Celebrating the 2025 Cherokee Invitational

The 2025 Cherokee Invitational brought together elite high school and college girls’ basketball programs for a weekend of high-level competition. Congratulations to our participants and champions!

2025 NCAA CHAMPION: MICHIGAN STATE

Michigan State emerged as the college division champions of the 2025 Cherokee Invitational, showcasing skill, depth, and competitive excellence throughout the event.

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Thank you to our 2025 Cherokee Invitational NCAA participants!

College All-Tournament Team

  • MVP: Grace VanSlooten

    Michigan State

    VanSlooten was Michigan State’s most impactful player despite logging just eight minutes in the opening-game rout of Indiana State. In that contest, she scored 12 points on four field goals and four free throws, adding a steal and a block. In the Championship game versus Ole Miss, she delivered a dominant performance with 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block, leading the Spartans to the tournament title.

  • En’Dya Buford

    Old Dominion

    Buford was Old Dominion’s most consistent scorer and primary offensive threat, particularly in the opening-round matchup against Ole Miss. She scored 20 points against the Rebels on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting performance. Over two games, she shot an impressive 14-of-18 from the floor, making her the tournament’s most accurate scorer. She complemented her scoring with five assists and four steals, finishing as the leading scorer of the 2025 Cherokee Invitational and ranking third All-Time in tournament history.

  • Christeen Iwuala

    Ole Miss

    Iwuala delivered a strong performance for Ole Miss, recording 23 points and 10 rebounds against Old Dominion to help secure a first-round victory. She finished the tournament with 31 points and 17 rebounds, placing her among the Top 10 All-Time performers in Cherokee Invitational history in both categories.

  • Cotie McMahon

    Ole Miss

    McMahon was Ole Miss’s only player to score in double figures in both tournament games, finishing with a combined 32 points. She was also the Rebels’ lone double-digit scorer in the Championship game versus Michigan State, contributing 13 points.

  • Kayla Smith

    Indiana State

    Smith totaled 25 points across the tournament, highlighted by a 16-point performance against Old Dominion. She ranks among the All-Time Cherokee Invitational leaders in points (Top 30), rebounds (Top 25), and finished tied for third All-Time in made three-pointers.

  • Isaline Alexander

    Michigan State

    Alexander posted two consistent scoring performances, scoring 15 points against Indiana State and 14 against Ole Miss. She finished Top 15 All-Time in scoring and delivered a Top 5 All-Time shooting performance, going 12-for-18 from the field over two games. She also ranked Top 20 All-Time in rebounding.

  • Kennedy Blair

    Michigan State

    In just 19 minutes against Indiana State, Blair put together a remarkable stat line, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor while collecting 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. She followed that performance with seven points, seven rebounds, and two assists in the Championship game, placing her in the Top 10 All-Time in field goal percentage, rebounds, assists, and steals.

High School Bracket Champions

High School All-Star Teams

Below are the standout performers and MVPs from each high school division at the 2025 Cherokee Invitational.

  • The Warrior Division blended physical play with offensive balance, producing several close games and breakout performances. In a highly competitive division marked by frequent lead changes, Kyndoll English (Grace Christian, NC) earned MVP honors by consistently leading her team with scoring and composure in key moments.

    Standout Performers:

    Kyndoll English — Grace Christian (NC) — 56 points (MVP)

    • Ranks 18th All-Time in cumulative points; led Grace Christian with 19 points in the championship game versus Montverde.

    Amari Worsham — William Fleming (VA) — 70 points

    • Top 5 All-Time in cumulative scoring.

    Lyla Thompson — Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD) — 50 points
    Makayla Weaver — Holy Innocents (GA) — 49 points
    Jayla Forbes — Montverde (FL) — 46 points
    Jakaila Gaskins — Cannon School (NC) — 44 points
    Jordan Speller — Montverde (FL) — 37 points

    Honorable Mentions:
    London Smith (Newton, GA) — 37 points and Kennedy Jackson (Grace Christian, NC) — 40 points


  • The Brave Division featured physical, tightly contested games, with teams demonstrating balance and scoring depth. Madison Rogers (Cherokee, NC) earned MVP honors through strong all-around play and timely scoring in close matchups.

    Standout Performers:

    Madison Rogers — Cherokee (NC) — 48 points (MVP)

    • A steady leader on both ends of the floor, consistently guiding her team to the division title.

    Andrea Flores — Daniel Boone (TN) — 77 points

    • Finished 2nd All-Time in tournament cumulative scoring; recorded the 4th-best single-game performance in tournament history with 31 points versus Cherokee in the championship game.

    Rayana Minard — Lake Norman (NC) — 57 points
    Audrey Beyer — Tocoi Creek (FL) — 55 points
    Saniya Binion — Campbell (GA) — 55 points
    Kelsey Rhyne — Lake Norman (NC) — 53 points
    Daisee Fourkiller-Raby — Cherokee (NC) — 40 points

    Honorable Mentions:
    Laney Britton (Daniel Boone, TN) — 45 points, Sydnee Hunter (Creekside, GA) — 45 points, and Braelyn Whitehead (Archer, GA) — 42 points

  • The Honor Division was defined by record-setting scoring and clutch performances. Carib Morris (South Forsyth, GA) delivered an unforgettable weekend, rewriting the record books with the highest cumulative scoring total in Cherokee Invitational history and two Top-5 single-game performances.

    Standout Performers:

    Carib Morris — South Forsyth (GA) — 87 points (MVP)

    • Now the No. 1 All-Time cumulative scorer in event history with 87 points across three games, including 32 points vs. Hickory Ridge and 30 points vs. McDowell.

    Michelle Ezumah — Lanier (GA) — 68 points

    • Posted the 2nd-best single-game scoring performance in tournament history with 33 points against Weddington, setting a tournament record with 14 made field goals. Ranks 6th All-Time in cumulative scoring.

    Khloe Joyner — McDowell (NC) — 59 points
    Ma-Kaela Gidney — Hickory Ridge (NC) — 56 points
    Kristen Johnson — Hazel Green (AL) — 52 points
    Madison Eddings — Hazel Green (AL) — 52 points
    Angel Thomas — Luella (GA) — 42 points

  • The Beloved Woman Division showcased strong team performances supported by scoring depth. Forsyth Country Day (NC) was led by co-MVPs Gigi Lyons and Lila Kelly, whose consistent production powered the division’s most effective offense.

    Standout Performers:

    Gigi Lyons & Lila Kelly — Forsyth Country Day (NC) — 62 points each (Co-MVPs)

    • Balanced scoring contributions tied for 9th All-Time in cumulative tournament scoring.

    Sophie Montana — Northwest Guilford (NC) — 51 points
    Trinity Grant — Hampton (GA) — 49 points
    Braelyn Castille — Thompson (AL) — 41 points
    TaNyah Davis — Grissom (AL) — 40 points
    Madison Price-Holmes — Andrew Jackson (FL) — 28 points

  • The Collaboration Division emphasized versatility and all-around skill, with several players delivering consistent production. J’Niya Weaver (Winston-Salem Christian National, NC) earned MVP honors for her steady leadership and efficiency.

    Standout Performers:

    J’Niya Weaver — Winston-Salem Christian National (NC) — 38 points (MVP)

    • Her leadership and scoring efficiency proved pivotal throughout the division.

    Amaya Ross — TPLS (VA) — 58 points
    Reagan Buff — Legacy Early College (SC) — 50 points
    Syvannah Dawson — S3 Academy (VA) — 49 points
    Ginny Anne Dumont — Providence Day School (NC) — 44 points
    Jaida McClure — Providence Day School (NC) — 43 points
    Faith Bekich — Ambassador Christian (NC) — 39 points
    Makayla Bobo — Winston-Salem Christian Regional (NC) — 39 points
    Sofia Acuna — Central Pointe (FL)

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All-Time Tournament Leaderboard

This year’s championship teams were led by athletes who consistently perform at the highest level. Several players from the most recent champions also rank among the top statistical performers in Cherokee Invitational history.

View All-Time Leaderboard

Champions from our archives:

2024 College Tournament Champions

Visit the Toledo Website

2024 High School Tournament Champions

View 2024 Tournament Results