Bell’s Best Games: Dec. 8th-12th

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school girls' basketball season kicks off next week. Here are some of the matchups you won't want to miss!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Game schedule according to mhsaa.com</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Monday, December 8th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#13 Buckley (D4) at #5 Manton (D3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X-factors: [player_tooltip player_id='912511' first='Lucy' last='Moyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='866209' first='Aubrey' last='Hiller'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buckley's [player_tooltip player_id='912511' first='Lucy' last='Moyer'] is an athletic, physical, and skilled interior prospect. Her length and mobility create a mismatch against traditional forwards. [player_tooltip player_id='866209' first='Aubrey' last='Hiller']'s pinpoint perimeter shooting, court vision, and defense will give Manton's backcourt the edge. Manton exploded for 89 points in their blowout victory against Buckley to start the 2024 season. These two prospects will influence the outcome mightily.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8 Concord (D4) at #2 Morenci (D4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X-factors: [player_tooltip player_id='866205' first='Bradie' last='Lehman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='924018' first='Emersyn' last='Bachelder']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morenci bested Concord in a 43-41 thriller last season, and this week one matchup should be another classic. The Bulldogs have an advantage inside with athletic forward [player_tooltip player_id='808349' first='Colbie' last='Ekins'], but I think the guards will be the deciding factor. Concord's [player_tooltip player_id='866205' first='Bradie' last='Lehman'] has outstanding vision, can light it up from three, and create space off the dribble. She's a pesky defender and tough finisher with an excellent floater. [player_tooltip player_id='924018' first='Emersyn' last='Bachelder'] slashes to the basket and finishes through contact. She anticipates passes on defense, finds open teammates, and shoots confidently from the perimeter. I expect this to be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8 Beaverton (D3) at #5 Sacred Heart (D4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X-factors: [player_tooltip player_id='1186331' first='Taryn' last='Roberts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='928063' first='Karis' last='Terwilliger']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two squads met in game one last year, and they're running it back. Sacred Heart edged out Beaverton 45-43 on route to an undefeated regular season. This time around, the Beavers will have 6-foot freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1186331' first='Taryn' last='Roberts'] controlling the paint. She won MVP at the Freshman Showcase and dominated during summer league games. Sacred Heart has an advantage at guard with GVSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='928063' first='Karis' last='Terwilliger'] leading the charge. Her relentless hustle, rebounding, toughness, three-level scoring, and athletic finishing will be tough to defend. Whoever wins the rebounding and three-point battle should win this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday, December 9th</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Grass Lake (D3) at #9 Fa. Gabriel Richard (D2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X-factors: [player_tooltip player_id='912516' first='Reese' last='Lape'] and [player_tooltip player_id='613426' first='Vanessa' last='Rodriguez']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Somebody is going to make a statement in this game. FGR has the backcourt advantage with the Rodriguez twins, but Grass Lake has length, athleticism, and depth that few lineups can match. GVSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='912516' first='Reese' last='Lape'] set a school record for free throws made last season, and she might be living at the line in this game. Reese's high-motor, leaping ability, relentless rebounding, and downhill drives should give the Warriors an inside advantage. However, FGR has Junior Player of the Year and BCAM D2 Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='613426' first='Vanessa' last='Rodriguez']. Her pinpoint three-point accuracy and lightning-quick dribble combos keep defenders on their heels. Ava and Vanessa can take over a game, and if they're left open beyond the arc, FGR could pull off an upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#12 Chelsea (D2) at #6 Detroit Edison Prep (D2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X-factors: [player_tooltip player_id='865143' first='Aleeah' last='Wells'], [player_tooltip player_id='751162' first='Nichole' last='James']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The word for this game is identity. Both programs graduated their superstar 2025 prospects (Isis Musah-Johnson, Avery Lay), so it's time to find out who the new go-to girl is going to be. Edison Prep has athleticism, talent, and depth that Chelsea is going to have a difficult time matching up with. [player_tooltip player_id='751162' first='Nichole' last='James'] is a top-five prospect who gets to her spots inside and doesn't let up. She protects the rim, dominates the glass, and finishes with power. Chelsea has a top-ten prospect of their own in [player_tooltip player_id='865143' first='Aleeah' last='Wells']. She's a crafty ball-handler with a pure jumper and athleticism that's tough to defend. Both teams have something to prove, and I'm interested to see the final results.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#11 Midland (D1) at #8 Flint Powers Catholic (D2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X-factors: [player_tooltip player_id='613424' first='Kendyl' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='933020' first='Ella' last='McLaughlin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reigning SVL Conference champion Midland faces off with Powers Catholic in what will be one of the most exciting games of the week. The Chemics won this matchup 62-26 last season on route to an undefeated conference record. Now the league has split into an SVL North and SVL South division. Powers Catholic is undoubtedly the best team in the south, while Midland is expected to battle it out with Saginaw Heritage for the SVL North crown. Powers brings back their best prospects and adds energetic freshmen depth ready to make a splash. Miss Basketball candidate and SVL MVP [player_tooltip player_id='613424' first='Kendyl' last='Smith'] can get to the free-throw line, bury teams on the scoreboard from three-point range, and fire passes up the court to create transition scoring. [player_tooltip player_id='933020' first='Ella' last='McLaughlin'] had a monster summer for Midland, and with sister Emma out for the season, her role on the offensive end is going to be essential to the team's success. She was electric at Northwood Team Camp, and I expect her to be a prolific scorer this season. Ella lights it up from three, pushes the tempo, and finishes on hard drives to the basket. Her length and effort on defense make a huge impact. Both teams play an up-tempo brand of basketball, and I can't wait to see who rises to the occasion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#11 Parma Western (D2) at #7 Grand Rapids West Catholic (D2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X-factors: [player_tooltip player_id='734949' first='Aubree' last='Allen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='865141' first='Alexis' last='Asekomeh']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest opening game matchups last season was between these two contenders, and they're running it back. Parma Western defeated West Catholic 61-51, and they'll be looking to play the role of spoiler again to start the season. West Catholic finished as the state runner-up in March, and they'll have a new look without star seniors Elisha Dykstra (Toledo) and Anna Ignatoski (Adrian). Top ten forward prospect [player_tooltip player_id='865141' first='Alexis' last='Asekomeh'] has a rare combination of strength, mobility, athleticism, and skill. If she dominates the glass, gets to the free-throw line, and gets easy buckets inside, it could be the difference maker. Parma Western brings back electric sharpshooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='613946' first='Rayah' last='Hitt'] (Junior Player of the Year) and skilled forward [player_tooltip player_id='734949' first='Aubree' last='Allen']. The team that wins the battle inside and has the more poised guard play should win this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">BONUS GAMES</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tuesday, December 9th</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#10 Michigan Center (D2) at #1 Jackson Lumen Christi (D3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wednesday, December 10th</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#6 Mio (D4) at #5 Manton (D3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thursday, December 11th</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Ishpeming (D4) at Calumet (D3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#8 Muskegon (D1) at #7 Grand Rapids West Catholic (D2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Friday, December 12th</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#9 Sanford Meridian (D3) at #6 Cass City (D3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lansing Waverly (D1) at Portland (D2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Lyon East (D1) at Saline (D1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->