Bell’s Best Games: Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering week number two of high school hoops, there are going to be plenty of matchups you do not want to miss. Here are the matchups I am particularly looking forward to seeing play out on the hardwood. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monday, Dec. 11th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bay City Western vs. Essexville Garber, 7 P.M, BCW High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bay City Western enters the contest (1-1) following a tough opening defeat to Freeland but bounced back against rival Bay City Central with a 9-point victory. Garber (2-0) has started the season with two blowout victories and will face their first true test of the early season on Monday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1047239' first='Alexis' last='Schlatter'] (2025) wing is a lengthy inside-out offensive player who can use her length to score inside and disrupt passes on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='792674' first='Brooke' last='Swartz'] (2024) PG is coming off an all-conference junior campaign for the Warriors. She makes key plays on both ends of the floor for BCW and is their undeniable leader on the court. Essexville Garber Jordan VanOchten (2024) is a lengthy guard who is a relentless rebounder for the Dukes. Her 13 rebound performance against Cadillac last season helped lead the team to victory. [player_tooltip player_id='919346' first='Rylee' last='Jatczak'] (2025) and [player_tooltip player_id='918928' first='Audrey' last='Ball'] (2025) averaged 10 ppg last season, they will need to lead the Dukes offensively to win this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday, Dec. 12th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brighton vs. Bloomfield Hills Marian, 7 P.M, Marian High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brighton (0-1) comes into this matchup following an 11-point defeat to Dexter in their opener. They have had many days to prepare for this matchup and should give Marian their best punch. Marian (2-0) comes into the contest winning against a scrappy Imlay City squad and blowing out Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brighton will need their upperclassmen to play full tilt on both sides of the ball to compete for a W in this game. [player_tooltip player_id='794790' first='Noelle' last='Ebel'] (2024 Alma Commit) scored 5 for the Bulldogs against Dexter and can hit outside shots; she will need to match the explosive guards for the Mustangs. Sophie Moir (2024) works hard on both ends for the Bulldogs and contributes on the offensive end. Marian has a deep roster, but McKenzie Swanson (2024 Butler Commit) is the obvious offensive player that Brighton will need to control if they are going to upset the Mustangs. She is a double-double scorer/rebounder who protects the rim as well. [player_tooltip player_id='419540' first='Molly' last='McLeod'] (2025) is a guard who kills teams in transition with her outside shooting and will be a challenge for Brighton to stop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday, Dec. 13th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodrich vs. Kingston, 7 P.M, Goodrich High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodrich (2-0) and Kingston (2-0) will each face their first real test of the winter season following two blowout victories. This game is a clash between two titans who are playing to earn a place at the Breslin this season. Goodrich has a long list of prospects including dynamic 2026 PG [player_tooltip player_id='614704' first='Kayla' last='Hairston'], while Kingston brings star 2024 PG [player_tooltip player_id='693835' first='Delaney' last='St. George'] to lead their squad. St. George earned Second Team All-State last season. This is a contest I anticipate will bring college coaches to the gym Wednesday night in what should be an electric atmosphere.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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;[program_tooltip program_id='715992' first='Lapeer' last='County Cobras']</strong></a>&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 -->