Wrap up of the Headliners Invitational Showcase by Prepare to Win directed by @CoachEvanBell & @CoachRayKimball at Portland High School: Both groups did a #MakeShots session with @coachmsoukup , some fast-paced 3-on-3 play, skill work run by junior college coaches and/or players, and entertaining 5-on-5 games. For the high school age group in the morning, I selected an All-Showcase Team, a Hustle Team, and a Newcomers to Note group along with some individual awards. The 2nd post will have the All-Showcase Team and Honorable Mentions for the middle school age group in the afternoon. All-Showcase Team: @Alexis_Walther2 (5'7" G, '29, Schoolcraft HS) MVP--Alexis Walther affected the 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 games in every aspect. She used her handles and court vision/awareness to set up teammates repeatedly whether on the break or off of penetration. She got to the rim and scored off the dribble and showed her silky smooth shot from mid-range to well beyond the arc. She was also aggressive defensively whether harassing ball handlers on the point or contesting shooters and containing drivers on the wing. Walther, who had an outstanding freshman year at Schoolcraft HS, had the most complete performance of the morning session. @taytuinhoffCM (5'8" W, '29, Central Montcalm HS) Sniper Award--Taylor Tuinhoff lit it up from beyond the arc all day long. She hit 4-for-5 from 3 in the 1st 5-on-5 game of the day and added at least 2 more in each of the other 2 games. Tuinhoff catches ready to shoot and does not seem to miss an open shot. @Taylorlloyd_3 (5'4" G, '28, Thornapple Kellogg HS) General Award--Taylor Lloyd showed the ability to score in multiple ways, but also did a great job of setting up the multitude of lengthy forwards on her team whether feeding the post or cutters from the perimeter, dishing off of penetration, or distributing to teammates running the court in transition. @AllyKoenig3 (5'10" F, '28, Marshall HS) Slasher Award--Ally Koenig was one of the most impressive players in 3-on-3 play, driving to the rim aggressively from the perimeter and getting to the rim off the cut or the roll. She finished well off the attack and was also aggressive on the boards for additional scoring opportunities. @SeliaSpitzley (5'10" F, '29, Portland HS) Interior Player Award--Selia Spitzley was the most impressive interior player. She ran the floor well rim to rim and moved well without the ball in the half court to get to the rim to get into situations to use her length to score smoothly off the break or cut. Spitzley also used her length and athleticism to be active defensively and on the boards. While likely more of a 3/4 as her HS years progress, Spitzley took great advantage of her paint touches to score with frequency for her team. @carney_brinley (5'8" W, '29, Flat Rock HS) Utility Player Award--Brinley Carney showed versatility in her scoring by hitting some 3s and short to mid-range pull ups as well as getting deep into the paint to score near the rim. She also shifted to the point to bring the ball up and initiate the offense at times. . Hustle Team: @Maddie_Boom (5'4" G, '29, Wayland HS) Co-Miss Hustle--Maddie Bumhoffer was a pesky defender on the ball and jumped passing lanes for steals. She did a great job of denying or jamming the outlet to force turnovers or slow down the fast break and dove all over the floor after loose balls. Offensively, she got the fast break going and made good decisions on the move to set up teammates. @BrayleeTep (5'4" G, '29, Caledonia HS) Co-Miss Hustle--Brylee Tep did not take a single play off offensively or defensively. She transitioned from offense to defense rapidly to find and harass the opposing team's ball handler the length of the court. She also used her speed to push the ball up court quickly and put pressure on the opponent's transition defense. Tep is yet another young guard to keep an eye on in the Caledonia backcourt. Heidi Carter (5'3" G, '28, Lakewood HS) Heidi Carter showed good decision making in the pick-&-roll game and off the drive in 3-on-3 play, while also showing the ability to hit the 3. She shared the backcourt with 3 other PGs on her 5-on-5 team and played more off the ball in those games, but played scrappy defense and got after loose balls. @Naomi_Chou_2029 (5'5" G, '29, Northville HS) Naomi Chou was a solid, calming influence at the point as she set the offense. She was also aggressive defensively as she teamed with Tep, Carter, and/or Auger to put constant pressure on opposing guard tandems no matter which combo was in the game. @SydneyHanes23 (5'3" G, '29, Lansing Catholic HS) Sydney Hanes used her quickness to attack the paint offensively and get after opposing guards defensively. She is a crafty scorer off the dribble and can hit the 3 consistently. She had a breakout fr yr at Lansing Catholic and will once again be their engine as a sophomore. @whipple_katieG (5'11" F, '29, Saranac HS) Katie Whipple played physical inside and was aggressive on the boards. The officials were letting them play in the paint and Whipple used that to her advantage, posting physically, moving bodies, and battling for rebounds. . Newcomers to Note: @Nadia__auger (5'2" G, '28, Troy HS) Nadia Auger missed her sophomore year due to an ACL injury and is working her way back for a solid junior year. She played with poise at the point and showed flashes of scoring and aggressive defense that should just improve as she gets back into basketball mode. @TaylaSmith25 (6'1" F, '29, Haslett HS) Tayla Smith was one of the most intriguing athletes in the gym. As the tallest player at the event, she used her length to score inside, but also used her athleticism to outrun 3/4s in transition. She blocked shots defensively and was active on the boards. For a Haslett team that graduated 4 starters, Smith appears poised to step into a bigger role this season. Maggie Moore (5'10" F, '29, Portland HS) Kennedy Haid (5'3" G, '29, Portland HS) @GwenFullet (5'11" F, '30, Portland HS) Portland was well-represented in their home gym with a number of stand-out performances. Like Selia Spitzley (see above), Maggie Moore and Gwen Fullet are long and athletic forwards that run the floor well, crash the boards, and make hustle plays. Kennedy Haid shot the ball well from the perimeter, was scrappy defensively, and handled the ball well when shifting to the point. The future is bright in Portland. @Sarobbinsgirls (5'6" G, '30, Powers Catholic HS) @TayThunberg23 (5'5" G, '30, Bay City Central HS) A pair of up-and-coming players in the Saginaw Valley League, Sophie Robbins and Taylor Thunberg were 2 of the best 2030 guards at the event. Neither was flashy, but both played solid at both guard spots, fit in well with talented teammates around them, hit open shots, and had good court awareness to make good decisions and make the right play. As a coach's daughter, Thunberg appeared to embrace the lead guard role, looking to set up teammates as her first option. Meanwhile, I would anticipate Robbins to play more of an off-guard role, at least initially, at Powers. ... See the next post for the afternoon session awards. ... @SCEaglesGB @athletics_tk @MHSRedhawks @ladyraidersbbal @ladyramsbb24 @WUGirlsHoops @calgirlsbball @Lakewood_AD @nvillehoops @LC_Girls_Hoops @SaranacGBB @TroyColtsGBB @HaslettGBB @pchs_bball @BayCityCentral Picture 1: Alexis Walther (#73) & Taylor Tuinhoff (#72) Picture 2: Brinley Carney (#80) & Taylor Lloyd (#2) Picture 3: Ally Koenig (l) & Selia Spitzley (r) Picture 4: Braylee Tep (#10) & Madison Bumhoffer (r)