2025 Sophomore Player of the Year Finalists Pt 2

Inspired by the Miss Basketball award, which seeks to honor the best senior basketball players in the state, we wanted to add our flavor to postseason awards. Danyle and I have collaborated to determine a list of deserving high school prospects for every grade that we wish to nominate as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Player of the Year Finalists.   This award emphasizes individual accomplishments and performances during the 2024-25 season. Prospects who compete on teams that excel in their division, conference, and against competitive teams were prioritized. To be included as a finalist, a player must have played for a high school team ranked by an authoritative girls basketball resource and demonstrated consistent impactful performances throughout the season. Two Player of the Year Finalists will be selected for each grade. The girls chosen are those who we believe impact their team with such significance that their team would not be in the same competitive category without them. Their performance throughout the scope of this season stands above other finalists and makes them the most deserving recipient of what we hope will be a highly respected award for years to come. This is our attempt to offer a fresh award to several of the best basketball players in the state, on the best teams in the state. Here are four of our 2025 Sophomore Player of the Year Finalists.    Alexis is one of the best power forward prospects in this class; she proved it with a stellar sophomore season for Grand Rapids West Catholic. The Falcons finished as O.K. Gold Conference champs with an 11-1 conference record and 18-3 overall. They secured statement wins against Hudsonville, Holt, G.R. South Christian, G.R. Catholic Central, Wyoming, and East Kentwood. Alexis was a force all season, O.K. Gold All-Conference First Team, averaging 14 points (56% 2FG%, 30% 3PT%, 58% EFG%), 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. Her assertiveness driving downhill and physical tenacity securing rebounds, protecting the rim, and finishing in traffic give West Catholic the advantage inside. She contributed against tough opponents with 18 points against South Christian, 16 versus East Kentwood, 18 against Wyoming. Alexis was selected All-Tournament at The Platform, producing 23 points, four rebounds, and three steals in a win over Holt.     Allie earned All-Catholic and BCAM's Best D2 honors as a freshman--she continued to shine for St. Mary's Prep as a sophomore. The Eaglets finished 17-4 (7-1 Division) with statement wins against Mercy, Warren Regina, Clarkston, and Livonia Stevenson. Allie contributed in several categories, averaging 16.5 points (48% FG%), 6.5 rebounds, four assists, and four steals per game. She was an Impact Player of the Game against Lake Orion, scoring 27 points with seven rebounds, five steals, and four assists. Allie dropped 25 points with five rebounds and four steals against Bloomfield Hills. She showed her ability to perform against elite competition, scoring 23 points with five rebounds and five assists against Mercy and 17 points with seven rebounds versus Frankenmuth. Allie's crafty ball-handling, smooth finishing, and perimeter shooting make her one of the toughest guards to contain in this class.     After seeing Reese compete during the travel season and with Grass Lake at BCAM's Reaching Higher team camp, we had a feeling this was going to be a huge year for the sophomore. Reese delivered on those expectations with a dominant season for the Warriors that helped the team finish 18-3 overall, undefeated in the conference, and Cascades Conference champions. She proved her weight in gold against tough matchups this season. Against Leslie, Reese scored 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 17 points, nine rebounds. She helped Grass Lake earn a hard-fought win against a great Detroit Rennaissance opponent, producing a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. She produced another double-double against Detroit Country Day with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Reese was effective against Michigan Center, scoring 13 points with nine rebounds while shooting 100% from the charity stripe, and dropped 23 points (2/2 3PT, 7/7 FT) with six rebounds and four steals against Eaton Rapids. Reese broke the single-season school record, making 85 free throws, and earned an All-Conference Dream Team selection. Her relentless effort, acrobatic athleticism, and versatile skillset were a difference maker for Grass Lake this season; they're a leading contender heading into the playoffs.     Mallory is our top-ranked center prospect, and when you look at her dominant contributions in several statistical categories, it's eye-opening. Mallory averaged 13.5 points, eight rebounds, 4.1 steals, 3.3 blocks, and 2.6 assists. She set a school record by making an absurd 69% of her field goals (115-166). Mallory led the team in steals, blocks, and rebounds per game but was also second in scoring and third in assists. She reached double-digit scoring in 20 of 21 games with seven double-doubles, including 12 points with 13 rebounds against Midland and 13 points with 13 rebounds against Forest Hills Northern. Mallory achieved a triple-double against East Kentwood with 13 rebounds, 11 rebounds, and 11 blocks. Mallory earned MLive Muskegon Athlete of the Week honors twice this season. She helped the Bucs earn statement wins against Midland, Hudsonville, East Kentwood, Muskegon, and Traverse City Central. They finished 18-3 (7-3 conference) and are the district favorite.

Inspired by the Miss Basketball award, which seeks to honor the best senior basketball players in the state, we wanted to add our flavor to postseason awards. Danyle and I have collaborated to determine a list of deserving high school prospects for every grade that we wish to nominate as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Player of the Year Finalists.