Michigan Top 5 Travel Teams
LBI has been all over the state, Midwest and east coast following Michigan Teams as they compete against the best of the best including each other. Some teams have been steadfast since the kick-off of the travel season while others have been like a snowball rolling down a snowy hill; starting off small and slow but building momentum and confidence as the season progresses. A couple of teams started out really strong but are currently struggling when facing top competition. Below is our current standing of the Michigan travel teams and as always, nothing is ever etched in stone.
The Michigan Crossover holds on to the No.1 spot in the 2nd edition of the LBI Power Poll. They're coming off impressive victories over All Ohio Black and the Michigan Shock to win the LBI Jam Fest. 2017 Destiny Pitts had a strong shooting performance against the Michigan Shock to lead a short-handed Crossover team to the championship.
The Shock stays at the No.2 spot after losing to the Michigan Crossover at the LBI Jam Fest. They had some good wins in defeating All Ohio Black & Mac Irvin Lady Fire-Godfather. They were also short-handed as they played without post 2017 Kaylee Wasco and got only a few minutes out 2016 6’4” post Bridgett Hintz. Once healthy they will continue to challenge for that top spot.
What a difference a couple of weeks make. After barley cracking the Top 5 in our 1st edition, the Storm has looked like the team that we thought they would be. Losing in the championship game of the tip-off classic in Georgia and having a strong performance at the LBI Jam Fest, they are looking better and better every time we see them play. Tayie Bello (2016) has been really impressive in the post and Haley Liedel (2016) has been shooting the ball well in these last few weeks.
After starting out in superb fashion, the Finest seemed to struggle the last tournament, thus dropping in our poll. After taking a tough loss from the Storm, the Finest were unable to find their usual rhythmic style of play and did not advance to the winners circle of the Jamfest. Hopefully they will be able to bounce back soon.
This young CCE team has moved down a spot after suffering a heart-breaking one point overtime defeat to the Michigan DSO Sting. Backcourt mates Maddie Maloney & Maddie Watters, both 2018, do an excellent job for CCE with their high basketball IQ and perimeter shooting. This is a team that will be fun to watch for years to come.
Watch List
Michigan Crossover 15U
Michigan DSO Sting-Stine
Top Ten