Gwinnett Daily Post

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- After an opening loss to the nation's top-ranked girls basketball team, Norcross has bounced back nicely in the Nike Tournament of Champions.

The Blue Devils improved to 2-1 at the prestigious tourney on Monday night with a 48-35 win over Thunder Ridge (Col.), which is ranked 20th nationally by ESPN. Norcross advances to play Bolingbrooke (Ill.), ranked eighth nationally, today in the eighth-place game of the Joe Smith Division, the tournament's toughest. Ten of the 16 teams in the Smith bracket are nationally ranked.

Diamond DeShields led Norcross (10-1) Monday with 15 points and Kaela Davis scored 11.

The Blue Devils won their previous tourney game Saturday 62-51 over Woodson (D.C.) behind 22 points and eight rebounds from Davis. DeShields chipped in with 18 points.

Norcross' tourney opener was against loaded St. Mary's (Calif.), the nation's consensus No. 1 team. The game was close for three quarters before St. Mary's, which made 11 3-pointers, pulled away for a 79-55 win. DeShields had 20 points and seven rebounds in that game, Norcross' only loss in the season.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Norcross 64, Scott County (Ky.) 55

GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Led by 25 points from Malcomb McDonald, the Norcross boys handed Scott County just its third home loss in eight years with a 64-55 victory Monday at te Scott County Holiday Classic in Georgetown, Ky.

Jeremy Lamb and Chris Bolden also scored in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Grayson 64, Cross Creek 40

AUGUSTA -- Javarris Smith scored 17 points and Andrew Osemhen added another 14 as Grayson beat Cross Creek 64-40 on Monday in the Augusta Holiday Classic. The Rams improved to 6-1 this season.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Collins Hill 67, Peachtree Ridge 59

SUWANEE -- Jordan Ulm had 25 points and four rebounds while Taylor Johnson added 20 more points and 14 boards last Friday to lead Collins Hill to a 67-59 win over Peachtree Ridge in Region 7-AAAAA girls basketball.

Bria Young added 14 points, five assists and four rebounds as the Eagles improved to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the region.

Erika Waters of Peachtree Ridge (7-3, 4-2) led all players with 34 points and teammate Brittany Jack scored 16.