BELL'S BEST GAMES: Dec. 27th Showcase Edition

<p>Each week throughout the season I will share previews for games featuring enticing matchups of prospects and teams. In case you missed it, here are the results from last week's featured games: Negaunee defeated #10 Calumet 56-35, #6 Haslett defeated #6 Leslie 43-32, #2 Tecumseh defeated #13 Blissfield 70-38, Midland High defeated H.H Dow 55-52, and #13 Chelsea defeated #13 Dexter 55-49. The Prep Girls Hoops Michigan team wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! These matchups on December 27th are the games I expect to come down to the wire.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Muskegon Mona Shores (D1, 4-2) vs Zeeland West (D1, 5-0)</h2>   <p><strong>Time: 10:30 AM, Location: Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids</strong></p>   <p>Zeeland West has one of the coolest mascots in Michigan and they are puffing their feathers after a 5-0 start to the 2024 season. The Dux don't mind drama with three wins coming by single-digits, including a buzzer-beater against Muskegon. [player_tooltip player_id='424159' first='Jordyn' last='Klaasen'] (2025, Ball State Soccer), [player_tooltip player_id='921955' first='Hannah' last='Stroebe'] (2026), and [player_tooltip player_id='964387' first='Georgia' last='Kuyers'] (2025) are three athletes who are equally capable of leading the flock in any game. Muskegon Mona Shores is having an exciting first chapter to their season with four wins and both losses against ranked D1 programs. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='989300' first='Logan' last='Clausen'] (2025) is a playmaker for the Sailors to watch in what should be a very competitive matchup. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Davison (D1, 4-1) vs Port Huron Northern (D1, 5-2)</h2>   <p><strong>Time: 11:30 AM, Location: St. Clair Community College, Port Huron </strong></p>   <p>These two teams are very closely matched on paper and the game should play out that way on the court as well. Davison started the season 3-0 and responded to their loss at Milford with a 48-point victory at home. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='796709' first='Gracie' last='Wright'] (2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1101944' first='Ella' last='Mangett'] (2026), and [player_tooltip player_id='860215' first='Sam' last='Beller'] (2026) compete with an edge on both ends, while towering center [player_tooltip player_id='923880' first='Savannah' last='Rice'] (2026) gives the Cardinals an advantage in the paint. Port Huron Northern is off to a great start with four double-digit wins and only one loss coming by more than two points. The Huskies have three senior guards to watch in this one. [player_tooltip player_id='1058345' first='Charlotte' last='Eastman'] (2025), [player_tooltip player_id='854670' first='Kate' last='Nichols'] (2025), and [player_tooltip player_id='854698' first='Shannon' last='Fealko'] (2025) all handle the ball with confidence and deliver knockout blows from 3-point range. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (D1, 4-1) vs #11 Grand Rapids Northview (6-0)</h2>   <p><strong>Time: 12:00 PM, Location: Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids</strong></p>   <p>After dropping their opening contest to a ranked Grand Rapids Catholic Central team by seven points, Kenowa Hills has powered through the field with four straight double-digit victories. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='716473' first='Melanin' last='Holman'] (2025) spins defenders like a top with her shifty moves and puts opposing ball-handlers in a box with her pressure. [player_tooltip player_id='751131' first='Ashlyn' last='Flint'] (2027) and [player_tooltip player_id='838240' first='Ruby' last='Gustinis'] (2027) are two productive sophomores to watch for the Knights as well. Grand Rapids Northview escaped their last game with a one-point win against a competitive Zeeland East team to keep their undefeated record intact. The Wildcats have multiple statement wins against tough teams and several guards who will be impact players in this game. [player_tooltip player_id='659282' first='Hannah' last='Gillette'] (2025, Aquinas), Miley and [player_tooltip player_id='928048' first='Carley' last='Chacho'] (2027), plus [player_tooltip player_id='982871' first='Janiah' last='Martin'] (2026) give the Wildcats playmaking depth that is difficult to match. This game has the potential to be an epic battle. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Yale (D2, 5-0) vs Alpena (D1, 2-3)</h2>   <p><strong>Time: 2:00 PM, Location: St. Clair Community College, Port Huron</strong></p>   <p>Don't let Alpena's record fool you. These Thunder Bay ballers are a skilled group with three seniors who should give the Bulldogs everything they can handle. [player_tooltip player_id='918940' first='Kiera' last='Prue'] (2025, Alma) is a physical forward who muscles her way to points in the paint. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='1073616' first='Faith' last='Dragiewicz'] (2025) and [player_tooltip player_id='1002349' first='Natalie' last='Maychen'] (2025) are a tough duo who contribute both ways for Alpena. Yale comes in with an undefeated record as they have won every game by double-digits. [player_tooltip player_id='613947' first='Sadie' last='Dykstra'] (2026) has been unstoppable for opponents on the offensive end to start the year and center [player_tooltip player_id='854678' first='Alyssa' last='Barr'] (2025) is a towering force inside. This should be a competitive matchup and the outcome will be decided based on who can stop the other team's best prospects.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">East Jordan (D3, 4-1) vs #5 Harbor Springs (D3, 4-1)</h2>   <p><strong>Time: 3:00 PM, Location: North Central Michigan College, Petoskey</strong></p>   <p>Two D3 contenders are set to face-off in a Northern Michigan melee with each team winning four games and losing one. East Jordan started the season with three straight double-digit victories before losing a close game to Boyne City. Harbor Springs has eclipsed 60 points in 3 of 4 wins with their only defeat coming at the hands of D4 title contender St. Ignace. There are two primary prospects to see in this contest: [player_tooltip player_id='424142' first='Olivia' last='Flynn'] (2025, Western Michigan) who does it all for Harbor Springs and East Jordan's [player_tooltip player_id='919127' first='June' last='Kirkpatrick'] (2025). June has a 38 point, 7 made 3's performance under her belt to start the season. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frankenmuth (D2, 3-2) vs #7 Flint Powers Catholic (D2, 4-0)</h2>   <p><strong>Time: 3:00 PM, Location: Frankenmuth High School, Frankenmuth</strong></p>   <p>Powers Catholic has been on a warpath to start the season. They made a statement by beating two ranked opponents and appear to be a legitimate contender to start the season. [player_tooltip player_id='613424' first='Kendyl' last='Smith'] (2026, Central Michigan), [player_tooltip player_id='932758' first='Evah' last='Smith'] (2028), and [player_tooltip player_id='502319' first='Paige' last='Ringwelski'] (2026) are three key prospects for the Chargers who can play the lead role on any given night. Frankenmuth dropped two of three games to start the season, but has responded with two blowout victories heading into this contest. They have the offensive firepower to keep with sharpshooters Claire Conzelmann (2025, LSSU) and [player_tooltip player_id='932742' first='Macy' last='Donovan'] (2028) leading the backcourt. Do-it-all seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1059992' first='Izzy' last='Bernthal'] (2025) and [player_tooltip player_id='1120586' first='Rosemary' last='Brenner'] (2025) give the Eagles valuable minutes on both ends, while point guard [player_tooltip player_id='866167' first='Grace' last='Brenner'] (2027) adds an important defensive presence. Two top-ten 2028 prospects and multiple college-level recruits have me eager to see the outcome.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#15 Negaunee (D2, 5-0) vs #7 Ewen-Trout Creek (D4, 6-0)</h2>   <p><strong>Time: 4:30 PM, Location: Lakeview Memorial Gym, Negaunee</strong></p>   <p>Two ranked teams will compete in a U.P showdown as undefeated Negaunee takes on undefeated Ewen-Trout Creek. Negaunee hasn't sweated much this season, winning every game by double-digits. The Miners defeated Houghton by 11, Marquette by 13, and Calumet by 21. Their top prospect [player_tooltip player_id='903030' first='Aubrey' last='Johnson'] (2025) set a new personal best with 30 points against Calumet including 6 3's in the game. [player_tooltip player_id='903059' first='Gretel' last='Johnson'] (2027), Claire O'Donnell (2026), and [player_tooltip player_id='1120593' first='Keira' last='Waterman'] (2027) have been productive and will need to contribute again to win this game. Ewen Trout-Creek features three high-octane scorers: [player_tooltip player_id='897714' first='Emma' last='Besonen'] (2026), [player_tooltip player_id='995709' first='Irelynd' last='McGeshick'] (2026), and [player_tooltip player_id='896944' first='Bree' last='Besonen'] (2028) who all averaged double-digit points per game last season. Emma surpassed 1,000 points in her career and the Panthers look to spoil Christmas with a win on the road. Only one team ends the year with a perfect record and this could be the best game North of the Mackinac Bridge this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">At the Buzzer</h2>   <p><strong>Evan Bell</strong> is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops and Director of <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong> </strong></a><strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong>             </strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/prepare-2-win-basketball/"><strong> </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>                </strong> . Our <a href="https://www.prepnetwork.com/frequently-asked-questions/">mission</a> 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>   <p></p>

Each week throughout the season I will share previews for games featuring enticing matchups of prospects and teams. In case you missed it, here are the results from last week's featured games: Negaunee defeated #10 Calumet 56-35, #6 Haslett defeated #6 Leslie 43-32, #2 Tecumseh defeated #13 Blissfield 70-38, Midland High defeated H.H Dow 55-52, and #13 Chelsea defeated #13 Dexter 55-49. The Prep Girls Hoops Michigan team wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! These matchups on December 27th are the games I expect to come down to the wire.