Romulus, MI: Michigan Girls High School basketball is full of talent and in great shape moving forward. Many of the states top middle school teams and players from 4th grade to 8th Grade participated in the 1st Annual LBI Derby Showcase this weekend and displayed their talent in front of a significant audience this weekend in Romulus, MI. Here are a few standouts...

6'1" PF Kendal Zeiter 2022 Tri-County Hoopsters 
Zeiter is a mobile post player, and a real vintage post player. She put on a fundamental clinic all weekend as she always felt, sealed and scored on defenders off the catch. Kendal drew double teams and showed she could pass out of the post and got great looks for her teammates. She will be one to watch moving forward! 

5'6" PG Ashley Loon 2022 Tri-County Hoopsters 
They say opposites attract, and that seems to be the case for the Hoopsters pair as they have a fundamental post in Zeiter and a PG like Ashley Loon. Loon is a magician with the ball, and she has swagger like no other. Her quick combinations allowed her to create separation for shots or blow past her defenders off the dribble but her fancy play wasn't all that she was good for, Loon showed her IQ as she knocked down perimeter shots and found her teammates at the right times. 

5'7" SF Tamia Tounsel 2022 Lady Stars Elite 
Another intriguing prospect, as she wasn't ever the biggest player on the floor during any of her games, but she showed the biggest heart for sure. She battled taller defenders on the glass and often got the best of them grabbing and putting rebounds back up, she was also efficient getting to the basket coast to coast. She has more room to grow, but the future is very bright for Tounsel. 

5'6" PG Brooke Daniels 2022 Michigan Crossover 
A new addition to an already loaded Crossover 8th Grade team. She brings a unique dimension to the lineup as she was always looking to get inside, welcome contact and finish, even when she had open shots that she can make. Daniels is also quick in transition, and her toughness is a significant asset when she's guarding the ball.

6'2" SF Mila Reynolds 2022 Michigan Crossover 
Every time I watch Reynolds, I come away more and more impressed because it always seems as if she has added to her game. You rarely find 8th graders at her size that can keep the ball and push it up the floor to create opportunities for her teammates and when her jump shot is clicking, and when Reynolds is in the post, she is nearly unguardable. A top-tier prospect nationwide in the 2022 class.

5'10" PG Niyah Reynolds 2023 Michigan Crossover 
Just like her big sister, Niya Reynolds has some major game. A silky smooth long guard who can play all five positions on the floor. She was at her best and tends to get whatever she wanted when she was on the ball; she is savvy enough to make defenses pay with whatever they give her. Reynolds will continue to grow, and her game will do the same.

5'9" SG Macy Feagan 2022 Saginaw Triple Threat 
Another player I've seen multiple times and this time boy she was nothing short of impressive. In a game for the ages, her 7th-grade team took the Michigan Crossover to Overtime, and it was due in large part to her performance. She does a lot of things well; her length stands out as she is efficient while defending the post and guarding the perimeter. On the offensive end, she can get inside and hit floaters or pull-ups, and she can shoot very well from range. One of Michigan's top 7th grade prospects. 

5'7" PG 2022 Jada McCree Saginaw Triple Threat
McCree is a coaches kid, and you can see right away. She is a leader by example as she was vocal and made the right decisions to keep her team in the game. Jada knew how to control the offense and didn't back down from pressure brought by opposing guards. She didn't turn the ball over much and was efficient in every game I watched her play. 

5'10" SG Ellie Toney 2022  Michigan Mystics (Ruh)  
One of the top shooters in the state in her age bracket, as her range from all over the court, was on display the entire weekend. What makes her an even more attractive prospect? Is the fact that she also uses that size to find a way to score on the interior and that she moves very well without having to have the ball in her hands. 

5'10" SG Sydney Pnacek 2022 Michigan Mystics (Ruh)
The Mystics (Ruh) team is filled with long shooters that can play multiple positions, and that's precisely what Pnacek brings to the table. In a tight Semi-Final matchup vs. The Michigan Fast Break, she was on fire from deep and led her team with four threes en route to a championship birth.

5'5" PG Emma Arico 2024 O3
Arico is a true point guard, running her team and knowing when to pass and when to create something for herself. She has a high basketball IQ which at this age is very impressive. Emma not only can get her teammates involved, but she can shoot from behind the perimeter very well which she did this past weekend.

It’s challenging evaluating youngsters.  Young players learn, change, develop, and grow so fast.  You see them one tournament, and they are oozing with confidence, then just a month later, they could just be having a bad day that affects their play.  But these “Young-Stars”…well they caught my eye.

The “Young-Stars”

2024 Na’kiya Bonner Michigan Crossover
Na’kiya can go!  She has everything you need from a point guard and more.  At the LBI Derby Classic, she split double teams, passed the ball very well, and is even going to a pull-up in transition which you don’t often see at this age.  It was fascinating seeing her in between games as well.  She always seemed to have a ball.  A couple of times I’d see her doing stationary drilling drills while waiting for the next game.  I’m sure she is a certified gym rat. 

2025 Anna Wypych West Michigan Drive
Anna is a gamer. And by a gamer, I mean she wants and makes big shots.  Anna made multiple big-time three's vs. Top Ten Bad Girls Elite in a West Michigan Drive semi-final win.  A few hours later, she made a few more big-time three's vs. Michigan Crossover in a two-point, double-overtime finals win. Anna handles the ball very well and shoots it even better.  She has high energy on the court too.  And when you bring energy and show emotion on the court in the right moments, it points to a player with a high basketball I.Q.  I enjoyed her matchup with ’25 Colleena Bryant (more on her below).  They brought the best out of each other.

2025 Kira Reynolds Michigan Crossover
Kira probably has the most upside of any player in the gym this weekend.  Kira is 5’8” already, and handles and passes the ball like a point guard.  She was flat out unstoppable.  It was probably most evident in the fact she shot double-digit free throw attempts in over half of her games.  She forced teams into zones, face-guarding, double and sometimes triple teams.  Skill, length, and speed combination could be lethal in the coming years.

2025 Colleena Bryant Top Ten Bad Girls Elite
Colleena had moves, moves, and more moves.  She already has a great handle but uses her footwork and eyes at a very high level to deceive her opponents.  She completed behind the back passes and no-looks with ease.  She has a very efficient floater as well.  Bryant plays her heart out on both ends of the court.  A joy to watch.

2024 Myana Cooksey Michigan Crossover
Myana can get anywhere on the court.  She was unguardable one-on-one.  Her skill set is that of someone much older.  Cooksey used her solid handles and body to get any shot she wanted.  It’s  striking how quickly she got into the paint.  If she develops more consistency with her jump shot, then WATCH OUT!