PGH Michigan JAM! Heritage, Rockford, South Christian

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During my summer vacation, I visited an old-school arcade that happened to include an edition of “NBA JAM,” the ultimate retro basketball video game. This game became famous during the 90s at the arcade and on numerous gaming consoles. The original game was released by Midway in 1993 and featured players from NBA rosters. Each NBA team featured two players who competed in 2 on 2 with no subs. Later additions to the game included 3-5 players, which gave gamers the ability to sub new players into the games. The game's exaggerated graphics, high-flying dunks, and lack of fouls made it wildly unique and popular amongst gamers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://videogamehistory.fandom.com/wiki/NBA_Jam">Read more about the history of NBA JAM Here.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MICHIGAN JAM! HS Article Series</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article series, modeled after the original “NBA JAM”, will include 2 players per team. There is an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference. Two high school players from the same team are included as a “Dynamic Duo”. Each player will be assigned a fictitious rating for physical and skill attributes based on the criteria of the original “NBA JAM”.&nbsp;<strong>Rating</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Breakdown</strong>: Overall speed/6, Shooting skill from 3 pt/6, Skill at dunking/6, Overall defensive skill/6. The overall rating is out of 24 (rating criteria are modeled using the original “NBA JAM”). Some of the original ratings of players from “NBA JAM”: Tim Hardaway-speed 5/6, 3 pts 4/6, dunks 1/6, defense 4/6, Final 14/24, Charles Barkley-speed 4/6, 3 pts 3/6, dunks 6/6, def 1/6, Final 14/24, Scottie Pippen-speed 5/6, 3 pts 4/6, dunks 6/6, def 5/6, Final 20/24. Best Rated Teams: New York Knicks (33 pts), Charlotte Hornets (32 pts), Chicago Bulls (32 pts no MJ), Sacramento Kings (30)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MICHIGAN JAM! Ratings Explained:</strong>&nbsp;0=Not Observed, 1-2=Rare, 3=Average, 4=Above Average, 5=Advanced, 6=Elite</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Speed</strong>&nbsp;is ball handling, acceleration, and quickness,&nbsp;<strong>3 pts&nbsp;</strong>is shooting 3s efficiently more often than not,&nbsp;<strong>Dunks</strong>&nbsp;is leaping ability, elevation, and/or height,&nbsp;<strong>Defense</strong>&nbsp;is steals, deflections, shutting down your position, and&nbsp;<strong>Final Rating</strong>&nbsp;is the sum of all those categories out of 24 points. As you can see, legends of the NBA game including Hall of Famers don't score over 20! This is meant to be a lighthearted and fun way of learning about some of the great duos in the state and not to be taken too seriously. There were 27 teams in the original “NBA JAM”, but I have expanded the total to 18 teams per conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/588511-nba-jam/faqs/35861">Read more about NBA JAM RATINGS</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH MICHIGAN JAM Twitter Tournament</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Twitter, these teams have been seeded into an elimination bracket. YOU decide who advances each round of the tournament by voting in the polls on my Twitter page. Each poll lasts 48 hours and whoever receives the most votes wins! Teams from each conference go head to head until we have a winner of the Eastern and Western Conferences. The winners then compete to determine the PGH Michigan JAM 2024 Champion! The winning team wins live PGH coverage at one of their high school games during the 2024-25 season. The bracket is posted on Twitter with updates following each round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each week, new teams from each conference will have their individualized ratings, graphics, and team evaluation posted in articles, so you will want to keep your eyes peeled for the articles and tournament updates on Twitter!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's look at three Dynamic Duos from the Western Conference representing Saginaw Heritage, Rockford, and Grand Rapids South Christian!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saginaw Heritage Hawks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":984939,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/PGHJam-Heritage.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-984939" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613943' first='Alesia' last='Ode']-2026-6-0-SF-Heritage-Mystics</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alesia is one of the top wings in her class and one with offensive skills that take over games. Alesia has battled injuries, but when healthy she is a challenging matchup for guards and forwards. Alesia has great footwork to score with her back to the basket and an effective pull-up jumper in the mid-range and from the perimeter. She disrupts offenses with her length and is the leader of the Hawks flock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/06/bcam-reaching-higher-danyles-favorites/">Read More About Alesia</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='933013' first='Joslyn' last='Ode']-2028-5-10-CG-Heritage-Mystics</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joslyn is a young hawk who left the nest this summer and has immediately soared at the Varsity level. Her dynamic skills to score downhill drives to the basket, knockdown 3s, and disrupt opposing guards defensively, will make her an impact player on day one this winter. Joslyn will be a Hawk to watch this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/06/ferris-team-camp-underclassmen-stepping-up/">Read More About Joslyn</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rockford Rams (2024 PGH Michigan JAM Tourney Champion)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":984953,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/PGHJam-Rockford.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-984953" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='420486' first='Anna' last='Wypych']-2025-5-11-CG-Rockford-[program_tooltip program_id='713024' first='Michigan' last='Drive Premier']</strong>(Butler)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anna has led the Rams to regular season and postseason success. She is a clutch performer who plays her best ball against elite opponents in both high school and travel competitions. Anna is an effective finisher when driving to the basket and has a deadly mid-range pull-up and perimeter game. Anna is a Ram that opponents do not want to lock horns with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/03/d1-all-breslin-team/">Read More About Anna</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613428' first='Sienna' last='Wolfe']-2026-6-0-SF-Rockford-[program_tooltip program_id='713442' first='MBA' last='UAA']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sienna was on a tear for the Rams last season until injury forced her to miss time. Sienna uses her combination of height, downhill scoring ability, and outside shooting efficiency to cause nightmares for opponents. She will be a key factor for Rockford to reach the D1 mountaintop once again in the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/10/players-to-watch-in-the-ok-red/">Read More About Sienna</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Rapids South Christian Sailors</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":984969,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/PGHJam-SouthChristian-v2-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-984969" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='919220' first='Sophia' last='Prins']-5-6-PG-South Christian-[program_tooltip program_id='713442' first='MBA' last='UAA']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophia has climbed our rankings charts with her exceptional point guard play during travel, elite camps, and summer high school basketball. Sophia steers the ship with her excellent court vision and dodges waves with her effective ball handling to score at the rim. She defends extremely well and will be one special Sailor to watch this winter at South Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/06/june-rankings-update-2026-lead-guard-prospects/">Read More About Sophia</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615162' first='Lizzie' last='Wolthuis']-6-0-SF-South Christian-[program_tooltip program_id='713442' first='MBA' last='UAA']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lizzie is one of South Christian's deadliest sharpshooters and one opposing vessels fear on the high seas. Lizzie has a unique ability to blow by defenders and convert tough finishes at the rim; she launches lethal 3-pointers out of a canon. Lizzie has explosive offensive skills that make her one of the Sailors' most effective scorers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/05/the-main-event-2026-standout-guards/">Read More About Lizzie</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Upcoming Events</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":969797,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/PGHMI-ExpoBell2024.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-969797" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://events.prepgirlshoops.com/e/1255/register/the-expo-michigan">Registration for Expo</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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&nbsp;<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;. 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 coachevanbell@gmail.com</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->