P2W Headliners Invitational: HS Team Fever

Ray Kimball and I joined forces to offer the first-ever Headliners Invitational back in November of 2023. After taking a sabbatical in 2024, our conviction became undeniably strong that the Headliners needed to come back and become a staple showcase in the community. The inspiration for the Headliners Invitational Showcase came after observing elite camps and prospect camps across the state. There were pieces of traditional showcase formats (games/scrimmaging), college elite camps, and prospect camps that I liked, but something was missing from the equation. The ideal format became apparent as I reflected upon my goal for joining Prep Girls Hoops in the first place: to identify and help girls basketball prospects be recruited by college coaches.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/Screenshot_20251027-140306-crop-1045x686-1761588322.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1351452" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Headliners Invitational, HS Session, Portland HS, Oct. 26th, 2025. </figcaption></figure>   An event where girls would have the opportunity to: 1) Work with college coaches who want to recruit them, 2) Be evaluated by college coaches who fit their level of ability, and 3) Receive comprehensive media coverage by Prep Girls Hoops scouts, was clearly needed for prospects in the community. Every prospect is unique, and the traditional showcase format may not be the best fit for everyone. Those girls need opportunities to demonstrate their skills through small-sided games and drills in front of college coaches--not just games. That's exactly why drills emphasizing different skill areas, 3v3, and 5v5 games were all included at the Headliners Invitational. The format was chosen to set prospects up for success in front of the college coaches. Every prospect had a reversible jersey with a number that corresponded to the information in the college coaches' event packets. Every D2, NAIA, D3, NCCAA, and D3 college program in the state received an invitation to this event. 20 colleges pre-registered to recruit at the showcase, and time was built into the event for prospects to speak with college coaches after their session. Every girl had their picture taken by a PGH scout and will be included in a post-event write-up that highlights their strengths.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/Screenshot_20251027-135918-crop-953x626-1761588529.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1351454" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Headliners Invitational, MS Session, Portland HS, Oct. 26th, 2025.</figcaption></figure>   Additionally, there were no middle school showcases offered in the state, so it became clear that we had a great opportunity to provide an exceptional first experience for middle schoolers. Since college coaches are recruiting/evaluating high schoolers and our PGH coverage prioritizes high school prospects during their AAU and high school seasons, having a middle school session became very important. Middle schoolers not only worked with college coaches, but had the opportunity to train with former WNBA player Jennifer Smith (GLCC Head Coach) and Northwood Women's Basketball sharpshooter Makenzie Todd (LCC Assistant). Every middle schooler is on the Prep Girls Hoops radar ahead of their high school career and will be promoted on our platform. By experiencing a showcase ahead of their freshman year, the middle schoolers will be better prepared for high-stakes environments in front of college coaches in the future.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/Screenshot_20251027-140015-crop-1080x710-1761588944.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1351456" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pre-Event talk with Ray Kimball, Headliners Invitational, Portland HS, Oct. 26th, 2025. </figcaption></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/Screenshot_20251027-140031-crop-1080x710-1761589141.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1351458" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pre-Event talk with Evan Bell, Headliners Invitational, Portland HS, Oct. 26th, 2025.</figcaption></figure>   My coverage focused primarily on teams Liberty and Fever during the showcase. Here are evaluations for high schoolers representing Team Fever during session one at the [program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball'] Headliners Invitational!    Lexi had a fantastic day for Team Fever at the Headliners Invitational. She drained a smooth wing three, converted a sweet reverse layup, and used an effective high-rip move on a drive. Lexi penetrated gaps with her dribble and made strong kickout passes to open teammates on the perimeter. She worked hard to secure rebounds, played well on the defensive end, and took the ball coast-to-coast for a layup. Lexi was a major stock riser at the showcase and a Top Performer.     Brinley was an impactful player for Team Fever at the Headliners Invitational. One of her highlight plays happened when she used a shot fake in the corner, drove with a burst down the baseline, and finished a contested layup off two feet. Brinley worked hard to get into position to secure offensive rebounds and didn't yield an inch on the defensive end. She'll be a solid addition to the Flat Rock program.     Sophie has length, a strong frame, and physicality that give her great upside as a college forward. She was locked in from the beginning. Sophie filled it up from three-point range during the shooting drills, knocking down perimeter jumpers from different spots. Her rebounding created additional scoring opportunities for Team Fever, and Sophie made a perfect extra pass to an open teammate for the assist. She finished well around the basket off two feet and drained a long jumper from the wing. Sophie proved herself under the spotlight at the Headliners Invitational and was a Top Performer at the Showcase.     Alexandra played up against the high schoolers, and she did much more than hold her own--Al was one of the best prospects in the gym. She competed in a higher gear all day, and that showed right from the opening tip with Team Fever. Al swiped the ball and took it the other way with pace to score a transition layup. She grabbed a defensive rebound, turned on the jets, blew by defenders, landed with a controlled jump stop, and finished off two feet. Al attacked off the dribble on a full-speed drive right through a defender to earn a trip to the free-throw line. She drained a corner three and pushed the tempo with both hands in transition. Al moved to open space, used a shot-fake to freeze her defender, then flew by using a crossover dribble to score a layup off two feet. She contributed in every statistical category and was a Top Performer at the Headliners Invitational.     Sam was one of the highest-profile prospects signed up for the Headliners Invitational, and she proved why on Sunday. Sam's length, muscular frame, and polished offensive skillset immediately stand out on the court. She knocked down threes efficiently during the shooting station with textbook mechanics. Sam made an impact for Team Fever in every category. She finished layups off two feet, blocked shots, secured rebounds, pushed the ball in transition, and dished out assists. Sam was a Top Performer and will be a great addition to a college program.     Molly is a scrappy and aggressive guard who gives everything she's got on the court. Her toughness made a difference for Team Fever at the Headliners Invitational. She moved her feet quickly on defense and hustled to make the effort plays. Molly has a dangerous shot from beyond the arc. She made the opposing team pay when they left her open by draining a smooth corner three off the catch. Molly drove hard to the basket and used an effective spin move to get by her defender. She's extremely competitive and will be Kearsley's unquestioned leader this winter.     Kennedy is a shifty guard who's ready to make an immediate difference at Portland High School. She has advanced ball-handling control and court vision for her age. Kennedy is an effective facilitator and can light it up from beyond the arc. Her ability to penetrate gaps and find the open girl will be a major asset at the high school level. Kennedy contributed to Team Fever's success at the Headliners Invitational and will be a point guard to keep your eyes on.     Alayna has the basketball IQ, instincts, effort, and fundamental skills of a college point guard. Her performance on both ends helped Team Fever have a successful day at the Headliners Invitational. She jumped into the passing lanes to grab steals and made a perfect lob-entry pass into the low post for an assist. Alayna changed directions with a quick double-crossover dribble to beat her defender and pushed the ball with pace using both hands in transition. One of her best moments was when she set her defender up using a crossover, between-the-legs dribble combination, blew by through the gap, and finished with a soft touch off the glass through contact. Glen Lake will be a tough team to beat this winter, and Alayna looks ready to have an outstanding junior season.     Avery made a clear impact for Team Fever at the Headliners Invitational with her relentless defense and unselfish plays on the offensive end. She pressured ball-handlers on the perimeter, and her quick lateral slides forced a turnover. Avery used excellent pushout dribbles with both hands and set screens for teammates to give them open looks at the basket. She's a scrappy point guard who can step into multiple roles, and she'll be a key player for Charlotte this winter.     Gabriella was one of the marquee 2026 prospects attending the Headliners Invitational, and she had a very impactful day for Team Fever. Gabby's length and athleticism created challenges for opponents on both ends of the floor. She anticipated a pass, picked it off, and took it the other way with pace to score a contested transition layup. Gabby jumped another pass on defense for a steal and made a great find on the other end. She showed her outside range by drilling a smooth triple up top and finished around the basket. Gabby drove hard to the basket and was a Top Performer at the showcase.

Ray Kimball and I joined forces to offer the first-ever Headliners Invitational back in November of 2023. After taking a sabbatical in 2024, our conviction became undeniably strong that the Headliners needed to come back and become a staple showcase in the community. The inspiration for the Headliners Invitational Showcase came after observing elite camps and prospect camps across the state. There were pieces of traditional showcase formats (games/scrimmaging), college elite camps, and prospect camps that I liked, but something was missing from the equation. The ideal format became apparent as I reflected upon my goal for joining Prep Girls Hoops in the first place: to identify and help girls basketball prospects be recruited by college coaches.