Cagers Invitational 2025’s: Wings & Forwards
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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 forward prospects who stood out at the tournament.
Yasmeen Dabish Yasmeen Dabish 5’8″ | SF Troy Athens | 2025 State MI was a wing/forward who shined bright in multiple games for 1829 Cobra at the Cagers Invitational. She energized her team with verbal encouragement and clutch plays on both ends of the court. Yasmeen drove hard downhill to score a floater in the paint and scoop layup after a steal. She shot efficiently beyond the arc, knocking down two wing 3’s. Yasmeen worked for an offensive rebound then finished off two and used a smooth drop step pivot to hit a jumper inside. She scored a high pick up layup driving to the rim and knocked down her free throws (MOI, Pediatric Surgeon)
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Genevieve Nagel Genevieve Nagel 6’2″ | C Holt | 2025 MI won the battle inside for Capitol City Express 2025 at the Cagers Invitational. She protected the rim blocking many shots including one where she sprinted out on a shooter from help. Genevieve worked to win position for offensive rebounds and used a drop step to score. She relocates and seals in the post very well on offense and is an extremely active screener. Genevieve secured an offensive rebound and scored with her left off two feet. She was praised as “the hardest working kid in the state” by her coach after the game (MOI, Business).
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Sienna Walker
Sienna Walker
Sienna Walker is a PF/C who made a big impression with Aspire 2025 at the Cagers Invitational. She finished with efficiency inside and was an unstoppable force on the boards. She outworked her opponent for multiple offensive rebounds and then scored over defenders. Sienna caught an entry pass then pinned her defender with a drop step to score off the glass. She converted another bucket inside off an entry pass, showing the length, coordination, soft hands, and efficiency inside that coaches seek in a post prospect.
Ashli Wright Ashli Wright 5’10” | SF Westfield Prep | 2025 State MI played at a high level for Lady FVV Hype 2025 at the Cagers Invitational. She used her length, strength, and face up game to cause matchup problems for the defense. Ashli powered up to finish off two feet inside and showed her outside shooting efficiency, knocking down two 3’s from the corner. She is a unique forward prospect who stretches the defense with her size, power, face up skills, and perimeter effectiveness (MOI, Sports Management).
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Dania McClain Dania McClain 6’2″ | PF South Lake | 2025 State MI displayed her freakish athleticism for Michigan Storm UAA 2025 at the Cagers Invitational. She performed two highlight reel plays when she scored a 360 spin jump hook in the paint and elevated over her defender to convert an alley-oop pass. Dania flies down the floor in transition and has the control around the rim to finish full speed.
Jocelyn Kotowicz Jocelyn Kotowicz 5’6″ | SG St. John’s | 2025 State MI is a SG/Wing prospect who had an impactful day for the Naturals at the Cagers Invitational. She continues to show off her strength in physical advantages on the floor week to week. Jocelyn fired a full length two handed chest pass to a running teammate in transition: something I haven’t seen any other high school prospects do this spring. She drilled a corner 3, used outstanding pivot moves to score inside, and created multiple steals on defense. Jocelyn outworks others for offensive rebounds and scored from different angles around the rim (MOI, Exercise Science).
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Lily Smieska Lily Smieska SF Leslie | 2025 State MI came through in clutch moments for Capitol City Express 2025 at the Cagers Invitational. She knocked down a corner 3 in regulation and took her game up a notch in Overtime, scoring a back cut catch and finish. Lily chased down a ball going out of bounds to give her team another offensive possession and buried two crucial free throws to seal the victory (MOI, Undecided).
Natalie Hensel Natalie Hensel 5’11” | PF Pennfield | 2025 State MI used her length and anticipation to make key plays for the Naturals on both sides of the court at Cagers Invitational. She has the ability to catch passes and finish contested shots from different angles in the paint. Natalie blocked a shot, scored in transition after stealing the ball, and powered up to finish off two at the rim (MOI, Environmental Science).
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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