Kentwood, MI: Along with the LBI Michigan Mega Scrimmage last week, the LBI Michigan Thanksgiving Scrimmage was the 2nd part of my two-weekend lengthy introduction to Michigan high school girl’s basketball.
Here are a few of the standout performances of the day:
6’2” 2021 F AJ Ediger - Hamilton HS
AJ’s skill and basketball I.Q. are at high level for her age. I was impressed with her high post game. She moved well across the lane and in the high post area. She has good agility around the basket. I saw a beautiful pass fake to a layup on dribble drive from the top of the key. She finished at the basket with both hands and made a tremendous interior bounce pass to a cutter that was very impressive.
6’2” 2020 PF/C Imania Baker - Haslett HS
Baker knows how to use her body to get deep in low post position. She created space to rebound on offensive and defensive ends. Baker seemingly got every rebound in her area. She finished all her put backs when she got offensive rebounds. What’s surprising is her mobility for her size. She can rebound out of her position, and I saw good lateral movement on the ball at times, as she was able to keep a driver from getting to the paint. She caught everything thrown to her in the post: lob passes, bounce passes, bad passes, etc.
5’4” 2019 PG Daija Tyson - Detroit Edison HS
Tyson is starting to get her mojo back as she continues her comeback from a leg injury. I was most impressed by her defensive IQ. She’s a fierce on-ball defender, always in position off the ball, and she made plays on defense that really caught my attention, i.e. tipped ball from unsuspecting dribbler from behind in open court, after a big secured the rebound, she made a play on the ball that stopped a fast break, and left her man to poke ball away from a player trying to reset a play after a loose ball…these things are priceless over the course of a game.
6’3” 2019 F Rickea Jackson - Detroit Edison HS
Rickea is well known on the national basketball scene. She was brilliant as usual, but what was exciting to see was her ability to elevate her game to a level unmatched by anyone on the floor during an 8-0 run late in the game to give Detroit Edison the lead over East Kentwood for good. She put her team on her back attacking the rim for a pair of reverse layups and an AND 1. Usually, the games I have seen are not close down the stretch because of how talented Detroit Edison is. So, I’ve always wondered if there was another level of play beyond what I had seen, and unfortunately for her opponents…there is! Scary!
5’10” 2020 Carlee Crabtree - Coldwater HS
Carlee’s competitiveness caught my eye. She has good range. She was fearless attacking off the bounce. I loved the balance she had of creating shots for herself and others. Definitely a top ten 2020 at the event.
6’2” 2021 F Ally Vantimmeren - Jenison HS
Ally was unstoppable when driving left. Finished very well in the paint with either hand. She was most effective going coast to coast after defensive rebound. Ally was Jenison’s go-to option when other teams pressed. At 6’2”, she was able to break press off the dribble or make passes over the top of the defense. Very impressive poise vs. pressure as well. She hit a few 8-10 foot jump shots which I did not see last week at Michigan Mega Scrimmage.
5’1” 2018 PG Menelisia McGee - Wyoming HS
Easily my favorite to observe. There are so many layers to Menelisia’s game. Many will be distracted by her size, but the lefty has a lot to offer. She has excellent range from 3. She made a catch and shoot 3, and another one off of a step back. She has an assortment of moves that help her create shots over taller defenders and for her teammates. Deadly hesitation to crossover and euro moves. She kept defenders off balance with quickness and change of speed. McGee has a lot of sauce. She deserves to have offers.
5’9” 2019 G/F Diynasti Dowell - Muskegon HS
Diynasti has a great basketball body. Her broad shoulders, good base, and strength allowed her to drive to the basket…and with bad intensions. Very physical. She played well with contact and got on the floor numerous times for loose balls. She knocked down a three as well and looked comfortable shooting it.
5’8” 2019 G Alona Blackwell - East Kentwood HS
Alona is a mix of smooth and tenacious you don’t see too often. She’s an incredibly confident shooter with great range. She finished some tough shots with a soft touch on the interior. Her long arms and quick defensive footwork gave ball handlers fits.
6’3” 2018 PF Corrine Jemison - East Kentwood HS
Corrine is physical and relentless. She rebounded with contact and out of position. Jemison made a few mid-range jump shots from high post. Also, she was able to get numerous help side blocks that helped keep things exciting vs. Detroit Edison. (Committed To Miami of Ohio for Volleyball)
5’11” 2020 F Taia Smith - East Kentwood HS
What an athlete! Taia has tons of raw ability and energy on defense. She has a great motor and was involved in some loose ball battles. She guarded post and perimeter players. She rebounds very well. For my money, she was the hardest worker in the gym.
6’3” 2019 PF/C Esther Byington - Grand Haven HS
Saw her for the first time vs. Detroit Edison. She rebounded well, especially on the offensive end. She runs the floor well and has sneaky speed for a big. She challenged, blocked, and altered shots the entire game without fouling. She made a couple of strong moves around basket that put her in position to get fouled and get to free throw line. I was shocked to hear she had 0 (zero) D1 offers.
6’1” 2020 C Lindsey Ruiter - Muskegon Reeths Puffer HS
Lindsey has a big body that eats up space. She seemed to understand how to get post position and create different post feed angles for post feeds from the perimeter.
6’1” 2021 F Kaybriana Hallman - Comstock Park HS
She ran the floor well, easily beating other bigs down the floor. Her incredibly long wingspan helped her get a lot of deflections. She caught the ball high and finished well around the basket.
5'10" 2020 PG Kenzie Lewis - Williamston HS
Kenzie was very good with the ball in her hands as she ran her team very well by setting up teammates for easy scoring opportunities, and don't leave her free cause she will make you pay as Lewis can knock down the open shot. Lewis was on point running the show & she is one of the main reasons why the Hornets are a Class B favorites.
Honorable Mention
5’7” 2019 G Tionna Beckom - Grand Rapids Union HS
Tionna played with great confidence, solid handle, had trouble finishing in the paint but got there any time she wanted.
5’9” 2021 Point Guard Kenzie Bowers - Kent City HS
Kenzie handles the ball well vs. pressure. Her on-ball defense was tough. She’s an excellent communicator on both ends of the floor.
5’11” 2020 PG Lauren Ross - Muskegon Reeths Puffer HS
Great body at her position allowed her to attack the rim well with confidence. Finished with both hands. She has a good floater and showed great poise against pressure.
5’10” 2019 G Emily Caltagirone - Muskegon Reeths Puffer HS
I saw Emily make three threes in one game with an effortless stroke. She handled the ball well vs. pressure and moved well without the ball.
5’9” 2021 G Kenzie Bowers - Kent City HS
Kenzie handles the ball well vs. pressure. Her on-ball defense was tough. She’s an excellent communicator on both ends of the floor.
5’8” 2020 G Makayla Petree - Wyoming HS
Lefty, tough and plays hard, sees the floor well, good defender.
5’8” 2019 PG Meg Morehouse - Zeeland East HS
Excellent floor game, i.e., understands spacing, facilitating, gets teammates in right position, communicates well on floor
6’1” 2018 F Sophie Riemersma - Zeeland East HS
Able to push ball in transition runs floor well, good mobility
6’0” 2018 F Ellie Dykstra - Byron Center HS
Soft hands finishes well around basket. (Signed w/IPFW)
5’8” 2018 Cris Fontecha Fransit - Coldwater HS
Plays hard; moves well without the ball has a good handle, shoots the ball well.
5’9” 2019 G Zara Webber - Kent City HS
Saw her make at least five 3s, knock down shooter.
6’1” 2018 F Sophie Riemersma - Zeeland East HS
Able to push ball in transition runs floor well, good mobility.
