Division 2: More Returning Stars to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan high school girls basketball is just over a month away from getting underway, which means it's time to start looking ahead to the 2026-27 season. Over the next several weeks, I'll be rolling out plenty of preseason coverage, including division previews, conference previews, team previews and players to watch throughout the state. I've also started reaching out to varsity coaches about team previews when I have their contact information. If you're a varsity coach and would like to have your team featured in a season preview, please feel free to reach out to me at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:danyle.bowers@gmail.com">danyle.bowers@gmail.com</a>. I'm excited to get the high school coverage started and begin taking a closer look at what's ahead this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no shortage of returning talent in Division 2 this season, which is why one article simply wasn't enough to cover all of the players worth knowing. After highlighting the first group of returning stars, it's time to take a look at another collection of players who should have a major impact during the 2026-27 season. This group includes proven All-State selections, experienced upperclassmen and talented younger players who have already accomplished plenty early in their high school careers. With the season getting closer, here are more of the returning Division 2 stars I'll be keeping a close eye on this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230712"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad110a4c71f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor returns for her senior season at Fremont after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior and putting together an impressive all-around season. The 5-foot-10 guard averaged 17.3 points, 12 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 5.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, showing just how many different ways she can impact a game. Taylor recorded three triple-doubles and also had two games in which she finished with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. Her impact has been a big part of Fremont's success throughout her high school career, helping the Packers put together a 63-12 record over the past three seasons while winning three straight West Michigan Conference Lakes Division championships and two district titles. With her ability to score, rebound, create for teammates and make plays defensively, Taylor brings tremendous versatility to the floor. She enters her senior season as one of the top returning players in Division 2 and will once again be a major piece for Fremont.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["903059"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad110a4c7251"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gretel returns for her senior season at Negaunee after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior and helping lead her team to an impressive 23-2 record. The 5-foot-7 guard averaged 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.0 steals per game, showing her ability to contribute in several different areas. Her play also earned her a spot on the West-PAC All-Conference Dream Team. Gretel's ability to score is just one piece of what she brings to the floor, as she can create opportunities for her teammates, contribute on the glass and make plays defensively. She played an important role in helping Negaunee put together one of the top seasons in Division 2 and capture a district championship. With another year of experience and plenty of success already behind her, Gretel enters her senior season as one of the Division 2 players to keep a close eye on as Negaunee looks to put together another strong year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1189782"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad110a4c7305"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alexis returns for her senior season after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior and putting together another strong year on both ends of the floor. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 23 points, four rebounds and four steals per game while leading the Spartans in scoring, steals and deflections. Alexis also reached a major milestone during the season by surpassing 1,000 career points. Her ability to score at a high level makes her a difficult matchup, but she brings just as much value on the defensive end with her ability to create turnovers and disrupt possessions. Her performance last season also earned her First Team All-Blue Water Area Conference honors. With her combination of size, scoring ability and defensive impact from the guard position, Alexis has established herself as one of the top returning players in Division 2. She will be a player I'll be keeping a close eye on throughout her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158227"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad110a4c7345"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooke returns for her senior season at Otsego after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior and being named the Wolverine Conference Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1 guard put together an impressive all-around season, averaging 18.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 4.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Her production across the board shows the versatility she brings to the floor, with the ability to score, rebound, create for teammates and make an impact defensively. Brooke played a major role in helping Otsego finish 20-3 while capturing both a Wolverine Conference championship and a district title. Her size at the guard position combined with her ability to contribute in so many areas makes her an important piece for Otsego heading into another season. Brooke has already made her college decision, committing to Ferris, and will now look to finish an impressive high school career with a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908506"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad110a4c7383"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Janiyah returns for her senior season after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior and putting together an impressive year on both ends of the floor. The 5-foot-8 guard averaged 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game while also contributing 4.4 steals and 1.5 assists. Her defensive impact was especially impressive, as she averaged 5.4 blocks per game and set a new single-season school record in the process. Those numbers show just how much Janiyah can affect a game, especially with the rebounding and shot-blocking production she brings from the guard position. Her performance also earned her First Team All-Macomb Area Conference Silver and First Team All-Macomb County Tier 2 honors. With her ability to score, rebound, create turnovers and protect the rim, Janiyah brings a unique two-way presence to the floor and enters her senior season as one of the Division 2 players I'll be keeping a close eye on this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["807288"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad110a4c73c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Addi returns for her senior season at Tecumseh after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior and playing a major role in the team's run to the Division 2 state championship game. A strong presence in the paint, she averaged 13.3 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 55 percent from the floor. Addi's impact wasn't limited to scoring and rebounding, as she also finished the season with 72 assists, showing her ability to find teammates and help create offense from the interior. Her production helped Tecumseh make a memorable postseason run and finish as the Division 2 state runner-up. With four starters returning from that team, Addi will once again be an important piece as Tecumseh looks to make another deep run this winter. She has already made her college decision, committing to Wayne State, and enters her senior season as one of the top returning players in Division 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->