The Main Event: 2026’s In The Paint

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Main Event is one of my favorite tournaments to cover during the grassroots season. It's an opportunity to witness most of Michigan's top teams competing under one roof. This past weekend, I spent over 20 hours in the gym and tried to observe as many prospects as possible! Here are some of the post/wing players from the class of 2026 who performed well over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734924"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ePicarazzi did her job as a rim protector at the Main Event and came away with multiple blocks on the weekend.  Su003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ehe was effective on both ends of the floor on the glass.  She fights hard for the O-boards and had numerous put-backs.  u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["734917"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Manders is a skilled player who possesses an exceptional combination of length, speed, and agility. She is particularly effective at getting downhill quickly and finishing through contact. Her impressive footwork around the rim allows her to maneuver around defenders with ease and convert tough shots into points. Furthermore, Manders uses her imposing length at the rim to block shots, often coming away with numerous swats in a game. In addition to her scoring prowess, Manders is also a disruptive force on defense. She is a key player in her team's full-court press, creating chaos at the top with her quick reflexes and constant deflections. Her ability to anticipate passing lanes and disrupt the flow of the opposing team's offense makes her a valuable asset to her team.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["613422"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eWilliams is our #1 prospect in the class of 2026, and she u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eproves again and againu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e how deserving she is of that ranking. The Michigan State u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ecommitu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e dominated in the paint all weekend.  She has next-level footwork around the rim. She makes the right decision when the double or triple team comes and hits a shooter for a wide-open shot. u003c/spanu003e","_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":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='924008' first='Kate' last='Higgins']","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Rockford","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"MBA The House","_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":"Higgins is another player that needs to be in our rankings! u003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eShe is one of the strongest players I have ever watched. When I watched her play with her Rockford team last winter, she mostly played in the paint. However, this weekend, I was able to watch her help her team break the press confidently, displaying impressive handles for a power forward. She has a soft touch around the rim, and when she has the ball, nobody can rip it from her.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["734961"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eBlue is a versatile basketball player who excels both inside and outside the paint. She has a great outside shot and can also make mid-range jumpers with ease. Additionally, she is able to penetrate the defense and finish at the rim even when faced with contact. Her hustle and decision-making were impressive throughout the entire weekend, particularly in transition.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663d2b9d9f59b"} /-->