David Barns West Five
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The David Barns HS Showcase is right around the corner. Basketball enthusiasts are bursting with excitement and the moment is nearly here. With two teams stacked with talent, one question must be answered: who should start the game? As with…
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Continue ReadingThe David Barns HS Showcase is right around the corner. Basketball enthusiasts are bursting with excitement and the moment is nearly here. With two teams stacked with talent, one question must be answered: who should start the game? As with all coaches and scouts, I happen to have an opinion on the matter. Let’s start with the West team: ring the bell!
Makayla Schlorf Makayla Schlorf 5’4″ | PG Tecumseh | 2026 State MI (PG, 2026) Tecumseh, Michigan Drive Premier
Leading off is the 5’3 passing phenom Makayla Schlorf Makayla Schlorf 5’4″ | PG Tecumseh | 2026 State MI from Tecumseh. Whoever runs the point should have the best court vision, passing abilities, and ball-handling tools on the team. Schlorf sets the defender up and then puts her foot in the ground and gets downhill, speeding up her dribble. She can change dribbles and speeds and continuously scans for open teammates. Makayla sees the opening and can thread the ball using either hand to get the ball there. She is an outstanding 3-point shooter, draining 6 in a game last season (interview). Makayla has quick hands and a solid breakdown defensively. I’m a sucker for downhill first PG’s who create high percentage shots for others, and this one is also a deep threat. The Michigan Drive Premier stud is an outstanding option at point guard for the West.
Highlights
Alison Farr Alison Farr 5’5″ | PG Howell | 2025 State MI (CG, 2025) Howell, Capitol City Express
Alison may be the most vocal player I have ever met: I love that. She earned an important role with Howell as a freshman and immediately stood out as a leader and defender: will not stop communicating. On ball and help side defense she is impressive with quick hands, low breakdown, good lateral movement, and controlled closeouts. She dives on the floor and pesters offensive players by tying them up for jump balls. She is obsessive about her game and will out-work anyone at practice and after. She stayed late daily after practice, training with tennis balls to make her left hand stronger. The following summer I saw her steal the ball and dribble left handed full court to the rim; she made the layup left handed, and one! Alison has an endless motor and can shoot the lights out from outside. Her spot up shooting balance and accuracy will be deadly and if you close out tall, see ya! She had an outstanding summer playing for Capitol City Express , she plays big for her size, and will be a must see at this event. Alison could very well be starting the game at guard for the West. Read about Alison’s outstanding 2022 performance at the DB Showcase here.
Highlights
Tyra Wright Tyra Wright 5’8″ | CG Henry Ford II | 2025 State MI (CG, 2025) Ann Arbor Prep, Michigan Goonies
Having championship experience on your team never hurts; Tyra experienced those heights as a freshman with Arbor Prep. She had an outstanding Grassroots season with Michigan Goonies (read more). She is 5’8 with a long athletic frame, which gives her a step on most guards. Tyra pushes the ball out in transition, gaining ground on defenders. She can finish around the rim, but is especially effective pulling up from 3 from the catch or off the dribble. Tyra is going to be extremely difficult to guard for the East team: she’s a sniper from 3-point range. Tyra can also crossover into a pull-up jumper from mid-range with ease. I want to find out if anyone on the East can lock her down in the half court or keep up in transition. Wright will wear out whoever her defender is and that could start right from the opening tip.
Highlights
Alena Blumberg Alena Blumberg 5’9″ | CG Dexter | 2025 State MI (SG/Wing, 2025) Dexter, Mystics
Alena impressed our staff often this summer (read more) with Mystics and Dexter. At 5’9 she has size to body up down low, but also the speed to guard the perimeter. Alena is effective at losing her defender and has the accuracy to sink open shots from deep. She is an aggressive rebounder who crashes hard and creates extra scoring opportunities. Alena can grab the board and take it down the court in transition with ease. Off the catch, she uses an effective jab step to move the defender and then bury a triple with little separation. Making multiple 3’s for this Dreadnaught is no problem and having the guards to penetrate inside will make containing her on the perimeter a challenge at David Barns.
MacKenzi Duthie MacKenzi Duthie 5’11” | PF Howell | 2026 State MI (PF, 2026) Howell, Mystics
MacKenzi Duthie MacKenzi Duthie 5’11” | PF Howell | 2026 State MI is an intriguing stretch post prospect and another Howell Highlander. She played Mystics this spring and has climbed into position to make a splash heading into the Varsity fall league season. She spent her freshman season playing JV, but clearly demonstrated the overall progress to move into a prominent role heading into 2023. Duthie can finish with both hands around the rim and has an accurate shot from outside. She can face the basket and get downhill with pace. At 5’10, she has the toughness to post up, rebound, and protect the rim. Duthie puts in extra work to prepare for success and plays with passion. I am eager to see her compete against top forwards in the state. Can she hang tough against elite posts? I’m eager to find out.
Highlights
At The Buzzer
Bell’s West Lineup: Makayla Schlorf Makayla Schlorf 5'4" | PG Tecumseh | 2026 State MI , Alison Farr Alison Farr 5'5" | PG Howell | 2025 State MI , Tyra Wright Tyra Wright 5'8" | CG Henry Ford II | 2025 State MI , Alena Blumberg Alena Blumberg 5'9" | CG Dexter | 2025 State MI , MacKenzi Duthie MacKenzi Duthie 5'11" | PF Howell | 2026 State MI
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Evan Bell is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops, Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach at Lapeer High School, and Director of Lapeer County Cobras . Our mission at PGH is to cover as many athletes with D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO potential in the state as possible. If you have knowledge of a prospect off our radar, please DM Evan through Twitter @CoachEvanBell or email him at lapeercountycobras@gmail.com