The La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School girls basketball team ended 2009 on a high note by capturing the Orange Division Championship of the NIKE Tournament of Champions in Phoenix.  The NIKE tournament is universally regarded as the most prestigious prep basketball event in the world and considered the de facto national championship for American girls basketball. The Tournament of Champions has produced 10 of the last 12 USA Today National Champions and hosted 84 State Champions since 1996. LJCD’s Ariana Elegado was named Tournament MVP of the Orange Division. The Lady Torreys went 3-0 in the NIKE Tournament of Champions II, defeating a tough Mills Creek team out of Georgia, 37-31, in their opener. Teesha Solomon led the team with 16 points, eight rebounds and five steals. Kaylah Miller finished with eight points and four steals and Elegado added seven points and four assists. In its next game, LJCD defeated Chandler (Az.), 63-50. Elegado led the way with 16 points and five assists and Kelsey Plum added 14 points and seven rebounds. The 5-foot-10-inch Hood twin towers dominated the boards; Malina Hood finished with a double-double, 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Maya Hood finished with nine points and 10 rebounds. Kaylah Miller chipped in with eight points to lead a balanced effort. In the title game, LJCD scored a 47-43 victory over Xavier Prep (Az.).  The Lady Torreys jumped out to a 16-5 first-quarter lead and were up 28-18 at the half.  Xavier made a second-half push, but with tough defense and outstanding rebounding LJCD withstood the Gators’ run.  Elegado led the scoring with 12 points and five assists, and Plum added 10 points.  Maya Hood chipped in nine points, four steals and dominated the boards with 13 rebounds. Malina Hood finished with eight points, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Elsewhere, The Bishop’s School enters play this week with a record of 13-2 following action in the recent Vaquero Invitational. Bishop’s scored wins over Venice High (Los Angeles) 91-36, (W) and Carson (72-55). After posting a 62-52 victory over Alameda, Bishop’s moved into play in the Holiday Premier Showcase, scoring several wins before an 83-47 loss to Mount Miguel. One of the tourney wins was an 84-18 victory over neighboring La Jolla, as Elaina White paced Bishop’s with 25 points. “We’re off to a great start this season,” Bishop’s School head coach Marlon Wells said. “The team is playing tremendous defense, and any given night we can have a different leading scorer. We are looking forward to starting league play and defending our conference title from last year.” White has been playing well for the Lady Knights, while Alissa Campanero has been leading the team as the starting point guard, averaging nearly 10 assists per game. — Editor’s note: La Jolla High did not respond to a request for information on its team.