West Michigan Crush 17U at The Clash

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before "The Clash" tournament this past weekend, I inked [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U into my schedule for Sunday as an under-the-radar travel team to see for the first time. Their squad featured an entire roster I had never seen, which is rare, and this was my opportunity to see them all compete for the first time. Typically, I don't include an entire team in a tournament article: as the game progressed, I found myself asking "How can I not include everyone on this team?" Everyone on the team contributed to this group's success on Sunday. They are a joy to watch because of how hard they work as one unified group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":896721} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240421_155608065.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1713796540.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-896721" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U, The Clash, April 21</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by Cornerstone Women's Basketball alumni Kennedy Helderop, [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U truly reflected next-level energy, grit, toughness, and unselfish ball movement during the game. The girls gave their coach eye contact during time outs and had two-way communication with Coach Helderop which demonstrated mutual respect and trust. On defense, this group plays in a defensive stance, cuts off drives, sprints to help, communicates switches, and forces countless turnovers with their defensive pressure. They get on the floor and wrestle for loose balls. Offensively, the girls maintain constant movement off the ball, space the floor, and make extra passes until someone gets an open look. Girls on the bench were standing up and celebrating each other's success, cheering for each other, and completely engaged in what was happening on the court. This group was refreshing and fun to watch compete on Sunday; they demonstrated the qualities coaches look for in next-level prospects. There were a few 2025s missing from the roster, but here are the prospects who competed for [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U on Sunday at "The Clash".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Missing: 2025's-Ava Vanderveen (Hopkins HS), Annabelle Willhite (Greenville HS), 2026's-[player_tooltip player_id='982818' first='Katelyn' last='Adams'] (West Catholic HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":896718} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240421_154740845.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1713796434.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-896718" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U, The Clash, April 21</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":896819,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='982811' first='Alexys' last='Scarlato']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Forest Hills","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='982811' first='Alexys' last='Scarlato']u003c/strongu003e (5'6, CG, 2026) is a tough, downhill guard for West Michigan Crust 17U. She does not shy away from contact, putting her foot in the ground to accelerate through the paint into contact at the rim. Alexys sprinted all out for a loose ball going out of bounds, dribbled by the defense to convert a smooth left handed scoop, and finished full speed with her left after stealing the ball. Alexys attacked the defense on her drives and created turnovers with her ball pressure.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[caption id=u0022attachment_896804u0022 align=u0022alignnoneu0022 width=u0022300u0022]u003ca href=u0022https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240421_160917723-crop-3024x1986-1713801882.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-896804u0022 src=u0022https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240421_160917723-crop-3024x1986-1713801882.jpg?w=300u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022197u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e Alexys Scarlatto, [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'], 2026[/caption]","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":896831,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Reegan Helderop","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Hopkins","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eReegan Helderopu003c/strongu003e (5'6, PG, 2026) is an impressive two-way PG for [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U. She stole the ball countless times and created turnovers with her constant ball pressure. Reegan effectively finished with both hands at the rim going full speed and fearlessly attacked the paint with her drives. She deflected shots on her closeouts and dropped off her girl to tie up the ball in the post. Reegan froze her defender using an attack and stutter to score and drilled a corner 3 off the catch.","_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":896821,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='982813' first='Mara' last='Streng']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Grand Haven","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush']","_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":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='982813' first='Mara' last='Streng'] u003c/strongu003e(5'6, CG, 2026) is a guard who does everything to help [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U be successful. Mara knocked down FT's and used her vision to dish out assists to teammates on the offensive end. She defends in a strong and balanced defensive stance with quick lateral movement to cut off drives. Mara uses inside out dribbles to create space from her defender and through a perfect lead pass for an assist on a side line inbounds play. One of her best plays happened when she anticipated a pass on defense to steal the ball and finish full speed at the rim in transition.","_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":896827,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='982815' first='Alix' last='Court']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Greenville Senior","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush']","_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='982815' first='Alix' last='Court'] u003c/strongu003e(5'4, CG, 2026) is a dynamic and tough guard for [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U. My favorite moment of the game happened when Alix battled so physically to deny a post the ball inside that she shoved Alix down and earned herself a technical. Alix communicates on defense constantly in half court and in transition, while denying/redirecting cutters. She finished her quick downhill drives at the rim and showed her range by knocking down 3's from the corner and the wing. Alix energized the team with her fierce competitiveness and toughness 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":896844,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1203774' first='Emma' last='Rehkopf']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Belding","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush']","_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='1203774' first='Emma' last='Rehkopf'] u003c/strongu003e(5'9, W, 2025) is a wing for [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U who impressed me with her active energy. Seeing her celebrate teammates hitting 3's and waving her towel on the bench reminded me of how fun basketball is when girls are focused on the team's success. Emma uses strong box outs on shots to position herself for offensive and defensive rebounds. She blocked a shot attempt in the paint and showed her ability to seal with balance in the paint. Once Emma can extend her range to shoot outside with a balanced high release and has the ability to play with her back to the basket.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["615156"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":896836,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='615156' first='Leila' last='Nelson'] used her athleticism and length to dominate for [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U on Sunday. She caused havoc on defense deflecting passes, blocking shots, and stealing the ball. Leila put her shoulder into the chest of her defender on a drive from the wing and finished contested off the glass. She burst through the defense to finish many drives and demonstrated sportsmanship by helping up her opponent. Leila motored full speed into her defender at the rim and then knocked down her FT. Leila has the handles to create space off the dribble and shoot from outside. One of her best plays was an explosive baseline drive and smooth reverse finish.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[caption id=u0022attachment_896802u0022 align=u0022alignnoneu0022 width=u0022300u0022]u003ca href=u0022https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240421_160446527.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1713801755.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-896802u0022 src=u0022https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240421_160446527.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1713801755.jpg?w=300u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022197u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e [player_tooltip player_id='615156' first='Leila' last='Nelson'], [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'], 2026[/caption]","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":896840,"_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='982821' first='Kendall' last='Gillis']","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Grand Haven","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush']","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='982821' first='Kendall' last='Gillis'] u003c/strongu003e(5'8, SG, 2026) is a long and versatile guard for [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'] 17U. She worked extremely hard to deny entry passes into the post and dove onto the floor to wrestle for loose balls. She showed her vertical athleticism to sky up for an offensive rebound, then used a spin dribble to finish a layup. Kendall caused a foul by winning the battle for an offensive rebound and knocked down her free throws. She scored layups and knocked down a smooth 3 from up top off the catch.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[caption id=u0022attachment_896811u0022 align=u0022alignnoneu0022 width=u0022300u0022]u003ca href=u0022https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240421_161742487.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1713802383.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-896811u0022 src=u0022https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240421_161742487.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1713802383.jpg?w=300u0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022197u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e [player_tooltip player_id='982821' first='Kendall' last='Gillis'], [program_tooltip program_id='716121' first='West' last='Michigan Crush'], 2026[/caption]","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66269483a5cb5"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Travel Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 27-28: Always 100 Challenge, Fort Wayne, IN</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 11: MBA Mothers Day Classic, Grand Rapids, MI</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 17-19: The Classic, Louisville, KN</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 25-26: Memorial Day Shootout, Jackson, MI</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 11-13: Run 4 Roses Classic, Louisville, KN</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 18-22: Nike Tournament of Champions, Chicago, IL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 26-28: AYBT Nationals, Grand Rapids, MI</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Upcoming Events</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":896847} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/Northern-Michigan-Flyer-QR-Code.png" alt="" class="wp-image-896847" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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 and Director of Prepare 2 Win Basketball. 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 prepare2winbasketball@gmail.com</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->