2024-25 SEASON PREVIEW: CHSL-AA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school tryouts have arrived and the season is just around the corner. 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;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Catholic High School League is split into four conferences (AA, Central, Intersectional 1, Intersectional 2) with a conference champion determined by the CHSL playoffs. The CHSL has its own First Team list for standout players in the league known as the All Catholic team. Other great players in the league are given All-League recognition, which is the equivalent of Second Team. The CHSL AA conference includes five teams: Allen Park Cabrini, Macomb Lutheran North, Madison Heights Bishop Foley, Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, and Wixom St. Catherine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continue reading to learn more about the CHSL AA teams, 2023-24 season results, and impact players heading into the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Season Results</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CHSL Cardinal Champion: Orchard Lake St. Mary's (12-0), Runner-Up: Jackson Lumen Christi (9-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 PRE-SEASON POWER RANKING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Wixom St. Catherine</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Macomb Lutheran North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Allen Park Cabrini</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Madison Heights Bishop Foley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Allen Park Cabrini</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023-24 Overall Record: 10-14, Conference: 3-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-CATHOLIC: Kaitlyn Jabczenski (2024, Alma)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-LEAGUE: Ava Teed (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060116"],"_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-673e9350e55ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maeve uses her length and strength to give Cabrini an advantage inside on both ends of the floor. She keeps her hands active to deflect passes and swipe the ball way on defense. Maeve is an excellent volleyball player and she uses those instincts to swat shots away at the rim without fouling. Maeve battles for rebounding position and finishes putbacks off two feet. She is a double-double threat and will be a key returner for the Monarchs this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17314577/65b8e6f99677720a7030c4d5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673e9350e5786"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Macomb Lutheran North</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023-24 Overall Record: 18-6, Conference: 4-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-CATHOLIC: Ava Herbst (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-LEAGUE: Makenna Gudeneau (2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1060150' first='Claire' last='Leinberger'] (2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060150"],"_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-673e9350e5816"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Claire earned All-League Honors as a junior and she contributes in several categories to help Lutheran North compete. Claire seals defenders off for entry passes in the low post and finishes shots off two feet. She is a furiously aggressive rebounder, grabbing double-digit boards on a nightly basis with an absurd 28 rebounds against Cabrini last season. Claire had an outstanding volleyball season, earning All-Catholic recognition, and will be a major contributor for the Mustangs again as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17324354/65d03409f56a070e30794803' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673e9350e583e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Madison Heights Bishop Foley</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023-24 Overall Record: 8-15, Conference: 3-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-CATHOLIC: Ryan Moorer (2024, Concordia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-LEAGUE: Sophia Schudt (2024) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060186"],"_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-673e9350e587a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Emma earned All-Catholic volleyball honors this fall and Bishop Foley will need her to have a very productive senior season on the basketball court. Emma uses her volleyball instincts/length to protect the rim as a shot blocker, deflect passes, and generate steals. She converts shots around the basket and works hard to secure rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Royal Oak Shrine Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023-24 Overall Record: 5-17, Conference: 3-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-CATHOLIC: [player_tooltip player_id='716475' first='Tess' last='Tillman'] (2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-LEAGUE: Catherine Murray (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["716475"],"_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-673e9350e590f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tess is a versatile wing who earned All-Catholic Honors for Shrine as a junior and should be a featured player again in 2024. Her height and mobility make her an effective offensive and defensive player inside and on the perimeter. Tess handles the ball well with both hands, hits shots from the perimeter, and knocks down smooth mid-range jumpers off the dribble. Tess is an intriguing prospect who I'm excited to see more of this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wixom St. Catherine</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023-24 Overall Record: 15-9, Conference: 8-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-CATHOLIC: [player_tooltip player_id='854673' first='Caitlin' last='Griffin'] (2025, Adrian), [player_tooltip player_id='959822' first='Hannah' last='Lisch'] (2025, Adrian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ALL-LEAGUE: [player_tooltip player_id='1060206' first='Ava' last='Lassey'] (2026) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["854673"],"_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-673e9350e5955"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caitlin was a major contributor as a junior and her efforts helped lead Wixom St. Catherine to a top three finish in the conference. Caitlin is a dynamic wing prospect who scans the floor to find open teammates, deflects passes with her long, active hands, and finishes effectively off of two feet. Caitlin has quick closeout speed, which leads to blocks on the perimeter and she converts floaters with touch around the basket. Her downhill burst off the dribble results in layups and free-throws. Caitlin is an excellent addition to Adrian's 2025 recruiting class and she should be an All-Catholic level performer once again as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19043947/659ae8083863be052c1c4c0e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673e9350e597b"} /--> <!-- /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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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 -->