P2W Headliners Invitational: MS Team Wings

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.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/image_8f5245.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1352748" /></figure>   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 and Lynx during the showcase. Here are evaluations for middle schoolers representing Team Wings during session two at the [program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball'] Headliners Invitational.    Dakota, a 6' center for Team Wings, was one of the top performers at the Headliners Invitational Showcase, showcasing her complete skill set and dominance in the paint. She impressed at the post station with her polished footwork and soft touch around the rim, demonstrating poise and control. On defense, she was a force—walling up to contest shots and recording multiple blocks throughout the day. Dakota also showed off her versatility, confidently putting the ball on the floor to start the break after securing rebounds and finishing in transition with a smooth inside-hand layup. Her length, mobility, and overall presence make her one of the most impactful bigs to watch moving forward.     Kensley had a strong showing for Team Wings, standing out with her hustle and all-around impact on both ends of the floor. She showed great instincts on defense, using quick hands to come up with steals and create transition opportunities. In the open court, she pushed the pace and made smart passes to set up teammates. Offensively, Kensley finished well through contact and confidently knocked down a wing three. Her energy and effort were constant, making her a key contributor throughout the day.     Elyse was a top performer for Team Wings, showcasing her versatility and relentless energy throughout the day. She's a crafty guard with excellent ball-handling skills, quickness, and the ability to break down defenders off the dribble. Elyse consistently finished tough plays at the rim, using her creativity and strength in traffic. She was impressive on the boards—especially on the offensive glass—often creating second-chance opportunities for her team. Her defensive intensity stood out as well, applying constant pressure and forcing turnovers. Elyse's high motor and all-around impact made her one of the most complete players on the floor.     Mariah had a strong showing for Team Wings, making her presence felt with her hustle and effort on both ends of the floor. She battled hard on the boards, pulling in key rebounds and keeping plays alive for her team. Offensively, she showed her shooting touch by knocking down a shot from beyond the arc and made a great extra pass in transition to set up a teammate. Her unselfish play and work ethic stood out, showing she's the kind of player who does the little things that help her team succeed.     Raegan was one of the standout performers for Team Wings, showcasing her quickness and skill on both ends of the floor. She blew by defenders on the wing and finished through contact with poise at the rim. On defense, she came up with a key steal and converted it into points, while her court vision shone through with a smart extra pass in transition. She also knocked down a corner three and consistently made plays for her teammates, proving herself as a dynamic and impactful player.     Tori made a strong impact for Team Wings with her physical play and smart decision-making. She consistently sealed defenders to secure position in the post, grabbed defensive rebounds, and confidently pushed the ball up the floor. In transition, she handled pressure well and delivered precise passes to set up her teammates for easy scoring opportunities.     Leiyah showcased her toughness and skill for Team Wings, attacking the rim with confidence and finishing through contact. She earned multiple trips to the free-throw line and demonstrated smart ball control, keeping it away from defenders to avoid blocks. With strong handles and a composed approach, she consistently created scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.     Brooklyn showed no fear despite being one of the youngest players for Team Wings, playing with confidence well beyond her age. She dove for loose balls, knocked down a 3 from the top of the key, and consistently kept her head up in transition to deliver smart, accurate passes. Her poise and effort made her a standout on both ends of the floor.     Macey controlled the paint with her strong post play, consistently securing position and dominating the boards. After grabbing defensive rebounds, she showcased her court vision by delivering accurate, long outlet passes to ignite the transition game. Her presence inside made a big impact on both ends of the floor.

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.