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.
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
-
-
-
BRACKET CHAMPION:
TEAMS:
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 pointsHonorable 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 pointsHonorable 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)
More from past years