BITM: 2027’s Leveling Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, August 7th Michigan opened up the travel season with a loaded lineup of teams at the Battle in the Mitten. Michigan's top travel programs attended the event, which led to exciting matchups and impressive prospects on the court! One of my favorite aspects of AAU is seeing prospects who were hidden during the high school season, finally able to showcase their talent against their recruiting class. Here are phenomenal 2027s who shined bright in their first tournament on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751162"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":889318,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='751162' first='Nichole' last='James'] used her strength and length to dominate opponents in the paint for Michigan Crossover at Battle in the Mitten Sunday. She is a fierce competitor and mountain of a forward who relentlessly rebounds the basketball and produces points with efficiency inside. Nichole put her shoulder to the chest of a defender a finished strong off two at the rim and flashes her speed and versatility by dribbling full court down the floor in transition. She blocks shots with authority and is an impressive defender. Nichole's effort and passion on both ends separates her and she has the potential to be Michigan's best forward prospect in the 27 class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["751166"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":889311,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='751166' first='Sanyiah' last='Blackwell'] is a guard with athleticism and a dynamic two way game for Michigan Crossover who had a very impressive day at Battle in the Mitten Sunday. She used a crossover to attack downhill and score a strong finish through the foul, then hit her free throw. Sanyiah created turnovers with her ball pressure and knocked down a wing 3. She has the ball handling moves to create space to score and is going to be a must see prospect this spring.","_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":889323,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='912520' first='Ellie' last='Geerlings']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_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":"Mercy","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Michigan Crossover","_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":"u003cstrongu003eElle Geerlingsu003c/strongu003e is a lengthy guard who stood out for Michigan Crossover 27 EYBL at Battle in the Mitten Sunday. She used a swift sweep move off the catch to beat her defender and finish off two at the rim. Elle uses long push out dribbles in transition to create space and forces difficult shots with her length and defensive positioning. She knocked down multiple 3's on the day and is a prospect who will be fun to watch breakout this spring.","_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":889326,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='932735' first='Brooklyn' last='Holm']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Laingsburg","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"Mystics","_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":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='932735' first='Brooklyn' last='Holm'] u003c/strongu003eis a 2028 who fits right in playing up against the best 27's in the state. She had an outstanding day for Mystics 27 Chosen S40 at Battle in the Mitten Sunday. Brooklyn battled in the post against athletic forwards and stripped the ball away. She knocked down 3's off the catch and dribble, while using attack dribbles to drive and finish at the rim. Brooklyn was a top 2028 at the Headliners Invitational last November and continues to impress me with how confident and complete she plays on both ends.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":889328,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='866217' first='Gracyn' last='Houck']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Brighton","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Mystics","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='866217' first='Gracyn' last='Houck'] u003c/strongu003eshot lights out for Mystics 27 Chosen S40 at Battle in the Mitten Sunday. She was the most efficient shooter I saw from 3 during the 2027 games.  Grayson knocked down four 3's in a game including and froze her defender pausing before bursting by to score a reverse layup. She creates steals and has excellent footwork and balance to finish on her drives. Gracyn is a left prospect who will breakout this spring if she continues to perform at this level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":889332,"_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Maraeyah Smith","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Flint Carman-Ainsworth","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"Mystics","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eMaraeyah Smith u003c/strongu003ehad an elite day for Mystics Chosen 27 S40 on Sunday at Battle in the Mitten. She did everything I would want my PG to do on the court: relentless ball pressure, toughness and effort on the floor for loose balls, knocking down 3's from multiple spots, tight ball handling with a variety of moves to create space. Maraeyah was the most impressive post entry passer distributing wrap arounds from difficult angles to forwards inside. One of my favorite plays was when she exploded by her defender to drive to the lane, use a eurostep, and transfer the ball to score a left-handed layup off glass full speed. Maraeyah is going to be a top PG in her class if she keeps playing like that.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6615409700a36"} /--> <!-- 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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='715992' first='Lapeer' last='County Cobras']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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 know a prospect off our radar, please DM Evan through Twitter @CoachEvanBell or email him at lapeercountycobras@gmail.com</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->