LBI Start To March
Saturday December 8th, 2018
Okemos High School
Okemos, MI
Detroit King 40 Kent City 39
Game MVPs: Del’ Janae Williams (DK) Kenzie Bowers (KC)
Forest Hills Northern 63 Lansing Waverly 16
Game MVPs: Don’Nesha Howard (LW) Sadie Knee (FHN)
Detroit Edison (Black) 51 Holt 48
Game MVPs: Ruby Whitehorn (DEB) Ella Barker (Holt)
Ann Arbor Pioneer 58 Haslett 37
Game MVPs: Asaria Turman (AAP) Hannah Homan (Haslett)
Detroit Edison 75 Fowlerville 42
Game MVPs: Rickea Jackson (DE) Elie Smith (Fow)
Hartland 48 Okemos 40
Game MVPs: Nikki Dompierre (Hart) Laya Hartman (Okemos)
Kenzie Bowers 2021 PG 5’9” Kent City H.S.
Within minutes of watching Kent City, I knew how vital Kenzie Bowers is to their overall team chemistry. She is critical not only on the offensive end but on the defensive end as well. The 5’9” sophomore point guard ran the show for her squad. Her pace of play and control of the game was unmatched. Kenzie’s ability to understand “the story of the game” was crucial. Although she ended the game scoring under double digits, she was able to draw multiple defenders and routinely find open shooters, like Zara Weber, who finished with a team-high 19 points. Bowers overall contribution to her team led to her taking home team MVP honors in the 1st game of the LBI Start to March event.
Del’Janae Williams 2019 PG 5’8” Detroit King H.S.
Del’Janae “Burger” Williams The most dynamic player and the Detroit King/Kent city matchup Saturday afternoon, as she dominated from all areas of the floor. Burger had multiple and once after consistently beating defenders who attempted to stay in front of her. When adjustments were made to stop dribble penetration, burger extended her range and made some long threes to make things difficult. To make matters worse, for her opponents, the senior point guard was utterly unstoppable in transition. Her combination of skill and quickness lead to a game-high of 28 points and Detroit King’s first win of the season. (Signed with Indiana State)
Don’Nesha Howard 2019 PG 5’7” Lansing Waverly H.S.
Senior point guard Denisha Howard of Lansing Waverley contributed some much-needed energy and toughness to her team Saturday afternoon at LBI Start to March. Howard was able to break down defenders and get to the free-throw line multiple times with an excellent change of pace moves from the top of the key. The crafty point guard was showing off her body control as she was able to get the paint at will. Lansing Waverley didn’t get the win on Saturday, but the fearlessness and toughness they showed were very promising as they continue the search for their first win of the season.
Ella Barker 2021 G 5’7” Holt H.S.
If I had to sum up Ella Barker’s game in one word, it would easily be TOUGH. The 5’7” guard managed to find herself getting to the paint and knocked to the floor by the Detroit Edison bigs all day. Time and time again she emerged from the contact unscathed, mentally and physically, and came back for more. Barker was relentless in the open court as well, keeping her opponents in foul trouble throughout the game. This underclassmen’s ability to understand what was needed in any given moment showed real leadership and maturity during what was one of the most competitive games of the day.
Sadie Knee 2019 PG 5’6” Forest Hills Northern H.S.
Bullying is not something anyone should condone, but in the of case 5’6” point guard Sadie Knee, that’s exactly what happened. Knees strength and size was too much for smaller guards to handle this weekend. She has ability and wherewithal to know how and when to post smaller defenders on the block for easy buckets. Her confidence and leadership skills were on full display while leading her team with 21 points Any one-sided victory over Lansing Waverley. Make no mistake about it; the Union signee showed she .can knock down deep threes and midrange jumpers off the dribble with consistency. She’s going to be a problem for opponents in the Liberty League next year.
Ruby Whitehorn 2022 PG 5’11” Detroit Edison Black H.S.
Big-time freshman prospect Ruby Whitehorn electrified the start to March crowd on Saturday afternoon. Whitehorn’s ability to score over in the round want to go to thinners of the dribble made her completely I’m stoppable from start to finish. There was an uncanny mix of adoration from the Detroit Edison faithful and irritation from Holt supporters, as Ruby used a plethora of moves on her way to 20 points to lead Detroit Edison Black to a 51-48 win.
Elie Smith 2019 SF 6’1” Fowlerville H.S.
Elie Smith didn’t seem to be phased by the daunting matchup that awaited her in #1 Detroit Edison. She had eye-catching confidence and swagger that no matter whom you were cheering for, you had to respect. Smith’s versatility made it difficult for anyone watching to take their eyes off of her. She drained threes on the offense of end, and her presence on the defensive end was felt early and often. Smith finished the game with a hard fought 12 points. Fowlerville will definitely miss this playmaker as she has signed with Cleveland State for the 2019-20 season.
Davi Matthews 2022 C 6’2” Ann Arbor Pioneer H.S.
The 6’2” freshman has all the right tools to be a significant problem for opposing teams this year. Davi Matthews has very soft hands around the rim, showing off her ability to finish with both hands. The lefty has excellent pace and post I.Q. She took advantage of defenders all shapes and sizes as she was able to score efficiently in the paint. Mathews post play for Ann Arbor is a good reason why the Pioneers believe they will be competitive for years to come.
Hannah Homan 2019 SG 5’5” Haslett H.S.
Haslett’s Hannah Homan has the quick trigger on her release that every coach is looking for in a shooter. She quickly drained three triples before the defense decided to make adjustments not to leave her over. Her experience and maturity, however, allowed her to continue to move without the ball to get herself open at the displeasure of the Pioneer defense. Homan finished the game with 14 points.
Jasmine Clerkley 2020 PF 6’0” Okemos H.S.
Okemos has quite the 1-2 punch in Laya Hartman (game MVP) and 6’0” power forward Jasmine Clerkley. Clerkley is no doubt the uppercut in this boxing analogy with her ability to gain deep post position and put big-time pressure on the defense to decide on whether or not to double down on her. When the powerful forward did catch the ball, her elite footwork allowed her to score in traffic. Her strength and skill along with her ability to remain active around the rim, make her one to watch as she has opened up her recruiting after previously committing to Michigan State.
Nikki Dompierre 2020 PG 5’3” Hartland H.S.
Don’t let her small frame for you, Nikki Dompierre packs a big punch. She managed to put up 20 points against the host team Okemos on Saturday night. The junior guard did it from behind the arc as well as from the free-throw line hitting 7 of 8 free throws down the stretch. She took control of the game when she needed to, and led her Hartland team to a 48-40 victory.
Damiyah Hagemann 2021 PG 5’8” Detroit Edison H.S.
Damiyah Hagemann is a well-established prospect. She can do amazing things on the offensive end of the floor as she hit clutch three-pointers, got to the basket with ease, and was able to finish in traffic thru contact. However, it was her aggressiveness on defense that stood out on Saturday night. Hagemann was the engine on Detroit Edison’s high octane pressure defense as she helped create multiple turnovers. She has elite on-ball defense, along with a high motor suffocating ability to trap and get deflections. Hagemann was a joy to watch.
Gabrielle Elliott 2020 SF 5'10" Detroit Edison H.S.
Elliott was impressive for Detroit Edison in the victory over Fowlerville, scoring 19 points. Elliot showed off a good handle in transition and a smooth jumper and was able to use her plus length to get off tough shots over defenders and be very disruptive on the defensive end.
