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<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>
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<p>The 2026-27 season is getting closer, and Division 2 will once again feature plenty of talented players from across Michigan. The division graduated some big names from last year's senior class, led by Division 2 Player of the Year Kendyl Smith, along with players like Sophia Prins, Lillie Johnson, Sadie Dykstra and Vanessa Rodriguez. Even with that group moving on, there is still a ton of talent returning this winter. From proven All-State selections and college commits to younger players who have already made a name for themselves, Division 2 has no shortage of players capable of putting together big seasons. There were too many returning players to fit into one article, so I'll be taking a look at another group in a second piece. For now, here are some of the returning Division 2 stars to know heading into the 2026-27 season.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Baylor enters her senior season at Goodrich as one of the premier returning players in Division 2 after earning First Team All-State honors as a junior and helping lead the Martians to a state championship. The 5-foot-8 guard led Goodrich in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals last season, averaging 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 4.4 steals per game while shooting an impressive 55 percent from the floor. Baylor's impact goes well beyond her ability to score, as she is also a high-level defender who consistently creates problems for opposing teams. She showed that on the biggest stage, finishing the Division 2 state championship game with 14 points, five rebounds and four steals. A two-time state champion between basketball and cross country, Baylor enters her final high school season as a player who should be in the Miss Basketball conversation. She has already committed to Northwood and will be a major piece as Goodrich looks to defend its state title this winter.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Ly'Nique returns for her senior season at South Haven after another impressive year in which she continued to establish herself as one of the top guards in Division 2. The 5-foot-5 guard averaged 24 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 5.9 steals per game while helping lead South Haven to a 13-10 record and a conference championship. Ly'Nique has earned First Team All-SAC Lakeshore honors twice and is also a two-time Associated Press All-State selection. She reached another major milestone last season by surpassing 1,000 career points and showed just how explosive she can be offensively with a season-high 42-point performance against Buchanan. Her 5.9 steals per game also show the impact she makes defensively and her ability to create additional opportunities for her team. Ly'Nique has already committed to Wayne State and will look to close out an impressive high school career with a big senior season.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Emersen enters her junior season at Regina after earning First Team All-State honors as a sophomore and helping lead the program to its most wins in more than 30 years. The 5-foot-4 guard made an impact in every area of the game, averaging 21.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.0 steals per game while leading Regina in every offensive and defensive statistical category. Her ability to score, rebound, create for teammates and make plays defensively was a major part of Regina finishing 20-6 and capturing a district championship. Their postseason run eventually ended in the regional final against eventual Division 2 state champion Goodrich. Emersen was also a unanimous All-Catholic selection and was voted Tier 2 Player of the Year by Macomb County coaches. After accomplishing so much during her sophomore season, Emersen enters her junior year as one of the top returning players in Division 2 and will once again be a major piece for Regina.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Jozelynn returns for her senior season at Freeland after earning First Team All-State honors as a junior and being named the Tri-Valley Conference-Red Player of the Year. She averaged 19.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 42 percent from the floor, showing the ability to contribute in several different areas. Jozelynn has already surpassed the 1,000-point milestone with 1,076 career points and helped lead Freeland to a 17-7 record last season. Her combination of scoring, rebounding and playmaking gives her multiple ways to impact a game, while her defensive production adds another piece to her well-rounded game. Jozelynn has already made her college decision, committing to Ferris, and will now look to finish her high school career with another strong season. With her experience and proven production, she enters her senior year as one of the top returning players in Division 2.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Kenley enters her junior season at West Catholic after earning Second Team All-State honors as a sophomore and playing a major role in another deep postseason run for the Falcons. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.6 steals per game through the district semifinals while leading West Catholic in both scoring and steals. Kenley showed plenty of consistency as an offensive threat, recording eight games with 20 or more points during the season. Her ability to contribute as a scorer is only part of what she brings, as she also rebounds well from the guard position, creates for teammates and makes an impact defensively. Kenley helped West Catholic finish 20-6 and advance all the way to the Division 2 state quarterfinals. With two high school seasons still ahead of her and plenty of big-game experience already under her belt, Kenley will be one of the top returning players in Division 2 to watch this winter.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Alexis returns for her senior season at West Catholic after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior and helping the Falcons make another deep postseason run. The 5-foot-11 forward averaged 15.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game through the district semifinals, giving West Catholic consistent production in several areas. Alexis recorded six double-doubles and scored 20 or more points seven times, showing her ability to take on a larger scoring role when needed. Her size and production on the glass are important pieces of her game, but her assist numbers also show her ability to create opportunities for others. Alexis helped West Catholic advance all the way to the Division 2 state quarterfinals, gaining valuable experience in high-level postseason games along the way. She has already made her college decision, committing to Grand Valley, and enters her senior season as one of the top returning players in Division 2 and a key piece for a talented West Catholic team.</p>
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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 danyle.bowers@gmail.com. I'm excited to get the high school coverage started and begin taking a closer look at what's ahead this winter.
The 2026-27 season is getting closer, and Division 2 will once again feature plenty of talented players from across Michigan. The division graduated some big names from last year's senior class, led by Division 2 Player of the Year Kendyl Smith, along with players like Sophia Prins, Lillie Johnson, Sadie Dykstra and Vanessa Rodriguez. Even with that group moving on, there is still a ton of talent returning this winter. From proven All-State selections and college commits to younger players who have already made a name for themselves, Division 2 has no shortage of players capable of putting together big seasons. There were too many returning players to fit into one article, so I'll be taking a look at another group in a second piece. For now, here are some of the returning Division 2 stars to know heading into the 2026-27 season.
Baylor enters her senior season at Goodrich as one of the premier returning players in Division 2 after earning First Team All-State honors as a junior and helping lead the Martians to a state championship. The 5-foot-8 guard led Goodrich in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals last season, averaging 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 4.4 steals per game while shooting an impressive 55 percent from the floor. Baylor's impact goes well beyond her ability to score, as she is also a high-level defender who consistently creates problems for opposing teams. She showed that on the biggest stage, finishing the Division 2 state championship game with 14 points, five rebounds and four steals. A two-time state champion between basketball and cross country, Baylor enters her final high school season as a player who should be in the Miss Basketball conversation. She has already committed to Northwood and will be a major piece as Goodrich looks to defend its state title this winter.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Ly'Nique returns for her senior season at South Haven after another impressive year in which she continued to establish herself as one of the top guards in Division 2. The 5-foot-5 guard averaged 24 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 5.9 steals per game while helping lead South Haven to a 13-10 record and a conference championship. Ly'Nique has earned First Team All-SAC Lakeshore honors twice and is also a two-time Associated Press All-State selection. She reached another major milestone last season by surpassing 1,000 career points and showed just how explosive she can be offensively with a season-high 42-point performance against Buchanan. Her 5.9 steals per game also show the impact she makes defensively and her ability to create additional opportunities for her team. Ly'Nique has already committed to Wayne State and will look to close out an impressive high school career with a big senior season.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Emersen enters her junior season at Regina after earning First Team All-State honors as a sophomore and helping lead the program to its most wins in more than 30 years. The 5-foot-4 guard made an impact in every area of the game, averaging 21.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.0 steals per game while leading Regina in every offensive and defensive statistical category. Her ability to score, rebound, create for teammates and make plays defensively was a major part of Regina finishing 20-6 and capturing a district championship. Their postseason run eventually ended in the regional final against eventual Division 2 state champion Goodrich. Emersen was also a unanimous All-Catholic selection and was voted Tier 2 Player of the Year by Macomb County coaches. After accomplishing so much during her sophomore season, Emersen enters her junior year as one of the top returning players in Division 2 and will once again be a major piece for Regina.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Jozelynn returns for her senior season at Freeland after earning First Team All-State honors as a junior and being named the Tri-Valley Conference-Red Player of the Year. She averaged 19.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 42 percent from the floor, showing the ability to contribute in several different areas. Jozelynn has already surpassed the 1,000-point milestone with 1,076 career points and helped lead Freeland to a 17-7 record last season. Her combination of scoring, rebounding and playmaking gives her multiple ways to impact a game, while her defensive production adds another piece to her well-rounded game. Jozelynn has already made her college decision, committing to Ferris, and will now look to finish her high school career with another strong season. With her experience and proven production, she enters her senior year as one of the top returning players in Division 2.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Kenley enters her junior season at West Catholic after earning Second Team All-State honors as a sophomore and playing a major role in another deep postseason run for the Falcons. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.6 steals per game through the district semifinals while leading West Catholic in both scoring and steals. Kenley showed plenty of consistency as an offensive threat, recording eight games with 20 or more points during the season. Her ability to contribute as a scorer is only part of what she brings, as she also rebounds well from the guard position, creates for teammates and makes an impact defensively. Kenley helped West Catholic finish 20-6 and advance all the way to the Division 2 state quarterfinals. With two high school seasons still ahead of her and plenty of big-game experience already under her belt, Kenley will be one of the top returning players in Division 2 to watch this winter.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Alexis returns for her senior season at West Catholic after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior and helping the Falcons make another deep postseason run. The 5-foot-11 forward averaged 15.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game through the district semifinals, giving West Catholic consistent production in several areas. Alexis recorded six double-doubles and scored 20 or more points seven times, showing her ability to take on a larger scoring role when needed. Her size and production on the glass are important pieces of her game, but her assist numbers also show her ability to create opportunities for others. Alexis helped West Catholic advance all the way to the Division 2 state quarterfinals, gaining valuable experience in high-level postseason games along the way. She has already made her college decision, committing to Grand Valley, and enters her senior season as one of the top returning players in Division 2 and a key piece for a talented West Catholic team.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
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