2024 SEASON PREVIEW: Saginaw Valley League-North

<!-- 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 into 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. The Saginaw Valley League consists of 12 teams who play each other once during the regular season and the league champion is crowned based on their conference record: there is no conference championship game. The league does not have divisions, but I have separated the 12 teams into a North and South division for writing purposes. My hope is that the league will return to its previous format of a North and South division with a conference crossover championship game in the future. In this SVL preview, I will share my predictions for the league as a whole and then one prospect for each team who I believe will be essential to their teams success this season. A poll was shared with all head coaches in the league and the results are included below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">COACHES POLL (7 Responses of 12)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Who will be the SVL champion?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coaches: Saginaw Heritage 67%, Midland Dow 33%</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell: Saginaw Heritage (Flint Powers runner-up)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Who will win the 2024-25 SVL MVP Award?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coaches:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613424' first='Kendyl' last='Smith']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kendyl-smith/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;72%,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613943' first='Alesia' last='Ode']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/alesia-ode/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;14%,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='614649' first='Melanie' last='Kolnitys']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/melanie-kolnitys/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;14%</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613424' first='Kendyl' last='Smith']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kendyl-smith/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;(<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613943' first='Alesia' last='Ode']</strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/alesia-ode/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;runner-up)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Who will be the 2024-25 Darkhorse Team? (A team that wins and performs significantly better than expected based on last season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coaches: Midland High 86%, Mount Pleasant 14%</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell: Midland High</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Season Results</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>SVL Champion: Grand Blanc 11-0, Runner-Up: Midland Dow 10-1, SVL MVP: Chelsea Bishop, Runner-Up: [player_tooltip player_id='613424' first='Kendyl' last='Smith']<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kendyl-smith/"></a> , Darkhorse Team: Mount Pleasant</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bay City Central</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bay City Central finished the 2023 season with a 3-8 SVL record, improving their conference and overall record from 2022. The Wolves have a special talent in [player_tooltip player_id='908941' first='Tiareyona' last='Holmes'] (2025) who has shown the ability to change the outcome of games when she is in her zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908941"],"_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-67087cab45f12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tiareyona has length, athleticism, and multi-level scoring abilities that make her a tough player to stop on the basketball court. After receiving an honorable mention nomination in 2022, she took her game to a higher level in 2023, earning SVL All-Conference 2nd Team. T. is a two-time Bay City Times Dream Team Member, averaging 11.6 pts, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game throughout her career. T. has had an excellent off-season with Pride 21 on the PGH Circuit, frequently receiving notice as a top performer. She has a deadly pull-up jumper off the dribble and is tough to stop when she drives to the basket. I expect Tiareyona to add an exclamation point to her outstanding career in her senior season and be in the all-conference conversation once again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/06/june-rankings-update-2025-cg-climbers/">Read More About Tiareyona</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bay City Western</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bay City Western was the clear Darkhorse team in 2022, winning 15 games and finishing 7-5 in conference play. The team finished with a respectable 5-6 record in 2023 with senior guard Brooke Schwartz (2025, Delta) leading the charge. Brooke earned SVL All-Conference 1st Team Honors including a determined 28-point effort. The Warriors are a team that consistently competes in the league and I look forward to seeing who steps up this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1047239"],"_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-67087cab45fbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alexis received an All-Conference Honorable Mention nomination in 2023 and she will be relied on heavily to lead Bay City Western during her senior campaign. Alexis has length and versatility that leads to success in the paint and the perimeter. Alexis closes out hard to block shots, secures rebounds, finishes around the basket, and knocks down shots from beyond the arc. I anticipate Alexis to have a very productive senior season for the Warriors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midland High</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midland Chemics have been an intriguing team the past two years and their program has gone through perhaps the biggest transformation heading into the 2024 season. In 2022 the program went 0-12 in conference play and showed marginal improvement with a 2-9 conference record in 2023. The 2024 Midland Chemics have gone through an extreme makeover during the off-season and as a result, they have been selected as the 2024 Darkhorse team by SVL coaches. The Chemics were the surprise OT tourney champs at Northwood Team Camp this summer (<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/06/northwood-team-camp-cinderella-chemics/">Read More</a>) and they will rely heavily on their 2028 class to climb the valley this winter. This is going to be a dangerous team to play and I expect this group to finish top 3 in the SVL. I get it, you think I'm crazy right? They have gone 2-21 in league play the past two seasons. However, the Chemics are bringing in four of the top 30 prospects in the 2028 class. [player_tooltip player_id='898878' first='Kaiya' last='Mahabir'], [player_tooltip player_id='933020' first='Ella' last='McLaughlin'], [player_tooltip player_id='933025' first='Emma' last='McLaughlin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='932751' first='Ellee' last='Arnold']. These girls were nothing short of dominant for Mystics Select during the AAU season and their chemistry translated to immediate success for Midland this summer. In addition, the Chemics return key seniors [player_tooltip player_id='424147' first='Payton' last='Palmer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='425121' first='Madison' last='Page'] who can shoot lights out from 3 with Emmalea Terburgh providing a spark at the forward spot. New Head Coach Elaine Mahabir takes over a team with the potential to be a serious contender in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["424147"],"_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-67087cab4603a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payton had a solid sophomore season, receiving an All-Conference Honorable Mention nomination and she elevated her game to earn All-Conference 2nd Team Honors in 2023. Payton has made a name for herself as a deadly 3-point shooter and she has become a threat to score downhill off the dribble as well. Her experience and poise under pressure will be important with the Chemics young freshman core. Payton is an offensive weapon who will greatly benefit from having capable ball-handlers who can attack downhill and kick the ball out to her for perimeter shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midland Dow</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midland Dow has been dominant in the SVL, winning 10 games against conference opponents in four straight seasons. Dow finished 10-1 in 2023, but they will have an uphill climb if they hope to repeat that success in 2024. The Chargers will have a different starting lineup this winter, losing three foundational seniors to graduation. Lauren VanSumeran (2024, Calvin), Klaire Caldwell (2024), and Riley Schikorra (2024). [player_tooltip player_id='614649' first='Melanie' last='Kolnitys'] has been a leader on both ends for the Chargers since her freshman year. She followed up her 2022 All-Conference 2nd Team selection with an All-Conference 1st Team selection in 2023. Her absence during the first few months will be a difficult hurdle to overcome for the Chargers, but hopefully, Melanie will be ready to roll when conference play starts in January. Sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='613004' first='Dalton' last='Deboer'] (2025) will be counted on heavily to spark the offense and their 2023 freshman playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='866019' first='Allie' last='Stockton'] appears ready to lead the charge in her sophomore season. I expect Dow to remain a top-tier team in the league this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["866019"],"_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-67087cab460bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allie was a breakout player for Dow in 2023, earning All-Conference 2nd Team Honors and she has been spectacular during the off-season. Allie has grit and determination that stands out on both ends. She chases down breakaways to block shots from behind, deflects passes to create steals, and finishers hard through contact in the paint for layups. Allie uses shifty combo dribbles to blow by defenders, has fantastic passing vision, and a deadly pull-up jumper from anywhere in the half-court. Allie moves well without the ball and is an elite point guard. Based on observations during the spring, summer, and fall, I can say without a doubt that she will be an All-Conference First Team candidate in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/09/cage-fall-league-recap-week-one/">Read More About Allie</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mount Pleasant</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Pleasant finished the 2023 season with a solid 7-4 conference record under first year head coach Josh French. The Oilers lose their swiss army knife point guard Lakyn Karr (2024) who earned All-Conference 1st Team Honors last season. However, with All-Conference 2nd Team seniors [player_tooltip player_id='336004' first='Jordyn' last='Egger'] (2025, Rollins) and [player_tooltip player_id='854703' first='Ava' last='Petrino'] (2025) returning they should have plenty of offensive firepower to compete in the league. An incoming post prospect has been developing under-the-radar, having an excellent AAU season, while playing up. [player_tooltip player_id='932749' first='Elizabeth' last='Laney'] will be a force at the varsity level and a top center in the league as she continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["932749"],"_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-67087cab4613c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elizabeth is a 2028 center who caught my attention playing with Mystics Regional 2027 during the travel season. She has good footwork as a back to the basket post and finishes effectively off two feet. Elizabeth is an aggressive shot blocker, rebounder, and high effort player. I expect Elizabeth to be an asset for the Oilers inside and to develop into one of the premier post prospects in the SVL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/07/select-super-showcase-day-one-review/">Read More About Elizabeth</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saginaw Heritage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saginaw Heritage finished the 2023 season with a respectable 6-5 record in the conference, but they are expected to take a giant leap in the standings in 2024. The Hawks lose three seniors to graduation: All-Conference First Team selection Lexi Ringley (2024, Rochester Christian), Tamia Taylor (2024, Mott), and Raegan Gary (2024, Siena Heights). When a team has three seniors move on to play college basketball, they usually aren't expected to be better the following year. However, this team brings in four of the top 50 freshman with three in the top 20. [player_tooltip player_id='613943' first='Alesia' last='Ode'] (2026) is at full strength coming off a productive off-season and her younger sister [player_tooltip player_id='933013' first='Joslyn' last='Ode'] (2028) has grabbed multiple D2 offers already without playing an official minute of varsity basketball. [player_tooltip player_id='933016' first='Zariya' last='McCrary'] (2028), [player_tooltip player_id='908135' first='Jayla' last='Laster'] (2028), and [player_tooltip player_id='981985' first='Londyn' last='Newton'] (2028) have immediately stepped into contributing roles for the Hawks during the summer and [player_tooltip player_id='615174' first='Breeghan' last='Hamilton'] (2026) will also be a factor on both sides of the court. Heritage is the SVL Conference favorite according to the coaches poll and if their freshman can perform like they did during the summer, the Hawks will have a great chance to win the league in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933013"],"_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-67087cab461bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joslyn has had an impressive off-season leading into her first varsity high school season for Heritage. She has been an x-factor on the floor for the Hawks, slashing downhill to score off the dribble, drilling 3s from the perimeter, and playing lock-down defense. Joslyn competes with toughness, passion, and confidence beyond her years. Her explosive burst offensively and scrappy defense will make her a menace for SVL teams this winter. Joslyn has D2 offers already and it's very reasonable to predict that she could earn an All-Conference nomination as a freshman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/09/2028-rankings-update-michigans-6-10/">Read More About Joslyn</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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>[program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball']</strong></a>&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 -->