Zero Star Showcase: 17U Yooper Hoopers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops is breaking a new trail this weekend. [program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball'] and AdvantEdge Sports Training have combined forces to present the first-ever Zero Star Showcase at Northern Michigan University. Middle/High School boys and girls prospects from the Zero Star travel basketball program are putting their best basketball on display with live Prep Girls Hoops coverage and college coaches in the gym. This is a monumental moment for Michigan girls' basketball recruiting and coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":879008,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/03/20240325_142416-crop-1536x1009-1711391481.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-879008" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jenna Maki, 2024, Ishpeming, Breslin Center, Mar. 22</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The seed was planted in March of 2024 during the state semifinals when I watched prospects Ella Mason from Negaunee and Jenna Maki of Ishpeming blow the roof off the Breslin Center. Both were soon-to-be graduating seniors who, quite frankly, should have been on our radar sooner and more heavily recruited by colleges in the state. That day, I realized an entire peninsula of Michigan was being missed, and I vowed never to let another Yooper girls basketball prospect graduate without being known by Prep Girls Hoops, seen, and evaluated by college coaches. Many schools with great basketball players in the U.P. do not make it to the big dance at the Breslin Center, and those kids deserve an opportunity to be noticed. I met Advantedge Sports Training and [program_tooltip program_id='928192' first='Zero' last='Star Basketball'] owner/director Dustin Brancheau when he brought his [program_tooltip program_id='928192' first='Zero' last='Star Basketball'] teams to our Prep Girls Hoops Live tournament. There, I discovered many additional prospects with college basketball pedigree. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/05/prep-live-17u-morning-session-notes/">Read More</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1261138,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/PXL_20240624_002006959.MP_-crop-3657x2401-1750431982.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1261138" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zero Star Practice, Republic Jr/Sr High School, Michigamme, June 23rd, 2024.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After driving up with Cleary University Assistant Coach Jerry Wallace for a Zero Star Girls Basketball practice almost a year ago to the day, it was clear that this needed to become an annual event. I started the&nbsp;<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/12/yooper-hoopers-week-one/">“Yooper Hooper”</a>&nbsp;article series to give U.P. prospects Prep Girls Hoops coverage during their high school season, and I'm excited to see many of those girls competing this weekend. Dustin and I have high hopes for the U.P., and this Zero Star Showcase marks the beginning of what will be a marquee event for Yooper boys' and girls' basketball prospects for years to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1261643,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/PXL_20250621_160130832.MP_-crop-3724x2445-1750607531.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1261643" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zero Star 13U-17U teams, Zero Star Showcase, Vandament Arena, Marquette, June 21st, 2025. </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The format and sequence of the showcase provided D2, D3, and JUCO coaches with the opportunity to conduct a thorough evaluation of the prospects. Individual skill drills in essential fundamentals, small-sided games, and 5v5 scrimmaging enabled the girls to show their best qualities while receiving maximum ball touches. Here are several 2026 prospects who showed their potential as college prospects on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212913"],"_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":1262668,"_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-685985d80372a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alecia is a sharpshooting guard who stood out at the Zero Star Showcase. She switched hands with confidence during the dribble series warmup. Alecia covers ground in a hurry. During the transition drill, she used pushout dribbles and long strides to get to the rim quickly and finished a left-handed layup. Alecia has great instincts as a back-to-the-basket guard and finishes her cuts by sealing defenders on the blocks to get high-percentage shots. She scored a drop-step layup with a soft touch off the glass and ripped the nets with a smooth three-point stroke during the drills. Alecia communicated on defense and had a solid day at the Zero Star Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["884795"],"_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":1262672,"_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-685985d8037ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lauren is a talented guard prospect who showed her next-level qualities at the Zero Star Showcase. Lauren knocked down threes efficiently from the wings and corners during drills. She used excellent pivots to protect the ball and create space during the 2v2 segment. Lauren worked hard to secure rebounds on both ends during the games and kept her eyes up while handling the ball to find teammates. Lauren moves to open space and knows how to get open--she's a smart passer. Lauren pushed the ball with both hands in transition, dished a bounce pass to move the defender, then got the return pass to finish with a layup off two feet. She has great anticipation and quick hands on defense that resulted in many steals. Lauren had a notable day and will be a prospect to follow this July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["886857"],"_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":1262682,"_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-685985d80385c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lexi is a shifty point guard, and her ball handling stood out among the group during the dribble series at the Zero Star Showcase. She had quick, low dribbles and changed hands with ease. Lexi showed off her outside range by burying multiple three-pointers from the wings and corners during drills. She drove with a burst downhill during 1v1 and 2v2, finishing layups confidently with her left hand. Lexi created space with her dribble and made extra passes to create open looks for teammates. She showed her competitive fire after a miss by immediately going into a dead sprint to chase down a breakaway and force the missed layup. That's the determination and effort coaches love to see in a prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1261146"],"_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":1262670,"_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-685acaa07ae8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Romi is a wing who made many plays throughout the Zero Star Showcase that showed her potential. She knocked down a wing three during the shooting segment and made strong, accurate passes to teammates after landing in a jump stop. Romi outworked a taller forward to secure a rebound and used her length to deflect a pass on the ball. She hustled to grab an offensive board, then finished the layup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["902915"],"_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":1262684,"_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-685ab9730f82b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cleo is a wing/guard prospect with athleticism and versatility that make her an appealing next-level prospect. She drove hard to the block, spun, and used a step-through to score a contested layup during the 2v2 segment. She picked off a pass by maintaining perfect help-side position on defense and finished layups in contested situations. Cleo knocked down multiple threes from the wings and the corners during the shooting drills and moved well without the ball. She grabbed my attention at the PGH Live tournament a year ago and did so again at the Zero Star Showcase on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1261145"],"_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":1262679,"_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-685985d803951"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hayley is a power forward prospect who left a great impression at the Zero Star Showcase. Hayley has the characteristics of a next-level forward--she's mobile, physical, a strong rebounder, and a scoring presence. Hayley finished many shots around the basket off two feet throughout the day and buried a smooth elbow jumper over a contesting defender during the 2v2 segment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734969"],"_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":1262677,"_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-685985d8039ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elsie was a great surprise at the Zero Star Showcase, and her recruitable qualities did not go unnoticed. Elsie blew by her defender to score a baseline drive layup and made a clean transfer after cutting to the basket for another layup. Something I liked about Elsie is that she pointed to teammates to acknowledge the great passes they made to help her score. She stole the ball away on defense and fired the pass to an outlet in transition. Elsie handled the ball confidently with both hands, worked hard to turn ball-handlers with her quick feet on defense, and buried a straightaway three off the catch. She got downhill immediately off a dribble-hand-off in 2v2 and absorbed contact to finish a tough layup. Elsie is a guard prospect that I'm excited to watch closely this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->