Judge Memorial girls varsity claim Nike Tournament title

Photo courtesy of JMCHS

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The Judge Memorial varsity girls basketball team claims the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, Ariz., Dec.27-31. Erica Martinez (back row, third from right) was selected as the Most Valuable Play of their division.

SALT LAKE CITY - The Judge Memorial girls' varsity basketball team claimed the Nike Tournament of Champions in their division. The tournament was played Dec. 27-31 in Phoenix, Ariz. The Lady Bulldogs won each game they played by an average of 25 points.

"We were happy to win and to show we could compete with teams from other states," said Erica Martinez, a senior at Judge Memorial, who was selected as the division's Most Valuable Player. Martinez scored 35 points and eight three-pointers in the second game against a team from El Paso, Texas. She had three three-point shots in the championship game, and scored 15 three-pointers during the tournament.

"I was surprised. I didn't know they were going to give me the MVP," said Martinez.

"The season is only half over and Erica has already broken the state record of 186 three-point shots by making 216 three-point shots since she began her career as a freshman at Judge," said Jeremy Chatterton, Judge Memorial head basketball coach.

"During the tournament, we took the teams out of what they wanted to do early in each game," said Chatterton, who was invited to the Nike Tournament of Champions last spring. "This is considered the premier girls' high school tournament in the country. Ten of the last 12 national champions have played in this tournament, and more than 80 state champions have played in this tournament in the past five years.

"The two teams we played in the semi-final and in the championship games had at least one division 1, major college-bound player. So it was a fun experience for our girls to compete against girls from around the country," said Chatterton. "In the first game we played a local team from Phoenix, and we came out on fire. We put the game away early. We won 66 to 25."

Chatterton said in the second game they played a 5A team from El Paso, Texas, with a 25 and 5 record. Judge had a big lead early in the game and won 62 to 45. As a team, Judge scored 13 three-pointers. "They had two good athletes who were 6 feet 2 inches tall, and our inside post players Jackie Stults and Sakola Falemaka did a great job defensively. Moriah Sadiq hit three three-point shots, and Malori McGill played well defensively, along with Martinez's great game."

Chatterton said the championship game was against a very big and physical team from Tulsa, Okla., but Judge again led 22 to 5 at half time. "We continued to play well and won 42 to 25," he said. "The trip to Phoenix was a great experience for the girls, a bonding experience for the team and one of the highlights of their high school experience."

The Lady Bulldogs started this season with 10 wins during the pre-season. They lost their first regular season game to Morgan by three points.

"The girls have been playing extremely well," said Chatterton. "Our primary players are co-captains Martinez and Mikelle Mancini. Martinez is currently the leading scorer in the 3A division, averaging just over 25 points a game."

In the last two and a half years, Judge's overall record has been 50 wins and 10 losses. Two years ago the Lady Bulldogs lost in the state championship game, and last year they lost in the semi-finals. They had a 15-game winning streak last year and an 11-game winning streak to start this season.