PGH Michigan JAM: Rockford, Saline, Stoney Creek

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 Rockford, Stoney Creek, and Saline!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rockford Rams</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/PGHJam-Rockford-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1356814" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='890718' first='Addison' last='Wypych'], [player_tooltip player_id='924008' first='Kate' last='Higgins']   Rockford has the postseason experience and talent needed to get back to the state finals — this dynamic duo will be a critical piece of the puzzle. Addison had a very productive freshman year for the Rams and will be on watch for a breakout sophomore campaign. Her crafty handles, perimeter accuracy, court vision, skilled finishing, and lockdown defensive presence greatly impact the outcome of games. Kate is possibly the strongest forward in the state. Her fierce rebounding, relentless hustle, footwork, versatility, toughness, and defensive prowess give opponents headaches. Kate has developed an effective pull-up jumper and perimeter game to complement her efficiency around the basket. These two will be an exciting tandem to watch again this winter.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rochester Hills Stoney Creek Cougars</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/PGHJam-StoneyCreek.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1356819" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='734943' first='Izzy' last='Ivezaj'], [player_tooltip player_id='748997' first='Calista' last='Ivezaj']   These 6-foot sisters are the tallest duo in the game. They give Stoney Creek a clear advantage inside and create constant mismatches on both ends of the court. Izzy is one of the best post defenders in the state. Her length, mobility, physicality, toughness, and anticipation shut down opposing bigs. Izzy disrupts passing lanes and protects the rim as a shot blocker. She's a determined rebounder and effective finisher around the basket. Izzy is a great addition to Northern Michigan's 2026 recruiting class. Calista has developed into a polished three-level scorer and a solid defender. Her length, footwork, and ability to attack off the dribble give defenders fits. These sisters won the PGH Michigan JAM online tournament, which means I'll be making a trip to Stoney Creek to provide PGH coverage for their team! The Ivezaj sisters are a pair you won't want to miss.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saline Hornets</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/PGHJam-Saline-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1356823" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502307' first='Keira' last='Roehm'] and [player_tooltip player_id='933469' first='Halle' last='Powell']   Saline brings back a talented group that will make them a tough team to beat this winter. Keira set a D1 single-season record for three pointers made last year and holds the Saline record for three-pointers made in a career. She surpassed 1,000 points and set the single-season 3pt record in the same week, winning Michigan's Player of the Week award. Keira's polished fundamentals, passing dexterity, and shooting efficiency make her a lethal weapon on the offensive end. She's a great pickup for Wayne State. Halle had a very productive freshman year and is poised for an even better sophomore season. She has a pure shot from three-point range, slashes to the rim for layups, works hard to secure rebounds, and wreaks havoc on the defensive end. This duo is going to create challenges for opposing backcourts.

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.