PGH Michigan JAM! TCC, West Catholic, Zeeland West

<!-- 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 Traverse City Central, Grand Rapids West Catholic, and Zeeland West!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Rapids West Catholic Falcons</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":984967,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/PGHJam-WestCatholic.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-984967" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='419529' first='Elisha' last='Dykstra']-2025-5-11-CG-West Catholic-[program_tooltip program_id='713442' first='MBA' last='UAA']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elisha has length and athleticism that help her fly above opposing guards and win one-on-one battles. She sets up her teammates to score by beating defenders off the dribble and dishing accurate passes. Elisha scores at all three levels and elevates to score tough baskets around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/05/mba-mothers-day-classic-2025-honor-roll/">Read More About Elisha</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865141' first='Alexis' last='Asekomeh']-2027-5-11-PF-West Catholic-[program_tooltip program_id='713442' first='MBA' last='UAA']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexis plays with power on both ends of the court and muscles through defenders on her way to the basket. She finishes well off two feet and crashes the boards hard for offensive rebounds. Alexis protects the rim as a shot blocker and is a fierce forward for the Falcons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/05/mothers-day-classic-top-performers/">Read More About Alexis</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Traverse City Central Trojans</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":985020,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/PGHJam-TraverseCC.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-985020" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613011' first='Lucia' last='France']-2025-6-2-C-Traverse City Central-[program_tooltip program_id='713024' first='Michigan' last='Drive Premier']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucia uses her strength, and powerful frame to dominate on the court. She sends shots packing and muscles through opposing forwards for finishes at the rim. Lucia moves well in transition and has solid footwork that sets her apart from other centers in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/07/spooky-good-2025s-select-super-showcase/">Read More About Lucia</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424152' first='Jakiah' last='Brumfield']-2025-5-6-PG-Traverse City Central-[program_tooltip program_id='713024' first='Michigan' last='Drive Premier']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jakiah is a versatile guard who shifts gears to score off the dribble, distributes accurate passes to teammates, and buries jumpers off the dribble. She handles the ball effectively under pressure and makes smart reads with the ball. Jakiah works hard defensively and is a key leader for the Trojans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2023/12/west-michigan-invitational-scrimmage-point-guards/">Read More About Jakiah</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Zeeland West Dux</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":985124,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/PGHJam-ZeelandWest-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-985124" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424159' first='Jordyn' last='Klaasen']-2025-5-8-PG-Zeeland West (Ball State)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordyn accelerates by defenders using her combination dribbles, catches fire to hit outside shots on the perimeter, and turns up the heat with her pressure defense. Jordyn converts difficult layups around the basket and makes effort plays that lead the Dux on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/07/2025-guards-howling-pt-2/">Read More About Jordyn</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Georgia Kuyers-2025-5-10-PF-Zeeland West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Georgia is a forward for the Dux who jumps out of the gym and flies down the court in transition. She chases down guards to block shots and wins battles for rebounds in the paint. Georgia is a powerful finisher around the basket who competes with great effort from baseline to baseline. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/07/northwood-team-camp-formidable-forwards/">Read More About Georgia</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>&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;&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 -->