The most anticipated Day 1 matchup of the Section 7 tournament showcased some of the nation’s top girls, with the exception of one major star.

Desert Vista was without arguably the nation’s top incoming sophomore, Jerzy Robinson, as Etiwanda controlled most of the game and won 67-53 Thursday at State Farm Stadium.

ESPN’s class of 2024 13th-ranked player, Kennedy Smith, led the way for Etiwanda, scoring 14 points and knocked down three 3-pointers. After Etiwanda led 17-11 at the end of the first quarter, it stretched the lead to 39-18 by halftime.

But Desert Vista cut the lead to 12 after a tough bucket from Shay Ijiwoye late in the third quarter. They were unable to complete the comeback, though.

Desert Vista may be without a star but welcomed another one. South Carolina transfer Trinity Jones joined Desert Vista this week.

The program also debuted its new coach, former Highland star Erin O’Bryan, who took over after David Williams resigned.

“These kids are awesome,” O’Bryan said. “They want to be coached and they play hard. We are at the top. We have a target on our back and we are everyone’s Super Bowl, but that is everything we want and we will be ready for it.”

Note: Robinson scored 12 points and secured 21 rebounds in a FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship group game for the U.S. in its rout of Columbia 93-29 on Day 2 of the tournament.

Millennium’s youngsters learn valuable lesson

Arizona’s 2023 5A Open tournament runner-up, Millennium, seemed overwhelmed by Clovis West’s full-court press.

They were trapping Millennium’s players on the baseline and forcing a lot of cross-court passes that led to turnovers and Clovis getting easy buckets. By halftime, Millennium was down by 22 points, and it never got within striking distance.

Final score: Clovis West 76, Millennium 55.

“We told our girls they (Clovis) were going to trap and show pressure and to stay away from the sidelines,” said Danny Soliman, Millennium’s head coach.

“Unfortunately, with a lot of youth and inexperience, they forget some of the things we told them and the inexperience kind of hurt us in that part.”

Xavier impresses

California didn’t sweep the board against Arizona, as Xavier won convincingly, 55-41, over Sage Hill of Newport Beach.

Xavier was led by Sarah Miller’s 17 points. After jumping out to a 13-6 lead after the first quarter, Xavier increased its lead as the game went on and had three different players in double figures.

“I am expecting good results from these girls in the tournament,” said Jennifer Gillom, Xavier’s head coach. “Summer school may hurt us a little bit, but other players will step up and I think we will finish pretty well.”