The girls basketball season is just getting started across the state.
And the talent on display in Greater Lansing this winter includes a few returning all-state selections, including DeWitt’s Madi Uyl, who is committed to Grand Valley State.
Here’s a look at some of the area’s top players to watch this winter.
Elly Bengel
▶ School: Pewamo-Westphalia
▶ Year: Junior
Bengel was a BCAM honorable mention all-state selection in Division 3 for the Pirates after averaging 10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and making 46 3-pointers. She opened her junior season by hitting the game-winning 3-pointer and scoring 31 points while helping P-W to a double-overtime win over East Lansing.
Reece DeRose
▶ School: Leslie
▶ Year: Senior
DeRose has been one of the leaders of what’s been a balanced attack for the Blackhawks. She is the leading returning scorer for Leslie after averaging 11.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals and making 35 3-pointers while earning Cascades Conference Dream Team honors last season.
Christina Dixon
▶ School: Haslett
▶ Year: Junior
Dixon is one of the reasons Haslett is a favorite in the CAAC Red after earning honorable mention all-state honors in Division 2 last season. She averaged 12.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals for the Vikings, who won a district title.
Tara Kurncz
▶ School: DeWitt
▶ Year: Senior
Kurncz was a Division 1 honorable mention all-state selection as a junior while contributing to the Panthers winning CAAC Blue and district titles. She is the leading returning scorer for DeWitt after averaging 15.6 points and making 39 3-pointers.
Grace Rockey
▶ School: Portland St. Patrick
▶ Year: Sophomore
The third-year varsity player earned honorable mention all-state honors in Division 4 last season after contributing to the Shamrocks winning a CMAC title. The third-year varsity player averaged 11.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.4 assists as a freshman.
Katie Spicer
▶ School: Fowler
▶ Year: Senior
Spicer was named first team all-state in Division 4 by the AP and BCAM while helping the Eagles make a run to the state semifinals. The guard averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals and made 36 3s.
Lilly Thelen
▶ School: Portland
▶ Year: Junior
Thelen is the leading returning scorer for the Raiders from last year’s squad that won the CAAC White title. She averaged 10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 2.1 assists.
Madi Uyl
▶ School: DeWitt
▶ Year: Senior
Uyl is signed to continue her basketball career at Grand Valley and was a Division 1 all-state selection by BCAM and the AP last season. She averaged 12.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 steals for the Panthers, who won CAAC Blue and district titles last winter.
OTHERS: Sydney Black, East Lansing; Lydia Brogan, Lansing Christian; Gracie Mellinger, Alma; Aubri Torok, Bath.
