2026 Junior Player of the Year Finalists Pt 2

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-1/">Read Junior Player of the Year Finalists Pt 1</a>    Alexis averaged a productive 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game for a West Catholic team that finished the season 16-5 (8-4 OK Gold). She posted 19 points vs. Northview, 20 points vs. Wayland, 16 points vs. South Christian, and 21 points vs. Wyoming. Alexis was selected First Team All-Conference and has continued to excel in the playoffs. She guided the Falcons to a 44-35 victory over Covenant Christian with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Alexis led West Catholic with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double during a 49-33 win against Spring Lake in the Regional Semifinal. She reached 1,000 career points after scoring 16 points during a 64-31 win in the Regional Semifinals vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central.     Dy'Nasti climbed into our number one center spot while turning in an All-Conference junior year for Muskegon. She helped the Lady Reds to a 19-2 overall record, undefeated in the OK Green conference at 10-0. Dy'Nasti averaged nine points, eight blocks, and two blocks per game this season. One of her best performances was against Wayne Memorial, where Dy'Nasti posted 13 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Head Coach Bernard Loudermill mentioned, "Dy'Nasti has a good touch around the basket and very good footwork. She runs the floor well, is a solid defender away from the basket, and will make defenders struggle on the block trying to contain her. She sets ballsreens, protects the rim, which changes the flow of the game just by owning the inside." In a dominant 36-6 victory against Holt, Dy'Nasti imposed her will in the paint, scoring 14 points to go with 11 rebounds. The Lady Reds are one win away from a State Semifinal appearance at the Breslin Center.     Allie guided St. Mary's Prep to an 18-3 regular season record, going 10-0 in the CHSL West Division, including an appearance in the Bishop Tournament Championship Game. Head Coach Brad Crighton stated, "The impact she has on the game goes a lot further than just the stats. She controls both sides of the floor for us. Her ability to get her teammates the ball in scoring opportunities when teams are focused on her allows us to do so much on the offensive side. On defense, she is usually guarding the team's best player or second-best player, depending on their position. We rely on her to do so much for us." Through 20 games, Allie averaged 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals per game. Notable performances include: 25 points, five rebounds, four assists in a 61-39 win vs. Detroit Mumford; 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a 74-52 win vs. Birmingham Groves; 16 points, six assists, five steals in a 57-31 win vs. Regina; 16 points, six rebounds, five assists in a 54-22 win vs. Mercy. St. Mary's Prep also defeated Frankenmuth, Carleton Airport, and Clarkston. Their only losses were against Goodrich, Saginaw Heritage, and Jackson Lumen Christi. Two of the three are competing in the Quarterfinals. During a 54-28 District Final victory against Lakeland, Allie poured in 17 points, helping the Eaglets secure their first District Championship at the Division 1 level.     Head Coach Nichol Fellows had some great points to share about Payton's season, stating, "Payton has emerged as a tremendous junior leader for the Cougars, playing a major role in guiding our team to an impressive 18–4 in the regular season. Payton's leadership as a junior has been invaluable. She competes, spaces the floor, rebounds, and brings energy that lifts everyone around her." Payton averaged 14 points and five rebounds per game. Coach Fellows shared that Payton consistently delivers in big moments. She was recognized as an MVP at the Aquinas Showcase and Cornerstone Showcase. A few standout performances include 19 points and six rebounds with five threes vs. Rockford; 22 points vs. Greenville; 23 points vs. Grand Rapids Christian; and 17 points vs. Pewamo-Westphalia. In my observations of Payton this season, the greatest growth I've seen in her game has been an increased impact on the defensive end, rebounding presence, aggressiveness driving to the basket, and shooting efficiency.     Calista had a magnificent junior campaign for Stoney Creek, guiding the Cougars to an 18-4 record (8-2 conference) and a Co-OAA Red League Championship (first in program history). She contributed in every statistical category, averaging 15.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 2.2 assists, and one block per game. Calista won PGH x Foster Swift Sports Player of the Week for Feb. 8th-14th, scoring 66 points, amassing 51 rebounds, and leading Stoney Creek to a 3-0 record. Calista set a school record with 24 rebounds during a 63-50 win at Detroit Country Day and set another single-game record during a 33-point performance (15 field goals) in a 61-32 win at Oxford.     Mia had a season so statistically dominant that it's likely to never be repeated again. Her 43.4 points per game is the sixth best in the country since 2000, according to MaxPreps. This is the second time in history that a high school girls' basketball player from Michigan has led the nation in scoring. Mia broke her sophomore record of 41.2 points per game and became the first player in MHSAA history (boys or girls) to score 1,000 points in a season this year with 1,071. Mia also averaged 14.3 rebounds, seven assists, and 6.4 blocks per game. She won PGH x Foster Swift Sports Player of the Week for Jan. 18th-24th, becoming the 35th player in MHSAA history to pass 2,000 points, while putting up her 4th and 5th career 50-point games in the process. Mia led Mio to an 18-4 record (11-1 conference), North Star League-Little Dipper Co-Championship, and a District title after a 74-54 win over Hale. She is set to become the state's second 3,000-point scorer and new career scoring leader as a senior.     Head Coach Jared Millarch shared that, "This was the first time in 23 years our girls have sat on top of the conference, and a lot of that had to do with the play and leadership of [player_tooltip player_id='912511' first='Lucy' last='Moyer']." After leading the team to a District Championship, earning First Team All-Conference and All-Region Dream Team honors as a sophomore, Lucy took her game to an even higher level for the Bears this season. She averaged 13.7 points (54% FG%), 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game for Buckley, leading the team to an 18-4 record and a share of the Northwest Conference title. Coach Millarch stated, "One of the best aspects of Lucy's game is that she typically plays her best basketball against our best competition. Most notably were our 2 wins against 10th-ranked Frankfort." Lucy poured in 21 points during their first meeting, then 29 points (15/16 FT), 18 rebounds, and five assists in the second game. She scored 24 points with 15 rebounds in a 52-38 win at Traverse City St. Francis. Coach Millarch mentioned, "Lucy is unselfish and has a team-first mentality. The defensive attention she has garnered has forced her to develop her passing game, and she distributes the ball effectively. Lucy will play hurt, Lucy will play sick, and she has not found her ceiling yet as she continues to develop her midrange and outside game; however, defensively and with her back to the basket, Lucy is already a force to be reckoned with."     Mallory has made Grand Haven a West Michigan force to be reckoned with, leading the Bucs to a 19-3 record with two losses against Rockford and one to Midland. Grand Haven finished 8-2 in the OK Red, with statement wins against East Kentwood, Muskegon, Hudsonville, Calvin Christian, and Spring Lake. Mallory received recognition as MLive's Muskegon Player of the Week, posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven blocks in a 48-31 win vs. Byron Center, then added 14 points in a 49-26 win at Ludington. Mallory is leaving her mark on the 2026 postseason. In a 64-43 Regional Semifinal victory over a stout Wyoming squad, Mallory led the attack with 25 points, six blocks, and five rebounds. She posted a monster triple-double with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 blocks in a 36-23 Regional Final victory against Hudsonville. In their first meeting, Mallory produced 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists to help Grand Haven upset Muskegon 47-46. The Bucs and Lady Reds have a rematch set in the Quarterfinal to decide which team is headed to the State Semifinals.

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.