PGH Michigan JAM: Midland, Dow, Muskegon

I am excited to announce the release of the “MICHIGAN JAM” series. During my 2024 summer vacation, I visited an old-school arcade that happened to include an edition of “NBA JAM,” the ultimate retro basketball video game. This game became famous during the 90s at the arcade and on numerous gaming consoles. The original game was released by Midway in 1993 and featured players from NBA rosters. Each NBA team featured two players who competed in 2 on 2 with no subs. Later additions to the game included 3-5 players, which gave gamers the ability to sub new players into the games. The game's exaggerated graphics, high-flying dunks, and lack of fouls made it wildly unique and popular amongst gamers.   <a href="https://videogamehistory.fandom.com/wiki/NBA_Jam">Read more about the history of NBA JAM</a>   MICHIGAN JAM! HS Article Series   This article series, modeled after the original “NBA JAM”, will include 2 players per team. There is an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference. Two high school players from the same team are included as a “Dynamic Duo”. Each player will be assigned a fictitious rating for physical and skill attributes based on the criteria of the original “NBA JAM”. Rating Breakdown: Overall speed/6, Shooting skill from 3 pt/6, Skill at dunking/6, Overall defensive skill/6. The overall rating is out of 24 (rating criteria are modeled using the original “NBA JAM”). Some of the original ratings of players from “NBA JAM”: Tim Hardaway-speed 5/6, 3 pts 4/6, dunks 1/6, defense 4/6, Final 14/24, Charles Barkley-speed 4/6, 3 pts 3/6, dunks 6/6, def 1/6, Final 14/24, Scottie Pippen-speed 5/6, 3 pts 4/6, dunks 6/6, def 5/6, Final 20/24. Best Rated Teams: New York Knicks (33 pts), Charlotte Hornets (32 pts), Chicago Bulls (32 pts no MJ), Sacramento Kings (30)   MICHIGAN JAM! Ratings Explained: 0=Not Observed, 1-2=Rare, 3=Average, 4=Above Average, 5=Advanced, 6=Elite   Speed is ball handling, acceleration, and quickness. 3 pts is shooting 3s efficiently more often than not. Dunks is leaping ability, elevation, and/or height. Defense is steals, deflections, shutting down your position. Final Rating is the sum of all those categories out of 24 points. As you can see, legends of the NBA game, including Hall of Famers, don't rate over 20! This is meant to be a lighthearted and fun way of learning about some of the great duos in the state and not to be taken too seriously. There were 27 teams in the original “NBA JAM”, but I have expanded the total to 19 teams per conference.   Throughout the next few weeks, each team will have its video game graphic released in articles and on X! With that in mind, let's meet the dynamic duos from Midland, Midland Dow, and Muskegon!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midland Chemics</h2>   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/PGHJam-MidlandChemics.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1322406" /></figure> </blockquote>   [player_tooltip player_id='898878' first='Kaiya' last='Mahabir'] and [player_tooltip player_id='932751' first='Ellee' last='Arnold']   The Midland Chemics made a 180-degree turnaround last season. Four freshmen ranked in the top 25 (all holding D2 offers) revitalized their starting lineup and led the team to a memorable 19-win season that ended after a loss to crosstown rival Midland Dow in Districts. Kaiya was a PGH Freshman Player of the Year Finalist and earned an SVL All-Conference First Team selection. She solidified herself as an elite point guard prospect in the 2028 class during the off-season at elite camps, team camps, and on the travel circuit. Kaiya communicates constantly on the court. She has outstanding court vision, advanced ball-handling control, and fires passes all over the court. Kaiya harasses guards with her defensive pressure and quick feet. She penetrates gaps and finishes tough shots in the paint. Kaiya plays fast and shoots with confidence from three-point range. Ellee Arnold also received an SVL All-Conference First Team selection as a freshman, and it's become clear during the off-season that she belongs in the top ten of our rankings. Ellee has fantastic footwork around the basket, finishes with strength off two feet, and is effective as a back-to-the-basket or face-up forward. Her mobility and length make her a daunting matchup for opposing bigs. She's an excellent shot blocker with the ability to defend the perimeter. Ellee is a determined rebounder and tough prospect who gives Midland an interior advantage against every team in the conference. Midland is a top ten team in Division 1 heading into the season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midland Dow Chargers</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/PGHJam-MidlandDow.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1322409" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='866019' first='Allie' last='Stockton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='614649' first='Melanie' last='Kolnitys']   Midland Dow's strength is their back court, and they have two very talented guards. Allie had a breakout season for the Chargers, earning an SVL All-Conference First Team selection. She's an explosive downhill driver with shifty handles and great touch on her finishes around the basket. Allie's quick feet, instincts, and active hands make her a game-changing defender who takes steals the other way in a hurry to score transition points. She sees the floor, pursues rebounds, delivers accurate passes, and can knock down shots on the perimeter. If there were a Comeback Player of the Year Award in the conference, Melanie would have won it. After recovering from a significant injury, Melanie turned in a stellar season, receiving SVL All-Conference Second Team recognition. She only knows how to play one way and that's with maximum effort. Melanie gained notice at Ferris State Elite Camp with her court vision, ball-handling control, and passing precision. She works hard on defense, drives hard to the basket, and finishes through contact at the rim. Melanie has an effective pull-up game and plays well off two feet. She has excellent footwork and will be a cornerstone player for the Chargers again this season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Muskegon Big Reds</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/PGHJam-Muskegon-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1322410" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='807918' first='Dy'Nasti' last='Bell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='502311' first='Mariah' last='Sain']   Muskegon should be fully healthy and ready to hit the ground running in December. With three D1 prospects in their starting lineup, the Lady Reds have talent few can match. Mariah is the best slashing guard in the 2025 class. Her explosive steps, athleticism, vertical leap, shifty handles, and dynamic abilities put her on a higher plane. Mariah's speed and aggressiveness take over games on both ends of the court. She scores at all three levels and stuffs the stat sheet in every category. Dy'Nasti was solid for Muskegon last season and has cemented herself as a top ten prospect in the 2027 class. She's consistently performed at a high level during the off-season at elite camps and travel tournaments. Dy'Nasti uses her strength and length to protect the basket on defense and score efficiently in the paint. She has good footwork and finishes well with both hands. Dy'Nasti owns the boards and will give the Lady Reds a big advantage inside again this winter. Muskegon is a top ten team in Division 1 heading into the season.

I am excited to announce the release of the “MICHIGAN JAM” series. During my 2024 summer vacation, I visited an old-school arcade that happened to include an edition of “NBA JAM,” the ultimate retro basketball video game. This game became famous during the 90s at the arcade and on numerous gaming consoles. The original game was released by Midway in 1993 and featured players from NBA rosters. Each NBA team featured two players who competed in 2 on 2 with no subs. Later additions to the game included 3-5 players, which gave gamers the ability to sub new players into the games. The game's exaggerated graphics, high-flying dunks, and lack of fouls made it wildly unique and popular amongst gamers.