season-best mark for herself.

Melicia Nelson, Fort Defiance Window Rock

Window Rock took a massive crowd nearly 300 miles to the Epic Tourneys New Years’ Classic championship game and the Fighting Scouts gave them plenty to cheer about. Even in a three-point loss, the 3A school acquainted itself well against one of the best teams in 6A. Nelson was their high scorer in the defeat, scoring 16 points, according to azpreps365.

Nayeli Nidez-Acuña, Tucson Sunnyside

Despite its 16-2 record, Sunnyside is one of the most underrated teams in the state. And its star, Nidez-Acuña, is one of the most underrated players. She’s now averaging 18.1 points per game on the season after dropping 27 in a win over Tucson Pueblo last week.

Leila O’Dowd, Rincon/University

O’Dowd was named to the all-tournament team at the Flowing Wells Holiday Shootout. The 5-foot-10 freshman scored 100 total points in the four-game event, dominating on the interior and unafraid to step out beyond the arc.

Olivia Owens, Phoenix Country Day School

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that 2A PCDS was able to knock off Open Division contender Goodyear Millennium at the TOC. The Eagles have two players who can score 20 points on any given night in Owens and junior Aila Kaibara. This time, Owens led the way, scoring 19 points and grabbing seven rebounds as PCDS won, 48-41.

McKenzie Perrault, Phoenix Veritas Prep

Perrault nearly pulled off an impressive triple double at the annual Hoopin’ It Up at the Arena, which was held at the Footprint Center just before Christmas. In a win over Chandler Prep, she had 17 points, 16 rebounds and nine steals.

Tamia Pietila, Miami

Pietila continued her dominant freshman season over the holidays, scoring a game-high 24 points as Miami ended Show Low’s undefeated start at 17-0. She followed that up with 21 points in a win over St. David, 25 in a loss to Pima and 20 in a win over Queen Creek San Tan Foothills.

Rachel Roderick, Camp Verde

Roderick scored 17 in the second half and 23 in the game to lead Camp Verde past Parker in the championship game of the Yvonne Johnson Memorial Shootout. She had to sit out 10 games after transferring from Sedona Red Rock but is averaging 22 points in the first four games she’s been able to play.

Vanessa Sepulveda, Mesquite

Like Guidry, Sepulveda has been a key piece of Mesquite’s success. She averaged 15.3 points at the TOC, including 23 in a tournament-opening win over Salesian Prep (Calif.)

Lia Sims, Central

Sims continues to dominate for Central, scoring two-thirds of the team’s points on the season. She had 37 in a win over Anthem Boulder Creek last Thursday, followed by 40 in a loss to Phoenix North on Friday.

Hannah Williams, Tucson Salpointe Catholic

In Salpointe Catholic’s closest game of the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic, Williams stepped up, scoring 24 points on just 11 shot attempts to lead the Lancers to a 60-58 win over Rancho Christian (Calif.).

Lamaiya Woodberry, Tempe McClintock

Woodberry has been McClintock’s best player this season and the past few weeks were no exception. She scored 24 in a loss to Mesa Red Mountain and 20 in a win over Gilbert Campo Verde.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Top Arizona girls' high school basketball performances over holidays