Michigan high school girls basketball: Meet the top guards (Pt. 2)

See who are the top guards in the 2023-2024 season in Michigan high school girls basketball

Author:
Shane Hoffmann
Updated:
Jan 18, 2024 4:17 PM EST
Original:
Jan 18, 2024

Michigan high school girls basketball is full of talent in the 2023-2024 season. We're over a month into the season, and SBLive is highlighting the top players by position this season.

We continue with part two of the top guards in the state. Read part one here. Wings and posts will be published on Thursday.

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES

The following athletes will be included in our "Who is the top guard in Michigan high school girls basketball?" poll to be posted on Thursday. Our lists and polls are intended to be fun and in no way discredits any other player who may not be mentioned.

Rockford vs West Bloomfield D1 final March18-23 Katy Kildee1

Ella Mason, senior, Negaunee

Mason was her conference’s player of the year last season and appeared on the all-state second team. The guard averaged 20.5 points and 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game, while shooting 47% from the field.

A two-year captain and three-year varsity starter, Mason is committed to Michigan Tech and has led Negaunee to back-to-back regional championship games.

“She is a true gym rat and works on all aspects of her craft tirelessly,” coach Mike O’Donnell said.

Addy Flynn, junior, Seaholm

Flynn is averaging 11.3 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals per game this season. A captain, she was an all-conference and all-county player last year.

“Addy is a gym rat who just loves basketball and she makes our team flow offensively and defensively,” coach Chris Manchester said.

Taniya FuQua, senior, Southfield A&T

FuQua is one of just two seniors on Southfield’s team this season, and coach Shaquita Coltrane called their leadership “weighed in gold.”

A point guard, FuQua’s known for her “unmatched” defensive motor, but has been a consistent double-digit scorer this season.

“Her energy on and off the court helps to motivate the team,” Coltrane said.

Grace Chisek, senior, Watervliet

A senior guard, Chisek has been on a roll of late, scoring 23 points to go with 12 rebounds and a pair of assists against Hartford, and 21 points with six rebounds and three assists two days after against South Haven.

Jayna Edmondson, senior, Manistee

A 5-foot-8 combo guard and first-team all-conference selection as a junior, Edmondson is Manistee’s leading three-point shooter and second leading scorer.

"Jayna has always been a pure shooter,” said coach Ken Kott, “and has learned to expand her game to take it to the hole as well. (She’s) capable of putting up 25 plus points a game at any time (and has) a knack for being where the ball is, in the right spot at the right time. (She’s) a real good rebounder as well."

Ashley Folkema, senior, Western Michigan Christian

Folkema is her team’s “playmaker,” said coach Sarah Koetsier. An unselfish guard, she makes her offense go.

“She is a strong offensive player and can shoot three-pointers and drive the basket through the lane,” said Koetsier. “She is quick with the ball and a great defensive player. She usually guards the best player on the opposing team”

Julie Ashbaugh, senior, Grant

Ashbaugh poured in 18 points per game last season to go along with nine rebounds. This season, she’s averaging a double-digit thus far.

“She is a phenomenal transition player who can run the full court with anyone,” said coach Josh Delamater.

Lily Zeinstra, senior, Byron Center

A combo-guard and four-year starter, Zeinstra is on track for 1,500 career points. A Ms. Basketball Candidate and Butler commit, she has been named to three all-conference teams and two first-team all-area squads and is a multi-year all-state player.

“The team goes as she goes,” said coach Cameron Burns. “She's willing to do all of the little things as well. Shows great leadership skills competing everyday in practice.”

MyKenzi Harris, junior, Chippewa Valley

Already an all-conference player, Harris has taken a big leap this season, averaging 17 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 7.7 steals per game.

“MyKenzi is a dynamic player on the court,” said coach Jackie Maurer. “She has the ability to score and lock down defensively on the opponent's best players. She has put in a lot of work between her sophomore and junior season, which is paying off for her on the court.”

Emilee Klacking, senior, Battle Creek Pennfield

Klacking has upped her numbers significantly this season after earning all-city honorable mention as a junior. The Combo guard is averaging 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals per game while shooting 47% from deep.

Grennes said Klacking has vastly improved her ball handling and vision, allowing her to run the show offensively. She has also worked on her outside shot, where she’s spent the season hurting defenses.

“(She) has good quickness and athleticism,” said Grennes, “and is a very scrappy and physical player… Defensively, she’s a physical defender who has improved into being a solid on the ball defender and very good off the ball help defender.”

Madelyn Geers, senior, Kent City

Geers is a three-time all-conference and two-time all-state honoree. She played in the Division III state finals in each of her first two seasons, before entering the 1,000-point club and averaging 17 points and eight rebounds per game last season.

“Maddie has consistently proven herself as an elite player…,” said coach Aleah Holcomb. “This season, Maddie's already proving she's a force to be reckoned with… She's a true leader and role model for her teammates. We think she's the kind of player who holds our team together, not just with her skill, but also with her leadership and dedication.”

Jose DeSmit, junior, Hudsonville

An all-conference player as a sophomore, DeSmit leads her team in scoring, assists and steals.

“Josie is a player who does it all,” said coach Casey Glass. “She leads the team in most statistical categories, but beyond that, she is a captain, leader and understands the game at a very high level. She also excels off the court in the classroom. Josie puts more time in the gym than anyone else.”

Anayya Davis, junior, Henry Ford

Davus, a 6-foot guard/forward who is “long and athletic” has already picked up several Division I and II offers and is averaging 20 points, nine rebounds, 4.5 assists and three steals per game as a junior.

“She can go coast to coast as well as anyone and is a great finisher,” said coach Matthew Joseph. “She can run the point, shooting guard or small forward. She has a dynamic first step and covers a lot of ground when she attacks off the dribble. Her length causes a lot of disruptions on the defensive side of the ball.”

Myah Hubble, freshman, Beaverton

Through three games, Hubble is averaging 21 points per game and has already turned in her first career double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

“Myah has tremendous ball handling skills and the work ethic to continue to get better,” said coach Jason Hubble. She loves the defensive end of the floor and does a great job being a leader on and off the floor.”

Anna Richards, junior, Lansing Catholic

Richards averaged 12.2 points per game last season while helping Lansing Catholic to a Division 2 state title.

Avery Collins, junior, Blissfield

Collins was named to the AP Division 3 all-state first team after averaging 11 points, 4.5 assists and three rebounds. She helped Blissfield to second place in the MHSAA Division 3 title game.

Stephanie Utomi, junior, Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

Utomi averaged 11.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.2 steals while averaging over 50 percent shooting. She was named to the AP Division 3 all-state first team.

Brook Simpson, senior, Saugatuck

Simpson is coming off a knee injury that held her out last season, but in her first game for Saugatuck, she scored 15 points in a win. She was committed to Dayton before deciding to decommit and explore other options.

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Jack Butler contributed to this article.