PGH Michigan JAM: Heritage, Eisenhower, Tecumseh

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 Saginaw Heritage, Tecumseh, and Utica Eisenhower!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saginaw Heritage Hawks</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/PGHJam-SaginawHeritage.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1357643" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='908135' first='Jayla' last='Laster'] and [player_tooltip player_id='933016' first='Zariya' last='McCrary']   The Heritage Hawks have one of the youngest and most talented cores in the state. Their dynamite 2028 class took the SVL by storm last year, and when you add a couple of exceptional seniors to the mix, you get a top ten team. Jayla set a school record for points in a game as a freshman with 34 and earned All-Conference First Team honors. She's a complete player with quickness, athleticism, and a polished skill set. Jayla creates steals, works hard to secure rebounds, slashes to the rim, and pours in perimeter jumpers. Zariya has one of the highest ceilings in her class. Her height, athleticism, quickness, and versatility to play inside or outside create an advantage for the Hawks. Zariya can fill it up from beyond the arc, weave through the defense to score layups off the dribble, and wreak havoc with her length in the press. This duo will be exciting to watch this season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tecumseh Indians</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/PGHJam-Tecumseh-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1357647" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='666667' first='Makayla' last='Schlorf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='807288' first='Addi' last='Zajac']   Tecumseh's historical season ended with a State Championship trophy last year, and they're looking to run it back. They bring back a strong core of upperclassmen and will add a pair of very talented freshmen into the mix. Makayla is their court general. Her fearless downhill drives, precise passes, physical strength, pinpoint three-point accuracy, efficiency at the free-throw line, and relentless defensive effort give the team a clear advantage in the backcourt. Addi is an unstoppable force in the paint. I've yet to find another post player who has comparable strength to keep Addi from getting to her spots around the rim. She's an offensive rebound putback machine with fantastic footwork and finishing touch. Addi is a terrific passer out of the post and protects the basket on defense. Both prospects were PGH Player of the Year Finalists last season and should have a great opportunity to repeat that feat once again. The Indians are a top contender, and this duo will cause matchup problems for opponents all year.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Utica Eisenhower Eagles</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/11/PGHJam-UticaEisenhower.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1357652" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='933005' first='Madison' last='Repicky'] and [player_tooltip player_id='933527' first='Mackenzie' last='Turner']   Eisenhower's loaded 2028 class ignited the team and helped them dominate the MAC-Red last year. The Eagles earned a shared title with Henry Ford and are a top-ten program going into the 2025 season. These two prospects are a huge reason why. Madison's silky smooth pull-up jumper, accuracy from beyond the arc, elite ball-handling, court vision, muscular strength, and soft touch at the rim make her one of the best guards in the class. She can adapt and lead the offense as the primary scorer or facilitator. Mackenzie is a two-way difference maker for the Eagles. She rips the nets from three-point range, harasses opposing ball-handlers with her pressure to create turnovers, and threads the needle with pinpoint passes to open teammates. Mackenzie pushes the tempo and plays with a high IQ--her decision-making has stood out to our scouts at multiple events leading up to the season. These two guards are going to light it up for the Eagles this winter.

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.