Belleville, MI: The season is here, and teams are grinding to build chemistry, finalize rotations, and prepare for a hopeful run to the Breslin. The Mitten Opening Scrimmage was the place to be, with some of the top teams in the state taking the floor, and several players showing they’re more than ready to go. Here are a few who stood out.
Hannah Ralko 2026 Guard Howell
Hanna is a steady, do-it-all guard who plays tough defense, rebounds well for a guard, and did a great job displaying leadership and intensity. Howell looks to be still working on the chemistry of their new roster, and Hannah will be a super important piece early on.
Lyla Valentine 2028 Guard Howell
Lyla is a tough, fearless young guard who ran the show with poise and scored when her team needed it. She’s a big-time addition to the squad and will make an immediate impact in their success.
Kara Straub 2026 Post Michigan Center
Kara is a crucial piece for the Michigan Center squad, poised for a big run this season. Her ability to stretch the floor from the post, score in the paint, and defend and rebound at a high level will perfectly complement their loaded backcourt. She looks to be in great shape and ready to produce in a major way.
Ma’raeyah Smith 2027 Guard Carmen Ainsworth
Ma’raeyah is a super shifty guard with a tight handle, a sweet stroke, and an aggressive mindset attacking the lane and making plays off the dribble. She was impressive all day.
Brooklyn Covert 2027 Guard Clarkston
Brooklyn was all over the floor making plays. She plays with a high level of maturity and a strong feel for the game. Paired with Robak, she forms a tough, dynamic backcourt that’s going to be a problem for teams all season.
Baylor Lauinger 2027 Guard Goodrich
Baylor is a tough guard who finishes tough through contact, plays with a great feel for the game, can shoot it, and consistently does whatever it takes to win. She plays with relentless energy and is one of my stock risers for the class of 2027.
Delaney Brown 2029 Guard Tecumseh
Delaney is a tough, physical guard with an aggressive mindset and the ability to impact the game on both ends of the court. She showed a nice outside shot and did a great job attacking off the bounce. She’s a huge addition to an already loaded squad looking to make another run to Breslin.
Chloe Bullinger 2026 Guard Tecumseh
Chloe is an athletic, do-it-all guard who impacts the game in every area. She’s electric in the open floor and just as effective operating in the half-court. Coaches…what are we waiting for? This kid can play!
Kaylee King 2026 Post Wayne Memorial
Kaylee looks like she had an unbelievable offseason, quick, active, and nearly unstoppable in the paint. Add in her ability to put the ball on the floor, rebound, and thrive in Wayne’s up-tempo defensive system, and it’s clear she’s one of the biggest stock risers in the class of 2026.
Kamaria Lowe 2026 Post DEPSA
Kamaria had a great afternoon, active and athletic, constantly getting to the hoop while finishing over and around defenders. DEPSA is deep as always, and Kamaria looks poised to be a major piece of their success this season.
Zahra Richardson 2028 Guard Renaissance
Zahra is a tough, aggressive scorer who shoots it at a high level and attacks off the bounce with confidence. She brought an impressive ability to put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways. Renaissance has a nice collection of young players ready to shine this year.
Layla Blumberg 2028 Guard Dexter
Layla is a shifty guard with a tight handle who can score it from deep, get to the basket, and create for herself or her teammates. She’ll have to carry most of the load this year, and she looks more than ready for the challenge. Layla seems to get better every time she takes the floor, and I look for her to be a big-time stock riser this season.
Kaitlyn Johnson 2026 Guard Haslett
Kaitlyn is a big guard who shot it extremely well from deep, finished physically in the paint, and played with an excellent feel for the game. She was one of the better players in the building. Haslett sits firmly in my preseason Top 20, and with Kaitlyn on the floor, they’ve got a real chance to make some noise this year.
Lucy Wrozek 2028 Guard Lumen Christi
Lucy gets better every time she steps on the floor, and this week was no different. She dominated both games with her ability to play both guard spots, score in multiple ways, make the right pass, and bring toughness and high-level energy. Coaches get on board, this young guard can go!
Erin O’Dowd 2028 Guard Lumen Christi
Erin is a versatile wing who does it all for Lumen Christi. She shot it well, rebounded, won the 50/50 balls, and played with a high motor. Her skill set is strong, and she impacts the game in every area.
