2026 Junior Player of the Year Finalists Pt 1

Inspired by the Miss Basketball award, which seeks to honor the best senior basketball players in the state, we wanted to add our flavor to postseason awards. Danyle and I have collaborated to determine a list of deserving high school prospects for every grade that we wish to nominate as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Player of the Year Finalists.   This award emphasizes individual accomplishments and performances during the 2025-26 season. Prospects who compete on teams that excel in their division, conference, and against competitive teams were prioritized. To be included as a finalist, a player must have played for a high school team ranked by an authoritative girls' basketball resource and demonstrated consistent, impactful performances throughout the season. Two Player of the Year Finalists will be selected for each grade. The girls chosen are those who we believe impact their team with such significance that their team would not be in the same competitive category without them. Their performance throughout the scope of this season was exceptional and makes them the most deserving recipients of what we hope will be a highly respected award for years to come. This is our attempt to offer a fresh award to several of the best basketball players in the state, on the best teams in the state. To maximize our recognition of teams across the state, there is a one-player limit per grade for each team. Here are eight of our 2026 Junior Player of the Year Finalists.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/03/2026-junior-player-of-the-year-finalists-pt-2/">Read Junior Player of the Year Finalists Pt 2</a>    Au-Sable finished as North Star League Little Dipper Co-Champs, splitting wins with Mio. They beat Hale twice and added another victory against Oscoda, finishing the regular season at 19-3. Sophie averaged 14.1 points (71% FT%, 46% FG%), 14.2 rebounds, five blocks, 3.7 steals, and 1.8 assists per game. She led the team in points, rebounds, blocks, and shooting percentage. Sophie enters the MHSAA record books with 326 rebounds in a season, single-game blocks with 15 vs. Atlanta in December, and blocked shots in a season with 114. Sophie had 17 double-doubles, including a triple-double in 21 games. She scored a career high of 34 points during a 54-30 win against Posen. Sophie was described as reliable and an all-around difference maker. "The biggest contribution we get from Sophie is consistency and stability. In addition to being a defensive presence, she can and does start the fast break after pulling down a defensive rebound. Whether hitting an outlet, finishing at the basket, or dropping it off at the basket, we can count on her to make good decisions in the transition game." Sophie is on pace to pass 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds as a senior.     Gretel averaged 13 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and three steals per game, leading Negaunee to a 21-1 record. The Miners won the West PAC at 11-1, their only loss coming at the hands of D4 favorite Ishpeming. Gretel put up 17 points with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals against the Hematites. She embraces the role of neutralizing the opposing team's top scorer. Her work ethic during training is unmatched, and it shows on the court. Gretel is arguably the best two-way hooper in the U.P. Her leadership, fundamental skill, college-ready muscular development, and IQ are separators as a prospect. Gretel was the deciding factor during Negaunee's 47-30 victory over Gladstone in the District Championship Game, leading the team with 17 points and five assists. She's a lockdown defender, expert facilitator, slasher, three-point threat, and a crafty finisher.     Myah led Beaverton to a 19-3 record with an undefeated 16-0 record in the Jack Pine D2 Conference. She averaged 19.3 points, 5.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 steals per game, while sinking a systematically efficient 87% of her free throws. Myah has over 1,292 points in her career, started for the third consecutive season, and is described as the leader of Beaverton's basketball team. Head Coach Jason Hubble states, "Her ball-handling skills are as good as any girl I've coached in my 10 years. Her game is not flashy, but her desire to beat you burns as strongly as any player I've ever coached. This season, she has done a great job of understanding the value of Taryn Roberts and dominating teams inside out. With one more year ahead of her, it's exciting to be a part of her journey!" Myah scored 17 points, dished out nine assists, and grabbed eight rebounds during a 67-57 win against Sacred Heart. She led the team with 27 points during a 67-27 win vs. Sanford Meridian. Myah helped the Beavers defeat Evart 59-49 with a team-high 18 points and seven assists. She was crucial in their win vs. Hemlock and helped the team nearly upset #1 Jackson Lumen Christi, scoring a team-high 23 points with seven assists in their 58-56 loss.     Reese took her game to an even higher level for Grass Lake as a junior and ensured the Warriors remained at the mountain top after graduating 2025 Cascades Conference MVP Kate Starkey. Reese guided the Warriors to a 20-2 record with both losses coming to top-ranked D1 teams. The Warriors finished undefeated (15-0) in the Cascades Conference, winning the championship for an eighth straight season. She received recognition as the Cascades All-Conference Co-MVP, averaging 19.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game. Reese turned in a determined double-double effort with 16 points and 11 rebounds to help the Warriors defeat Columbia Central in the Cascades Championship Game. Head Coach April Salts described Reese as a "Dominant leader and floor general". Reese is one of the most athletic, competitive, and relentless prospects in her class. She jumps out of the gym and plays with an endless motor. Reese is a great addition to the Grand Valley State 2027 recruiting class.     Baylor helped Goodrich finish the season with a perfect 22-0 record, leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. After 24 games, Baylor is averaging 15.4 points (30% 3PT), 4.5 steals, 4.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. Her efficient 56% FG% is the team's best, and she led the Martians in free throw attempts with 71. Baylor is assigned the task of defending the opposing team's best player, and she shut down three top 20 prospects this season. Some of Baylor's notable performances this season include: 17 points, 10 rebounds, five steals in a 61-39 win at Utica Eisenhower; 17 points in a 45-28 win vs. Stoney Creek; 18 points, seven assists, four steals in a 68-46 win vs. Parma Western; 21 points and seven rebounds during a 45-24 win at St. Mary's Prep; 23 points and six assists in a 53-37 win at Saginaw Heritage; 30 points and nine steals in a 75-31 win at Corunna; 16 points in a 43-27 win at Frankenmuth; 22 points, seven steals, five assists in 62-22 win vs. Davison. She's one of the most complete guards in this class.     Sydney is a top-ten nationally ranked prospect, Michigan's top junior, and holds offers from nearly every high-major D1 college program imaginable. Sydney was the Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year in 2024-25 and a Prep Girls Hoops Sophomore Player of the Year, averaging 27.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, four assists, and 3.1 steals per game for Belleville. She guided the Tigers to a state title and has repeated that dominance as a junior. Under Sydney's leadership, top-ranked Belleville finished the season 21-1 with a perfect record in the KLAA East. Their only loss came at the hands of a top-five Howell team in the KLAA Championship Game, 59-51. Sydney kept Belleville's undefeated record against East opponents alive during a 56-54 win against Wayne Memorial. She poured in 35 points, scoring 14 in the final frame. Sydney posted a team-high 20 points with four steals during a 65-50 win over Indiana's Lawrence Central and carried the Tigers to a 58-44 victory over Howell in the Regional Semifinals, scoring 18 of her 22 points in the second half.     Elliana stepped into big shoes this season after the departure of superstar and all-time leading scorer Jordyn Bonnema. She guided the Comets to a 16-4 record and a SWAC Valley league title at 9-1. Some of her standout games include: 22 points vs. Hackett; 18 points,15 rebounds in a 45-31 win vs. South Haven; 24 points, eight rebounds in a 50-29 win vs. Hamilton; 23 points, 12 rebounds in a 63-34 win at Schoolcraft. She dropped in a buzzer-beater to lift Kalamazoo Christian to a 35-33 win over Schoolcraft. Elliana passed 1,000 career points during a 64-9 win against Comstock in the district opener, scoring 22 points in the first quarter with 26 in the game. She led the Comets to their fourth straight district title, posting a career-high 29 points in a 58-51 win over Lawton. Her 27 points were crucial to securing a 52-47 victory over Schoolcraft in the Regional Semifinals, and Elliana was at her best in the playoffs, averaging 23 points. Elliana contributed in every statistical category, averaging 17.8 points (30% 3PT), 6.4 rebounds, five deflections, three steals, 2.3 assists, and one block per game.     Addi was the catalyst for Tecumseh's state championship at the Breslin Center in 2025. Opponents had no answer for her in the paint. She put up 16 points with 15 rebounds against Frankenmuth, then had nine points, 12 rebounds, and four assists in the Championship Game victory vs. West Catholic. Addi has been dominant once again for Tecumseh. As a junior, she's averaged 13.7 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. The Indians finished the season 20-2 with a perfect 12-0 record in the SEC White. Their only loss to a Michigan opponent was a 54-52 defeat against West Catholic. Head Coach Kristy Zajac mentioned, "Addi has been a double-double machine all season long. She consistently commands double and even triple teams every night, yet remains poised and makes the right basketball play — often kicking the ball out to our shooters. Her physical presence inside sets the tone for us and opens up everything we do offensively. She anchors our defense as an elite rim protector and is close to breaking our school records for both single-season and career blocks — as a junior. Addi recently set our single-game rebounding record with 26 rebounds, showcasing her relentless motor and dominance on the glass." Addi is on the cusp of passing 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. She's second in program history with over 754 rebounds in her career. I still haven't seen a D2 opponent neutralize Addi, and that's exactly why I picked Tecumseh to make it back to the State Finals. Her strength, length, footwork, finishing efficiency, shot-blocking, fierce rebounding, and passing instincts create nightmares for opposing coaches.

Inspired by the Miss Basketball award, which seeks to honor the best senior basketball players in the state, we wanted to add our flavor to postseason awards. Danyle and I have collaborated to determine a list of deserving high school prospects for every grade that we wish to nominate as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Player of the Year Finalists.