The Arbor Prep Gators Chomp
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The LBI Best of Michigan Holiday Classic included many great matchups and quality basketball at Belleville High School on Saturday. The second two games featured Arbor Prep, Powers Catholic, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, and Grand Rapids Catholic. Both games featured…
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Continue ReadingThe LBI Best of Michigan Holiday Classic included many great matchups and quality basketball at Belleville High School on Saturday. The second two games featured Arbor Prep, Powers Catholic, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, and Grand Rapids Catholic. Both games featured fantastic prospects and exciting plays throughout; the Arbor Prep Gators were able to earn a tough victory against a scrappy Powers Catholic opponent.
Taylor Wallace Taylor Wallace 5’6″ | PG Arbor Prep | 2024 State MI came up huge for the Gators in crucial moments Saturday at the Holiday Classic. She had her range dialed in from beyond the arc hitting many triples, none bigger than a deep dagger buzzer beater to end the 2nd quarter. Taylor greatly impressed me as an effective defender, ball handler, shooter, and all around PG for Arbor Prep.
Stephanie Utomi Stephanie Utomi 5’9″ | SG Arbor Prep | 2024 State MI showed how good she is Saturday at the Holiday Classic. She hit pull up jumpers from the elbow and finished using powerful pro hops through defenders in the paint. Stephanie imposed her physical presence on both ends, scoring a baseline drive at the rim through contact. Stephanie stole passes and created extra possessions by controlling the boards for Arbor Prep, she had a double double.
Stacy Utomi Stacy Utomi 5’10” | SF Arbor Prep | 2024 State MI played determined basketball on both ends for the Gators Saturday at the Holiday Classic. She finished countless drives at the rim, using eurosteps to gain the advantage in the paint. Stacy created extra opportunities for points on offense by physically imposing her will on the boards. Her scoring, rebounding, and defense helped lead the Gators to an impressive win Saturday.
Kendyl Smith Kendyl Smith 5’9″ | PG Flint Powers Catholic | 2026 State MI put together a determined effort for Powers Catholic Saturday at the Holiday Classic. She had a difficult assignment being matched up against the Utomi twins, but was able to match their physicality in the paint on both ends. Kendyl used a combination of pivots and spin dribbles to cause her defender to lose her feet as she blew by for a layup. Another play that stood out happened when Kendyl used two lateral pushout dribbles to create space around a trap in the back court to deliver a long pass up the floor. She hit 3’s, rebounded, finished tough conversions at the basket, and competed at a level her team needed to stay in the game.
Hailey Durland Hailey Durland 5’7″ | PG Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2026 State MI competed hard all game for Grand Rapids Catholic and made some outstanding plays against an elite opponent. She started the game slicing through defenders with a downhill drive before finishing an impressive layup off the glass in traffic. Hailey made multiple corner 3’s off the catch and led the way offensively for her team.
Vanessa Rodriguez Vanessa Rodriguez 5’5″ | CG Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard | 2026 State MI put on a show at the Holiday Classic Saturday. She was surgical from beyond the arc, draining 4 three pointers both off the catch and off the dribble. Vanessa hit contested layups at the rim, dished the rock to open teammates, and caused turnovers stealing passes. Vanessa finished with a game high 20 points and played her best basketball in the spotlight Saturday.
Highlights
Charlotte Miller Charlotte Miller 5’8″ | CG Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard | 2025 State MI started the game with some showtime basketball for Gabriel Richard. She put her defender in a blender zig zagging through her legs to create space before sinking a pull up jumper from the elbow. Charlotte drilled a wing 3 and was able to bring multiple defenders to her, which created open looks for teammates.
Highlights
At the Buzzer
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