Merrick is a solid floor leader, and this guard can make plays happen for her team. Aggressive defender, can pressure the ball. Does a great job directing traffic, communicates well with her teammates. It was bright and early on a Sunday morning against one of the top teams this weekend, and she showed good poise and composure.

Merrick Schwalbach Merrick Schwalbach 5'7" | CG Stoney Creek | 2025 State MI led Stoney Creek in scoring with 13 points in the semis on Wednesday. She is a tough driver with excellent vision to see the floor and has accurate multi-level shooting ability. Merrick uses her quickness to cut off guards and will be relied upon to contribute on both ends tonight. The Cougars are 2-0 this season against Rochester, winning by a combined 3 points. Merrick will be a key factor in the outcome of this game.

Schwalbach almost seems like an obvious stock riser at this point. Her name and her game blew up this summer and fall. She’s a multi level scorer that can attack if the defense steps out and can bury a jumper with 3 point range if they step back. Schwalbach’s versatile offensive scoring wasn’t the only thing that stood out. She’s a solid passer and defender as well.

2025 SG Merrick Schwalbach Merrick Schwalbach 5'7" | CG Stoney Creek | 2025 State MI from Stoney Creek was one of the most outstanding prospects I watched during the off-season. Merrick demonstrates the competitive fire, verbal leadership, and toughness coaches need to be successful. She scores effectively when attacking the basket and pulling up from beyond the arc. Merrick has the vision to find teammates and the passing ability to get them the ball. She is an elite guard who will lead a young and talented Stoney Creek team this winter.

CG Merrick Schwalbach Merrick Schwalbach 5'7" | CG Stoney Creek | 2025 State MI was put in a challenging situation with senior PG Laprairie out with an ankle injury. The game did not have the desired outcome, but Merrick showed exactly why she has the qualities of a next level prospect on the court today. Merrick led off hitting a top of the key 3 and pursued a defensive rebound out of bounds then bounced it off an opponent to save possession. Notes: extra pass to the wing on a drive, hesitation left corner baseline drive to draw defenders then one handed left bounce pass to teammate, sideline dribble through pressure crosses splits back to the middle. Leadership moments: drive into hard contact on layup attempt, hops up, sails a pass to a cutting teammate out of bound and taps her chest taking responsibility, high-fiving and verbally encouraging teammates, calls teammates name in transition before making the pass so she knows the ball is coming. Merrick is a tough and gritty competitor who should definitely receive looks at the next level.

Merrick (#95) started confident and aggressive right from the opening tip at David Barns. She displayed a dynamic range of offensive abilities, while still doing the less glamorous work (rebounding, defense, passing). She showed her patience and poise creating good shots for herself, and her teammates. Merrick passed into the high post, relocated to space, then hit the pull up jumper. She drove into the paint with a jump stop pivot, turned on a dime then fired a reversal pass left handed to an open teammate on the perimeter. She dove on the floor to secure an offensive rebound and then passed it to an open teammate for a shot. Two highlights: 1) Catching a pass at full speed in transition for a left handed layup no dribble 2) Defensive rebound front rim then full court transition dribble all the way for two. Schwalbach was one of my nominees for the MOP because of her complete performance Saturday. Merrick made her mark on the event and will be a must see player for Stoney Creek.

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Schwalbach became sort of a showcase legend last summer and fall. She hit the David Barns Showcase and the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250, and shined bright at both of them. Schwalbach  showed off a very diverse game and made it hard for opponents to find any type of weakness to attack. Those showcases were the start of her rise and we’d like to see her continue it at this year’s Top 250.

I didn’t become real familiar with Schwalbach’s game until this summer, and I was missing out. She can flat out play. She showed a tremendous all around game at the David Barns Showcase, from passing to defending and everywhere in between. She did it again at the Prep Girls Hoops Top 250, really making coaches and scouts take note. Schwalbach is a playmaking forward that bring energy and a scoring threat from multiple levels.

I was looking forward to seeing Schwalbach play on Saturday and she certainly didn’t disappoint. She was active and brough energy to both ends of the floor. Scwalbach had good offensive and defensive footwork and she talked on defense always letting her teammates know what was coming.

Schwalbach made a big statement about her game and her place as a prospect here in Michiga,. She’s definitely a rising prospect that is turning heads at events, which she certainly did at the David Barns Showcase this weekend. Schwalbach simply made plays all over the basketball court. Whether it came from hitting her smooth jumper, grabbing a big board, or finding an open teammate, she constantly found a way to influence the game.