Michigan high school girls basketball top teams in state: Nos. 1-10
Free Press high school guru Mick McCabe selects the top 20 girls basketball teams in the state (last season’s record in parenthesis; all players are seniors unless noted.):
1. Rockford (28-1)
It isn’t unrealistic to believe the defending D-1 state champ will be back at the Breslin Center in March. Junior Anna Wypych, 5-11, was outstanding last season and she has improved since then. She is a top-notch passer and attacks the basket. She can score in the post or on the perimeter. Grace Lyons (Ferris State) is a four-year veteran and hit 44% of her 3-pointers last season. Sophomore Sienna Wolfe, 5-11, can play in the post and also has guard skills and loved to exploit mismatches. Sophomore Kate Higgins, 5-10, is in her first year of playing basketball and is incredibly strong and can shoot. Sophomore Jordan Mateer is a pure shooter and will provide points off the bench.
2. West Bloomfield (26-3)
State champs in 2022 and runner-up last season, the Lakers have the firepower to reclaim the Division 1 title. Twins Indya and Summer Davis are both 5-9, both average around 15 points a game and both signed with Georgia after Suzy Merchant left Michigan State, where they originally committed. Kendall Hendrix (Loyola) has become a three-level scorer and plays tough defense. Point guard Destiny Washington is a good facilitator and the best defender. Junior twins Breasia and Brianna Gamble-Jones, both 5-9, have transferred from Muskegon and add scoring and playmaking. Freshman Jordynn Ratliff could be a player of consequence this season.
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3. Detroit Renaissance (23-2)
Detroit PSL champ and Division 1 semifinalist, the Phoenix will be tough to beat again. Christian Sanders (University of Chicago), Miss PSL last season when she averaged 15 points, is the ultimate point guard. She scores, plays defense and gets others involved. Anaya Hardy (Louisville), 6-3, is extremely athletic and motors up and down the court. She rebounds, blocks shots and closes off the lane. Makayla Johnson, 6-0, plays both forward spots and is a sharp shooter who stretches the floor. Neveah Otis, 6-0, is back from tearing her ACL midway through last season. She is a combo guard who can score and pass to the open player.
4. Detroit Edison (19-4)
Look for Edison to be factor in D-2 again. That will be made possible by the addition of 5-9 junior Isis Johnson-Musah, who sat out last season after transferring from Redford Westfield Prep. She is a natural scorer has a killer pull-up jumper and takes defenders off the dribble. Devin Hagemann (East Carolina) has become more of a scoring point guard. Myana Cooksey (Niagara) runs the floor and finishes fast breaks. She is a slasher who also plays good defense. Bailey Pickens is another piece of puzzle and adds scoring and defense for a team ready to make a title run.
5. East Kentwood (17-7)
This is one of Kentwood’s shorter teams, but this outfit can get up and down the court in a hurry and it will apply a lot of pressure. Harmonie Belton is an amazing on ball defender who forces turnovers by the bushel basket. Kanyla Tyler (Sienna Heights), a four-year starter missed most of last season with a torn meniscus, is healthy and will be the floor general. Makayla Porter, 5-9, scores well in transition and on slashing moves to the basket. Junior Landen Smith, 5-10, can play every position on the court and 5-7 Santana Eubanks is a rebounding machine, averaging 13 boards a game last season.
6. Holland West Ottawa (16-7)
Gabby Reynolds, 5-9, (George Washington) is one of the top players in the state. She averaged 25.6 points as the point guard and she gets to the basket and is now strong enough to finish through contact. Often overlooked is her good defense. Chelsea Overbeek (11.7 points) is the team’s best perimeter shooter and a tenacious defender. Junior Magaly Lemus, 6-1, led the OK Red in rebounding (12) last season and is strong in the post. Brooke Pederson, 5-10, is a solid post defender and can hit mid-range shots and help with the rebounding. Addy Scholten, 5-9, is a wing defender and also rebounds well.
7. Birmingham Detroit Country Day (18-7)
Look for a much-improved version of the Yellowjackets behind the play of point guard Emma Arico (Michigan lacrosse), a tremendous decision maker. Jaidyn Elam (Oakland), 5-11, averaged 16 points last season and is strong in the paint. Sophomore Jayla Jackson averaged 12 points and can also run the point. She gets to the basket and can shoot from the perimeter. Freshman Cece Arico, 6-0, is a tremendous rebounder and defender. She is capable of playing all five positions and scores at every level. Sophomore Naiya Krispin is smooth with the ball and has a good feel for the game. Junior Ari'Yana Wiggins, 5-7, averaged 11.6 points and plays on the perimeter and inside while scoring on cuts to the basket.
8. Lansing Catholic Central (24-5)
Nine seniors return to the team that won the D-2 state championship and will be a favorite to do it again. Anna Richards, 5-10, averaged 12 points and is a perimeter scorer who will spend more time in the post this season. Her twin, Leah, 6-0, (10 points, eight rebounds) is a matchup nightmare for opponents. Her strength makes her tough to stop inside and she hits 40% of her 3-point attempts. Morgan Wilcox (High Point soccer) is an excellent post defender. Gabby Halliwell is another 3-point threat who runs the point and delivers the ball. Tessa Roe is quick with the ball and a hard-nosed defender. Faith Jungwirth, 6-0, is someone who seeks out contact and TR Repichowski adds scoring off the bench, especially beyond the arc.
9. Belleville (18-6)
Look for another drastic improvement for the Tigers this season. Sydney Savoury, 6-0, is one of the top freshmen in the country. She is poised beyond her years and has good handles and the ability to score from the perimeter or inside. Sophomore Se'Crette Carter averaged 18 points last season and is a deadly shooter with the ability to play either guard spot. Junior Rylan Buschell is a good defender and ball handler. Daria Shelby (Nebraska-Omaha), 5-7, averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds and is an outstanding rebounder for her size. Jordan Peterson, 5-11, is the defensive stopper and can guard anyone on the court.
10. Ann Arbor Richard (19-4)
A strong run at the D-2 state title and a shot at a second straight Catholic League championship are in order for this outfit. Sophomore Vanessa Rodriguez (15 points) is a three-level scorer and a tenacious defender. Her twin, Ava, averaged 14 points through the first seven games before tearing her ACL and had surgery in December. Junior Charlotte Miller (14.7 points) is an efficient point guard and reliable scorer. Veronica Fredericks averaged nine points and eight rebounds and will help inside. Richard also has a pair of junior transfers from Ann Arbor Huron — Coral Williams, 6-0, and Saige Edmondson, 5-11 — who both are using the divorce exception to be immediately eligible.
Mick McCabe is a former longtime columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at mick.mccabe11@gmail.com. Follow him @mickmccabe1. Order his book, “Mick McCabe’s Golden Yearbook: 50 Great Years of Michigan’s Best High School Players, Teams & Memories,” now at McCabe.PictorialBook.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan high school girls basketball top teams in state: Nos. 1-10
