P2W Headliners Invitational: MS Team Fever

The Headliners Invitational Showcase made its return this year after taking a break in 2024. Originally created by Evan Bell and Ray Kimball in November 2023, the event was designed to bring together some of the best elements of traditional showcases, college elite camps and prospect camps while keeping player development and recruiting exposure at the forefront. The goal behind the Headliners Invitational is to provide girls basketball players with an opportunity to showcase their skills, compete against talented players and gain valuable exposure to college coaches. With a format focused on helping players get noticed and take steps toward the next level, the return of the Headliners Invitational is an exciting addition to the Michigan girls basketball showcase scene.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/10/image_6f8db5.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1963824" /></figure>   The Headliners Invitational was designed to give players more than just another opportunity to compete in games. The event focused on helping prospects gain exposure to college coaches, work directly with coaches who could potentially recruit them and receive coverage from Prep Girls Hoops scouts. With every player bringing different strengths to the floor, the format provided several ways for them to showcase their abilities through skill-specific drills, 3v3 competition and 5v5 games. Each participant wore a numbered reversible jersey that matched the information provided to college coaches, making it easier for them to identify and evaluate players throughout the event. Programs from the Division II, Division III, NAIA, NCCAA and JUCO levels across Michigan, along with several from neighboring states, were invited to attend. Players also had time to connect with college coaches following their sessions. Another great addition this year was a shooting workout led by Make Shots trainer Mike Soukup, who worked with both the high school and middle school participants. The combination of instruction, competition and recruiting opportunities gave players multiple ways to display their skills throughout the day.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/10/image_b67b3f.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1963825" /></figure>   The middle school session at the Headliners Invitational provided younger prospects with a valuable opportunity to gain experience in a showcase setting before beginning their high school careers. With most recruiting events and scouting coverage focused on high school players, this session gave middle school athletes a chance to develop their skills, compete and become more comfortable in an environment similar to what they will experience in the coming years. Participants had the opportunity to work with college coaches and current Lansing Community College players, giving them a glimpse of what it takes to compete at the next level. Jocelyn Kotowicz, a 2025 graduate of St. Johns, also led a Q&A session where she shared insight into life as a college basketball player. Another important part of the event was the exposure these young prospects received through Prep Girls Hoops, putting them on the radar before they even step onto a high school court. Experiences like this can help build confidence and prepare players for future opportunities as they continue developing their games.   My coverage at the Headliners Invitational Showcase focused on Team Liberty and Team Fever during the middle school session. I'll take a closer look at the players representing Team Fever and highlight what I saw from each of them throughout the event.    Addison earned MVP honors during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational after showcasing an impressive combination of scoring ability, ball handling and playmaking for Team Fever. During 3v3 competition, she showed her ability to attack the basket with a strong take and finish while also demonstrating good decision-making with a nice pass out of the pick-and-roll. Her versatility was even more evident during 5v5 action, where she displayed excellent handles and consistently made smart passes to create opportunities for her teammates. Addison also showed confidence in her perimeter game, knocking down a three-pointer from the wing and later connecting on another from well beyond the arc. Defensively, she was quick to recognize opportunities to create turnovers. She stole an inbounds pass and converted a smooth pull-up jumper, then later picked an opponent's pocket and turned the steal into a bucket. What impressed me most was her ability to balance scoring with creating for others. Whether she was attacking the basket, knocking down outside shots or finding an open teammate, Addison showed a strong feel for the game that helped earn her MVP recognition.     Lauren earned MVP honors during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational after putting together an impressive all-around performance for Team Fever. Her shooting ability was one of the biggest highlights of her day, especially during the Make Shots workout, where she was the only middle school player to successfully complete the drill, knocking down three-pointer after three-pointer. That shooting touch carried over into competition, as she connected on a three from the wing during 3v3 and knocked down multiple shots from behind the arc during 5v5. Lauren also showed she could score in other ways, making a nice slash to the basket for a finish and connecting on a smooth turnaround jumper. Another impressive offensive play came when she turned a steal into a beautiful stretched-out layup finish. Defensively, Lauren was just as active, coming away with a block during 3v3 and showing excellent anticipation by jumping passing lanes for steals during 5v5. She also demonstrated good court awareness, following one of her steals with a nice pass to a teammate. Her combination of perimeter shooting, scoring versatility and defensive instincts made her one of my MVP selections from the event.     Brylee made her presence felt on the glass while competing with Team Fever during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational. She showed a good ability to track down rebounds and compete for the basketball, contributing on the boards throughout the event. One of her offensive highlights came when she secured an offensive rebound and converted the putback, turning her effort on the glass into a second-chance bucket. Brylee also showed some nice awareness with the basketball in her hands. On one possession, she made a strong rip-through move along the baseline to get past her defender before delivering a well-placed pass to a teammate. I liked that she recognized the opportunity to create for someone else rather than forcing a shot. Her rebounding, willingness to attack and ability to make a good decision off the drive were positive parts of her performance for Team Fever.     Riley showed her ability to contribute in several areas while competing with Team Fever during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational. During 3v3 competition, she made her presence felt on the offensive glass, securing a rebound and converting the putback for a second-chance bucket. She also demonstrated some perimeter shooting ability during drills, knocking down a three-pointer and showing that she could be a scoring option away from the basket. When 5v5 action began, Riley continued to make an impact with her rebounding, doing a nice job working on the glass and securing possessions for her team. One play that caught my attention came when she grabbed a defensive rebound and immediately pushed the basketball coast to coast, showing her willingness to handle the ball and advance it in transition. Her combination of rebounding, outside shooting and ability to push the pace gave Team Fever contributions in different areas throughout the event.     Aleah showed a strong presence around the basket while competing with Team Fever during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational. During 3v3 competition, she made a nice defensive play by coming away with a block, showing her ability to challenge shots around the rim. Her rebounding was a big part of her contributions during 5v5 action, where she secured an offensive board along with multiple defensive rebounds. What I particularly liked was how strong she was with the basketball after pulling down a rebound, making it difficult for defenders to take it away. Aleah also demonstrated some nice footwork when she used a reverse pivot to work her way out of traffic while maintaining possession. That type of awareness and ability to protect the basketball is important for a young player, especially when working in crowded areas around the basket. Her rebounding, defensive presence and ability to stay composed under pressure were encouraging parts of her performance for Team Fever.     Claire made an impact with her rebounding and effort while competing with Team Fever during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational. During 3v3 competition, she showed her ability to work around the basket, securing an offensive rebound and converting the putback for a second-chance bucket. That effort on the glass continued into 5v5 action, where she rebounded well on both ends of the floor. I liked her willingness to compete for possessions, whether it was giving her team another opportunity offensively or helping secure the basketball on the defensive end. Claire also contributed defensively by coming away with a steal, showing that she could make plays beyond her work on the boards. Her rebounding, activity around the basket and ability to create an extra possession were valuable parts of her performance for Team Fever.     Rosalie showed some encouraging skills while competing with Team Fever during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational. During 3v3 competition, she was active on the offensive glass, coming away with a couple of rebounds that helped create additional possessions for her team. When 5v5 action began, I liked her movement without the basketball. She did a nice job staying involved offensively, moving into open areas and making herself available as a passing option. Rosalie also demonstrated composure when handling the basketball against defensive pressure. She was able to bring the ball up the court while being pressured, showing confidence and control in those situations. Her ability to contribute on the boards, move effectively without the ball and handle pressure were positive takeaways from her performance for Team Fever.     Celia showed a nice combination of composure, defensive effort and court awareness while competing with Team Fever during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational. One of the things I liked most about her performance was how she handled defensive pressure. Rather than picking up her dribble when defenders closed in, Celia kept it alive, worked her way through traffic and delivered a good pass to a teammate. She also showed the ability to help push the pace, securing a defensive rebound and immediately advancing the basketball in transition. On the defensive end, Celia made her presence felt with a block and showed excellent hustle on another possession when she raced back to disrupt an opponent's scoring opportunity. Her willingness to put in the effort defensively, along with her ability to remain under control with the basketball, were encouraging parts of her performance for Team Fever.     Isabelle brought good effort and energy to Team Fever during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational. During 3v3 competition, she made a nice defensive play by coming away with a block, showing her willingness to challenge shots and make things difficult for opposing players. That defensive effort continued into 5v5 action, where Isabelle worked hard on that end of the floor and stayed involved in possessions. I also liked the effort she showed getting up and down the court. She ran the floor hard in transition, working to get ahead of the defense and put herself in position to contribute offensively. Her willingness to compete defensively and consistently put in the effort to run the floor were positive takeaways from her performance for Team Fever.

The Headliners Invitational Showcase made its return this year after taking a break in 2024. Originally created by Evan Bell and Ray Kimball in November 2023, the event was designed to bring together some of the best elements of traditional showcases, college elite camps and prospect camps while keeping player development and recruiting exposure at the forefront. The goal behind the Headliners Invitational is to provide girls basketball players with an opportunity to showcase their skills, compete against talented players and gain valuable exposure to college coaches. With a format focused on helping players get noticed and take steps toward the next level, the return of the Headliners Invitational is an exciting addition to the Michigan girls basketball showcase scene.

The Headliners Invitational was designed to give players more than just another opportunity to compete in games. The event focused on helping prospects gain exposure to college coaches, work directly with coaches who could potentially recruit them and receive coverage from Prep Girls Hoops scouts. With every player bringing different strengths to the floor, the format provided several ways for them to showcase their abilities through skill-specific drills, 3v3 competition and 5v5 games. Each participant wore a numbered reversible jersey that matched the information provided to college coaches, making it easier for them to identify and evaluate players throughout the event. Programs from the Division II, Division III, NAIA, NCCAA and JUCO levels across Michigan, along with several from neighboring states, were invited to attend. Players also had time to connect with college coaches following their sessions. Another great addition this year was a shooting workout led by Make Shots trainer Mike Soukup, who worked with both the high school and middle school participants. The combination of instruction, competition and recruiting opportunities gave players multiple ways to display their skills throughout the day.

The middle school session at the Headliners Invitational provided younger prospects with a valuable opportunity to gain experience in a showcase setting before beginning their high school careers. With most recruiting events and scouting coverage focused on high school players, this session gave middle school athletes a chance to develop their skills, compete and become more comfortable in an environment similar to what they will experience in the coming years. Participants had the opportunity to work with college coaches and current Lansing Community College players, giving them a glimpse of what it takes to compete at the next level. Jocelyn Kotowicz, a 2025 graduate of St. Johns, also led a Q&A session where she shared insight into life as a college basketball player. Another important part of the event was the exposure these young prospects received through Prep Girls Hoops, putting them on the radar before they even step onto a high school court. Experiences like this can help build confidence and prepare players for future opportunities as they continue developing their games.

My coverage at the Headliners Invitational Showcase focused on Team Liberty and Team Fever during the middle school session. I'll take a closer look at the players representing Team Fever and highlight what I saw from each of them throughout the event.

Addison Simmons

HEIGHT 5'6"

POS PG/SG

CLASS 2031

View Player

Addison Simmons

State: Michigan

Club: Sports City Angels

Subscribe to read

Is this you, Addison? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing

Lauren Casselman

HEIGHT 5'7"

POS SG/SF

CLASS 2031

View Player

Lauren Casselman

State: Michigan

School: Harper Creek

Club: Michigan Premier

Lauren earned MVP honors during the middle school session at the Headliners Invitational after putting together an impressive all-around performance for Team Fever. Her shooting ability was one of the biggest highlights of her day, especially during the Make Shots workout, where she was the only middle school player to successfully complete the drill, knocking down three-pointer after three-pointer. That shooting touch carried over into competition, as she connected on a three from the wing during 3v3 and knocked down multiple shots from behind the arc during 5v5. Lauren also showed she could score in other ways, making a nice slash to the basket for a finish and connecting on a smooth turnaround jumper. Another impressive offensive play came when she turned a steal into a beautiful stretched-out layup finish. Defensively, Lauren was just as active, coming away with a block during 3v3 and showing excellent anticipation by jumping passing lanes for steals during 5v5. She also demonstrated good court awareness, following one of her steals with a nice pass to a teammate. Her combination of perimeter shooting, scoring versatility and defensive instincts made her one of my MVP selections from the event.