PGH Michigan JAM: Haslett, Howell, Hudsonville

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 Haslett, Howell, and Hudsonville!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Haslett Vikings</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/08/PGHJam-Haslett.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1309185" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='773894' first='Kaitlyn' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='502298' first='Christina' last='Dixon']   Haslett was a D2 contender last year, and with their talented core returning, I expect them to make another deep playoff push in March. Kaitlyn, SVSU commit, has the versatility to score inside and outside. Her crafty footwork around the basket and can score as a face-up driver or back to the basket post. Kaitlyn is a threat from the perimeter and has excellent touch when finishing in a crowd. She's a determined rebounder and active shot-blocker that creates mismatches due to her above average handles, shooting confidence, and strong interior play. Christina is the most explosive player in the Vikings lineup and her slashing style puts the crowd on their feet. She's provided plenty of head-turning plays these past few years during my time watching games. Christina can take a defensive rebound coast-to-coast for two in a heartbeat and finishes layups from difficult angles with her acrobatic athleticism. She steps up in big moments against tough opponents, is a threat from three-point distance, and a two-way playmaker. Christina was a Player of the Year Finalist as a Junior and will be a leader for the Vikings again this weekend.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Howell Highlanders</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/08/PGHJam-Howell.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1309188" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='613940' first='Gabby' last='Piepho'] and [player_tooltip player_id='613422' first='Lilly' last='Williams']   If Michigan had SportsCenter for high school girls' basketball, Howell would have made headlines this summer. They picked up two huge transfers, including the #1 prospect in Michigan's 2026 class. Lilly's head touches the ceiling at 6-5--she has athleticism, unique length, and a filled-out frame that makes her the most dominant forward in Michigan. The first time I met Lilly, I felt like I needed a step ladder to take her photo. She can take the entire paint away on the defensive end. Forget trying to score layups or floaters when Lilly's on the court--she's sending that shot into the second row. Lilly can step out and hit threes, handle the ball confidently with both hands, and score at will inside. Lilly is the only girl that I've ever seen dunk a basketball, and she'll be staying in the mitten to continue her college career at MSU following graduation. Gabby, Northwood Commit, made 47 straight free throws as a freshman and became the first Livingston County player to make 150 career three-pointers--she's a sniper. I saw Gabby knock down six of seven three-point attempts in one half of Fall League basketball two years ago. The Highlanders are expected to rebound from last season and win the West once again. They're a preseason top-five team in D1, and this duo is going to be crucial to their success.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hudsonville Eagles</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/08/PGHJam-Hudsonville.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1309190" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='734926' first='Ryan' last='Vanderbeek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1039085' first='Lakelyn' last='Weber']   Hudsonville is going to be a dangerous team in the O.K. conference--their roster is full of talent. Ryan had a scorching hot summer of travel basketball and was a First Team selection at the PGH Michigan State Tournament. She combines relentless effort with athleticism to make a difference on both ends of the court. Ryan absorbs contact and finishes high percentage shots around the basket. She makes the hustle plays, rebounds, gets downhill, and knocks down perimeter jumpers. Lakelyn swats shots on the perimeter with her quick closeouts and is relentless off the dribble. She penetrates gaps and finishes layups in top gear. Lakelyn applies immense pressure on opposing ball-handlers to create steals and has another gear in transition. This dynamic duo of versatile guards is going to wreak havoc 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.