PREVIEW: KLAA “Big” EAST

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school tryouts are right around the corner; it's time to preview conferences from around the mitten! Fall leagues, showcases, and individual camps bridged the gap, but winter basketball is what everyone is eager to watch! In the KLAA "Big" East only the strong survive and here are the names I'm expecting to lead their teams this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["716476"],"_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":"2025  PG [player_tooltip player_id='716476' first='Averi' last='Collins'] is an electric playmaker for Livonia Churchill. She is built like a compact car with the ability to drive strong and quick downhill to the rim. Averi will out-work other guards for rebounds and create turnovers with her pressure. She sees the floor well and when she isn't scoring from all three levels she is creating shots for her teammates and picking up assists. Averi had a dynamite day at PGH Top 250 Expo and will certainly be a headliner in the KLAA East this winter.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["419535"],"_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":"2025 PF/C [player_tooltip player_id='419535' first='Gabby' last='Gerald'] is going to be a dominant post for the Zebras. Gabby dominated with the Lake Fenton Blue Devils last season and she has the shifty guards around her to keep defenses honest. She imposes her will inside with strong seals and powerful finishes. Her athleticism and body control is impressive for her size and she utilizes strong pound dribbles and control with the ball. She has sneaky speed and protects the rim as a vicious shot blocker. Gabby is going to be an exciting inside presence to see with Wayne Memorial this winter.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='734919' first='Bella' last='Sapia']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Livonia Stevenson","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"2026 Wing [player_tooltip player_id='734919' first='Bella' last='Sapia'] made a name for herself by winning all conference honors as a freshman last season; she will be even better this season for Stevenson. Bella is a strong and physical flex big who relentlessly seals and positions herself to score inside. She was one of the top performers during fall league at the Legacy Center and plays a complete game. Bella blocks shots, secures rebounds on both ends, moves the basketball, and scores. She has the versatility and ball skills to dribble effectively under pressure; she has the speed and strength to attack the rim. Bella creates matchup issues for defenses and will be a Spartan to keep an eye on this winter.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Katya Salame","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Dearborn","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"2024 PG Katya Salame is the Pioneers floor general. She earned all conference honors for Dearborn last season by playing great two-way basketball. Katya creates havoc pressuring the ball in full and half court situations and finishes well around the rim with either hand. She plays with a relentless motor on both ends and will block shot attempts. Katya is an underrated guard in the conference and will look to lead the Pioneers into battle this winter.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["613939"],"_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":"2026 SG Se'Crette Carter is an offensive assassin for Belleville. She has the speed and awareness to find the 3-point line and bury triples like she's shooting layups. Carter has the ball handling control to create space for shots off the dribble and is constantly setting herself up to make shots off the catch also. She earned all conference honors as a freshman and her off-season work ethic has prepared her to make an even greater impact this winter. Carter has length and quickness to cause turnovers on defense and convert them into buckets for Belleville. Carter is a prospect I am going to find a way to see live this season for the Tigers.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6547b495d281a"} /--> <!-- 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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[program_tooltip program_id='715992' first='Lapeer' last='County Cobras']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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 -->