East Lansing, MI: While many program directors are getting ready for the high school travel ball season to begin next weekend, they first had to make a stop in East Lansing, MI for the Spartan Classic Showcase that featured 200 plus teams from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Canada. This event is one of the best middle school tournaments in the Midwest and features many rising stars that are trying to make a name for themselves. Congratulations to all of the Champions in their respective divisions.
Prime Performers
6'0 PF Sarah Rambus 2023 Flushing Raiders
Long frame, runs the floor well, good agility. Finishes well around the basket. Comfortable defensively when her team ran the press. Catches high, keeps the ball high on put-backs.
5'9" SG Katelyn Russell 2022 Michigan’s Finest
Katelyn plays hard! She finished with both hands around the rim. Her energy on the front of the diamond press led to many deflections and turnovers. Made some good interior passes. She displayed a soft touch on a 3 point make coming off of the hand-off. Katelyn finished with 8 points in a win over Mid-Michigan Swish.
5'6" PG Leveesa Clark 2022 Michigan’s Finest
Leveesa has perfect length at the PG position. She’s fundamentally sound with a high IQ. She made all the fundamental entry passes to start her team's offense. Excellent first step got her a few easy layups. Soft touch around the basket. Developing a consistent jump shot is vital for her to play at the next level. Finished with 17 points vs. Mid-Michigan Swish.
5'2" PG “Pooter” Hagemann 2024 Michigan Crossover
“Pooter” has an effortless shot for such a small package. She knocked down two threes in a win over Midwest Power Orange. Hagemann’s quick hands got turnovers and gave her team extra possessions. She weaved around defenders and finished surprisingly well over much taller defenders; especially going left. Her most endearing quality is as a leader. Even when getting a rest on the bench, she’s engaged and encouraging her teammates.
5'10" PG Amiyah Reynolds 2023 Michigan Crossover
Amiyah showed off her left and right-hand floater. Making one in transition and the other off the dribble from the top. She has an excellent form on her 3 point shot as she finished 3-5 for the game. She showed great pace and passing in pick and roll situations. She defended point guards, wings, and post players multiple times during the game showing high defensive IQ. Athletic and versatile on both ends of the court. She netted 16 points in a win over Common Bond.
5'7" SG Brianna Valderama 2023 Hoosier Premier (IN)
Brianna is tough, very tough player in fact. Got several steals in the open court. Made several mid-range jumpers in the first half. She was aggressive down the stretch. Attacking the basket and smothering the opposing teams PG. Got to free throw line at will.
5’9” SF Layla Gold 2023 Together We Ball (IN)
Layla is versatile. She is comfortable on the drive from the wing and high post. Her length and agility allowed her to rebound well and push the ball to lead the break. Layla finished with a game-high 14 points vs. Always 100.
5’7” PG Nevaeh Foster 2023 Together We Ball (IN)
Nevaeh is really good off the dribble. She finished with her left and right hand with a soft touch. Explosive first step to finesse finishes. Foster is good at playing the angles on her layups. She was money on her catch and shoot shot from 3 point land.
6’0” PF Armoni Strozier 2023 Michigan Storm
Armoni is tall, long, and strong. She fit right in playing up with the 8th graders. She ate up space and rebounded very well including four offensive rebounds that she turned into 8 points. Armoni finished with 12 points and left some bruises on her opponents in win over Michigan’s Finest.
5’6” PG Soraya Timms 2022 Michigan’s Finest
Soraya was the most fundamentally sound PG I saw at the Spartan Classic. She has a great looking shot. She also puts her draw and kick passes right in her shooter’s pocket. Timms was smart, really composed vs. the Michigan Storm pressure. Basketball IQ is off the charts. Soraya stepped up to the challenge to make things tough for one of Michigan’s top 2022 PG Mya Petticord. Timms couldn’t get her scoring going like she wanted to but the talent and skill are there. Soraya finished with 9 points.
5'7" SG Mia Riley 2022 Michigan’s Finest
Mia attacked the basket off the dribble left or right fearlessly. She has a soft touch, can finish with either hand on the drive. She used her body well on the attack to get to the free throw line multiple times. Riley was a great compliment to backcourt mate, Soraya Timms.
5’7” SG Reese Grothaus 2022 Always 100-Jordan (IN)
Reese is very skilled. She is ferocious on the baseline drive from the wing and has really good range. She looked very comfortable shooting 2-3 steps behind the 3 point line. She was tough to guard one on one using an array of moves to create for herself and others. High IQ and really good court vision. Finished with 16 points vs. TWB.
5’10” SF Olivia Waters 2022 Always 100-Jordan (IN)
Olivia has a very good motor. She was relentless getting to the basket. Waters excels when going downhill to score. She displayed sneaky athleticism on a few rebounds and at least three emphatic blocks.
5’7” PG Mya Petticord 2022 Michigan Storm
Mya was on fire in her match-up vs. Michigan Crossover. She was in her bag! She made two step back threes. She finished through contact in the open court. At one point, Mya scored nine straight points to give her team a double-digit lead in the first half. The Crossover defense made a few adjustments in the second half, slowing down Mya a bit, but Mya was terrific. She finished with a game-high 26 points in tough 3 point loss to the Michigan Crossover.
