P2W Headliners Invitational: MS Team Lynx

When Evan Bell and Ray Kimball teamed up to launch the first-ever Headliners Invitational back in November of 2023, they set out to create something special for the girls basketball community. After taking a short break in 2024, Evan felt strongly that the Headliners needed to return and establish itself as a premier showcase event. The concept for the Headliners Invitational Showcase came from Evan's experiences observing elite and prospect camps across the state. While each had elements he admired—such as live games, skill work, and recruiting opportunities—he noticed there was still something missing. His goal became clear: to build an event that truly helps girls basketball prospects gain exposure and be recruited by college coaches, aligning perfectly with his mission at Prep Girls Hoops. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to help Evan cover this year's event and continue shining a light on the incredible talent in the gym.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/image_c1dbcd.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1353141" /></figure>   Evan Bell and his team designed the Headliners Invitational Showcase to be much more than just another event—it was built with a clear purpose. Evan wanted to create an opportunity for girls to work directly with college coaches who are actively recruiting, be evaluated by programs that match their current level of play, and receive detailed media coverage from Prep Girls Hoops scouts. Recognizing that every player is different and not all thrive in traditional showcase formats, he emphasized skill-based drills, 3v3 competition, and 5v5 gameplay to give each prospect the best chance to shine in front of college coaches. Each participant wore a numbered jersey tied to detailed college coach packets, ensuring visibility and accessibility for recruitment. With 20 colleges pre-registered and dedicated time for players to connect with coaches after sessions, the event was designed for meaningful exposure and development.   Evan also identified a major gap in the landscape—no showcase opportunities for middle school girls in Michigan. To fill that void, he introduced a middle school session that provided an elite experience led by college coaches and special guests like former WNBA player Jennifer Smith (GLCC Head Coach) and Northwood sharpshooter Makenzie Todd (LCC Assistant). Every middle school participant gained exposure on the Prep Girls Hoops platform, ensuring they are on the radar well before high school. I'm grateful to help Evan cover an event that not only connects current prospects with recruiters but also lays the foundation for the next generation of Michigan basketball talent.   My coverage focused primarily on teams Wings and Lynx during the showcase. Here are evaluations for middle schoolers representing Team Lynx during session two at the Prepare 2 Win Headliners Invitational.    Addison was a top performer for Team Lynx, setting the tone early by draining shot after shot during the shooting drills. Her smooth stroke carried into gameplay, where she continued to knock down threes with confidence. Defensively, she stood out with quick anticipation and active hands, coming up with multiple steals. She also showed great composure under pressure, slicing through defenders and finishing strong at the rim.     Rosie showcased her smooth shooting form throughout the day, getting her jumper off quickly and confidently knocking down shots from the perimeter. She wasn't just a threat from deep, though—she attacked closeouts aggressively, blowing by defenders for strong finishes at the rim. Her hustle was evident as she sprinted the floor in transition, always ready to make a play on either end for Team Lynx.     Gwen had a strong all-around showing for Team Lynx, knocking down multiple threes during the shooting drills and carrying that rhythm into gameplay. She made smart cuts to the basket, finishing effectively at the rim, including a smooth left-hand finish. On defense, she stayed disciplined and walled up well, making it difficult for opponents to get clean looks inside.     Kensington was a top performer for Team Lynx, showing a basketball IQ and feel for the game well beyond her years. She displayed excellent court vision, constantly creating scoring opportunities for teammates by drawing defenders and making sharp passes. Her defensive effort stood out as well—diving for loose balls, saving possessions, and coming up with a key steal that led to a perfect pass ahead in transition. She finished strong around the rim and played with a poise and confidence that elevated everyone on the floor.       Ellie was a top performer for Team Lynx, showcasing her skill, energy, and leadership throughout the day. She used a sharp crossover to blow by defenders and showed confidence knocking down shots from beyond the arc. Around the rim, she was crafty and creative, finishing through traffic and finding open teammates in transition with smart passes. Ellie's effort never wavered—she battled for offensive boards, forced tie-ups, and was one of the most vocal and engaged players on the court, setting the tone for her team.     Lia may have been the smallest player on the floor, but she played with heart and composure well beyond her size. She handled defensive pressure with confidence, even taking the ball up the court after securing a rebound. On the defensive end, she showed great discipline and footwork, keeping her matchup contained and making smart plays that helped her team on both sides of the ball.     Ava was a constant source of energy for Team Lynx, working relentlessly on the glass and battling for every rebound. Her effort never wavered, as she sprinted end to end and made the most of every possession. Whether chasing down loose balls or crashing the boards, she consistently showed hustle and determination that set the tone for her team.     Chloe showcased her basketball smarts for Team Lynx, constantly moving without the ball and finding open spots. She converted a smooth backdoor cut into an easy bucket, created turnovers with timely steals, and showed off a nice pull-up jumper in the lane. Her ability to read the defense and make plays on both ends made her a key contributor.     Leigha stood out for Team Lynx with her aggressive play at the guard position. She locked down opponents on defense, grabbed multiple offensive rebounds, and showed toughness finishing through contact at the rim. Her floater game was smooth and effective, making her a versatile threat on both ends of the floor.     Blake was a top performer and MVP for Team Lynx, showcasing her all-around game. She displayed excellent ball-handling skills, including slick between-the-legs moves to get to the rim, and used a sharp hesitation dribble to create space against defenders. Aggressive and fearless, she earned frequent trips to the free-throw line, while her defense stood out with multiple steals and blocks. Offensively, she also showed off a smooth pull-up jumper, making her a true two-way threat.

When Evan Bell and Ray Kimball teamed up to launch the first-ever Headliners Invitational back in November of 2023, they set out to create something special for the girls basketball community. After taking a short break in 2024, Evan felt strongly that the Headliners needed to return and establish itself as a premier showcase event. The concept for the Headliners Invitational Showcase came from Evan's experiences observing elite and prospect camps across the state. While each had elements he admired—such as live games, skill work, and recruiting opportunities—he noticed there was still something missing. His goal became clear: to build an event that truly helps girls basketball prospects gain exposure and be recruited by college coaches, aligning perfectly with his mission at Prep Girls Hoops. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to help Evan cover this year's event and continue shining a light on the incredible talent in the gym.