2024 SEASON PREVIEW: CASCADES WEST

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school tryouts are on the horizon, just over a month away. Growing up, I remember the excitement of reading preview magazines for my favorite sports teams and learning about key players before the season started. The enthusiasm and excitement I have for the Michigan Varsity Girls Basketball season has been building since the end of AAU, which leads to my endeavor to write these conference preview articles. Every coach and team in the state has the desire to perform better than they did the previous season in their conference and in the playoffs. Each year there are coaching changes, graduations, transfers, and varsity additions that shift the dynamics of teams in the conference.&nbsp;The Cascades Conference consists of 12 teams separated into an East and West division. Teams play two games against divisional opponents and one crossover game against the other half of the Cascades. The Cascades West and East champions face off at Spring Arbor University to determine the conference champion. Grass Lake won the East Division title and defeated the West Division winner Brooklyn Columbia Central in the 2023 championship game. Five head coaches from the Cascades Conference participated in the preseason coaches poll and those results will be shared below. Each Cascades West team has a brief team preview featured below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">COACHES POLL (5 Responses of 12)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Who will be the Cascades Conference Champion?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coaches: Grass Lake 40%, Columbia Central 20%, Michigan Center 20%, Leslie 20%</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell: Grass Lake, (runner-up Hanover-Horton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Who will be the Cascades East Division Champion?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coaches: Grass Lake 60%, Leslie 20%, Michigan Center 20%</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell: Grass Lake, (runner-up Michigan Center)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Who will be the Cascades West Division Champion?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coaches: Columbia Central 80%, Hanover-Horton 20%</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell: Hanover-Horton, (runner-up Columbia Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Who is the Cascades Conference Pre-Season MVP (The best player in the conference)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coaches:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423700' first='Kate' last='Starkey']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kate-starkey/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;80%,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='502317' first='Mya' last='Viegelahn']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mya-viegelahn/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;20%</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423700' first='Kate' last='Starkey']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kate-starkey/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(runner-up&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='912516' first='Reese' last='Lape']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/reese-lape/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Who will be the 2024-25 Darkhorse team in the East? (A team that wins and significantly performs better than expected compared to last season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coaches: East Jackson 40%, Leslie 40%, Michigan Center 20%</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell: East Jackson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Who will be the 2024-25 Darkhorse team in the West? (A team that wins and significantly performs better than expected compared to last season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coaches: Hanover-Horton 80%,&nbsp;</em>Jonesville 20%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell: Hanover-Horton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Season Results</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cascades Conference Champion: Grass Lake, runner-up Columbia Central, Cascades East Division Champion: Grass Lake, Cascades West Division Champion: Columbia Central, Cascades MVP:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423700' first='Kate' last='Starkey']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kate-starkey/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;, Darkhorse Teams: Leslie and Michigan Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Addison</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a winless conference record in 2022, Addison showed slight progress with a 2-12 conference record in 2023. The Panthers will look to build on their progress and climb the Cascades standings in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brooklyn Columbia Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooklyn Columbia Central has set a standard for success over the past six seasons. Under the stewardship of Head Coach Codi Cole the Golden Eagles won four Lenawee County Athletic Association titles in five seasons, prior to joining the Cascades Conference in 2023. Last season, Columbia Central won the West Division with an 11-3 record but fell short in the title game against Grass Lake. The program will have a new look in 2024 as Head Coach Codi Cole joins Jackson College and Dream Team guard Hailey Freshcorn (2024) graduates. Columbia Central is an 80% favorite to repeat as West Division champs in 2024 according to the Coaches Poll and I expect them to battle Hanover-Horton for the title. The Golden Eagles have won four straight district titles and will lean heavily on their talented freshman to continue that success in 2024. A pair of top 30 freshman prospects look ready to take the league by storm this season. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='805180' first='Gabby' last='Gaydosh'] (2028) and forward [player_tooltip player_id='937539' first='Leelyn' last='Brown'] (2028) were top performers at the Freshman Showcase and equally impressive during the travel season. They have a chance to prove experience is overrated in year one. The Golden Eagles bring back experienced ball-handler [player_tooltip player_id='802593' first='Emma' last='Shafer'] (2026), forward [player_tooltip player_id='632128' first='Kolie' last='Brown'] (2026), and guard [player_tooltip player_id='615152' first='Jaylen' last='Lambka'] (2026), so they have high expectations heading into the 2024 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["805180"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67113c91ab2f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gabby has a passion and dedication to her craft that pours out on the basketball court. She has developed into a fantastic guard prospect and I expect her to have a profound impact on day one for Columbia Central. Gabby shifts gears off the dribble to beat defenders and sets up teammates to score with her passing accuracy. Gabby has a smooth pull-up jumper off the dribble and hits from two or three-point range. She finishes well in the paint, creates steals on defense, and drains floaters. Gabby will be an X-factor for the Golden Eagles in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/08/pgh-freshman-showcase-danyles-top-performers/">Read More About Gabby</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hanover-Horton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanover-Horton finished second in the West Division with an 8-6 record in 2023, leaping ahead of their 4-8 finish in 2022. The Comets bring back both of their West First Team Selections: [player_tooltip player_id='423707' first='Morgan' last='Kuhl'] (2025) and [player_tooltip player_id='1049599' first='Molly' last='Soper'] (2026). With [player_tooltip player_id='1049605' first='Maggie' last='Soper'] (2026) also back, Hanover-Horton returns nearly 30 points of production. Hanover-Horton lost by 7 to District Champ Michigan Center in the playoffs, but the timing feels right for the Comets to soar this winter. Returning coaching leadership and upperclassmen starters give Hanover-Horton an edge. The Comets are my choice to win their first Cascades West title in 2024. </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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1049599' first='Molly' last='Soper']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_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":"Hanover-Horton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67113c91ab413"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Molly made a huge impact for Hanover-Horton in 2023, earning First Team West Honors. She averaged 8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, helping the Comets double their record against Cascades opponents. Molly is lethal from 3-point distance, drilling six triples in a game and adding a 23-point outburst. She plays aggressively on the defensive end and rips the ball away for steals. Molly will have a significant role to play for a Hanover-Horton team on the rise in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18879760/65f8ec80e984c6185c211393' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67113c91ab71c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Homer</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Homer was very competitive in the Cascades Conference, finishing with a 7-7 record in 2023. They lose a couple of important pieces heading into the winter season: Dream Team point guard and 1,000-point scorer Paige Austin (2024) in addition to First Team selection Emma Jones (2024). However, there are exciting underclassmen ready to step up for the Trojans. Combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id='802587' first='Ava' last='Fetterman'] (2026) provided a spark for the offense last season and forward [player_tooltip player_id='1189786' first='Alivia' last='Warner'] (2026) is a double-double threat with her productive rebounding. Homer will be a tough team again in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["802587"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67113c91ab7cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ava caught my attention at Spring Arbor Elite camp over the summer. She showed shifty ball handling control, quickness off the dribble, and great touch around the basket. Ava demonstrated her playmaking abilities as a sophomore, lighting up the stat sheet with 17 points and five 3's against East Jackson. Ava opens up the offense with her passes, splits defenders to score drives, and pesters opposing ball handlers. I expect Ava to break out as a leader for Homer in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jonesville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jonesville has finished with a 7-7 conference record the past two seasons, proving themselves to be a contender in the Cascades West in 2023. The Comets split with Brooklyn Columbia Central, swept Hanover-Horton, and defeated Quincy to secure a district title. Jonesville brings back their West First Team Selection court general [player_tooltip player_id='430042' first='Haley' last='Mach'] (2025, Grove City), productive forward [player_tooltip player_id='907850' first='Korra' last='Estel'] (2025), and spark plug wing [player_tooltip player_id='927963' first='Kira' last='Van Kampen'] (2027). I expect the Comets to be a West contender in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["430042"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67113c91ab842"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haley is the type of point guard every coach wants to have in their program. She is a leader on the court. Her toughness, effort, positive energy, and performance on both ends make her an excellent college-level prospect. Haley earned West Division First Team Honors in 2023 and continued to shine during the off-season. She showed her scrappy defense, confident ball handling, perimeter shooting, and pinpoint passing multiple times in summer and travel games. Haley is a great addition for Grove City and looks ready to have another All-Conference season as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/06/sau-shootout-heat-advisory/">Read More About Haley</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vandercook Lake</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vandercook Lake is trying to form a basketball program that can maintain numbers to complete a full high school season. The Jayhawks have ended their season short the past two seasons, but hopefully will play a full season in 2024. </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;&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>&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;&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 --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->