P2W Headliners Invitational: HS Team Sparks

When Evan Bell and Ray Kimball teamed up to launch the first-ever Headliners Invitational back in November of 2023, they set out to create something special for the girls basketball community. After taking a short break in 2024, Evan felt strongly that the Headliners needed to return and establish itself as a premier showcase event. The concept for the Headliners Invitational Showcase came from Evan's experiences observing elite and prospect camps across the state. While each had elements he admired—such as live games, skill work, and recruiting opportunities—he noticed there was still something missing. His goal became clear: to build an event that truly helps girls basketball prospects gain exposure and be recruited by college coaches, aligning perfectly with his mission at Prep Girls Hoops. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to help Evan cover this year's event and continue shining a light on the incredible talent in the gym.   Evan Bell and his team designed the Headliners Invitational Showcase to be much more than just another event—it was built with a clear purpose. Evan wanted to create an opportunity for girls to work directly with college coaches who are actively recruiting, be evaluated by programs that match their current level of play, and receive detailed media coverage from Prep Girls Hoops scouts. Recognizing that every player is different and not all thrive in traditional showcase formats, he emphasized skill-based drills, 3v3 competition, and 5v5 gameplay to give each prospect the best chance to shine in front of college coaches. Each participant wore a numbered jersey tied to detailed college coach packets, ensuring visibility and accessibility for recruitment. With 20 colleges pre-registered and dedicated time for players to connect with coaches after sessions, the event was designed for meaningful exposure and development.   Evan also identified a major gap in the landscape—no showcase opportunities for middle school girls in Michigan. To fill that void, he introduced a middle school session that provided an elite experience led by college coaches and special guests like former WNBA player Jennifer Smith (GLCC Head Coach) and Northwood sharpshooter Makenzie Todd (LCC Assistant). Every middle school participant gained exposure on the Prep Girls Hoops platform, ensuring they are on the radar well before high school. I'm grateful to help Evan cover an event that not only connects current prospects with recruiters but also lays the foundation for the next generation of Michigan basketball talent.   My coverage focused primarily on teams Wings, Lynx and Sparks during the showcase. Here are evaluations for High schoolers representing Team Sparksduring session one at the Prepare 2 Win Headliners Invitational.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/image_da3d30.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1354292" /></figure>    Layne made her presence felt for Team Sparks with her polished offensive skill set and impressive footwork around the basket. She consistently sealed her defender to create easy scoring opportunities inside and showed great touch finishing around the rim. Layne also displayed her versatility by knocking down mid-range jumpers and connecting from beyond the arc, making her a tough matchup for any defender. Her ability to play with poise in the post while stretching the floor demonstrated her well-rounded game and basketball IQ.     Stella impressed for Team Sparks with her confident ball-handling and ability to create plays off the dribble. She consistently attacked the lane, drawing multiple defenders before making smart, timely passes to open teammates. Stella also showed great body control and toughness, finishing through contact at the rim. Her combination of court vision, composure, and strength made her a steady offensive presence and a key contributor for her team throughout the event.     Heidi was a steady presence for Team Sparks, showcasing her smooth ball-handling and ability to create her own shot. She demonstrated excellent control with the ball in her hands and confidently knocked down pull-up jumpers when defenders gave her space. Her poise and skill with the ball allowed her to keep the offense flowing and make smart decisions under pressure, proving she's a reliable guard with a confident scoring touch.     Sophia was a top performer for Team Sparks and made a lasting impression at the Headliners Invitational—so much so that she earned an offer from Spring Arbor University following the event. The skilled guard showcased her ability to score from all levels, confidently knocking down shots from the perimeter while also finishing strong through traffic. She handled the ball with poise and control, consistently pushing the pace and keeping the defense on its heels. Sophia also displayed excellent court vision, delivering crisp, timely passes to her post players and setting up her teammates for success throughout the day.     Maizee made her presence felt for Team Sparks with her active defense and high-energy play. She showed great instincts on the defensive end, using her quick hands to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers. In transition, she sprinted the floor with purpose, often putting herself in position for easy scoring opportunities. Maizee also proved she could stretch the floor, confidently knocking down shots from behind the arc and providing her team with a valuable perimeter threat.     Ava was a steady presence for Team Sparks, showcasing her strong court awareness and playmaking ability throughout the day. She handled the ball with confidence, keeping the offense flowing and finding open teammates with her sharp vision. Defensively, she was relentless—constantly pressuring the ball and forcing turnovers with her quick hands and persistence. Despite her size, Ava wasn't afraid to mix it up inside, battling for offensive rebounds and creating second-chance opportunities for her team.       Kyra was a top performer for Team Sparks, standing out as an intriguing prospect with her rare blend of size, skill, and versatility. She showcased her ability to stretch the floor with confidence, knocking down shots from the perimeter, yet also displayed the strength and control to attack off the dribble. Kyra was dominant on the glass, securing rebounds on both ends and turning them into scoring opportunities. Her poise around the rim and ability to finish through contact made her a constant matchup problem and a key contributor for her team.     Braelyn made a steady impact for Team Sparks with her strong presence inside and defensive awareness. She did an excellent job establishing position in the post, sealing off defenders to create quality scoring opportunities. Her hustle on the boards led to several offensive rebounds and second-chance points, showcasing her physicality and determination. On the defensive end, Braelyn was active in the passing lanes, disrupting plays and turning defense into transition opportunities for her team.     Maggie showed great composure and confidence for Team Sparks, turning defense into offense with her ability to rebound and lead the break. After securing defensive boards, she immediately looked to push the pace, keeping her head up to read the floor and make smart decisions. Maggie handled defensive pressure with poise, demonstrating strong ball control and vision in transition to keep her team in rhythm.     Lindy was a standout performer for Team Sparks, impressing everyone with her poise and skill despite being just an eighth grader competing in the high school division. She showcased advanced ball-handling ability and strong court vision, consistently finding open teammates and creating scoring opportunities. Lindy scored effectively off the dribble, knocked down multiple shots from beyond the arc, and even made her presence felt defensively with a couple of key blocks. Her confidence, versatility, and maturity on the floor make her a name to watch in the coming years.

When Evan Bell and Ray Kimball teamed up to launch the first-ever Headliners Invitational back in November of 2023, they set out to create something special for the girls basketball community. After taking a short break in 2024, Evan felt strongly that the Headliners needed to return and establish itself as a premier showcase event. The concept for the Headliners Invitational Showcase came from Evan's experiences observing elite and prospect camps across the state. While each had elements he admired—such as live games, skill work, and recruiting opportunities—he noticed there was still something missing. His goal became clear: to build an event that truly helps girls basketball prospects gain exposure and be recruited by college coaches, aligning perfectly with his mission at Prep Girls Hoops. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to help Evan cover this year's event and continue shining a light on the incredible talent in the gym.