Ypsilanti, MI: Just when you think April Showers couldn’t be any better, the players and ball clubs that travel from all over the Midwest prove that it can. The weekend was full of powerhouses battling down to the wire, new players making a name for themselves, and the names that we all know and love showing us that they are still the best at what they do.
Hello, my name is…
Players that made sure we knew who they were this weekend.
Kaia Woods 2021 5’5” PG 1 Nation Elite UAA
Kaia was the power punch that 1 Nation needed. She is small, but plays big! Killer ball handles, nice dimes, and can get in the paint whenever she wants. She’s a solid defender and dynamic addition to this 1 Nation Elite team.
Kaia was the power punch that 1 Nation needed. She is small, but plays big! Killer ball handles, nice dimes, and can get in the paint whenever she wants. She’s a solid defender and dynamic addition to this 1 Nation Elite team.
Ariel Jenkins 2020 6’0” Post Michigan Crossover EYBL
Jenkins was one of the most dominant post presence all weekend. She is a rebounding machine on both ends of the court, has a high motor and can finish with contact. There were several possessions in multiple games where she snatched down the rebound from 2 or 3 players from the other team.
Jenkins was one of the most dominant post presence all weekend. She is a rebounding machine on both ends of the court, has a high motor and can finish with contact. There were several possessions in multiple games where she snatched down the rebound from 2 or 3 players from the other team.
Chenelle King 2020 5’7” PG Michigan Storm Elite UAA
King showed what it means to be a point guard this weekend. She took care of the ball, showed off her arsenal of moves, directed traffic, and when she needed to, she scored. In one game, she knocked down five threes!
King showed what it means to be a point guard this weekend. She took care of the ball, showed off her arsenal of moves, directed traffic, and when she needed to, she scored. In one game, she knocked down five threes!
Good, Better, Best…Never Let It Rest
Players who have taken their game to a different level
Cheyenne McEvans 2020 5’10” Guard Michigan Storm Elite UAA
I know what you’re thinking. McEvans can’t get any better. However, I beg to differ. Everyone knows that she is a dynamic scorer. This weekend, Cheyenne showed off her basketball IQ. On several possessions, she opted to get her teammates involved instead of scoring herself. She has great court vision, threw perfect lead passes, and brought her handcuffs on defense. So instead of killing teams by scoring 20+ plus points, she killed them with multiple double-doubles.
I know what you’re thinking. McEvans can’t get any better. However, I beg to differ. Everyone knows that she is a dynamic scorer. This weekend, Cheyenne showed off her basketball IQ. On several possessions, she opted to get her teammates involved instead of scoring herself. She has great court vision, threw perfect lead passes, and brought her handcuffs on defense. So instead of killing teams by scoring 20+ plus points, she killed them with multiple double-doubles.
Jasmine Clerkley 2020 5’11” Post Michigan Mystics BSTTL (Dream Team)
Clerkly has been making a name for herself on the court as a dominant post player in Michigan since middle school. This weekend, she confirmed that she is now a complete package. She still has the footwork in the post to make you oooh and ahhh;, but now she also has some solid ball handles and can shoot with her feet set or off the bounce, including knocking down a step-back three.
Kadyn Blanchard 2020 5’10” Guard/Wing Michigan Mystics Showtime
Kadyn has always been a solid player. She plays hard, is a good defender and doesn’t mind getting on the floor and getting dirty for her team. This weekend she let it be known that she can also take over a game as a scorer. In the championship game, she scored a little over half of her team’s points in the first half.
Kadyn has always been a solid player. She plays hard, is a good defender and doesn’t mind getting on the floor and getting dirty for her team. This weekend she let it be known that she can also take over a game as a scorer. In the championship game, she scored a little over half of her team’s points in the first half.
Gabby Elliott 2020 5’11” Wing Michigan Storm Elite UAA
Elliott was the overall best player at the April Showers Classic and also was the leading scorer of the tournament by averaging over 20 plus per game. Gabby started the tournament off hot against the Michigan Mystics Dream Team and finished it on fire as she opened up a game that went back and forth for much of the first half. Not only was she the leading scorer she was also the leading three-point shooter. Her fantastic play helped lead her Storm squad to capture the Wilkins Report Super Platinum Division title. Elliott who should be an early favorite to win the 2020 Miss Michigan Basketball Award genuinely put on an incredible scoring display
Elliott was the overall best player at the April Showers Classic and also was the leading scorer of the tournament by averaging over 20 plus per game. Gabby started the tournament off hot against the Michigan Mystics Dream Team and finished it on fire as she opened up a game that went back and forth for much of the first half. Not only was she the leading scorer she was also the leading three-point shooter. Her fantastic play helped lead her Storm squad to capture the Wilkins Report Super Platinum Division title. Elliott who should be an early favorite to win the 2020 Miss Michigan Basketball Award genuinely put on an incredible scoring display
Sisterly Love…
Siblings that dominated
Mila Reynolds 2022 6’3” Wing Michigan Crossover 16u EYBL
Amiyah Reynolds 2023 6’1” Wing Michigan Crossover 14u (Brown)
Players that are 6’0” and taller are not easy to come by unless you live with the Reynolds. Mila and Amiyah are long, quick and skilled. They both can take the lead in transition, get to the rim and score. Mila is a true inside/outside player that is effective on the block and the perimeter, on both ends of the court. Amiyah has a killer running unstoppable hook shot. These young sisters have a very bright future ahead of them.
Amiyah Reynolds 2023 6’1” Wing Michigan Crossover 14u (Brown)
Players that are 6’0” and taller are not easy to come by unless you live with the Reynolds. Mila and Amiyah are long, quick and skilled. They both can take the lead in transition, get to the rim and score. Mila is a true inside/outside player that is effective on the block and the perimeter, on both ends of the court. Amiyah has a killer running unstoppable hook shot. These young sisters have a very bright future ahead of them.
Alize’ Tripp 2020 5’6” PG Michigan Premier Open (Blue)
Shealyn Tripp 2021 5’10” Guard Michigan Premier Open (Blue)
The Tripp sisters were key pieces to a very well put together and hard playing MI Premier team. Alize’ is the Commander and Chief for this squad. She embodies what a point guard being is all about. Superb court vision, crisp passes, and she’s lethal behind the arc. Shealyn is a member of the “a little bit of everything” crew. She rebounds, can knock down the 12 footers, and will dive on the floor to go after a loose ball.
Shealyn Tripp 2021 5’10” Guard Michigan Premier Open (Blue)
The Tripp sisters were key pieces to a very well put together and hard playing MI Premier team. Alize’ is the Commander and Chief for this squad. She embodies what a point guard being is all about. Superb court vision, crisp passes, and she’s lethal behind the arc. Shealyn is a member of the “a little bit of everything” crew. She rebounds, can knock down the 12 footers, and will dive on the floor to go after a loose ball.
Damiya Hagemann 2021 5’9” Guard Michigan Crossover EYBL
Devin Hagemann 2024 5’5” PG Michigan Crossover 14u (Brown)
Yes, Damiya Hagemann, the Phenom that has now established herself as the top player in 2021 has a little sister! And yes, she is also ricking havoc in every gym that she plays in. Damiya had a great weekend, including hitting the game-winning shot in a tight quarter-final bracket game. Devin, who is playing up, also had a great weekend. She can handle the ball under pressure, get to the rim, and she is one of the best at taking other player’s cookies.
Devin Hagemann 2024 5’5” PG Michigan Crossover 14u (Brown)
Yes, Damiya Hagemann, the Phenom that has now established herself as the top player in 2021 has a little sister! And yes, she is also ricking havoc in every gym that she plays in. Damiya had a great weekend, including hitting the game-winning shot in a tight quarter-final bracket game. Devin, who is playing up, also had a great weekend. She can handle the ball under pressure, get to the rim, and she is one of the best at taking other player’s cookies.
Young…but Ready!
Dynamic Freshmen & Middle School players that can play on Varsity right now
Deyonce Thompson 2022 5’9” Guard Michigan Basketball Academy 2022
Thompson is a hooper. When she walked on the court, it was clear that she was there for business. She is an aggressive player on offense and defense. She gets to the rim and can finish with contact; she can also penetrate to help create shots for others. On defense…let’s say that whomever she was guarding was not that team’s leading scorer.
Thompson is a hooper. When she walked on the court, it was clear that she was there for business. She is an aggressive player on offense and defense. She gets to the rim and can finish with contact; she can also penetrate to help create shots for others. On defense…let’s say that whomever she was guarding was not that team’s leading scorer.
Layne Sleight 2023 5’7” Guard Michigan Mystics -McAllister
Sleight is the type of guard that all coaches love. She’s smart, vocal, fearless, and can take over a game. In the Stars & Stripes championship game, Sleight led all scorers and was the floor captain of her squad. She made very few mistakes and took excellent care of the ball. The energy and toughness she had on offense, followed her on the defensive in.
Sleight is the type of guard that all coaches love. She’s smart, vocal, fearless, and can take over a game. In the Stars & Stripes championship game, Sleight led all scorers and was the floor captain of her squad. She made very few mistakes and took excellent care of the ball. The energy and toughness she had on offense, followed her on the defensive in.
Alli Carlson 2022 5’5” Guard Michigan Basketball Academy 2022
A lot of this team’s success this weekend either started or finished with Carlson. She is very vocal and able to lead her team with or without the ball in her hands. She has great court vision and always found the open man. And as a bonus …she can shoot.
Macey Fegan 2023 5’8” Guard Michigan Mystics – McAllister
For those that believe in “basketball swag,” Macey has it. The game changed when she wasn’t on the court. She is a double threat with the ability to score off the dribble or with a set shot. She is smart and does a great job of running the lane, making herself available in transition.
For those that believe in “basketball swag,” Macey has it. The game changed when she wasn’t on the court. She is a double threat with the ability to score off the dribble or with a set shot. She is smart and does a great job of running the lane, making herself available in transition.
This article was written by LBI Writer and National Evaluator R.Simone Brown you can follow her on twitter @R_SimoneP
