Practice Edition: TC Elite

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Monday, May 13th I had the privilege to observe [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite'] practice at Milford High School. This was a full circle moment because nearly three years ago I was the Freshman Girls' Basketball Head Coach at Howell High School for then Howell Girls' Varsity Head Coach Tim Olszewski. Coach O is the director of [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite'] AAU basketball, Varsity Girls' Basketball Head Coach at Milford High School, and has enjoyed success as a boys and girls varsity head coach for many years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The number one value Coach O emphasizes in every huddle breakdown is "Hard Work" and that value is a pillar of his coaching philosophy. At practice, Coach reminded the girls to focus on "making the right basketball move", not on the final result of the play. Misses happen but was it the right basketball decision? Coach O has a couple of bright young ballers coming up through the Mavericks program who showed promise at practice on Monday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='982926' first='Reagan' last='Heflin']-2026</strong> has a balanced pull-up jumper off the dribble, excellent vision, and worked hard defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maddy Hilderbrandt-2027</strong> is a relentlessly tough forward who aggressively guarded the ball on defense and battled for rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='982928' first='Abby' last='Zielinski']-2026</strong> competes with a high motor and pressures the ball with quick slides on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had a blast seeing familiar faces from my former Freshman team at Howell and former [program_tooltip program_id='715992' first='Lapeer' last='County Cobras'] baller <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='927964' first='Kassidy' last='Johnson']-2027</strong> who scored an offensive rebound putback and is a long combo guard/wing with a ton of potential! Here are the girls who represented the [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025 team at practice on Monday!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":909060,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lexi Apsitis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Howell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']","_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":"u003cstrongu003eLexi Apsitisu003c/strongu003e is one of the most likable, tough, and hard working kids at practice for [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025. She started off as an undersized power forward as a freshman and has developed into a downhill guard with a balanced pull-up jumper. Lexi is solid as a rock and has a quick burst with her dribble. She scored contested right and left handed layups during the 1 v 1 segment, burst by her defender with an advanced attack and stutter move, and defended drives without fouling. Lexi shot with a balanced, rhythmic high follow through on her shots. One of the most impressive plays she made was choosing to stop the ball in transition instead of worrying about her girl without the ball. Lexi stole an entry pass and has a relentless hustle. She earned the most improved player aware on our team as a freshman and has developed into an excellent player in the Howell program (MOI, Orthodontics)","_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":909074,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='909380' first='Brooklyn' last='Brooks']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Howell","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']","_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":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='909380' first='Brooklyn' last='Brooks']u003c/strongu003e is a lengthy guard for [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025 who has the intangibles coaches want on their team. At practice, she was the most vocal communicator on defense. Brooklyn communicated on ball, in help, and called out cutters. During the 1v1 segment Brooklyn accelerated to score a right handed contested finish and used a hesi attack dribble. Brooklyn shoots from a balanced platform and challenged herself to her limits during the stationary ball handling drill. Brooklyn scored an offensive rebound put back, drilled a wing 3, and knocked down a mid-range jumper off the dribble during the scrimmages. As a freshman, Brooklyn earned the Coach's MVP Award on our team for her consistent leadership, intensity, and performance on the court in games and at practice (MOI, Undecided).","_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":909076,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1105889' first='Claire' last='Carley']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_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":"Nursing","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']","_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='1105889' first='Claire' last='Carley']u003c/strongu003e is a [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025 guard who caught my attention last fall league with Flint Kearsley with her aggressiveness and defense. At practice Monday, she showed confidence finishing with a left-handed scoop at the basket. Claire knocked down many mid-range jumpers from different spots with quick, balanced releases at game speed (MOI, Nursing).","_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":909066,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='982757' first='Izzy' last='Cox']","_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":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Fowlerville","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']","_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='982757' first='Izzy' last='Cox']u003c/strongu003e (2026) is a dynamic guard/wing prospect playing up for [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025. At practice, Izzy finished very well with her left hand around the block off one and two feet. During the scrimmages, she showed her outside shooting range by drilling a 3 from the top of the key off the catch and played excellent interior defense as she deflected an entry pass and did not allow herself to be pinned in the paint. Izzy pursued three consecutive offense rebounds and then finished off two in the paint. She anticipated another pass to make a steal and has a downhill burst that makes her difficult to guard off the dribble (MOI, Undecided).","_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":909062,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Lily Hebner","_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":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Howell","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']","_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":"u003cstrongu003eLily Hebner u003c/strongu003eis a hard working forward with versatility for [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025. Lily is humble, teachable, and a supportive teammate. She scored a contested layup during the 1 v 1 segment and used a quick release with a high arc to shoot over her defender off the dribble. Lily's work ethic to push herself during the individual ball handling drills stood out and she has the face up ability to attack off the dribble (MOI, Nursing).","_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":909068,"_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='716702' first='Madison' last='Henley']","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Romulus","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='716702' first='Madison' last='Henley'] is a powerful forward who plays like a bull in a china shop for [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025. Maddy showed the passion, competitive fire, and determination at practice that is needed to compete at the next level. She is a fierce rim protector who blocked shots on drivers without fouling. She finished off two in the 1 v 1 segment and has a pure soft mid range shot. Maddy shined brightest during the scrimmage session, blocking 5 shots in 5 minutes and taking one block full court the other way for a transition layup. Maddy used a quick jab step and crossover move to drive by her defender then kicked the ball across to an open shooter. Maddy dribbles between her legs and ended the scrimmage with an exclamation point as she drove through defenders to score soft off the glass (MOI, Sports Medicine).","_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":909078,"_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Demi'a Higginbothom","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Walled Lake Central","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']","_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":"u003cstrongu003eDemi'a Higginbotham u003c/strongu003eis a shifty PG for [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025. She used a smooth euro-step finish during the layup segment and attacked her defender with a quick crossover to score off two 1 on 1. Demi'a caught fire hitting mid-range jumpers off the catch. She drove into a deep pull-up jumper during the scrimmages and demonstrated quick crossover, between-the-leg combo moves (MOI, Real Estate).","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":909072,"_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Mariah Kirby","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Fowlerville","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eMariah Kirbyu003c/strongu003e (2026) was described by coaches as a defensive tone setter for [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025 and she was one of the most impressive prospects on the court at practice. Mariah is a complete player who worked hard on offense, defense, and vocally encouraging teammates throughout the session. She blocked multiple shots without fouling, scored a reverse layup, and utilized a spin dribble during the 1 v 1 segment. Mariah tied for the strongest, fastest dribbles sideline to sideline and had the quickest attack and stutter move. During the scrimmages, Mariah drilled a wing 3, blocked shots, scored an offensive rebound put back, used a baseline low rip move to drive, and hit a game winning layup. She is a prospect who showed the qualities, athleticism, and leadership coaches look for at the next level (MOI, Undecided).","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":909070,"_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='982809' first='McKenna' last='Maybee']","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Fowlerville","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='982809' first='McKenna' last='Maybee']u003c/strongu003e (2026) is a lengthy guard who had an impressive day at practice for [program_tooltip program_id='714556' first='TC' last='Elite']-2025.  She attacked with a hard dribble then pivoted to score one one one. McKenna crossed over her defender to score a contested layup and finished again with a scoop layup. She used different combo moves to create space including an inside out dribble and blocked shots at the rim without fouling. McKenna tied for the fastest sideline to sideline dribble time and showed excellent vision during the scrimmages in transition (MOI, Undecided).","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66442ce20e17a"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Upcoming Events</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":896847,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/Northern-Michigan-Flyer-QR-Code.png?w=791" 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 -->