LBI Mitten Opening–2026 Standouts Pt 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several of Michigan's best teams and prospects flooded Belleville High School for the LBI Mitten Opening on Wednesday, November 26th. Here are some of the top 2026 performers who stood out in the gym during my time watching the games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["613942"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6927d262db55f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mariah used her shifty crossover moves and explosiveness to win 1 on 1 matchups at the LBI Mitten Opening. She created a driving lane with a sudden crossover dribble and blew by for a straight line layup. Mariah buried a smooth straightaway triple off the bounce and added another from the wing. Her quickness, court vision, ball-handling abilities, defensive impact, and multidimensional scoring abilities give Wayne Memorial a clear advantage at the point guard spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["602875"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6927d262db5b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gabby stood out for Mumford at the LBI Mitten Opening because of her perimeter shooting, court vision, advanced ball-handling control, and precise passes. She penetrated gaps using a variety of crossover combinations and made an outstanding dump-off pass to a teammate at the rim for an assist. Gabby fired one-handed passes across the court and shot the ball confidently from beyond the arc. She buried a deep triple from the slot and added another from the corner. Gabby is an extremely talented true point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801857"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6927d262db5fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaylee physically dominated the paint at the LBI Mitten Opening with Wayne Memorial. Her muscular strength, height, and mobile stature immediately grabbed my attention. She pinned defenders inside with strong seals and finished with a soft touch around the basket. Kaylee's textbook move was a drop-step pivot baby hook, and nobody could stop it. Kaylee blocked shots in the paint and sprinted out to block a shot on the perimeter. She worked hard to score offensive rebound put-backs and sprinted the floor in transition. Kaylee proved why she's a D1 forward and top-ten prospect today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["613427"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6927d262db640"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ava turned in the play of the day during the LBI Mitten Opening. Trailing by two with time ticking down, Ava dribbled the ball calmly up the court, created space with a crossover step-back combination, and banked in a cold-blooded triple at the buzzer for the win. She drained triples in the slot and the wing, while breaking full-court pressure throughout the game. Ava scanned the court to find open teammates and dished out several assists. Her competitiveness, confidence, and poise stood out for the Irish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["614650"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6927d262db683"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ellie does not back down from a challenge, and she stepped up again for Clarkston during tough matchups at the LBI Mitten Opening. Ellie is a fiery competitor, and her effort to win every play, battle for loose balls, and grab rebounds left a lasting impression. She buried three-pointers with confidence, finished in transition, dished an outstanding extra pass off the dribble for an assist, and scored a strong and-one offensive rebound put-back with her left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["618209"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6927d262db6c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alaijah contributed in every aspect of the game today for Mumford at the LBI Mitten Opening. She used a crossover spin dribble combination to create space in the lane and converted multiple contested floaters. Alaijah's quick hands deflected passes to create steals and stripped the ball away on drives. She rejected a shot with authority in the paint and dished out assists to open teammates. Alaijah drove hard through contact to earn trips to the free-throw line and knocked them down. She cut backdoor, caught the pass in top speed, made a quick transfer, and finished the layup. Alaijah had a fantastic day and looks ready for a huge senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->