Yooper Hooper Showcase Evaluations

Since 2024, I'm proud to say the U.P. prospects have become a priority for Prep Girls Hoops Coverage. I've traveled North each summer to support the Zero Star Showcase (<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/06/zero-star-showcase-session-two-top-performers-2/">Read About Here</a>) and made a concerted effort to provide virtual coverage to Yoopers during the high school season (<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/12/yooper-hoopers-week-one/">Read About Here</a>). Our mantra at Prep Girls Hoops Michigan is to find, identify, and provide coverage for as many prospects as humanly possible. It became very important to me as I've gotten to know the coaches, parents, trainers, and wonder people North of the Mackinac Bridge over the past few years that there be an individual high school showcase offered for girls basketball prospects from the entire U.P. to attend. Downstate kids benefit from constant Prep Girls Hoops coverage, and that's something I want to make sure the girls North aren't missing out on. Since the 2025 class, more U.P. prospects have received PGH coverage, represented the U.P. in postseason awards, and been included in our rankings than ever before: no longer being completely missed or ranked far lower than their true projection as a college prospect. That's a result of intentional effort to evaluate these girls in person, trips to the U.P., and prospects coming down with [program_tooltip program_id='928192' first='Zero' last='Star Basketball'] to play some of Michigan's best AAU clubs last summer.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/08/PXL_20260807_141617189.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1894122" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Yooper Hooper Showcase by [program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball'] and Bay College, Aug. 7, 2026. </figcaption></figure>   Head Coach James Fassett and Bay College Women's Basketball partnered with me to offer the first-ever Yooper Hooper Showcase, a special event on the U.P.'s home turf. Coach Fassett and Coach Zach did a phenomenal job leading skill segments with the girls, putting on a training masterclass with the girls in areas of shooting, footwork/finishing, and ball-handling. The volume of basketball reps in skills and 3v3/5v5 games gave me maximum opportunities to observe the players.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/08/PXL_20260807_145637020.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1894123" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Coach Fassett, Yooper Hooper Showcase by [program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball'] and Bay College, Aug. 7, 2026. </figcaption></figure>   Athletes had the opportunity to learn about Bay College, Prep Girls Hoops, and hear vital recruiting tips that will help them along their journey to become a college basketball student-athlete. I couldn't be happier with the talent, participation, and support for the event in its first year. This will be a yearly offering hosted at Bay College for the foreseeable future, and I can't wait to run it back in 2027!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/08/PXL_20260807_171659921.TS-000.jpg?w=771" alt="" class="wp-image-1894124" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Evan Bell, James Fassett, Yooper Hooper Showcase by [program_tooltip program_id='923712' first='Prepare' last='2 Win Basketball'] and Bay College, Aug. 7, 2026.</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">UPCOMING PGH EVENTS (Use "Evan26PGH25Off" code for discount)</h2>   The Freshman Showcase (2030s), August 22nd   <a href="https://events.prepgirlshoops.com/e/2390/register/michigan-freshman-showcase">Registration Link</a>   The Expo (2027-2029s), September 26th   <a href="https://events.prepgirlshoops.com/e/2420/register/the-expo-michigan">Registration Link</a>    Sarah showed she can hit the outside shot, sinking a pair of threes during the shooting drills. She was one of the most vocal players throughout the day during the Yooper Hooper Showcase, constantly communicating with teammates and providing verbal cues as she moved to different spots on the floor. Sarah showed determination and coachability during the advanced footwork/basket finishes. She wanted to get it right, didn't quit on the drills, and improved each time. Sarah demonstrated good instincts in the post and worked hard to seal defenders, presenting an open target for entry passes. She crashed the boards to secure an offensive rebound and will be a productive forward at Rapid River this winter.     Adrian performed at a high level from start to finish at the Yooper Hooper Showcase. Her near six-foot length, athleticism, mobility, polished fundamental skill set, and versatility to stretch the floor as an accurate perimeter shooter translate to the higher levels of college basketball. Adrian was one of the most efficient three-point shooters during the drills, hitting shots confidently from different spots around the arc with a high arc. She demonstrated accuracy in the mid-range off the dribble as well and followed the instructions of the head coach, calling out her spots on the court loudly in drills and games. I made a note of Adrian's basketball IQ and her comfort level scoring with either hand during the different basket finishes/footwork drills. Adrian's footwork was particularly smooth using the show-fake, reverse pivot step-throughs, and she transferred those skills immediately into the games. Some highlights from 1v1 and 3v3 included: a face-up drive from the wing with a reverse pivot step-through left-handed finish, multiple strong drop-step pivot layups, a split drive stretch finish, a rip drive by finish off two, and a nice dump-off assist over the defense with the perfect amount of loft after forcing the help to commit to her dribble. Adrian continued to impress in 5v5 games. She has great hands in the post, and her polished footwork made scoring from difficult angles look easy. She faked a spin move and pivoted to create an opening, then finished the contested layup high off the window. Adrian sealed a tall forward and pivoted to sink a short corner jumper. She crashed the glass to score a putback and finished contested shots with touch in traffic. Adrian has the mobility and length to defend well inside and on the perimeter. She turned in an MVP-caliber effort, and I won't be surprised to see some higher-level offers coming in over the next few months.     Daena's athleticism, muscular build, and strong finishing through contact stood out at the Zero Star Showcase. In addition to those qualities, her three-point shooting was a separator at the Yooper Hooper Showcase. She drained multiple triples during the crack back and dribble at shooting drills. Daena finished well using both hands during the stride-stops and was very comfortable finishing using the show-fake turnaround pivots. Daena's athleticism and jumping ability close the space between her and the basket. She releases the ball at its highest point in the paint. During the 1v1 and 3v3 segment, Daena moved her feet quickly to block a shot, swiped the ball away for a steal, distributed strong skip passes, finished at the rim with good touch, and buried a wing three. She caught fire in 5v5, sinking a deep wing three, a corner three, and another triple from the wing. Daena has physical and fundamental tools that translate to the college level.     Gracie has the compact, muscular frame to excel inside and the fundamental skills to play on the perimeter. Her wide, powerful stance and fast, low dribbles during the stationary ball-handling segment were among the best. She knocked down multiple threes on the move during shooting drills. Gracie protected the ball with her shoulder in the paint and finished effectively with both hands using the stride-stop pivots. She has a natural fadeaway jumper that's very accurate around the basket and converted off-hand layups well off reverse pivots. Gracie created space with a shifty double-crossover move and accelerated to score a contested bucket during 1v1. She caught a pass with strong hands and scored using a great step-through move in 3v3 play, then delivered some impressive highlights in 5v5. Gracie created space with a quick double-crossover combination and dribbled into a smooth step-back jumper just inside the arc. She anticipated a miss, followed the shot, corralled the offensive board, then scored the putback. Gracie showed her ability as a slasher, blowing by a perimeter defender after a shifty crossover combination, then scoring a smooth stretch finish with her left without slowing down. She added another contested bucket in traffic and had an all-around great day at the Yoopoer Hoooper Showcase. Gracie is a versatile prospect for college programs to have on their radar.     Paige is a forward prospect in the U.P. who has length, strength, polished footwork, good hands, finishing touch, a high motor, two-way presence, and IQ you want to have in your frontcourt at the college level. Paige also has the intangibles. She was determined to execute the skills correctly during the advanced basket finishes and doesn't quit when facing adversity. Paige did well during the shot-fake step-through and reverse pivot segments, finishing efficiently with both hands. She showed her outside range by sinking multiple threes during the dribble-at and crack-back three shooting segment. Paige bullied defenders in the paint with her physical strength during the 1v1 segment, goes up strong off two feet, creates space with her shoulder, and has good touch around the basket. She forced a miss with great wall-up technique on defense, scored a strong catch and finish off two feet, and dished out a laser pass for an assist during 3v3. Paige continued to make her presence felt in 5v5 competition. She anticipated a spin move and blocked the shot, made an excellent entry pass with a soft touch, and secured many rebounds. Paige separated herself at the Yooper Hooper Showcase, and she's going to be an excellent pickup for a college program.     Princess is an athletic guard who demonstrated a variety of qualities that stood out at the Yooper Hooper Showcase. She knocked down multiple threes during the shooting drills and was very effective at finishing off two feet with balanced body control using pro hops. Princess scored a layup with a nice touch during 3v3, showed coachability during drills, and made an unselfish extra pass kickout for an assist in 5v5. She'll be a key contributor at L'Anse this winter.     Aybri had a solid day at the Yoooper Hooper Showcase. She knocked down multiple threes during the shooting drills and made a great one-more pass to a teammate during 5v5 for an assist on a triple. Aybri has good court vision and is effective at facilitating the ball to open teammates. She dished out a great dump-off pass for an assist and drained an open wing three in 3v3. Aybri will be a very productive member of the Baraga backcourt this winter.

Since 2024, I'm proud to say the U.P. prospects have become a priority for Prep Girls Hoops Coverage. I've traveled North each summer to support the Zero Star Showcase (Read About Here) and made a concerted effort to provide virtual coverage to Yoopers during the high school season (Read About Here). Our mantra at Prep Girls Hoops Michigan is to find, identify, and provide coverage for as many prospects as humanly possible. It became very important to me as I've gotten to know the coaches, parents, trainers, and wonder people North of the Mackinac Bridge over the past few years that there be an individual high school showcase offered for girls basketball prospects from the entire U.P. to attend. Downstate kids benefit from constant Prep Girls Hoops coverage, and that's something I want to make sure the girls North aren't missing out on. Since the 2025 class, more U.P. prospects have received PGH coverage, represented the U.P. in postseason awards, and been included in our rankings than ever before: no longer being completely missed or ranked far lower than their true projection as a college prospect. That's a result of intentional effort to evaluate these girls in person, trips to the U.P., and prospects coming down with Zero Star Basketball to play some of Michigan's best AAU clubs last summer.