Michigan Counties Hiding Prospects: Monroe County

We have enjoyed a continuous carousel of non-stop basketball activity seemingly since the winter season concluded. Grassroots session one, session two, Summer team camps/shootouts, and college elite camps. The steady flow of activity has decreased with a few elite camps leading up to our Freshman Showcase on August 25th. This gap of inactivity provides the perfect opportunity to shine a light on prospects who have not received attention on the travel circuit or at team camps. Inspired by Brandon Bradly, Head Scout of our PGH Indiana brand, I have decided to undertake an article series that will become an annual tradition each fall leading up to the winter high school season. The series will be known as "Michigan Counties Hiding Prospects".   In this series, I become a bounty hunter seeking the ultimate "Reward" of finding new prospects who have been "hidden" in each county of Michigan. A prospect will only be included in this series if they are currently UNRANKED and excluded from our Watch List. Our mission as scouts is to find new prospects who have the potential and ability to play basketball at any college level. This series will emphasize the girls across every county in Michigan who are good high school players with potential for more. We believe that there is always another basketball prospect waiting to be found.   The first county on our journey is Monroe. The famous outdoorsman superstore Cabela's is located in the county along with <a href="https://www.stateparks.com/sterling_state_park_in_michigan.html">Sterling State Park </a>right on Lake Erie. 2024 Ida guard Grace Capling committed to Cleary University (NAIA) and this feels like the perfect county to search for hidden prospects. Monroe County is located in the far corner of Southeast Michigan, 30 miles north of Toledo, Ohio. After searching the county's school districts, there are six unranked prospects I have chosen to include below. Let's take a look at the prospects who have remained hidden in Monroe County until now.   Peyton Zajac-2026-5-7-SG-Carleton Airport   Peyton doesn't always stuff the stat sheet on the offensive end, but she certainly stuffs it with her defensive play and rebounding. Peyton competes with a high motor and is a natural at anticipating passes to create steals from sideline to sideline. She uses her dribble to create opportunities for teammates and shifts the defense with her passes. Peyton pushes the ball for transition buckets off of rebounds and crashes the boards. She is a stout 3-sport athlete who I am interested in seeing compete on the court for the Jets this winter.   [player_tooltip player_id='898673' first='Brooklyn' last='Manard']-2025-5-7-SG-Temperance Bedford-Midwest Power   Brooklyn started on a Temperence Bedford squad that made a historic run to the quarterfinals last season. Brooklyn's athletic build gives her the power to make an impact on both sides of the court. She causes turnovers with her ball pressure using a wide stance to turn ball handlers, while disrupting passing lanes with her active hands. Brooklyn can get hot from beyond the arc and is an intriguing prospect I'd like to see more of this winter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1182604' first='Jessica' last='Schrader']-2025-5-9-SG-Ida   Jessica led Ida to a thrilling victory at the Airport showcase last winter with a dominant offensive performance. I had no idea who she was before the game, but she made sure I left the gym knowing exactly who she is! Jessica dropped 22 points and added 8 big time boards to her stat sheet. Jessica finishes difficult shots with great balance around the rim and uses her length to cause turnovers on the defensive end. Jessica is a pure scorer, averaging 17 pts per game and I am eager to see her compete on the court for the Bluestreaks again this winter.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/12/bluestreaks-leave-the-runway/">Read more about Jessica</a>   Gracie Jones-2025-5-10-PF-Jefferson   Gracie uses her length and volleyball instincts to make a positive impact on the basketball court. She tracks passes and shots in the air to protect the rim on defense. Gracie extends her shooting range beyond the arc, shooting with good balance and a high follow through. She went off against St. Mary's CC, hitting 4 triples. Gracie boxes out effectively on shot attempts to secure rebounds and will be a forward I want to see more of this winter.   Zoe Leach-2025-5-11-C-Monroe   Zoe is a lanky center for Monroe who disrupts passing lanes in the paint and works to secure rebounds. She moves the ball quickly to create open shots for teammates. Zoe went off for a career high 16 points, earning Monroe County Regional Athlete of the Week honors for Dec. 4-10th, 2023. She has the height to be an intriguing prospect and will be a Trojan I have my eyes on this winter.   Bailey Meiring-2025-5-9-SG-Erie-Mason   Bailey had a night for the record books when she ripped the nets for a career high 29 points and 6 triples last season against Summerfield. She took home Monroe County Regional Athlete of the Week honors for Dec. 18-24 with that performance. Bailey fires the ball from a balanced platform off the bounce or the catch. She jumps up to deflect passes in the zone and takes steals all the way to the rim for transition layups. I am excited to see more from Bailey on the hardwood this winter.   Ranked/WL Monroe County Prospects   [player_tooltip player_id='335983' first='Sophia' last='Bussell'] (Monroe), [player_tooltip player_id='519157' first='Victoria' last='Gray'] (Bedford), [player_tooltip player_id='927993' first='Anna' last='Gray'] (Bedford), [player_tooltip player_id='928013' first='Sienna' last='May'] (Bedford), [player_tooltip player_id='613963' first='Olivia' last='Gratz'] (Airport), [player_tooltip player_id='751167' first='Sophia' last='Mator'] (Airport), [player_tooltip player_id='935215' first='Mya' last='Stahr'] (Airport),   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">At the Buzzer</h2>   Evan Bell is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops and Director of <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"> </a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/">    </a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"> </a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"> </a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"> </a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/">[program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball']</a>         . Our <a href="https://www.prepnetwork.com/frequently-asked-questions/">mission</a> 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

We have enjoyed a continuous carousel of non-stop basketball activity seemingly since the winter season concluded. Grassroots session one, session two, Summer team camps/shootouts, and college elite camps. The steady flow of activity has decreased with a few elite camps leading up to our Freshman Showcase on August 25th. This gap of inactivity provides the perfect opportunity to shine a light on prospects who have not received attention on the travel circuit or at team camps. Inspired by Brandon Bradly, Head Scout of our PGH Indiana brand, I have decided to undertake an article series that will become an annual tradition each fall leading up to the winter high school season. The series will be known as "Michigan Counties Hiding Prospects".