PGH Michigan JAM: Grass Lake, Ishpeming, South Christian

I am excited to announce the release of the “MICHIGAN JAM” series. During my 2024 summer vacation, I visited an old-school arcade that happened to include an edition of “NBA JAM,” the ultimate retro basketball video game. This game became famous during the 90s at the arcade and on numerous gaming consoles. The original game was released by Midway in 1993 and featured players from NBA rosters. Each NBA team featured two players who competed in 2 on 2 with no subs. Later additions to the game included 3-5 players, which gave gamers the ability to sub new players into the games. The game's exaggerated graphics, high-flying dunks, and lack of fouls made it wildly unique and popular amongst gamers.   <a href="https://videogamehistory.fandom.com/wiki/NBA_Jam">Read more about the history of NBA JAM</a>   MICHIGAN JAM! HS Article Series   This article series, modeled after the original “NBA JAM”, will include 2 players per team. There is an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference. Two high school players from the same team are included as a “Dynamic Duo”. Each player will be assigned a fictitious rating for physical and skill attributes based on the criteria of the original “NBA JAM”. Rating Breakdown: Overall speed/6, Shooting skill from 3 pt/6, Skill at dunking/6, Overall defensive skill/6. The overall rating is out of 24 (rating criteria are modeled using the original “NBA JAM”). Some of the original ratings of players from “NBA JAM”: Tim Hardaway-speed 5/6, 3 pts 4/6, dunks 1/6, defense 4/6, Final 14/24, Charles Barkley-speed 4/6, 3 pts 3/6, dunks 6/6, def 1/6, Final 14/24, Scottie Pippen-speed 5/6, 3 pts 4/6, dunks 6/6, def 5/6, Final 20/24. Best Rated Teams: New York Knicks (33 pts), Charlotte Hornets (32 pts), Chicago Bulls (32 pts no MJ), Sacramento Kings (30)   MICHIGAN JAM! Ratings Explained: 0=Not Observed, 1-2=Rare, 3=Average, 4=Above Average, 5=Advanced, 6=Elite   Speed is ball handling, acceleration, and quickness, 3 pts is shooting 3s efficiently more often than not, Dunks is leaping ability, elevation, and/or height, Defense is steals, deflections, shutting down your position, and Final Rating is the sum of all those categories out of 24 points. As you can see, legends of the NBA game, including Hall of Famers, don't rate over 20! This is meant to be a lighthearted and fun way of learning about some of the great duos in the state and not to be taken too seriously. There were 27 teams in the original “NBA JAM”, but I have expanded the total to 19 teams per conference.   Throughout the next few weeks, each team will have its video game graphic released in articles and on X! With that in mind, let's meet the dynamic duos from Grass Lake, Ishpeming, and South Christian!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grass Lake Warriors</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/08/PGHJam-GrassLake.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1309771" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='912516' first='Reese' last='Lape'] and [player_tooltip player_id='502317' first='Mya' last='Viegelahn']   Grass Lake will be a D3 power again this year, and they welcome back two GLIAC commits to the lineup. Reese, a GVSU commit, was a Sophomore Player of the Year Finalist and broke the school record for free throws made in a season with 85. Reese jumps out of the gym, has a second gear when she puts the ball on the floor, finishes acrobatic layups with either hand, and powers through contact. Mya, a Davenport commit, is a dangerous three-point shooter who can get to the cup and finish with both hands. She's a fiery competitor who uses her length to deflect passes, secure steals, and block shots. Mya finds open teammates, delivers crisp passes, and has excellent footwork around the basket. Teams will have a tough time slowing this duo down.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ishpeming Hematites</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/08/PGHJam-Ishpeming-v2.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1309775" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='886257' first='Mya' last='Hemmer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='884596' first='Jenessa' last='Eagle']   Ishpeming climbed its way to a D4 state championship in 2024. Mya, a Baylor commit (volleyball), is also a dominant basketball player. She puts those volleyball instincts to use on defense as a fierce shot blocker. Mya is strong and freakishly athletic, which makes her a tough matchup on both ends. She finishes with a soft touch at the rim, fires passes up the court in transition, muscles into rebounding position, and has excellent footwork. Mya would be a popular name if she played ball downstate. Jenessa, Michigan Tech commit, is a high-flying and athletic guard with electric playmaking abilities. Jenessa competes with a relentless motor, and her on-ball pressure produces turnovers. Her explosive quickness, long strides, and athleticism end plays with acrobatic finishes at the rim. Jenessa is a clutch three-point shooter who can put games out of reach when she heats up. These two have left their mark as one of the best tandems in U.P. history.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Christian Sailors</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/08/PGHJam-GrandRapidsSouthChristian-v2.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1309776" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='919220' first='Sophia' last='Prins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='615162' first='Lizzie' last='Wolthuis']   South Christian is a team full of freshmen talent and exuberant youth. This dynamic duo will stoke the fire with their leadership, poise, and play on the court. Sophia, Hope commit, is the court general for the Sailors. Her compact build, shifty ball-handling, burst to the rim, and perimeter shooting are intimidating for any guard trying to match up. Sophia has a nose for the ball on defense, taking steals the other way for two points. Lizzie is one of the highest-rated uncommitted prospects in the 2026 class and was a Junior Player of the Year Finalist last season. She's a sniper from three-point distance, firing at an efficient 40.6 %. Lizzie already holds the school record with 129 triples in her career. She attacks defenders off the dribble and finishes effectively with both hands. These Sailors will be a crew team's fear on the West side waters this winter.

I am excited to announce the release of the “MICHIGAN JAM” series. During my 2024 summer vacation, I visited an old-school arcade that happened to include an edition of “NBA JAM,” the ultimate retro basketball video game. This game became famous during the 90s at the arcade and on numerous gaming consoles. The original game was released by Midway in 1993 and featured players from NBA rosters. Each NBA team featured two players who competed in 2 on 2 with no subs. Later additions to the game included 3-5 players, which gave gamers the ability to sub new players into the games. The game's exaggerated graphics, high-flying dunks, and lack of fouls made it wildly unique and popular amongst gamers.