BELL’S BEST GAMES: Week One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each Sunday throughout the season I will share previews for games featuring enticing matchups of prospects and teams. The time for scrimmages has ended and now we move on to the greatly anticipated regular season. Here are the games I am most intrigued by in week one of the high school season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monday, Dec. 2nd</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brooklyn Columbia Central (D2) @ Jackson Lumen Christi (D2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time: 7:00 PM, Location: Lumen Christi High School Cox Fieldhouse, Jackson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is much suspense and uncertainty surrounding the outcome of this opening matchup between Jackson Lumen Christi (D2) and Brooklyn Columbia Central (D2). Columbia Central won the Cascades West last season and they hope to accomplish that feat again with new head coach Christopher Dickerson at the helm. The Golden Eagles have two exciting freshmen ranked top 30 in the state: guard [player_tooltip player_id='805180' first='Gabby' last='Gaydosh'] (2028) and forward [player_tooltip player_id='937539' first='Leelyn' last='Brown'] (2028). Both girls had success during their travel seasons and I am intrigued by the possibility of them having a large role on varsity from the start. How the team looks without 2024 grad Hailey Freshcorn (2024) will be very interesting. Jackson Lumen Christi moved into the CHSL Central and will look very different this season also. New Head Coach Jesse Brown takes over a team with high hopes as Michigan's number one ranked prospect [player_tooltip player_id='932733' first='Kenna' last='Hunt'] (2028) makes her high school debut. She displayed skill and talent that earned her multiple D1 offers before the season, so the question is whether that individual success will immediately translate against competitive high school programs. The Titans return multiple contributing upperclassmen from last year's team and additional freshmen who I expect to make an immediate impact also. This game is a toss-up I'm eager to see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday, Dec. 3rd</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Flint Powers Catholic (D2) @ Clarkston (D1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time: 7:00 PM, Location: Clarkston High School, Clarkston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarkston (D1) and Flint Powers Catholic (D2) both made a deep playoff run to the Regional Finals last season. Both teams feature a 2026 guard prospect who has been heavily recruited and earned All-Conference recognition. Powers point guard [player_tooltip player_id='613424' first='Kendyl' last='Smith'] (2026, CMU) is the pre-season favorite for MVP in the SVL conference, and Clarkston's shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='614650' first='Elliana' last='Robak'] (2026) is amongst the few in the OAA Red MVP conversation. Both girls have deadly 3-point accuracy that can put points on the board in a hurry and are the offensive engine of their teams. However, in my opinion, the outcome of this game will be decided by whose supporting cast steps up the most. Powers adds powerful freshman forward [player_tooltip player_id='932758' first='Evah' last='Smith'] (2028) to their Varsity lineup with versatile wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id='502319' first='Paige' last='Ringwelski'] (2026) coming off a greatly productive sophomore season. Clarkston sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='807284' first='Brooklyn' last='Covert'] (2027) was heroic last season and has the ability to take over games on her own. With freshmen and a host of productive seniors, the Wolves are a dangerous unit. I expect this game to be a nail-biter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday, Dec. 4th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Portland (D2) @ Frankenmuth (D2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time: 7:00 PM, Location: Frankenmuth High School, Frankenmuth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most interesting thoughts following the graduation of an important senior is how the team will look without their key player. Both teams graduated college basketball players: Portland's Malia Thelen (2024, LSSU) and Frankenmuth's Mia McLaughlin (2024, Ferris State) have both moved on. However, both teams are still extremely talented and are predicted to win their respective leagues this season. Portland has a triple-headed monster of [player_tooltip player_id='502309' first='Lilly' last='Thelen'] (2026), [player_tooltip player_id='860186' first='Summer' last='Stopczynski'] (2026), and [player_tooltip player_id='807309' first='Leigha' last='Roberson'] (2027). Each girl has been very successful at PGH events, travel games, and scrimmages leading up to the season. Frankenmuth returns their veteran sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='409313' first='Clare' last='Conzelmann'] (2025, LSSU) and adds a new weapon with top-five ranked freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='932742' first='Macy' last='Donovan'] (2028) joining varsity after an impressive off-season. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='866167' first='Grace' last='Brenner'] (2027) had a productive freshman campaign and [player_tooltip player_id='1059992' first='Izzy' last='Bernthal'] (2025) is an all-around contributor for Muth. This game is going to be an exciting matchup and a must-watch game on Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday, Dec. 5th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloomfield Hills Marian (D1) @ Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep (D1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time: 7:00 PM, Location: St. Mary's Prep High School, Orchard Lake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two CHSL Central opponents square off in what should be a very tense first game on Thursday. St. Mary's won a 40-37 thriller last season on the road and hopes to repeat that result again at home. Without All-Catholic point guard [player_tooltip player_id='807281' first='Layla' last='Stewart'] (2027, Belleville) I am very curious to see how the offense is impacted. However, All-Catholic guard [player_tooltip player_id='751130' first='Allie' last='Crighton'] (2027) and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='716693' first='Stella' last='Poota'] (2025) make an exceptional backcourt. Their power forwards [player_tooltip player_id='807303' first='Reese' last='Holton'] (2027) and [player_tooltip player_id='615150' first='Brooke' last='Shockey'] (2027) form a tough tandem in the frontcourt. Bloomfield Hills Marian will take the floor this season under guidance from new Head Coach Shane Lawal without their D1 star forward Mckenzie Swanson (2024, Butler). The strength of their team is their dynamic duo of slashing sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='751160' first='Mckenley' last='Reid'] (2027) and 3-point sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='419540' first='Molly' last='McLeod'] (2025). They have height in the post with 6-footers [player_tooltip player_id='607080' first='Ella' last='Swanson'] (2026), [player_tooltip player_id='420496' first='Ruby' last='Jansen'] (2025, U of M Rowing), and [player_tooltip player_id='734975' first='Kennadi' last='Marsh'] (2026). I'm eager to see the results of this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday, Dec. 6th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeWitt (D1) @ Holt (D1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Time: 7:00 PM, Location: Holt High School, Holt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two front runners for the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title square off in their first of two meetings this season. DeWitt won the 2023 league title with an undefeated 12-0 record including a regular season sweep of Holt. However, the Rams won their third game against the Panthers in the Regional Semifinals, which should add some extra emotion to this rematch. DeWitt returns All-Conference selections [player_tooltip player_id='424564' first='Madi' last='Uyl'] (2025, GVSU), [player_tooltip player_id='613010' first='Tara' last='Kurncz'] (2025), and [player_tooltip player_id='860190' first='Carly' last='Dennis'] (2026). [player_tooltip player_id='924016' first='Sophia' last='Beland'] (2026), [player_tooltip player_id='751141' first='Golden' last='Nicholson'] (2027), and several others look ready to make a major impact. Holt has a loaded group of talented players in their own right and something to prove as they graduated three college basketball players: Rhema Dozier (2024, Aquinas), Claire Tobias (2024, LCC), and Presley Pazitka (2024, LCC). Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='919121' first='Allison' last='Metzger'] (2025) and senior center [player_tooltip player_id='904434' first='Genevieve' last='Nagel'] (2025) lead a host of talented 2027 prospects who look ready to break out this winter. This game could be an indicator of who the top dog in the Blue will be this season.</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;&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;</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 -->