River Cities Alliance Brings Back Proven Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The River Cities Alliance featured plenty of competitive basketball last season, and while several talented players have moved on, there is still a strong group of returning standouts ready to make their mark. Cedar Springs claimed its second consecutive conference championship with an impressive 11-1 league record, followed closely by Greenville at 10-2. Coopersville finished third at 7-5, while Allendale and Lowell tied for fourth with 5-7 records. Kenowa Hills and Sparta rounded out the standings. Although six of the 12 First Team All-Conference selections graduated, the conference still brings back six First Team honorees along with four players who earned Honorable Mention recognition. With experienced talent spread throughout the league, there should be plenty of interesting matchups and opportunities for players to take on bigger roles. Here are six returning players I'll be keeping an eye on as another season of River Cities Alliance basketball approaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1279586"],"_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-6ae4c8c0e1ae3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Emory returns for her senior season at Cedar Springs after earning First Team All-Conference honors as a junior, and she will look to help the Red Hawks defend their River Cities Alliance title. The 2027 guard, who has committed to Alma College, brings a nice combination of length, athleticism and energy to the floor. One of the things I really like about Emory's game is her ability to impact the boards from the guard position. I watched her compete with [program_tooltip program_id='1226083' first='West' last='Michigan Drive'] during the MI College Tour III stop at Grand Valley this past summer, where she consistently pursued rebounds, particularly on the offensive end, and created extra possessions for her team. She also showed her ability to get downhill in transition and put pressure on opposing defenses. With her experience, athleticism and willingness to do the little things that help a team succeed, I expect Emory to play an important role for Cedar Springs as the Red Hawks look to make another run at the conference championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1250141"],"_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-6ae4c8c0e1b1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elliana returns for her senior season at Cedar Springs after earning First Team All-Conference honors as a junior, and I expect her to be another key piece for the Red Hawks as they look to defend their River Cities Alliance title. The versatile forward has the ability to make an impact in several different areas of the game, particularly with her ability to attack the basket and finish in traffic. I recently watched Elli show off some nice moves around the rim, including an impressive up-and-over finish and a strong slash where she caught the ball in traffic and converted. She also showed her ability to contribute from the perimeter, coming away with a steal before knocking down a three-pointer on the other end. I like the different ways Elli can create scoring opportunities and contribute on both ends of the floor. With college offers already on the table, I'm excited to see where she chooses to continue her basketball career. I expect Elli to have a big senior season as Cedar Springs looks to remain at the top of the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158133"],"_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-6ae4c8c0e1b42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophie is coming off an impressive sophomore season at Greenville that earned her First Team All-Conference honors, and she should be one of the top players to watch in the River Cities Alliance as she enters her junior year. The 2028 guard brings a combination of length, quickness and physicality that allows her to make an impact on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Sophie can attack the basket off the dribble, create opportunities for her teammates with her court vision and become a dangerous scoring threat when she gets going from beyond the arc. Defensively, she uses her length and quickness to make things difficult for opposing guards on the perimeter. Sophie also put together a strong summer competing with [program_tooltip program_id='1414318' first='Dream' last='Loudly Basketball EYCL'] 16U, earning Top Performer recognition on the PGH Circuit. Her play has already attracted college attention, including offers from Embry-Riddle and Wayne State. After helping Greenville finish second in the conference last season, I expect Sophie to take on another big role as the Yellow Jackets look to challenge for the River Cities Alliance title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158134"],"_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-6ae4c8c0e1b61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Briana enters her junior season at Greenville after earning First Team All-Conference honors in each of her first two years of high school basketball, establishing herself as one of the top returning players in the River Cities Alliance. The 2028 guard brings a dangerous scoring ability, particularly from beyond the arc, where she can knock down multiple three-pointers and quickly change the momentum of a game. However, Briana is much more than just a perimeter shooter. She has a smooth hesitation dribble that allows her to create separation, get downhill and finish around the basket. I also like the contributions she makes defensively, whether it's competing for rebounds, contesting shots or coming away with a timely block that helps create a transition opportunity. With two First Team All-Conference selections already to her name, Briana has set a high standard early in her career. I expect her to continue building on that success as Greenville looks to make another push toward the top of the conference standings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898770"],"_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-6ae4c8c0e1b7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mady returns for her senior season at Lowell after earning First Team All-Conference honors as a junior, and she should be one of the top scoring threats to watch in the River Cities Alliance. The 2027 wing, who has committed to Hope College, brings an impressive offensive skill set, highlighted by her ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc. She can connect from different spots on the perimeter, making her a difficult player for opposing defenses to leave open. What I also like about Mady's game is that she isn't limited to outside shooting. She has the ability to attack off the dribble, using quick rip-through moves and changes of direction to get past defenders and finish around the basket. She also competes on the offensive glass, creating additional scoring opportunities with her effort. Mady's combination of perimeter shooting and ability to get downhill makes her a challenging matchup. With her college decision already made, I'm looking forward to seeing what she accomplishes in her final high school season before continuing her basketball career at Hope.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751131"],"_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-6ae4c8c0e1b9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ashlyn returns for her senior season at Kenowa Hills after earning First Team All-Conference honors as a junior, and I expect her to be one of the toughest guards to match up against in the River Cities Alliance. The 2027 guard, who has committed to Alma College, brings a gritty, competitive style of play that allows her to make an impact on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Ashlyn uses her quickness, shifty ball-handling and explosive first step to get downhill and put pressure on opposing defenses. She has the strength to absorb contact and the touch to finish difficult shots around the basket, while also showing the ability to create opportunities for herself and her teammates. Defensively, she is a scrappy competitor who makes opposing guards work for everything. Ashlyn put together an impressive spring on the PGH Circuit with KBA, earning multiple Top Performer recognitions and MVP honors while helping her team capture a Bronze title at the PGH MI GVSU College Tour. With her college commitment secured, I'm excited to see how Ashlyn closes out her high school career and leads Kenowa Hills this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->