PGH Michigan JAM: Parma Western, Portland, Powers Catholic

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 Parma Western, Portland, and Powers Catholic!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Parma Western Panthers</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/PGHJam-ParmaWestern-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1356768" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='613946' first='Rayah' last='Hitt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='734949' first='Aubree' last='Allen']   Parma Western won 21 games last year and their dynamic duo of Allen and Hitt will make them a dangerous D2 team again this season. Rayah received 52.38% of the votes in our 2026 Miss Basketball Favorite Pre-Season poll. She's a sniper from three-point distance, has the ball on a string, and sees the floor with outstanding vision. Rayah finishes with fantastic dexterity around the rim and touch on her floaters. Her awareness on defense results in many steals. She won the PGH Junior Player of the Year Award and is an exciting prospect in the GVSU recruiting class. Aubree is a polished forward who stretches the floor with her mid-range/perimeter shooting. She's effective as a back-to-the-basket post or face-up driver. Aubree has outstanding footwork, passing ability, and is a determined rebounder. She's a great addition to Davenport's recruiting class and these two will be an exciting tandem to watch.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Portland Raiders</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/PGHJam-Portland.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1356770" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='807309' first='Leigha' last='Roberson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='502309' first='Lilly' last='Thelen']   Portland ran the table last year in the CAAC and made a Regional appearance after 22 wins. This dynamic duo will look to lead them to another successful season. Lilly had a memorable junior season, winning Player of the Week and recognition as a Player of the Year Finalist. Her competitive spirit, toughness, defensive effort, passing vision, skilled handles, three-point accuracy, and finishing ability changes the outcome of games. Lilly's gritty performance against Frankenmuth last year comes to mind and she contributes in every category. She's an excellent pickup for Lake Superior State. Leigha is on the verge of a breakout junior season. She took home MVP honors from the Headliners Invitational and has continued to polish her game. Leigha has a robust physical presence in the paint. She's a fierce rebounder, strong finisher, can attack off the dribble, and knock down perimeter jumpers. Leigha's going to be a force for the Raiders.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Powers Catholic Chargers</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/PGHJam-PowersCatholic.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1356771" /></figure>   Paige Rinwelski and [player_tooltip player_id='613424' first='Kendyl' last='Smith']   Powers Catholic won 18 games last year, and they'll have a great opportunity to surpass that total this season. The chargers have a loaded roster, but this dynamic senior duo will be leading the charge. Kendyl is a Miss Basketball candidate without a doubt. She has one of the best three-point shots in the game, contributes on the boards, has advanced handles, uses her body to shield the ball, breaks pressure, and fires passes to open teammates. Her awareness on defense creates turnovers and she will be the favorite for SVL MVP again as a senior. Kendly is a great addition to CMU's 2026 recruiting class. Paige has expanded her offensive game and will be one of the toughest forwards for defenders to match up with. She's quick off the dribble and drives straight to the rim. Paige is a relentless rebounder, rim protector, and fantastic defender. Her length and lateral quickness closes passing windows and driving lanes. Paige finishes well at the rim and will not be outworked in any phase on the court. She's a great addition to Davenport's recruiting class and I'm excited to see these seniors shine one last time together on the high school stage.

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.