PHOENIX, Ariz. – The St. Francis basketball team will open the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix against Wilson (Ore.) HIgh School at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec 18 at the Ray Kroc Center.

“It is always a great event to travel out of state with the team and play some competition we otherwise would not see,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “We get to stay in a first-class resort and build the team chemistry. I expect that we will be very competitive this year and I have high hopes.”

The Troubadours (4-0) are appearing in the Nike Tournament of Champions for the 10th time in school history. 

“This will be my third year in Arizona and it keeps getting better with each year,” said Kyra Huffman, who is averaging 11.5 points and 8.3 rebounds over the first four games. “I always love going to Phoenix and it is the best time to bond with the team. I am excited.”

The Nike Tournament of Champions is the second tournament of the season for St. Francis, who won the Folsom-Vista Classic on Dec. 4.

 “We want to get better each game,” said Pitton. “The first game can be a little rough because we are coming off no practice and finals. When we are done, we want to be better than when we started the tournament.”

The 2015 lineup includes 96 teams from 21 different states and every region of the country, including the majority of the most powerful squads in the nation.

“You see the best of the best at this tournament,” said Huffman. “It not only helps us see where we are but what we can improve on and what we have done well so far.”

In all, more than 1,100 student athletes – including dozens of preseason All-Americans and hundreds of collegiate basketball prospects – will compete in 192 games over 4 days and for six divisional tournament titles.

“The 4-0 start gives us a lot of confidence,” said Huffman. “But not overly confident because we know the teams at the Nike Tournament of Champions are very good.”

The Tournament has a long tradition of hosting the finest high school players in the country who have become some of the greatest impact players in the women’s game, including 8 Olympians and dozens of WNBA All-Stars. Remarkably, five former Tournament of Champions MVP’s went on to become the No. 1 overall pick in their respective WNBA drafts.

The Tournament begins at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18 and runs all day on Dec. 19, 21, and 22. Sites include Highland, Mesquite, and Campo Verde High Schools, as well as the multi hardwood court facility at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. Tickets are $10 per day for adults and $5 per day for children and seniors.