Prep Girls Hoops Michigan Player Of The Year: C/O 2021

This high school season was unique to say the least. Covid brought an entirely new list of challenges to players, coaches, and programs. The young athletes in our state battled through it and played some amazing basketball. Today, we will honor a Prep Girls Hoops class of 2021 Player of the Year and Honorable Mentions. <h2>HONORABLE MENTIONS</h2> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138300" first="Kenzie" last="Bowers"] (PG, Kent City)</strong> Bowers may be one of the best pure shooters that the state has ever seen. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="4142" first="Jillian" last="Brown"] (CG, East Grand Rapids)</strong> Brown could have won this award and I don’t think anyone could argue against it. Her all around game is magnificient. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138299" first="Kailee" last="Davis"] (PG, Detroit Renaissance)</strong> Davis is an explosive guard on both ends and can simply take over games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27970" first="AJ" last="Ediger"] (PF, Hamilton)</strong> Ediger is a walking double-double and may be that at the next level as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138301" first="Emaia" last="O’Brien"] (PG, Chandler Park)</strong> O’Brien is a firecracker on the floor and she can blow up a scoreboard. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27966" first="Bree" last="Salenbien"] (SF, Lenawee Christian)</strong> Salenbien is a rare talent. I truly believe that she has the skills, intangibles, and physical gifts to possibly play at the highest level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27971" first="Ella" last="Stemmer"] (SG, Saline)</strong> Stemmer had an incredible high school career and helped put the Saline program on the map. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26677" first="Morasha" last="Wiggins"] (SF, Kalamazoo Central)</strong> Wiggins might be the toughest player in the state and is certainly one of the best defenders. Mark my words, North Carolina fans are going to love her. <h2>PLAYER OF THE YEAR</h2> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="4132" first="Damiya" last="Hagemann"] (PG, Detroit Edison)</strong> Hagemann faced a ton of pressure this season. Her DEPSA team was expected to be one of the best, not just in the state, but in the nation. Hagemann had the program’s history to live up to. She had the pressure of following all time greats and Miss Basketball winners [player_tooltip player_id="2386" first="Rickea" last="Jackson"] and Gabby Elliott. Then there was the team success. In Hagemann’s freshman season they won the Class C state title and in her sophomore season DEPSA took home a Division 2 state championship. When her junior season was stopped due to Covid, her team had a 23-0 record and a number 1 ranking in Michigan. Hagemann did more than respond to the pressure. DEPSA was once again undefeated before Covid ended their season early. She averaged 17.4 points per game, 9.9 assists per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and 3.7 steals per game. The Michigan State signee showed an incredibly high basketball IQ and developed into an outstanding leader reminiscent of the DEPSA stars mentioned mentioned earlier. Hagemann excels in transition and was a prolific ball handler and passer, not just this year, but over her entire high school career. She can play the game at any pace and make it look easy while she does it. Congratulations to [player_tooltip player_id="4132" first="Damiya" last="Hagemann"] on being named the Prep Girls Hoops Michigan Player of the Year for the class of 2021.