Belleville, MI: The Holiday Classic was definitely the place to be on Saturday, and the loaded schedule of teams with loaded rosters of talent did not disappoint. College coaches from states like Michigan, New York, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and many more were in the house to check out the talent and enjoy the LBI hospitality. Here are just a few players who stood out.
Makayla Campbell 2028 5’6" Guard DEPSA
One of the hot 2028s in the state of Michigan, Makayla showed today that she is not afraid of the moment. In a tough back-and-forth double OT game vs. Tecumseh, Makayla made some big-time plays, jumping the passing lanes for steals, scoring in transition, and knocking down some clutch shots in regulation and overtime. Playing on a loaded, experienced squad like DEPSA, look for Campbell to get better and better every week.
Nichole James 2027 6’2" Forward DEPSA
Nichole has been playing with another gear this year, and her extra effort has been paying off. Dominating the boards, Nichole seems to get her hands on everything on both ends of the floor, aggressively getting put backs on offense and cleaning up on the defensive boards. Today, she was a force in the paint, catching and finishing down low with various moves.
Loydon Newton 2028 5’5" Guard Saginaw Heritage
The excitement in the coach’s section every time Newton attacked the lane was evident loud and clear. The 5’5" dynamo made a living beating her defender off the bounce, attacking the lane, and either finishing with a floater or dropping a pretty pass to a teammate. With a squad loaded with some of the top 2028s in the state, she holds her own and has proven she will be one of the top playmaking PGs in the state for years to come.
Zariya Mccrary 2028 6’1" Forward Saginaw Heritage
Zariya is the future, and the present all rolled up in one. She is a 6’1" "do-it-all wing who can get her shot off the bounce, knock down the jumper, and get better and better at finishing through contact in the lane. She plays with great length and size and a skill set that sets her apart from most. I will get an extra couple of bags of popcorn and enjoy these next few years because she will be a show worth watching!
Jayla Jackson 2026 5’7" Guard Detroit Country Day
Jayla is back. After battling injury after injury, Jayla looks to be back in the form that garnered multiple offers as a youngster and had her set to be one of the top players in the state. Today was her “I’M back’ moment in front of coaches, fans, and peers, and she took advantage of every minute. Aggressive all game, Jayla attacked off the bounce, scoring in the lane, hitting the pull-up, or drawing contact at the hoop. She hit the jumper from deep, was relentless on the boards, and took turns running the show, leading her DCD squad to a nice victory over a tough dexter team.
CeCe Arico 2027 6’0 Guard Detroit Country Day
Coming off a foot injury, CeCe was forced into action today and didn’t disappoint. Dominating the game, rebounding the ball, starting the break, making the right read, and either finishing off the bounce or dropping a sweet pass to a teammate. She did it all. I have said this multiple times. CeCe is a walking triple-double; even at probably 60% today, she flirted with one again. One of the best players in the state and the country, the coaches couldn’t get enough of her, one telling me “I wish I could inject CeCe Arico in to my veins” big-time quote for a big- time player.
Layla Blumberg 2028 5’4" Guard Dexter HS
Layla was electric today, hitting the three from deep, attacking off the bounce, finishing over taller defenders, and playing the PG position with great poise and skill. Dexter was playing without one of their leaders, Alena Blumberg. Who better to step up, but baby sis, and step is what she did. What seems to be a theme for the state this year is only 2028. Layla is ready for a big year.
Imani Johnson 2025 5’10" Guard Detroit Renaissance
Imani is a physical guard who does her damage off the bounce, punishing defenders who finish in traffic or knock down the jumper from deep. Imani has a strong physical handle and is a tough rebounder and defender. Renny will win many games this year, and Imani will be a big reason they do.
Jaebr’ian Autry 2026 5’10" Wing Detroit Renaissance
Autry is an electric, athletic, and super-quick wing who flies around, making plays in transition and finishing through traffic. Today was just a typical night out for her, as she had 19 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals, helping her team to a victory. Every time I see her play, she seems to get better, which should be scary for all of her future opponents.
Makayla Schlorf 2026 5’3" Guard Tecumseh
Makayla did it all for Tecumseh today in a huge double-OT win over DEPSA. She hit three huge threes, made some clutch free throws, ran the show, and finished with 24 points, a number of steals, and my MVP of the game award. Makayla, an SVSU commit, is one of many important pieces to this loaded Tecumseh squad, but her quickness, playmaking, and ability to make shots will be a big reason for their success.
Addison Zajac 2027 6’1" Center Tecumseh
I will say it and say it again: Addison is one of, if not the best, post players, catching, getting position, and scoring in the paint. She has an old-school feel to her game. She dominates the boards on both ends and when she seals and gets the ball down low, she is next to unstoppable to stop. Playing alongside her sister Alli, they form the best one-two post combination in the state. I see a lot of sleepless nights for coaches preparing for the Tecumseh High low offense!
Saige Edmondson 2025 6’0 Forward Father Gabriel Richard
FGR is known for its exciting and phenomenal guard play, but Saige is a big part of its success. Her tenacity on the boards is unmatched, and her ability to catch in transition and catch and finish in the paint makes it impossible for teams to concentrate on the guards alone because, just like today, Saige will kill them down low. She is quick off her feet, has soft hands, and is aggressive on both ends of the floor.
Vanessa Rodriguez 2026 5’5" Guard Father Gabriel Richard
Vanessa was big for FGR today in their huge win over Rockford. She was consistent on offense, putting pressure on the defense, creating off the bounce, hitting the three from deep, making the right read, dropping a sweet pass to a teammate, and rebounding the basketball. The chances of slowing down all three of the FGR backcourt are pretty slim, and when Vanessa is having the all-around game like she had today, they are going to be very hard to beat.
Kate Higgins 2026 6’0 Forward Rockford HS
Kate is hand full on both ends of the floor. She is super aggressive attacking the hoop, finishing through contact, but she also possesses a soft touch to knock down the 15-footer. Kate did a great job getting to the basket today and scoring the rock. She rebounds the ball at a high level and is a big piece of the Rockford defensive scheme.
Anna Wypych 2025 6’0 Guard Rockford HS
No matter what the defense tries to do to slow down Anna, nothing seems to work. She is very efficient with the ball in her hands. She always makes the right read, either scoring, going to the hoop, hitting the three, dropping a sweet assist, or just running the show and making sure her young team is in position for success. Anna plays the game at another level, always under control and always at her own pace.
Se’Crette Carter 2026 5’8" Guard Belleville HS
Se’crette played a nice all-around game today, working hard on both ends of the floor, getting about four steals on defense, turning them into transition buckets for her squad, helping her post players rebound, and locking up on defense. Offensively, she showed off her smooth, sweet stroke, knocking down three threes, scoring 17 points, and giving out three assists. The Belleville squad is loaded like we have not seen in a while, and Se’crette’s ability to shoot it from deep opens up the floor for everyone else.
Sydney Savoury 2027 6’0 Guard Belleville HS
Sydney is always two steps ahead on the floor. She scores the ball at all three levels with ease, breaking down defenders off the bounce using physicality and a top-tier skill set to finish through and around traffic. She hits the three from all over the floor and has a sweet pull-up off the un-guardable bounce. Syd thrives in the Belleville high-octane offense, but her unselfishness shines through. She could easily score 30 every time out, but she made the extra pass or the sweet no-look pass to a teammate for a bucket multiple times tonight. I didn’t think it was possible, but I honestly think Savoury is even better than the last time I watched her play two weeks ago!
Mariah Sain 2026 5’9" Guard Muskegon HS
Mariah is one of the most electric athletic guards in the state. She is in non-stop motion, using her super quickness and skill set to dominate a game. Today, she was going up against the top-ranked Tigers, and Mariah was in her bag. She scored in transition, scored going to the hoop, and shot the jump shot from deep. Measuring the value of Sain is not by points; she does everything on the floor. Tonight, I counted at least five blocked shots (from the guard spot), a bunch of rebounds, and even more steals. Mariah is a stat stuffer and her motor and ability will help lead Muskegon to a lot of wins this year.
