The Wilkins Report Summer league wrapped up tonight with some exciting play and performances. These last few weeks told me a lot about some of the top teams in the state and some of the teams that have a chance to be very good.
Wayne Memorial Zebras (Division 1)
Head Coach Jarvis Mitchell has the Zebras playing with a chip on their shoulder. Wayne is a headache to play. They bring the pain defensively all game, with a mixture of defenses, which causes chaos to any offense they play. They are led by one of the best players in the state and Miss Basketball candidate Colleena Bryant and her backcourt mate Mariah Cross, who is always 100 miles and running. Wayne is easily one of the top three teams in the state, regardless of class. The Zebras will be one of the favorites in Division 1 to make it to East Lansing come March.
AA Gabriel Richard Fighting Irish (Division 2)
FGR is an impossible team to scout. They can beat you from so many positions on the floor that trying to take something away as an opponent is a helpless task. They have one of the top trios in the state with Charlotte Miller, Vanessa, and Ava Rodriguez. These three can all score it, handle it, and are tough as nails. FGR a state runner up last year looks like they are ready to go for more.
Dexter Dreadnaughts (Division 1)
Dexter is one of my sleeper teams this year. They are extremely well coached and compete defensively on every possession. They have two established vets in Addison Chase and Alena Blumberg, who are both effective scorers who can also run the show and lead from the guard position. With a nice supporting cast and their hard-working mentality, I look for Dexter to be in the mix for the District title in March.
Tecumseh Indians (Division 2)
Tecumseh is loaded, and they are hungrier than ever to get back to the quarters and take the next step. Tecumseh is led by Miss Basketball candidate and top 5 in the state, Alli Zajac, but she is definitely not alone. The core of her team returns, and with their ultra talented perimeter players to go along with the Zajac sister font line, this team is ready to make a lot of noise.
Grass Lake Warriors (Division 3)
I love this scrappy team. They are a talented group of girls who can all handle and shoot the ball. They have a big-time bucket getter in Kate Starkey and an all-around player in Reese Lape to lead them. The more experience that their young core gets, the more scary they are going to be in March.
Cass Tech Technicians (Division 1)
Cass will end up being one of the top defensive teams in the PSL, and throughout the month of June, they showed why. They were one of the toughest, most competitive teams in the league. Led by 2025 post Tracy Thomas and cat-quick guard 2027 Natasha Shell Cass will be in every game, and with their attention to detail on the defensive end, they will be a scary opponent in March.
Windsor United (Canada)
Windsor was one of the most improved teams throughout the summer. They are made up of a collection of players from different schools led by outstanding guards Mya Tate and Ariah Hutchings. They competed every night and showed they have some players who deserve attention from US college coaches.
Ferndale Eagles (Division 2)
Speaking of a youth movement, Ferndale spent this June playing a number of young girls who play well beyond their age. They are one of the most aggressive teams in the state, and their competitive spirit is off the chain. They are led by their big-time post player, 2027 Iyana Davis. Add to that their stable of young wings and guards who are big-stage ready, and a deep run for Ferndale is definitely a possibility.
Warren Cousino Patriots (Division 1)
Cousino is a tough, gritty squad that plays hard, competes, and relies on toughness and effort to ensure they are in every game. Led by 2025 Guard Demaya Asberry, Cousino gets better every week. Cousino will be ready to compete at a high level this season after getting to know the coaching staff with the patience and attention to detail they display.
Howell Highlanders (Division 1)
Howell is one of the top teams in Division 1, and the super solid core they return, led by their floor general and leader Alison Farr, along with one of the top 2026 players in Michigan, Gabby Piepho they will be a tough out in March. They are well rounded at every position and pride themselves in playing together and playing the right way all great traits of a top team. Don’t let some of these summer scores fool you, Howell will be in the mix late in March.
Belleville Tigers (Division 1)
I have seen them all this summer, and right now, Belleville has the best team in the state and arguably the best player in the state. Led by super sophomore 2027 Sydney Savoury, next level shooter 2026 Se’Crette Carter, along with CMU commit 2025 Rylan Buschell, this Belleville team is beating teams and showing no mercy while doing so. The defensive intensity they are playing with and the improvement shown by their core group is scary, and all signs point to a return trip to Breslin, wearing lanyards and hopefully cutting down nets.
