Maria Alvarez helps lead Miami Country Day to Nike Tournament of Championship

Maria Alvarez led her Miami Country Day squad to a Nike TOC Championship running the gauntlet in Phoenix winning 4 games in 4 days.

In the Semi’s, down by three — and playing defense — as the clock made its way toward zero on Day 3 of the Nike Tournament of Champions on Friday. That’s when senior Maria Alvarez raised her hand.  The South Florida-bound guard deflected a pass near halfcourt, took a dribble and then sent up a prayer from just beyond the arc. With 3.6 seconds to go in overtime, the ball swished through the net as a sprawled (and fouled) Alvarez pumped her fists on the floor.  The 5-foot-7 sharpshooter then drained the free throw to give Miami Country Day a 61-60 win over New Hope (Landover Hills, Maryland) and a spot in the final of the Clare Droesch Division against Windward (Los Angeles).

“I saw the pass being made and deflected it. I could see that I could get to it and let the shot fly, and I did,” said Alvarez, who scored 22 points. “I’m shaking right now talking about it but, I was calm when I stepped to the line.”

Ultimately Alvarez, whose four-point play against New Hope Academy sent Miami Country Day to the final, was named MVP after proving she’s one of the best long-distance shooters in the country. Not to mention one of the most clutch. The Spartans won their four games by an average of 3.5 points.

Expect Miami Country Day, which arrived in Phoenix ranked 22nd in the espnW 25 Power Rankings, to surge in the Week 3 rankings next week. The Spartans knocked off No. 1 St. John’s College on Day 2.