Believe the Hype: Mid-Michigan Mega

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>H.H. Dow High School hosted the Mid-Michigan Mega Scrimmage on Saturday, November 25th. As anticipated, the event was nothing less than spectacular as many quality prospects competed for their schools. Some prospects at the event have already achieved individual success in the high school scene: here are the ones who undoubtedly lived up to the hype. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["614649"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"#12 [player_tooltip player_id='614649' first='Melanie' last='Kolnitys'] was mentioned by an official as an outstanding performer Saturday and I completely agree. She is only a sophomore, but leads her team in every phase of the game. Melanie plays physically tough on defense and forces constant turnovers with her ball pressure and quick hands in the gaps. She skies up for rebounds and puts her body on the line every play. Melanie uses her quickness to penetrate and score at the rim or kick the ball to open shooters. One of my favorite plays on the day was when she sprinted back after a turnover to cut off the ball and draw a charge in transition. Melanie will compete to earn recognition as the top PG spot in the SVL this year for Midland Dow.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["613947"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Saturday was the first time I watched #4 [player_tooltip player_id='613947' first='Sadie' last='Dykstra'] play live and I was extremely impressed. She received BCAM honors and is well praised by opposing coaches for good reason. Sadie combines length, speed, and coordination to be effective at both ends. She trapped the post to force a jump ball, had multiple transition layups using her long strides, and threw a long lob pass for an assist. Sadie is an efficient mid-range shooter off the dribble and she buried multiple 3 pointers. She is a clear next level prospect for the Yale Bulldogs.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["716675"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"#22 [player_tooltip player_id='716675' first='Karie' last='Keefer'], from Freeland, is another elite prospect who wowed me Saturday. She put on an unbelievable display of finishing moves in her final game that had me in disbelief. Here are a few notes from the game: wing 3, wing 3, deflection, wing 3, contested floater off backboard, reverse left finish, and a fake pass layup. She used pocket dribbles into a euro high rip left finish contested off the glass and made an impossibly angled falling down layup through contact and then the free throw. This might be the only time I get to see Karie play this year and I had a front row seat to her incredible performance.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["244749"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"#14 [player_tooltip player_id='244749' first='Klaire' last='Caldwell'] is BACK. She has battled to return to the floor from injury and Saturday, silenced any doubts about whether she is still an elite prospect. Klaire is one of the best SG's in the SVL, she has the length, height, ball handling skills, defensive awareness, and passing skills to excel at the next level. She drained 3 points shots from all over the arc and her court vision is a skill that not all shooters come with as senior prospects. Klaire creates deflections, steals, and then fires the ball up the floor for transition baskets. She has the verbal communication, toughness, and unselfish characteristics you want in a prospect. Klaire is back and ready to have a huge final campaign for Midland Dow this winter.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["613943"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"#7 [player_tooltip player_id='613943' first='Alesia' last='Ode'] is a high flyer for Heritage who had a big day at Mega Saturday. She uses her length, balance, footwork, and finishing moves to create matchup problems for opponents. What impressed me the most Saturday was how effective Ode was on the defensive end. She used her long arms to deflect passes and create turnovers, which led to many transition buckets. She scored many transition layups and worked the boards for rebound put backs. One of her best plays on the day happened when she caught a pass in mid-air and then passed back for an assist without touching the ground. Ode is an exceptional prospect for the Hawks who will have a big season in the SVL.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65627bb477e5d"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">At the Buzzer</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Bell</strong>&nbsp;is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops, Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach at Lapeer High School, and Director of<strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[program_tooltip program_id='715992' first='Lapeer' last='County Cobras']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>. Our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prepnetwork.com/frequently-asked-questions/">mission</a>&nbsp;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</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->