SVSU MLK Classic: Eagles Soar
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On Monday, January 15th, Saginaw Valley State University hosted four high school matchups. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Cardinals played a clip from his famous “I Have a Dream” speech before each game and our national…
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Continue ReadingOn Monday, January 15th, Saginaw Valley State University hosted four high school matchups. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Cardinals played a clip from his famous “I Have a Dream” speech before each game and our national anthem. The event was well organized with college coaches, scouts, and media in attendance. Here are prospects who performed at a high level for their teams during the last two games of the day.
Braxcynn Baker Braxcynn Baker 5’11” | CG Lowell | 2024 State MI flashed her impressive athleticism early on at the SVSU MLK Classic on Monday. She drove hard in the paint, elevated, then transferred the ball midair to bank in a layup. Brax finished many hard drives inside and her efforts earned many free throw opportunities. She made an outstanding 11/12 from the line, hitting 11 straight, and had no trouble burying deep threes from up top and on the wing. Brax sprinted to save a ball going out of bounds then threw it off of an opponent to save possession. Her speed, length, toughness, and scoring ability showed why she will be playing college basketball next winter for Murray State.
Highlights
Vanessa Rodriguez Vanessa Rodriguez 5’5″ | CG Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard | 2026 State MI started the game off hot for A.A. Gabriel Richard on Monday at the SVSU MLK Classic. She finished a floater off of a baseline play, scored on a left hand step through pivot move, and used an impressive double tap dribble to split a trap in the corner then drove baseline for a layup. Vanessa caused turnovers by deflecting passes and pressuring ball handlers to create steals; she converted many of those turnovers into transition layups. Vanessa drilled a wing 3 and her dominant play on both ends led the Irish to an impressive victory.
Highlights
Cora Williams Cora Williams 5’11” | PF An Arbor Gabriel Richard | 2025 State MI had a monster day inside for A.A Gabriel Richard on Monday at the SVSU MLK Classic. Her 9 point scoring run in the fourth quarter was crucial in earning victory for the Irish. She screen and rolled and earned inside position for finishes and rebounds. Cora put herself in great position to shoot inside and was able to finish through contact by elevating off two feet in the paint. She is a strong and powerful forward whose 15 points and 6 rebounds helped the team win.
Saige Edmondson Saige Edmondson 5’10” | PF Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard | 2025 State MI led the way inside on both ends for A.A. Gabriel Richard Monday at the SVSU MLK Classic. She had a game high 11 rebounds and was constantly battling inside to pursuit offensive/defensive rebounds. Saige showed a relentless motor and toughness to win battles for the ball and then finished strong put backs in the paint. She put up 13 points and was crucial to her team earning an impressive victory against a tough opponent.
Clare Conzelmann Clare Conzelmann 5’9″ | CG Frankenmuth | 2025 State MI put together a complete performance Monday at the SVSU MLK Classic. She was dialed in from beyond the arc, hitting deep 3’s from the corners and the wing. Clare forced turnovers using her quickness and length; she was able to pick up assists in transition and finish open scoring chances. Clare led all scorers with 17, adding 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 triples.
Highlights
Izzy Bernthal
Izzy Bernthal
Izzy Bernthal (2025) sparked the Frankenmuth offense early at the SVSU MLK Classic on Monday. She finished many layups for the Eagles and added an impressive left-handed scoop going full speed by her defender. Izzy made an extra pass after drawing her defender to help, which gave her teammate an opening to score. Izzy worked for rebounds, ending the game with 7, and added 15 points in her all around great performance.
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