By Jack Clark

After two action-packed days of high-level hoops, the third day of the Danny Rumph Classic started with two women’s games to determine who played in Sunday’s championship game.

The tradition was started in 2024 and Team Harper took home the crown last year. One year later, they punched their ticket to another Women’s Showcase Championship appearance to take on Team Copper.

WOMEN’S GAME ONE:  Team Copper 91, Team Cloud 27

Team Copper got things going early, controlling the tempo with lockdown defense and a rapid transition offense. Copper’s Ashley Jones took over the first half, with an efficient eight points while simultaneously holding Team Cloud to just 11 first-half points. Team Copper could not be stopped, creating an insurmountable 43–11 halftime lead. 

Despite a valiant effort from Team Cloud and their new-look zone defense, Team Copper could not be slowed down, splashing an immediate three from Jones to start the half. Team Cloud showed signs of a comeback, but it was the former Auburn guard Honesty Scott that stole the show, draining three straight three-pointers late in the third quarter. 

The fourth quarter was no different as Team Copper simply refused to let off the gas. Scott finished 4-6 from three while Jones capitalized on the open space, scoring, rebounding and assisting, finishing with a game-high 19 points. 

Team Copper handled Team Cloud in style, waving the opposition goodbye and booking their ticket to the final in a 91–27 win. 

WOMEN’S GAME TWO:  Team Harper 42, Team Laney 34

The second women’s game started hot, with Team Harper’s Nadjy Tyler dominating the paint early. Tyler capped a good team display on both ends of the court, dropping nine points and four rebounds. Team Harper finished the first quarter with a 17–5 lead over Team Laney. 

Things did not slow down for Team Harper, as Tyler continued to feast down low. The six-foot-three forward proved to be too much for Team Laney, dropping a double-double before the 4th quarter even started. As the forth quarter wound down, Team Laney stepped up. Mycala Carney turned on the jets, gliding coast to coast to close the gap to just eight points with less than five minutes left. 

In the end, Team Harper was just too much for Team Laney. A dominant performance on the glass and in the paint from Nadjy Tyler and Team Harper ultimately sent Team Laney packing in a close 42–34 victory.