Wayne, MI: Michigan Winter Hoopfest was a big-time success, with some of the top teams in the state spending their winter break battling each other in some of the best games of the year. Miss basketball candidates, some of the state's finest youngsters, and a bunch of other outstanding players stood out and put their names on the map.
Gabby Piepho 2026 5’8" Guard Howell HS
Gabby did everything she could to keep her team in the game against Rockford. She hit bombs from deep, scored slashing to the basket, and did a great job passing out of the double team to open teammates. Gabby has a smooth shot and plays a highly high IQ game. She and her tough backcourt mate, 2025 Alison Farr, will play a massive role in how far the Highlanders play in March, and I think they have a great chance to go deep.
Kate Higgins 2026 6’0 Wing Rockford HS
Kate does a little bit of everything for the Rams, and she does everything at a pretty high level. She is tough, scoring in the paint and off the bounce, and she plays with an excellent feel for the game. She rebounds the ball with tenacity, and she plays tough physical defense. Kate should already be on a lot of coaches’ radars, and if not, she will be soon!
Anna Wypych 2025 6’0 Guard Rockford HS
Anna makes the game look so easy. She controls every aspect of the game with great pace, a high IQ, and an unbelievable skill set. She took control of the game, making plays off the bounce, setting up teammates, knocking down three pointers from deep, and getting to the basket, scoring through contact. Anna is one of the top players in the state and has her eyes set on another state championship.
Mariah Cross 2026 5’3" Guard Wayne Memorial HS
Mariah missed the previous game due to an illness, but she came out and made her presence immediately. Right out of the gate, Cross knocked down three triples and used her outstanding speed and pressure defense to push the pace and turn the game into a track meet. Mariah, who is already committed to Temple, seems to get better every time she is out, and if she continues to knock down the jump shot consistently, it will be a wrap for any defender trying to contain her.
Morgan Smith 2026 5’4" Guard Wayne Memorial HS
Morgan is considered the third guard in the Wayne loaded backcourt, but rightfully so; Morgan takes a back seat to no one. Morgan has a sweet handle, a smooth jump shot, and is electric off the bounce. She did a great job breaking down her defender and creating plays, and when she gets an inch of space at the three-point line, it's usual buckets. Morgan should be climbing the chart on many coaches' recruiting boards, and the way she is playing is only the beginning.
Colleena Bryant 2025 5’6" Guard Wayne Memorial HS
Lee Lee, a Miss Basketball candidate, was her typical self today, controlling every part of the game with her exceptional handle, great IQ, and unbelievable ability to get anywhere she wants on the floor to make a play. She was one of the best passers and finishers off the bounce, but she was uncheckable using the ball screen, turning the corner, or pulling up. Sometimes, it’s almost not fair how good she is off the Pick & Roll, and one thing is for sure: you can’t say March Madness without mentioning Wayne, and with Lee Lee in charge, I’m sure they will be in the mix once again.
Baylor Lauinger 2027 5’7" Guard Goodrich HS
Baylor made a big impression on me today. She played with a high motor and a big-time skill set, getting to the basket off the dribble, scoring in traffic, and making many plays for her and her teammates. Baylor was nonstop energy, creating turnovers, pushing the ball in transition, making the correct read, and getting the assist or a bucket. Baylor put her stamp on being one of the players to watch in the 2027 class.
Kayla Hairston 2026 5’2" Point Guard Goodrich HS
Kayla is in attack mode every time she is on the floor. She is super quick off the bounce with a physical handle and a nice ability to get in the lane and finish over taller defenders or kick it for an easy assist. Goodrich has a great combination of perimeter players, and Kayla is the straw that stirs the drink, along with her exceptional court presence and her ability and effort on defense. Don’t let that height thing fool you; Kayla Hairston can go!
Vanessa Rodriguez 2026 5’5” Point Guard AA Gabriel Richard
Rodriquez did a great job running the show for Gabriel Richard in their highly anticipated matchup with Belleville. A tough point guard who stayed composed against the full-court pressure. She hit a few big shots and created scoring opportunities for her teammates, keeping Richard within striking distance.
Iyana Stephens 2025 6’ Post Belleville HS
Stephens had a good outing for the Belleville Tigers. She was a force on the defensive end, showing good post defense, including two blocked shots during crunch time. She is also a tenacious rebounder on both ends, running the floor and finishing through contact.
Alina Younes 2027 5’5” Guard Country Day HS
Yunes played well in Country Day’s blowout of Ferndale. Younes is a tough defender who plays with a high motor. She hit some big shots, played through contact, and handled the pressure very well.
Nichole James 2027 6’2” Forward Detroit Edison HS
Active forward who rebounds both ends and finishes in traffic with contact. James has good footwork in both the high and low post. James also showed a soft touch in the paint, along with some good interior passing skills.
Allison Farr 2025 5'8" Guard Howell HS
Farr did it all in the highly anticipated matchup with Rockford. This hardnosed, aggressive point guard has a rapid first step that allows her to get to the paint at will. Her ability to finish amongst bigger defenders makes her unique and was on full display. She knocked down huge shots all night and kept constant pressure on the Rockford guards.
Zaria McCrary 2028 6' Wing Saginaw Heritage HS
A solid player who is a great communicator, McCrary sees the court and reads the defense. Her shot selection was impressive. She never forced anything but did not hesitate to score. She attacked the gaps and penetrated the paint, not shying away from bigger players or contact. Her help defense was top notch, forcing turnovers and even altering shots. She has a high motor and gets down and dirty on defense. Zaria finished with a team-high 19 points against a tough Howell team.
