Division 1: Big Names Back for Another Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan high school girls basketball is just over a month away from getting underway, which means it's time to start looking ahead to the 2026-27 season. Over the next several weeks, I'll be rolling out plenty of preseason coverage, including division previews, conference previews, team previews and players to watch throughout the state. I've also started reaching out to varsity coaches about team previews when I have their contact information. If you're a varsity coach and would like to have your team featured in a season preview, please feel free to reach out to me at <a href="mailto:danyle.bowers@gmail.com">danyle.bowers@gmail.com</a>. I'm excited to get the high school coverage started and begin taking a closer look at what's ahead this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division 1 graduated some serious talent from a year ago, headlined by Division 1 Player of the Year and Miss Basketball winner Lilly Williams, who is now playing at Michigan State, along with state champion Mariah Sain and several other talented seniors. Even with those players moving on, there is no shortage of star power returning across the state for the 2026-27 season. Division 1 brings back a strong mix of proven All-State players, college commits and talented underclassmen who have already established themselves at the varsity level. There are enough big names returning that I'll be splitting this group into two articles. To get things started, here's a look at some of the Division 1 players who are back for another season and should be among the names to know this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751145"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad120ef8ecd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harlem returns for her senior season at Groves after earning First Team All-State honors as a junior and putting together a huge season. The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 31.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 4.6 steals per game while helping lead Groves to an 18-7 record, an OAA White championship and a district title. Her scoring numbers were impressive throughout the year, as she finished with 777 total points to set a new school record for points in a season. Harlem also showed just how explosive she can be offensively with multiple 50-point performances, including games of 51 and 52 points. While her scoring certainly grabs attention, she also contributed on the glass, created for teammates and made an impact defensively. Harlem has already made her college decision, committing to Detroit Mercy, and enters her senior season as one of the biggest names returning in Division 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["807274"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad120ef8ed17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sydney enters her senior season as one of the biggest names in Michigan and should be firmly in the Miss Basketball conversation. The talented guard earned First Team All-State honors as a junior after averaging 27 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game while helping lead the Tigers to an outstanding 25-2 record. Sydney played a major role in a season that included a KLAA East Division title, district championship and regional championship. Her success at the high school level has been matched by the attention she has received on the recruiting trail, where she has become one of Michigan's most highly recruited players. Sydney has narrowed her college decision to six major programs — USC, Texas, UConn, North Carolina, UCLA and Notre Dame. With one more high school season ahead of her, Sydney will be one of the most closely watched players in Division 1 and across the entire state this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933010"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad120ef8ed39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jana returns for her junior season after earning Second Team All-State honors as just a sophomore. At 6-foot-1, she brings great size to the guard position and put together an impressive all-around season for the Panthers, averaging 19.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 3.4 blocks per game. Her ability to contribute in so many different areas makes her a difficult matchup, whether she is scoring, helping on the glass or making plays on the defensive end. Jana also showed the ability to take over offensively, recording three games with 30 or more points during her sophomore season. Already an All-State player with two high school seasons still ahead of her, Jana has established herself as one of the top young players in Division 1. She will be a player I'll be watching closely this winter as she looks to build on an impressive first two years of her high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["807315"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad120ef8ed57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mallory returns for her senior season at Grand Haven after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior and playing a major role in the Buccaneers' continued postseason success. The 6-foot-4 forward averaged 13.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.1 steals, 3.2 blocks and 2.7 assists per game while shooting an impressive 68 percent from the field. Her size and athleticism allow her to impact the game in several ways, particularly around the basket and on the defensive end. Mallory helped lead Grand Haven to back-to-back Division 1 district and regional championships and delivered a huge performance in last season's regional final against Hudsonville, recording a triple-double with 17 points, 16 rebounds and 12 blocks. A talented multi-sport athlete, Mallory has already made her college decision and is committed to Michigan State University for volleyball. She enters her senior year as an important piece for a Grand Haven team that has become a consistent postseason contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["890718"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad120ef8ed74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Addison returns for her junior season at Rockford after earning Second Team All-State honors as a sophomore and helping lead the Rams to another successful year. The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals per game while playing an important role for a Rockford team that finished 21-3 and captured a conference championship. The Rams' season eventually came to an end against eventual Division 1 state champion Muskegon in the district championship game. Addison brings good size to the guard position and has already established herself as one of the top players in her class through her first two varsity seasons. She has also already made her college decision, committing to Ball State. With two high school seasons still ahead of her, Addison will be a key piece for Rockford as the Rams look to remain among the top teams in Division 1 and make another postseason run this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->