Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo: 2023 MOP
Scott Hankamp
The Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Expo at MSA Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids on Sunday was a premier showcase event. There was talent at all levels in the building and college coaches all over the place. In it’s first time in Michigan, the girls Top 250 was a huge success. I will name a class of 2023 Most Outstanding Player and Honorable Mentions from the event. Keep in mind, it’s impossible for me to see every moment, of every athlete, in every game played. This is strictly relegated to what I witnessed and some input from coaches.
Keep your eyes on Lexi Bowers over the next couple of years. She has the looks of an elite perimeter player. Bowers can handle, score, and dish.....all at a high level.
Lexi Boyke
Lexi
Boyke
6'1" | PF
Frankenmuth | 2023
State
MI
(6-0, F, Frankenmuth)
Boyke is such a threat on both ends of the floor. It felt like she could basically play any position. Boyke could definitely defend both on the perimeter and in the paint. She’s an absolute matchup nightmare for opposing coaches.
Faith Carson
Faith
Carson
6'4" | C
Buchanan | 2023
State
MI
(6-4, C, Buchanan)
I’m going to scream it from a mountain top: Carson should have her choice of what college to attend nationwide. I can’t see why any school in the country wouldn’t want a 6-4 powerhouse with good feet and soft hands.
Kara Bartels
Kara
Bartels
6'3" | PF
Zeeland West | 2023
State
MI
(6-3, PF/C, Zeeland West)
Bartels is flat out fun to watch. Her post footwork is tremendous and she constantly fights for position under the boards. Bartels can get up and down the floor with long strides as well.
Megan Gross
Megan
Gross
5'3" | PG
Clare | 2023
State
MI
(G, Clare)
Gross was a head turner at the Top 250 and drew some "ooohs" and "ahhs" from onlookers. She was lights out from behind the arc. At one point in the event, she drilled 4 straight triples without even grazing the rim.
Zar’ria Mitchell (5-6, G, Saginaw Heritage)
Mitchell is an exciting young prospect. She’s like a fireball with the ball in her hands. Mitchell has excellent handles and constantly plays downhill on the offensive end.
Maddie Petroelje
Maddie
Petroelje
6'1" | SF
Hudsonville | 2023
State
MI
(6-1, G, Hudsonville)
Petroelje is an elite talent in the state of Michigan. High majors need to take note ASAP. She has a beautiful stroke on the ball and gets it off quickly.
Let’s face the facts - Smith was virtually unstoppable on the offensive end on Sunday. She attacked the defense off the dribble and created openings in the defense. Smith was physically stronger than the competition throughout the event. Her combination of handles and physicality were extremely impressive. Smith pushed the ball up the court quickly with the dribble. She was able to do this all while being extremely unselfish on the offensive end.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Lexi Bowers (5-7, G, Kent City)
Keep your eyes on Lexi Bowers over the next couple of years. She has the looks of an elite perimeter player. Bowers can handle, score, and dish.....all at a high level.
Lexi Boyke
Lexi
Boyke
6'1" | PF
Frankenmuth | 2023
State
MI
(6-0, F, Frankenmuth)
Boyke is such a threat on both ends of the floor. It felt like she could basically play any position. Boyke could definitely defend both on the perimeter and in the paint. She’s an absolute matchup nightmare for opposing coaches.
Faith Carson
Faith
Carson
6'4" | C
Buchanan | 2023
State
MI
(6-4, C, Buchanan)
I’m going to scream it from a mountain top: Carson should have her choice of what college to attend nationwide. I can’t see why any school in the country wouldn’t want a 6-4 powerhouse with good feet and soft hands.
Kara Bartels
Kara
Bartels
6'3" | PF
Zeeland West | 2023
State
MI
(6-3, PF/C, Zeeland West)
Bartels is flat out fun to watch. Her post footwork is tremendous and she constantly fights for position under the boards. Bartels can get up and down the floor with long strides as well.
Megan Gross
Megan
Gross
5'3" | PG
Clare | 2023
State
MI
(G, Clare)
Gross was a head turner at the Top 250 and drew some "ooohs" and "ahhs" from onlookers. She was lights out from behind the arc. At one point in the event, she drilled 4 straight triples without even grazing the rim.
Zar’ria Mitchell (5-6, G, Saginaw Heritage)
Mitchell is an exciting young prospect. She’s like a fireball with the ball in her hands. Mitchell has excellent handles and constantly plays downhill on the offensive end.
Maddie Petroelje
Maddie
Petroelje
6'1" | SF
Hudsonville | 2023
State
MI
(6-1, G, Hudsonville)
Petroelje is an elite talent in the state of Michigan. High majors need to take note ASAP. She has a beautiful stroke on the ball and gets it off quickly.
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
DeAndrea Smith (5-7, G, Flint Carman-Ainsworth)
Let’s face the facts - Smith was virtually unstoppable on the offensive end on Sunday. She attacked the defense off the dribble and created openings in the defense. Smith was physically stronger than the competition throughout the event. Her combination of handles and physicality were extremely impressive. Smith pushed the ball up the court quickly with the dribble. She was able to do this all while being extremely unselfish on the offensive end.
