PGH Michigan JAM: OLSM, Negaunee, Northville

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. 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 St. Mary's Prep, Negaunee, and Northville!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Mary's Prep </h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/PGHJam-OrchardLake.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1327327" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='807303' first='Reese' last='Holton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='751130' first='Allie' last='Crighton']   St. Mary's Prep is a top ten team looking to make a deep playoff push this winter--they have plenty of prospects in their lineup to make that a reality. Allie was a PGH Sophomore Player of the Year Finalist last year--contributing to the team's success in multiple categories with 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists, and four steals per game. She's a shifty ball-handler with great court vision and deadly accuracy from beyond the arc. Reese is a stretch forward who excels with her back to the basket and as a face-up driver. She's a strong finisher with terrific touch at the rim. Reese knocks down jumpers with confidence and works hard on the boards. These two will be a dynamic duo to watch this winter for a team loaded with talent.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Negaunee Miners</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/PGHJam-Negaunee.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1327332" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='903059' first='Gretel' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='904974' first='Clare' last='O'Donnell']   Negaunee had a phenomenal regular season in 2025, and they'll have their sights set on making a deep playoff push like they did in 2024. Gretel looks ready to fill big shoes for the Miners this season. She's had an outstanding off-season with [program_tooltip program_id='928192' first='Zero' last='Star Basketball'] and was one of the best prospects in the gym at their showcase. Gretel checks the boxes needed to be a highly recruited basketball prospect. She communicates, competes hard on both ends, has polished fundamental skills, and contributes in every category. Her leadership, defense, court vision, and perimeter shooting will be important for the team's success. Clare is one of the best stretch forward rebounders and post defenders that I've had the chance to watch in her class. Her length, high motor, toughness, and mobility lead to many extra scoring chances for the team. This dynamic duo will be one of the best to watch in U.P. this winter, and Negaunee looks like a Top 15 team in D2 heading into the season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northville Mustangs</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/PGHJam-Northville-v2.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1327333" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='751163' first='Peyton' last='Sivier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='866211' first='Sophia' last='Fraas']   The Northville Mustangs are a scrappy team that always seems to prove doubters wrong when they play high-level competition. They have two fantastic 2027 difference makers who will have plenty of college interest when all is said and done. Peyton creates driving lanes with her quick crossover dribbles and attacks with an extra gear to score layups. She's extremely tough, competitive, and finishes through contact. Peyton can light it up from beyond the arc and will be a major factor for the Mustangs again this season. Sophia uses her active hands, quick feet, and anticipation to wreak havoc on defense. She creates deflections and steals. Sophia drives downhill full speed to score layups in traffic and has developed a confident shot from beyond the arc. This duo is going to be an exciting combo to watch on the floor for the KLAA-West defending champs.

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.