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Girls Basketball Top 25 players: Again, Gondrezick is tabbed as the state’s best; Pitts of Country Day is top junior
Here is a list of State Champs’ top 25 girls basketball players in the state. All players listed are seniors unless otherwise noted.
- Kysre Gondrezick, Benton Harbor, 5-9, guard: State Champs named Gondrezick the state’s top player in the preseason last season. Despite being hampered by an injury, Gondrezick is averaged 28 points, 10 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game last season. She had a high-game of 50 points. Gondrezick is ranked No. 16 in the country according the ESPN and she signed with Michigan.
- Mardrekia Cook, Muskegon, 6-1, forward: A versatile front-court player, Cook averaged 22 points and 14 rebounds per contest last season for the Big Reds and was named to the Association Press first team all-state as a junior. Cook is signed with Michigan State.
- Destiny Pitts, Detroit Country Day, 6-0, jr., forward: Last season Pitts helped lead Country Day the Class B state championship last season. One of the most complete players in the state, Pitts averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game and continued to grow as a leader according to coach Frank Orlando. Pitts is being recruited by several Division 1 schools.
4. Alexis Sevillian, Goodrich, 5-6, guard: Sevillian signed with Iowa. An AP Class B All-State selection last season, Sevillian averaged 16 points, 2.1 assists, 2.5 steals, and 3.2 rebounds. She shot 46 percent from the field, 35 percent from the 3-point line, and 75 percent at the free throw line. “She’s a do-everything type of player,” coach Jason Gray said.
5. Taiye Bello, Southfield-Lathrup, 6-3, forward: A four year starter, Bello averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per contest on her way to being named to the All-State team as a junior. A true- back-to-the-basket player, Lathrup coach Michele Marshall said that Bello has improved her jump shot in the offseason. Bello is signed with Minnesota.
6. Siyeh Frazier, Detroit Renaissance, 5-9, guard: Frazier is an all-around player. Last season she averaged 18 points, five steals, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Frazier signed with Penn State. She’s the motor of the team.
7. Antoinette Miller, Southfield-Lathrup, 5-7, guard: A returning captain, Miller led the Chargers in scoring as a junior (15 ppg). She also tallied five rebounds and four assists per game as well. A point guard, Miller is signed with Cincinnati.
8. Jalisha Terry, Flint Hamady, 5-5, guard: Terry is lightning-quick. She runs the point but she can also score (21 ppg last season). “She’s an up-tempo player,” coach Keith Smith said. “She shoots the three and can drive to the basket.” Terry signed with St. Bonaventure.
9. Deja Church, Southfield-Lathrup, 5-9 Jr., guard: Church will see time at both shooting guard and small forward after being selected to the AP All-State team last season. Church averaged 14 points, six rebounds and three steals for the Chargers. Church has received scholarship offers from Michigan, Minnesota and Nebraska among other Division 1 schools.
10. Krystal Rice, Flint Hamady, 5-9, jr., guard-forward: Rice is extremely athletic. She averaged 12 points last season. She has longs arms and is accurate from the 3-point range. Glen Rice (Flint Northwestern, Michigan, NBA) is her uncle. Illinois and Michigan State are among the schools that have offered her a scholarship.
11. Claire Hendrickson, Wyoming, 5-11, jr., guard: – Hendrickson, one of the top junior floor generals in the state, Hendrickson committed to Michigan State in August. Last season she averaged over 14.3 points, seven assists and three steals per contest.
12. Micaela Kelly, Detroit King, 5-8, guard-forward: Kelly was a guard last season and could see time closer to the basket this season (King lost its top post players to graduation). Kelly averaged 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals. She signed with DePaul.
13. Jordan Walker, Muskegon Mona Shores, 5-7, jr., guard: A captain last season, Walker averaged 19 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 steals and three assists. “I like everything about her game,” coach Brad Kurth said. “She’s a full-package player.” Walker is a point guard had had 14 rebounds in a district game last season.
14. Kierra Fletcher, Warren Cousino, 5-10, jr., guard-forward, Warren Cousino: Fletcher was outstanding last season averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds. Coach Mike Lee said his star will likely see more time at point guard. “Her confidence has gone way up,” Lee said. Fletcher has received 14 Division I scholarship offers including Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern and Pitt.
15. Breanna Perry, Flushing, 6-0, jr., Flushing: A tremendous athlete, Perry is able to grab the rim with either hand. She’s also a tenacious rebounder. Perry has been offered a scholarship by DePaul, Indiana and Michigan.
16. Kamaria McDaniel, Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 5-9, jr., guard: Daniel averaged 22 points last season and has received scholarship offers from Marquette, Oklahoma State and St. John’s. First off, Daniel is a shooter. She also rebounds well and can create her own shot.
17. Kristen Nelson, Farmington Hills Harrison, 5-7, guard: Nelson plays the point but she’s more of a lead guard. Nelson has tremendous court vision and excels in the transition game. She signed with Southern Illinois.
18. Emma VanZanten, Grand Rapids Northview, 6-4, center: An imposing post player, as a junior VanZanten averaged 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game for Northview. VanZanten is signed with Western Michigan.
19. Clare Glowniak, Flushing, 6-2, center: As a junior, Glowniak averaged 12 points and six rebounds as the center for a Flushing team that reached the Class A regional finals. She had offers from eight Division I schools. She signed with Bowling Green.
20. Ellie Taylor, Midland Dow, 5-9, jr., guard: Taylor is a complete player. A team leader, Taylor averaged 12 points and made 40 percent of her 3-point attempts last season. She was also second in rebounds and second in assists. Taylor committed to Saint Louis.
21. Sophia Karasinski, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 5-9, jr., guard: Karasinski has committed to Central Michigan. Last season she averaged 11 points, 3.5 rebounds and two steals. Karasinski is an all-purpose player who can score inside and out.
22. Kyra Bussell, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 6-1, jr., forward: Bussell committed to Central Michigan. Last season she averaged seven points and seven rebounds. Bussell can play with her back to the basket but can also make the midrange shot.
23. Kayla Brown, Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 5-7, jr., guard: Brown plays the point and last season she averaged 15 points and seven assists. Brown can shoot the three but above all else she can control tempo. Central Michigan, Detroit and Eastern Michigan have offered her a scholarship.
24. Mariah McCully, Grand Rapids Christian, 5-6, guard: A transfer from Grand River Prep, McCully won’t be eligible until January. As a freshman McCully scored 67 points in a game. Last season she scored 51 in a game. She’s being recruited by a handful of Division I schools.
25. Kaylee Wasco, Midland Dow, 6-2, jr., center-forward: Wasco possesses a fine jump hook and last season she led her team in rebounds. Wasco can play with her back to the basket and come out and knock the 15-footer. Manhattan and Western Michigan are among the schools that offered her a scholarship.
Jeff Dullack contributed to this rport.
