Michigan’s top high school girl’s basketball players: Meet the state’s best forwards and posts

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Michigan’s top high school girls basketball players: Meet the state’s best guards (pt. 1)

Michigan’s top high school girls basketball players: Meet the state’s best guards (pt. 2)

Over the next week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the top players across the Michigan girl’s basketball scene this season. This list will cover a handful of the state’s premiere wings and posts.

There are hundreds of standout basketball players in Michigan and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

Note: Some stats have been updated more recently than others. 

Larissa Gibson, junior, wing, Lakeville

Gibson, a guard/wing, has become one of the premiere rebounders in the state of Michigan, regardless of position. She's in the MHSAA record book for recording 28 rebounds twice last year as a sophomore. Gibson, who’s averaging 16.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game was nominated team MVP each of the last two seasons. She's also been Defensive Player of the Year once and runner up a second time.

McKenna Ferguson, senior, wing, Byron Center

Bryon Center is off to a 12-3 start after back-to-back wins to open up league play and Ferguson has been the team’s go-to scorer. The senior and Wayne State-signee is averaging 21.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.5 steals for coach Jen Slot’s program. Additionally, Ferguson is hitting 40 percent of her attempts from deep.

Kylei Anderson, senior, wing, Walled Lake Central

Central has been a middle-of-the-pack team thus far, but Anderson has been a top tier player at her position. At 6-foot, the senior is averaging 17.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and has collected 31 blocks and 19 steals through her 10 games played.

Maddie Petroelje, senior, wing, Hudsonville

Petroelje is a potent 3-point shooter committed to Loyola University Chicago. She recently passed 1,000 career points as only the third person to do so in Hudsonville history.

Madison Bettys, senior, wing, Henry Ford II

Bettys is a four-year varsity player who coach Matt Joseph calls an, “outstanding leader and one of the most athletic players in the county.” 

She’s averaging 12 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals and a pair of assists per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor. She was a first-team all-league member last season. 

“She is a relentless rebounder who has great instincts on defense,” Joseph said. “She is our anchor to our defense and is the reason we are one of the top defenses in the county. She has a great first step and can get to the rim and finish.”

Emma Cassatta, senior, wing, Walled Lake Western

Cassatta is a dual-sport varsity player, playing both basketball and softball. She’s a two-year captain for the basketball program. She’s averaging 15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals this season. 

“She is an incredibly hard-working student athlete that is able to apply her work ethic both in and out of the classroom,” coach Kellene Costello said. “Her ability to put her head down and get to work has helped lead her teammates and classmates and she never shies away from doing the tough tasks on the court, like screening, rebounding, and playing defense.”

Faith Carson, senior, post, Buchanan

Carson is committed to Ohio State to play college basketball. She has been a four-year varsity letters earner. She's been on all-conference and all-state teams during her time at Buchanan

Keira Maki, junior, wing, Escanaba

Maki plays all over the court for Escanaba. She can run the point or patrol the wing, wherever needed. She’s averaging 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and four steals per game to go along with 1.9 blocks. She has had four double-doubles this year. 

“She works consistently on her game throughout the year and is one of our strongest female basketball players to come through Escanaba,” assistant coach Lisa Maki said.

Piper Risdon, junior, wing, Lowell

Risdon has been collecting Division II offers and getting looks from several Division I schools, too. She’s broken out of late, averaging 19.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals and two blocks per game this season. She’s an outstanding outside shooting, nailing 50 percent of her threes this year. 

Earlier this season she hit nine in one game against Greenville. She’s a two-time all-conference player.

Brooke Shockey, freshman, wing, St. Mary’s Prep

Shockey, while just a freshman, has blown coach Dan Heath away with her basketball IQ. She’s averaging 10 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists but Heath thinks she’s almost unselfish to a fault, at times. 

“She passes on good shots for better shots for her teammates, otherwise she’d average close to 20 points a game,” he said. “A natural rebounder, has a knack for finding the ball around the rim. Can shoot the 3-pointer, but does most of her work inside. She plays point forward often when we need to take pressure off our guards. She is going to be a special talent.”

Alice Max, sophomore, wing, Rochester

Max has an offer from Wayne State University. She is leading the Falcons to the 14-3 record so far this season and 6-1 in conference play. She stands at 6-foot-2 as a sophomore, and she if often in contention for a double-double any game.

Ari Parker, junior, wing, Cass Tech

“Ari can score in a variety of ways; her versatility as a scorer makes her special,” coach LaTonya Tate said. 

With a 5-foot-10 frame, Parker can hit the 3-pointer, as well as operate on the block and take defenders to the rim where she finishes with both hands. 

“Ari is one of our most consistent scorers this season, in her third season on varsity,” Tate said. 

Parker was voted all-tournament in the New Year's Classic at Westfield Prep Academy this year and has several college looks locally.

Natalie Hensel, sophomore, wing, Pennfield

Todd Grennes calls Hensel a “rapidly developing player who is just stretching the surface of her talent.” 

Speaking of stretch, Hensel plays the stretch four position for Pennfield and is averaging 11 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and 1.5 steals per game this season. 

“Super athletic and is at her best in the open court,” Grennes said. “Can play both inside/outside and often is tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player because of her length and size.”

Chloe Watson, senior, forward, Hemlock

At 5-foot-10, Watson has the size and ability to play both guard and forward. This year she’s averaging 13.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, three assists and 2.1 steals per game. She’s got over 1,200 points, to date and has been named to several teams including all-state.

Alena Blumberg, sophomore, forward, Dexter

Blumberg is another combo guard/wing. “Alena is only a sophomore, but serves as a leader by example on our team,” coach Lauren Thompson said. “She is one of the hardest workers to ever play in our program. Often you will find her getting up extra shots in our gym before school around 6:30 a.m. in the morning.” She’s averaging 15.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and two steals a game while shooting 35% from deep.

Ashlynn Putman, junior, post, Mason

“Ashlynn is the lifeblood of our team,” Mason coach Jacob Lator said. 

Putman is averaging 10 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, two steals and two assists per game. 

“She makes an impact in every element of the game every time she steps on the court,” Lator said. “There have been multiple times this year that she has blocked a shot, gained possession, and then led the break. She is a hardworking leader with a tremendously high ceiling.”

Hannah Sall, senior, post, Grand Rapids Christian

After three-straight losses in mid-December, Grand Rapids Christian has hit its stride and Sall is, quite literally, at the center of the team’s turnaround and seven-game winning streak. 

She’s averaging 12 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals a game and has become an interior presence for a squad with talented perimeter players who play off of her.

Kayla Mount, junior, post, Cass Tech

Mount was Cass Tech’s top returning interior player. At 6-feet tall, she has “great low post moves” and is a sound rebounder on both ends of the court. She’s also one of the team’s best free throw shooters. 

“Kayla has the ability to consistently make her high post shot and can drive to the basket from the high post and finish at the rim,” coach LaTonya Tate said. “She also has the range to shoot from 3-point range.” 

She is a walking double-double performer with six of them on the season and has 10 Division I looks/offers.

Natalie Frever, senior, post, Marshall

Frever is a three-year varsity player, but a first-year starter. 

“Natalie is the leader and center of our defense,” coach Lance Hawblitz siad. “She does an amazing job staying positive on the court. She is one of our leaders offensively and defensively on the court.” She’s averaging 8.5 points, 11 rebounds and two assists per game this season.

Ellie Neuhaus, sophomore, post, Clio

Neuhaus has been averaging close to a double-double this season while adding an impressive four blocks per outing for coach Paul O’Henley’s Cilo group. 

“Ellie is a phenomenal young lady,” he said. “She is extremely coachable, hard working, and is just a great overall teammate and person.”

Tambre Williams, junior, post, Dakota

Another double-double machine, Williams is averaging 11.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. 

“Tambre is the energy player on our team that never stops,” coach Phil McCune said. McCune considers her “by-far” the team’s best rebounder and defender. Her double-digit points aren’t a bad addition, either.

 “Without Tambre, we are a totally different team,” he said.

Lily Gleason, sophomore, post, Forest Hills Northern

At 6-foot-1, Gleason has some real size down low. She’s shooting efficiently at 58 percent from the floor and is averaging 13.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per night. 

“Lily is a force to be reckoned with,” coach Danielle Harrison said. “She has a presence on the court that teams cannot ignore. She can attack the hoop, finish in the paint, and out rebound her competition. Her work ethic and drive is untouchable.”

Mya Jones, senior, post, Berkley

Jones started the season hurt, but has returned for Berkley’s last half-dozen games. She’s made her presence known early and often, averaging 14.5 points and nine rebounds per game. 

“To state Mya's impact as a catalyst would be an understatement,” coach Coby Feltner said. 

After beginning the year 1-5, Berkley is now above .500. 

“Mya getting back healthy has given our team the lift we have needed all start of the season,” he said. “She is a worker day in and day out and determined to prove why she is just as good if not better then other senior bigs in the state.”

Jack Butler contributed to this article.