2024 Michigan Miss Basketball: Meet the 5 finalists
From a list that began with 60, we are down to only five.
And they are the five best.
This may be the 43rd annual Mick McCabe Miss Basketball award, but there are also a couple of firsts involved here with the finalists.
This is the first time in the history of the award that teammates are finalists, but this one goes a bit deeper. Not only are two of the finalists teammates, but they are sisters.
West Bloomfield’s Indya and Summer Davis join Plymouth Salem’s Madison Morson, Gabby Reynolds of Holland West Ottawa and Byron Center’s Lily Zeinstra as finalists for the most prestigious award a female athlete in Michigan can receive.
This the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan’s award, which is sponsored by the Detroit Free Press.
St. Ignace coach Dorene Ingalls, chairperson for the BCAM, once again did her due diligence beginning in the fall when she began compiling her list of potential candidates.
“We had a large number of quality candidates that this group emerged from as the top of their 2024 class,” said Ingalls. “The amount of high caliber players going on to play next year at impressive collegiate programs is one of the most we have had with over 30 Division 1 players and many other players going to highly ranked Division 2 programs.”
GET YOUR VOTES IN NOW: Vote for this week's Prep Athlete of the Week
The Davis twins have both signed with Georgia while Morson is headed to Central Michigan, Reynolds will play and George Washington while Lily Zeinstra is headed to Butler.
Over the course of a few months in speaking with her network of coaches across the state, Ingalls whittled the candidates down to a workable number of about 20 prospects. She shared them with a committee she has and arrived at these five.
“I appreciate all of the input and help the committee has contributed this year in selecting these five finalists,” Ingalls said. “This year’s candidates is a special group of five seniors who have led their perspective teams to successful years. Not only do they excel on the basketball court but even more so off the court.”
All five finalists are primarily guards, although they also are capable of playing other spots and all of them have been part of winning programs.
The Davis twins won the Division 1 state championship as sophomore and were runners-up as juniors. Morson led Salem to its best season in decades a year ago. She scored 31 points in a semifinal loss to West Bloomfield last March to put her on everyone’s radar.
Reynolds and Zeinstra have established themselves as the top players at their respective schools’ history.
The voting, by BCAM members only, will be from Wednesday to March 10. The presentation will be March 18 at the Free Press.
Here is an alphabetical look at the finalists:
Indya Davis, West Bloomfield
Vitals: 5 feet 9, guard.
College: Georgia.
Averages: 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 steals.
Biggest improvement: Shooting.
Best move: Gets the ball at the elbow and uses an up-and-under move for a layup.
Favorite athlete: Kyrie Irving.
Top opponent: Aniya Hardy, Detroit Cass Tech.
Favorite book: “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” by Erika L. Sanchez.
When my basketball career is finished I will ... : “Hopefully be an orthodontist and have my own practice.”
Overview: One-half of the dynamic Davis duo angling for a second Division 1 state title in the past three seasons. Capable of playing all five positions, strong enough to score in the post and has extended her shooting range to include the 3-point shot. Above average passer and can now create shots for herself.
Summer Davis, West Bloomfield
Vitals: 5-9, guard.
College: Georgia.
Averages: 15 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals, 3.5 assists.
Biggest improvement: 3-point shooting off the dribble.
Best move: A step-back jumper from 3-point range.
Favorite athlete: LeBron James.
Top opponent: Isis Johnson-Musah, Detroit Edison.
Favorite book: The “I Survived” series by Lauren Tarshis.
When my basketball career is finished I will ... : “Be an engineer and a philanthropist.”
Overview: Summer, the other half of the Davis entry, is more of a point guard. Ability to see the entire court helps make her so valuable. Has already played in two Division 1 state championship games and hopes to add her second title. Improved shooting has made her even more dangerous when deciding to drive through the defense to score at the rim.
Madison Morson, Plymouth Salem
Vitals: 5-8, guard.
College: Central Michigan.
Averages: 24.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.3 steals.
Biggest improvement: Pull-up jump shot.
Best move: Dips toward the basket, goes between her legs for a fadeaway jumper.
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant.
Top opponent: The Davis twins.
Favorite book: "Hairpin Bridge" by Taylor Adams.
When my basketball career is finished I will ... : “Be a mechanical engineer and a coach.”
Overview: No one has had the senior year like Morson. Last week against Farmington Hills Mercy, she made 16 of 20 shots for a school record 44 points. Had 31 points in a 2023 semifinal loss to West Bloomfield. Highlight video that will be on the BCAM website is awe-inspiring. May be the best defensive player in the state and can block anyone’s shot. Pull-up jump shot is unstoppable.
More: How Salem's Madison Morson went from best kept secret to 'best player in the state'
Gabby Reynolds, Holland West Ottawa
Vitals: 5-9, guard.
College: George Washington.
Averages: 30.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists.
Biggest improvement: Finishing after contact.
Best move: Spin dribbles into the lane for pull-up jumper.
Favorite athlete: Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame.
Top opponent: Macy Brown (East Grand Rapids, Michigan).
Favorite book: “Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You,” by A’ja Wilson.
When my basketball career is finished I will: ... “Be making a difference with kids in urban areas.”
Overview: A four-year starter, outstanding work ethic and drive helped her become one of the best players in the state. Strong and quick and has emerged as a defensive standout. Typically defends the other team’s best player. Improved midrange game, but best when attacking the basket.
Lily Zeinstra, Byron Center
Vitals: 5-11, guard.
College: Butler.
Averages: 25 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals.
Biggest improvement: Finishing in traffic.
Best move: Driving to the basket and uses a Eurostep to score.
Favorite athlete: Stephen Curry.
Top opponent: Macy Brown (East Grand Rapids, Michigan).
Favorite book: “The Housemaid,” by Freida McFadden.
When my basketball career is finished I will ... : “Be a psychologist.”
Overview: Hard work and willingness to put the time in has her career on a skyward trajectory, and it has blossomed into quite a senior season. Capable of scoring on 3-point shots, but best with straight line drives to the basket. Tenacious rebounder and more than willing to go up against taller opponents and dominate the boards.
Mick McCabe is a former longtime columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at mick.mccabe11@gmail.com. Follow him @mickmccabe1. Save 10% on his new book, “Mick McCabe’s Golden Yearbook: 50 Great Years of Michigan’s Best High School Players, Teams & Memories,” by ordering right now at McCabe.PictorialBook.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Michigan Miss Basketball: Meet the 5 finalists
