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Michigan high school girls basketball top teams in state: Nos. 11-20

mick mccabe
·6 min read

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.). Here are Teams 11-20. Come back Sunday for Teams 1-10:

11. DeWitt (23-3)

In the past, DeWitt has pretty much had a three-guard offense. What do you think about a five-guard offense? The Panthers have very little size so rebounding will have to be done by committee, but these guys can get up and down the court in a hurry. Junior Madi Uyl (Grand Valley) has recovered from a March ACL injury and she should improve her scoring (11.9 points). She has always been a good decision-maker and a lockdown defender. Junior Tara Kurncz (16.2 points) is a natural scorer and knocked down 53 3-pointers last season. Sophomore Carly Dennis, 5-8, was the sixth-player last season but played starter minutes. She will be the power forward, but has guard skills. Laynie Hanlin is an excellent spot-up shooter.

Carly Dennis of DeWitt works the paint against Grand Ledge, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.
Carly Dennis of DeWitt works the paint against Grand Ledge, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.

12. Chelsea (25-2)

The Bulldogs are 10 players deep and are led by Leila Wells (Marquette), 5-8, who averaged 18 points on 64.5% shooting last season. She runs the point and is a game manager as well as exerts a ton of energy playing defense. Junior Avery Lay, 6-1, hits over 50% on her 3-pointers last season, which included a game with seven makes. Ella Day, 5-9, is an athletic defender who can also knock down shots from the perimeter. Junior Braiden Scheffler (Ball State-field hockey), 5-10, can score from the wing. Freshman Alleah Wells, 5-9, will become a factor as the season progresses.

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13. Plymouth Salem (21-7)

Madison Morson (Central Michigan), 5-10, sent shock waves around the state last March when she torched West Bloomfield for 31 in the state semifinals. She averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and 4.5 steals. Her defense is better and her pull-up jumper is difficult to stop. Abby Resovsky, 5-11, is a physical post player who is an outstanding rebounder. Freshman Julia Steinhebel does a little bit of everything as a guard. Junior Leilah Howard, 6-2, is more of a finesse forward who can block shots. Junior Noel Martinez’ forte is her defensive ability and Aliya Castro has good three-point range for a freshman.

Salem's Abby Resovsky scores down low during the Division 1 girls basketball regional final Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Saline.
Salem's Abby Resovsky scores down low during the Division 1 girls basketball regional final Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Saline.

14. Goodrich (24-4)

The Martians are young and small, but there is a lot of talent and every player knows how to play defense and does. Lexi Kosmowski averaged 10.2 points and is an outstanding perimeter shooter. She is also strong inside and gets to the free throw line. Sophomore Kayla Hairston attacks the basket and finishes inside. Junior Ella Place is a good shooter, but has several moves when she gets into the post. Sophomore Tanner Schramm, 5-9, is a solid post defender. She is an inside-outside threat. Baylor Lauinger will contribute a lot for a freshman. She plays excellent on ball defense, she moves the ball and gets to the basket.

15. Tecumseh (20-5)

Alli Zajac, 6-2, is one of the top juniors in the state, averaging 19 points and seven rebounds as a sophomore. She is very effective scoring in the paint and can definitely nail 3-point shots. Junior Ashlyn Moorehead runs the point and is a good passer and scores on floaters. Sophomore Makayla Schlorf is a feisty defender and finishes inside. Sophomore Chloe Bullinger, 5-9, is the team’s best defender and is quick to the basket. Freshman Addi Zajac, 6-0, is a strong inside player who rebounds with the best of them and is adept at scoring with either hand in the paint.

Howell's Gabby Piepho brings the ball up the court during a victory over Williamston Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.
Howell's Gabby Piepho brings the ball up the court during a victory over Williamston Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.

16. Howell (17-6)

Gabby Piepho had quite the opening act of her sophomore season when she hit a school record eight 3-pointers (8 of 10 shooting) in a victory over Farmington Hills Mercy. She will run the point along with junior Alison Farr, who is also a dynamic rebounder. Lexi Le, 5-9, will play in the post and also drift out to the perimeter. Junior Kylie Pung, 5-7, is a perimeter shooter who will help spread the floor. Sophomore Hannah Ralko is a strong rebounder and defensive player. Junior MJ Mikus is also capable of running the point.

17. Farmington Hills Mercy (22-4)

This will be an extremely young Mercy teams. Junior Aizlyn Albanese, 5-11, averaged 17 points last season, hitting 44% of her 3-point shots and 86% of her free throws. Obviously she is extremely effective from 3-point range, but she can also get to the basket. Junior Emily Walker is in her third year on the varsity and she is becoming a better scorer. Sophomore Abby Bores, 5-11, will give the Marlins an inside presence and has come a long way over the course of the last year. She is a good scorer around the basket. Freshman Naimah Kellum will run the point and she is quick enough to handle the job.

East Lansing's Sophie Klinger, right, drives against Mason's Mia Trigo, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Mason.
East Lansing's Sophie Klinger, right, drives against Mason's Mia Trigo, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Mason.

18. East Lansing (4-16)

No, it’s not a misprint. The Trojans won only four games last season, but this could be the surprise team in the state for coach Tori Brooks, who was coaching at Holt. Sophie Klinger (Calvin) is a four-year varsity player and she will run the point and score from the perimeter. Junior Ariyana James, 5-9 transfer from Lansing Waverly, is a good shooter and is quick off the dribble. Freshman Sydney Black, 5-8, is a slasher with good strength for a freshman. Better yet she is not afraid of contact. Anika Mullins, 5-9, is worth her weight in gold at the defensive end where she is the team leader in steals and does all of the dirty work you need done.

19. Grosse Pointe North (23-3)

North has only eight players on the varsity, but all of the players know how to play the right way. Natalie Babcock (Detroit Mercy softball), 5-10, averaged 11 points last season when she was more of a post player. She will spend a lot of time on the perimeter. Jenna Winowiecki (Gannon), 5-10, averaged 11.1 points will also play on a wing. Sophomore Eva Borowski will play a lot of point guard and she is a rugged competitor who will be an improved scorer. Julia Liagre can be and inside-out player, but will spend a lot of time in the post.

20. Macomb Dakota (14-11)

This should be the best team in Macomb County. Guard Samone Andrews averaged 15 points last season and when she was hitting it was a good day for the Cougars. Tambre Williams, 6-1, is an excellent rebounder (13) and she turns many of them into points (10.5) and also plays good defense. Sophomore Brooklyn Garavaglia is a 3-point specialist who can take the ball to the basket. Gabby Brooks-Foster is another sophomore who can hit open jumpers. Gracie Maloney, 6-1, is a rugged rebounder who excels on defense. Junior Annika Dimitrijevich is healthy again after ACL surgery and can help in a variety of ways.

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. 11-20