Zero Star Showcase: Session Two Top Performers

After a monumental first offering of the [program_tooltip program_id='928192' first='Zero' last='Star Basketball'] Showcase in 2025, I journeyed back to the U.P. for the second year of what has become a staple event on my annual Prep Girls Hoops Michigan coverage schedule.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/03/20240325_142416-crop-1536x1009-1711391481.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-879008" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jenna Maki, 2024, Ishpeming, Breslin Center, Mar. 22</figcaption></figure>   The seed was planted in March of 2024 during the State Semifinals when I watched prospects Ella Mason from Negaunee and Jenna Maki of Ishpeming blow the roof off the Breslin Center. Both were soon-to-be graduating seniors who, quite frankly, should have been on our radar sooner and more heavily recruited by colleges in the state. That day, I realized an entire peninsula of Michigan was being missed, and I vowed never to let another Yooper girls' basketball prospect graduate without being seen, known, and evaluated by Prep Girls Hoops. Many schools with great basketball players in the U.P. do not make it to the big dance at the Breslin Center, and those kids deserve an opportunity to be noticed. I met Advantedge Sports Training and [program_tooltip program_id='928192' first='Zero' last='Star Basketball'] owner/director Dustin Brancheau when he brought his [program_tooltip program_id='928192' first='Zero' last='Star Basketball'] teams to our Prep Girls Hoops Live tournament. There, I discovered many additional prospects with a college basketball pedigree. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/05/prep-live-17u-morning-session-notes/">Read More</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/PXL_20240624_002006959.MP_-crop-3657x2401-1750431982.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1261138" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zero Star Practice, Republic Jr/Sr High School, Michigamme, June 23rd, 2024.</figcaption></figure>   After driving up with Cleary University Assistant Coach Jerry Wallace for a Zero Star Girls Basketball practice almost two years ago, it was clear that this showcase needed to become an annual event. I started the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/12/yooper-hoopers-week-one/">“Yooper Hooper”</a> article series to give U.P. prospects Prep Girls Hoops coverage during their high school season, and I've been able to see many of the high school girls prior to this because of an intentional effort. Dustin and I have high hopes for the U.P., and this Zero Star Showcase will continue to be a marquee event for Yooper girls' basketball prospects for years to come.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/PXL_20250621_160130832.MP_-crop-3724x2445-1750607531.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1261643" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Zero Star 13U-17U teams, Zero Star Showcase, Vandament Arena, Marquette, June 21st, 2025. </figcaption></figure>   16 college programs were able to evaluate the prospects. Many D2, D3, and JUCO college coaches watched from the baseline, while several others livestreamed the event. The showcase's format and sequence provided an opportunity to conduct a thorough evaluation of the prospects. Individual skill drills in essential fundamentals, small-sided games, and 5v5 scrimmaging enabled the girls to show their best qualities while receiving maximum ball touches. Here are six prospects who stood out as top performers during the 16U and 17U session:   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/06/PXL_20260611_005725336.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1868579" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">16U and 17U Teams, Zero Star Showcase, Negaunee, June 10th, 2026.</figcaption></figure>    I was very excited to see Bree play again in person after seeing her previously with ETC at the Breslin Center in March of 2025. She put the same skills that impressed me then on full display during the Zero Star Showcase. Bree stood out during the 2v2 segment, sinking a deep three from the slot off the catch, hitting a pure step-back triple from the wing, and adding a smooth fadeaway baseline jumper with a soft touch off the glass. She kept the ball rolling during the games. Bree sprinted in to scrap for offensive rebounds, dished out assists off dribble penetration, and knocked down a smooth elbow jumper in transition. Bree used a hesitation dribble, then shifted into top gear to score a drive-by layup with her left hand, finishing the tough bucket with a soft touch high off the window. Bree buried a deep three off the catch, tripled from the corner, and added a silky smooth step-back three from the wing. I noted her confidence as a shooter throughout, and she looked to push the pace in transition after securing rebounds on the defensive end. Bree has good control and shiftiness off the dribble that make her a threat to drive, dish, and fill it up from downtown. She was a Top Performer during the event and a dynamic playmaker.     Gretel was one of the best prospects in the gym during the Zero Star Showcase last year, and she delivered another standout performance this time around. Gretel is a fierce two-way guard. Her brute strength, toughness, and relentless effort are very difficult for opponents to match. Gretel separated herself during the 2v2 segment, attacking downhill with a burst on a determined drive, splitting the gap, and protecting the ball like a running back to score the left-handed bucket. She sprinted out to block a shot on the perimeter and scored another drive-by layup with a sweet inside-hand finish. In games, Gretel continued to shine. She swished a shot in the corner and immediately looked to score in transition after securing defensive rebounds, pushing the ball with her eyes up. Gretel used a screen, weaved through defenders, and scored with a scoop finish at the rim. She fired a one-handed baseline hammer kickout pass to the opposite corner around the midline defender on the move straight to the shooter's pocket for an assist. That's a pass very few high school prospects can make. Gretel pressured guards on the perimeter with her all-out defensive effort and added a strong catch and finish off two feet. She creates for herself and others, scores at all three levels, and contributes in every phase. Gretel was a Top Performer and is a phenomenal point guard prospect who has the IQ to play off the ball as well.     Addi was one of the biggest stock risers during the Zero Star Showcase. She's long with a filled-out/athletic frame and has a lethal perimeter jumper that punishes defenders who give her space. Addi absorbed contact well to finish layups off two feet during the 2v2 segment and shot the ball with sound mechanics. Addi was poised, patient, and didn't force the issue during games. She handled the ball and passed effectively using both hands, keeping her eyes up to find open teammates. Addi attacked with her left and threw a kickout to the perimeter for an assist. She buried a silky smooth corner three off the hop with a quick-trigger release and threw a great entry pass with touch into the post for an assist. Addi crashed the boards to secure an offensive rebound, calmly dribbled out to the perimeter, caught the defense napping, and pulled up to sink the wing three. She was a Top Performer and is a versatile wing prospect capable of contributing at the college level.     Paige has clearly been putting in the work since last summer. She checks the boxes needed to play the college game as a forward. Long, physically developed, filled-out frame, mobile, and a two-way difference maker. Paige stood out in 2v2 with her length, athleticism, and great hands in the paint. She caught a pass, spun, and finished off two, then attacked downhill hard off the dribble, finishing the contested layup with strength at the rim. In games, Paige continued to impose her will inside. She muscles her way to the front of the basket and dominates once she gets there. Paige sealed her defender with a strong, wide stance, presenting an open target, then pivoted to score layups off two feet with her right and left. Paige made a smooth transfer for a catch and finish off two feet and powered up to score through hard contact for another layup. She works hard to defend in the post, battling for the advantage, and wins battles for rebounds. Paige raised her stock and was a Top Performer at the Zero Star Showcase.     Avery came out right from the start and played like she had something to prove at the Zero Star Showcase, competing with maximum intensity in drills, which carried over directly into games. She asserted herself in the 2v2 segment, using quick between-the-legs crossover moves to get to the rim. Avery showed off her hops, climbing the ladder to score contested layups while maintaining balance as she absorbed the contact, then finished with excellent touch. She got to two feet and added a sweet fake-pass stretch finish to convert a tough layup on the go. I wrote down "great touch" multiple times in my notes. One of my favorite plays was when Avery jumped up in front of the basket like she had springs attached to her shoes, timed up her block perfectly, then volleyball spiked the ball so hard it went flying out of bounds and knocked the scoreboard off the table. She set a defender up with a high, skipping, pound dribble, then shifted into high gear for a drive-by layup. Avery showed her outside range by drilling an open corner three off the catch. She's a dynamic point guard prospect with game-changing abilities, quickness, and competitiveness. Avery was a Top Performer and belongs with the elite point guard prospects in this class.     Kwynn shoots with balance off the catch or the dribble. She drained a smooth wing three off the bounce during the drills and was a two-way playmaker during the games. Kwynn competes with a relentless motor on the court. She sprinted back to break up a two-on-one, deflecting the ball out of bounds, and chased down a breakaway layup. She swished a smooth wing three off the catch and shot the ball confidently from beyond the arc. Kwynn fired a full-court chest pass from the free-throw line to a waiting teammate on the opposite block and immediately looked to start the transition offense after securing rebounds. She attacked from half-court, using consecutive crossover dribbles to spin her defender, then accelerated straight to the rim, finishing the contested layup with finesse. Kwynn cut straight to the basket in transition, caught the long lead pass, and made the smooth transfer for an easy bucket off two feet. She moved her feet and used her length to block a reverse attempt, handled the ball comfortably with both hands, and had a comprehensive impact on the floor. Kwynn was a Top Performer at the Zero Star Showcase.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Next U.P. Showcase</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/06/Final-Flyer-Yooper-Girls-1.png?w=792" alt="" class="wp-image-1868521" /></figure>   <a href="https://register.ryzer.com/camp.cfm?sport=4&id=335481">Registration Link</a>

After a monumental first offering of the Zero Star Basketball Showcase in 2025, I journeyed back to the U.P. for the second year of what has become a staple event on my annual Prep Girls Hoops Michigan coverage schedule.