Cagers Invitational: 2025 Guards + 1
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The 2024 Michigan Cagers Invitational hosted a variety of 2030-2025 travel teams this weekend on May 4th and 5th. College coaches, media, and prospects invaded the Cage Fieldhouse at Swartz Creek to see a number of independent teams face off…
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Continue ReadingThe 2024 Michigan Cagers Invitational hosted a variety of 2030-2025 travel teams this weekend on May 4th and 5th. College coaches, media, and prospects invaded the Cage Fieldhouse at Swartz Creek to see a number of independent teams face off over the weekend. Michigan Storm was the headliner program, Northern Pride made the long trek from Northern Michigan, and the remaining teams joined in from all across lower Michigan. What made the Cagers Invitational tournament unique and exciting was the number of independent travel clubs competing at the tournament. The college coaches in attendance had the benefit of seeing many JUCO-NAIA prospects who are flying under-the-radar. Here are the 2025 guards plus one phenomenal 2026 who made a great impression at the tournament.
Micaila Hines Micaila Hines PG Romulus | 2025 State MI set herself apart by threading difficult passes through defenders for TC Elite at the Cagers Invitational. I made multiple notes about her exceptional ability to deliver strong, accurate one handed bounce and air passes with both hands. Micaila caused turnovers with her ball pressure and scored an and one finish through contact. She scored contested baskets inside and battled for offensive rebounds. Micaila uses long push-out dribbles with both hands to create space, while scanning the court for open teammates.
Aiyana Willis
Aiyana Willis
Aiyana Willis is a shifty guard for Pride 21 whose downhill drives caught my attention at the Cagers Invitational. She used a quick sweep move to beat her defender and then scored with a scoop finish off the glass in traffic. Aiyana showed her off-ball awareness by back door cutting to the basket to score a layup. She sealed her defender after making a pass to gain the advantage for an offensive rebound and used crossover dribbles to split through the defense and get to the free throw line.
Alaijah Thomas Alaijah Thomas 5’7″ | SG Mumford | 2026 State MI was a breakout performer for Michigan Dream Elite at the Cagers Invitational and I greatly enjoyed seeing her compete for the first time. She split through defenders to score a floater and converted another drive through contact for an and one. Alaijah utilized shifty ball handling dribble moves to create space and changed heights of her dribble against pressure to beat defenders. She showed excellent body control, closing out without fouling to create a missed shot. Alaijah plays in a balanced defensive stance with quick slides and she stole the ball multiple times. She shoots from a balanced platform and extended her range to drill a wing 3 off of a screen. Alaijah had no problem competing up and leading her 2025 team.
Highlights
Diavian Robinson Diavian Robinson 5’3″ | PG Clarenceville | 2025 State MI was an elusive guard for Lady FVV Hype at the Cagers Invitational. She played with a tremendous motor on both ends and went up to block a shot at the rim. Diavian used a spin dribble to score a floater and changed heights of her crossovers to beat defenders and draw a foul at the rim. She attacked on her drives, but kept her eyes up to dish out an assist after blowing by her defender with a double crossover attack move. Diavian flexed her muscles by ripping the ball out of her opponents hands and finished strong inside off two feet.
Highlights
Emma Alexander
Emma Alexander
Emma Alexander showed some next level skills for RBA 2025 at the Cagers Invitational. She caught a pass in the corner with balance, paused, then exploded by her defender with a middle drive to the basket. Emma showed great ball control to drive full tilt to the middle, use a spin dribble, and finish a contested left layup at the rim. She burst through the defense again using a high rip sweep and caused a foul to earn free throws.
Alena Tiernan
Alena Tiernan
Alena Tiernan was a court general from RBA 2025 who grabbed my attention at the Cagers Invitational. She attacked on a drive then made an athletic jump pass down the baseline for an assist to a teammate. Alena scored a transition basket off two feet in transition and showed her outside range by knocking down a wing 3 off the catch.
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Evan Bell is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops and Director of Prepare 2 Win Basketball. Our mission 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