LBI Mega Scrimmage: Afternoon Thrillers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first-ever LBI Michigan Mega Scrimmage lived up to the hype. The event featured over 50 teams and some of the best Varsity programs in the state. LBI picked the perfect location to use with Livonia Churchill Fieldhouse offering two gyms with three full courts and wall-to-wall chairs for spectators in attendance. College coaches D1-JUCO showed up to watch games and interact with targeted athletes; what an outstanding day of basketball! In this piece, I will share two of my favorite games from an entertaining afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Oxford vs Grass Lake 1 PM, Court 6</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the first game on my slate today and I anticipated these two squads would be evenly matched with phenomenal guards and forwards on both sides. Grass Lake edged Oxford 29-23 in a defensive duel, these prospects stood out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["417892"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='417892' first='Peyton' last='Richter'] played with a ferocity for Oxford in their matchup with Grass Lake. She viciously swatted multiple shots at the rim and aggressively secured rebounds on both ends. Peyton led the charge communicating on offense and defense to direct her teammates. She scored a transition layup off two feet and passed effectively out of the high post.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["420492"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='420492' first='Allison' last='Hufstedler'] played TOUGH on both ends today for the Wildcats. She went to the floor wrestling for a rebound and will not get out worked for any ball. She made contested finishes off one and two feet at the rim with both hands. Allison scores through contact and has a textbook shooting form from the free throw line.","_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":"Lauren Lutchka","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Grass Lake","_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":"#11 u003cstrongu003eLauren Lutchkau003c/strongu003e (2024) played a vital role in a victory for her Warriors team today. She pressured opposing ball handlers, forced turnovers, stole passes, and drilled a wing 3 off the hop.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["502306"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='502306' first='Kara' last='Straub'] made key plays on both ends to help Grass Lake earn a victory today in their battle with Oxford. She had a face up contested finish off of two feet on the offensive end and blocked a step through shot attempt on the defensive side. She plays off of the guards very well and is a complete player.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656c013b36a58"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East Lansing vs Saline 2 PM, Court 5</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup had high energy, intensity, and was an all-out war! The game was not decided until the final buzzer as East Lansing edged Saline in a 31-30 photo finish. Here are the prospects who caught my attention:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383704"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='383704' first='Sophie' last='Klinger'] stole the show in a thrilling game against Saline. She demonstrated exceptional ball handling skill to use inside out dribbles going full speed in transition, then stepped into a pull up jumper from the free throw line and buried it. Sophie had the footwork and ability to finish contested layups with her left at the rim.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["751168"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='751168' first='Sydney' last='Black'] was a top performer at our Freshman Showcase and it's exciting to see her demonstrate that same dominance at the Varsity level. She used a baseline rip from the corner to beat her defender and then square her shoulders to score through a foul at the rim. Sydney was applying immense ball pressure up top and playing effective basketball on both ends for the Trojans.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["771873"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='773848' first='Ariyana' last='James-Benson'] was a tenacious two-way guard at our Top 250 Expo and she showed off those same qualities today at the LBI Mega Scrimmage. She hit a corner 3 off the dribble and caused turnovers using her quickness on the ball. Ariyana is a relentless defender who scores with her quick bursts of speed and athleticism.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["244227"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='244227' first='Kate' last='Stemmer'] handled the ball and moved it around effectively for the Hornets. She also finished full speed layups through traffic using fancy footwork. Kate drained multiple 3's and was able to finish using either hand around the rim. Her poise under pressure from athletic guards was impressive.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["502307"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='502307' first='Keira' last='Roehm'] made plays to help Saline compete all the way to the end against the Trojans. She nailed a corner 3 and finished contested layups at the rim. She is a constant threat to score from beyond the arc, but has the footwork and downhill capability to score inside also.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656c013b36b75"} /--> <!-- 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;[program_tooltip program_id='715992' first='Lapeer' last='County Cobras']</strong></a>&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 -->