MICHIGAN STATE TOURNEY: 17U Saturday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Danyle and I teamed up to cover the Michigan State Tournament rigorously from beginning to end. We are proud to say that every team in attendance received Prep Girls Hoops Media Coverage with hundreds of live social media posts and dozens of Top Performer graphics throughout the day. Here are several 17U Saturday standouts whom I observed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["914852"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1251463,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683608b65bc51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grace played "possessed" for [program_tooltip program_id='1239258' first='HB' last='Elite'] on Saturday at our PGH Michigan State Tournament. She battled for rebounds and 50/50 balls, flying in from the perimeter to secure and score an offensive rebound put back. Grace converted shots around the basket, including a full-speed backdoor cut catch and finish. She hesitated briefly, then ripped hard to drive by a defender and cause a foul--poured in both free throws. Grace was locked in from three-point range, draining multiple triples up top. Her length, hustle, and versatility are major advantages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["640901"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1251475,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683608b65bcb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kayla is a combo guard from Ohio Extreme 17U who contributed in all areas to help the team succeed on Saturday at our PGH Michigan State Tournament. Kayla drove downhill with a burst to score a left-handed layup and made accurate entry passes into the post. She communicates on defense, closes out fast, and knows where to be helpside without losing site of the ball. Kayla defended the ball with active hands, an athletic stance, and quick lateral movement. She understood when to fight over screens, go under, or switch. Kayla jumped up to snag an offensive rebound, collapsed the defense with her dribble drive, and kicked a pass to a wide open teammate on the perimeter for the assist. She is an unselfish prospect who does everything to help the team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1172516"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1251473,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683608b65bd06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lillian simply put, had a breakout performance on Saturday for [program_tooltip program_id='1239258' first='HB' last='Elite'] at our PGH Michigan State Tournament. She pressured the ball on defense to create steals, blocked shots, and chased down offensive boards. Lillian froze her defender with a shot fake, blew by with a quick crossover, and dished a bounce pass on the money for an assist. She buried a pull-up jumper after a crossover dribble and added an impressive reverse layup. Lillian created separation with her shifty crossovers and had excellent dexterity, transferring the ball to both hands in traffic. She scored a strong and-one floater through hard contact and dropped in another contested floater after using a nifty high-pick-up move. Lillian penetrated gaps with her drives and kicked the ball out to open shooters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["982870"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1251467,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683608b65bd65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Annika was impossible to miss on Saturday with MBA UA Rise 2026 at our PGH Michigan State Tournament. She crossed over a defender and motored downhill to score a strong and-one layup with authority. Annika battled inside to secure strong offensive rebounds, walled up to deflect passes, and blocked shots. She wasn't afraid to pull the trigger from three-point distance, burying a confident wing triple. Annika dropped in an impressive runner off the dribble and had excellent footwork inside. She caught a pass in the high post and fired a perfect skip pass to the corner. Annika competed with determination and toughness that set her apart as a long and skilled power forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["759539"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1251461,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683608b65bdaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">HarLee had a great day one for Ladies F1rst at our PGH Michigan State Tournament. HarLee embraced the challenge of defending a 6-foot-plus opponent and held her defensive position to force misses, while securing rebounds. HarLee drained a wing three and drove hard into a defender's chest to create separation, then finished the layup off two feet with a soft touch. She converted two free throws and another layup off two feet, leading the team in points during their most challenging matchup. HarLee was a strong rebounder, active communicator, and fierce competitor throughout the day. She makes great skip passes and unselfish decisions with the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["616579"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1251472,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683608b65bdff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Karissa was a key contributor for Ladies F1rst on Saturday at our PGH Michigan State Tournament. She made effective basket cuts and finished with finesse around the rim. Karissa closed out with high hands to force missed shots and secured rebounds. She beat defenders off the dribble with quick crossovers and converted several free throws from the charity stripe at a high clip. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["982871"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1251468,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683608b65be47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Janiah had a monster first day at our PGH Michigan State Tournament for MBA UA Rise 2026. She slashed downhill to score continuous layups off the dribble and was lethal on the offensive glass. Janiah scored many offensive rebound put-backs with both hands at the rim. She dished a give-and-go, then finished her cut with a quick left-handed layup off two feet. Janiah crossed over her defender and accelerated to score a layup off two feet. She swiped the ball away on defense and finished the play with a pizza-pie layup going full speed. I wrote extensively in my notes about the several instances where Janiah made a sudden transfer of the ball to score layups, driving to the basket. Her floaters, handles, rebounding, and finishing efficiency were phenomenal, which is why Janiah was one of the best guards in the gym. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["614651"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1251469,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683608b65be8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samaira was determined to have a strong opening day at our PGH Michigan State Tournament, and that's exactly what she did with [program_tooltip program_id='923703' first='Michigan' last='Knights'] 17U. Samaira was active on defense, forcing many steals and making a textbook wall-up block without fouling. She took the ball to the basket like a running back charging through gaps to score layups and earn free throws. Samaira muscled her way inside to secure many offensive rebounds and score put-backs. She pushed the ball quickly down the floor with both hands to break the press and delivered crisp passes to teammates after penetrating gaps with her dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1227431"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1251465,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-683617322c77b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1241434' first='Addison' last=''] had a solid first day for MBA UA Rise 2026 at our PGH Michigan State Tournament. She gave the team a boost with multiple three-pointers from the corner and used her length to create steals and disrupt passing lanes on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1241434' first='Addison' last=''] pushed the ball off a steal in top gear to score a strong and-one layup off two feet and went by defenders to score another layup off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->