KALAMAZOO, MI –– Across the state of Michigan, high school gymnasiums are starting to fill up with spectators and plenty of buckets.

The girls basketball season is heating up.

Now with a week under their belts, teams across the state have hit the ground running with their sights set on a memorable season –– with a final destination at Michigan State’s Breslin Center.

Like every season, there’s plenty of change amidst each team, but with insight from area coaches and notes from last season, we’re taking our best swing at presenting the top 20 girls basketball players from the Kalamazoo-area destined for greatness in 2024-25.

Follow along to see all the top shelf athletes from Southwest Michigan that will fill up seats and stat sheets this winter.

Jordyn Bonnema, Kalamazoo Christian

The reigning MLive Kalamazoo Dream Team Player of the Year, Bonnema is back for her final hurrah with Kalamazoo Christian after already cementing her name as one of the most prolific Southwest Michigan all-around players in recent memory. The 5-foot-9 multi-time all-state combo guard enjoyed her best season as a Comet in 2024, showcasing her craftiness and self-sufficient shot making to the tune of 20.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.3 steals per game –– something that propelled K-Christian to a sparkling 24-2 record, an incredible 19-game winning streak and a second straight district title.

A Division-I level talent, Bonnema already is the Comets’ all-time leading scorer and with a full season still ahead of her, that record may last for quite some time.

AJ Rickli, Paw Paw

After establishing herself as one of the most dominant post players in the area last season, Rickli has only elevated her game to new heights in 2025 –– she’s already broken a pair of school records. The 6-foot-2 senior has scored at least 30 points in each of the Red Wolves’ first three games (school record), including Tuesday’s 32-point outing in which she went a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line, which was also a school record. Needing just 14 points to eclipse 1,000 for her career, Rickli has firmly stamped herself into the Miss Basketball conversation, especially after averaging 19.3 points, 19 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 2.1 steals and 1.6 assists per game last season.

The all-stater is just one of two Paw Paw players to haul in over 400 rebounds in a season and is on pace to break more records in her final Red Wolves campaign.

Elli VanDusen, Kalamazoo Christian

There aren’t many freshmen that make instant impacts on varsity basketball teams, but VanDusen proved to be one of them last season. The 5-foot-10 stretch forward formally introduced herself the Kalamazoo-area by averaging 14.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, which awarded her with all-state honors from the Associated Press. VanDusen forms a dynamic tandem with Jordyn Bonnema, and after an incredible 24-2 season in 2024, those two are set to make even more noise this winter.

Makayla Allen, Vicksburg

Over the last few years, Allen has solidified her status as one of Southwest Michigan’s true blue blood shooters especially after her stellar junior campaign. The first team all-Wolverine honoree posted averages of 12 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game last season, highlighted by a season-high 26-point performance including five made triples in propelling the Bulldogs to their first district title since 2006 and first-ever regional title. Allen’s clutch gene already handed Vicksburg a huge win over Paw Paw this season, as she looks to cap her career with another deep postseason run.

Ly’Nique Cunningham, South Haven

Bursting onto the scene as a talented freshman phenom in 2024, Cunningham is poised for an even bigger splash this season especially after the departure of senior forward Dayshauna Crowley. The 5-foot-3 combo guard posted incredible averages of 18.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 6.7 steals per game, while also shooting a staggering 63 percent from the field, a blistering 51 percent from 3-point land and 60 percent from the free throw line. That kind of production led the Rams to their first conference championship in 47 years last year, and they might be in store for a repeat in 2025.

Grace Mitchell, Paw Paw

Mitchell just recently broke Paw Paw’s school record for career 3-pointers last week, and while her deadeye perimeter shooting is her go-to way of getting buckets, she’s blossomed into a true versatile scoring threat at all three levels. That’s paved the way for Mitchell to become a 1,000-point scorer this season, as the 5-foot-10 senior needs just over 100 points to reach that feat. After averaging 15.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 3.3 assists per game last season, Mitchell is back with AJ Rickli to form a dynamic duo that’ll be tough to handle for Southwest Michigan oppositions.

Lucy Young, Kalamazoo Hackett

It’s not every day that a freshman earns a nod on a preseason list, but Young has already given enough evidence to fit that bill. The 6-foot-2 forward has all the makings of Southwest Michigan’s next star, as she just recorded a monster double-double on Monday that featured a season-high 28 points and 10 rebounds, while adding four steals and three assists in a win over Constantine. Young also scored 17 points in a loss to Kalamazoo Christian last week, and with her versatility in the painted area, she’s already the No. 2-ranked player in the Class of 2028, according to prephoops.com.

Brooke Smalldon, Otsego

Another budding young talent, Smalldon quickly adjusted to the varsity level as just a freshman last season en route to leading the Bulldogs in scoring (11.6), rebounds (7.0) and steals (5) per game, which resulted in Otsego’s second straight district championship. The 6-foot forward is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in Otsego’s regional semifinal defeat in March, but head coach Tony Koshar said Smalldon could very well return by January. A dynamic wing, Smalldon has a promising future ahead of her.

Caitlin Ryan, Mattawan

Playing alongside Delaney Elsmore, Mattawan’s all-time leading scorer, last season as a freshman, Ryan showcased her raw talents by averaging 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while also recording 45 total steals. Now with Elsmore gone to graduation, Ryan is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign especially with her high-level activity on the defensive end.

Kendra Cooley, Vicksburg

Now a four-year starter under head coach Tim Kirby, Cooley should have the full freedom to showcase her all-around game this season after the departure of all-state guards Emma Steele and Maddison Diekman. The 5-foot-9 senior forward is perhaps the team’s best rebounder, and that’s backed by averaging a team-high 7.1 boards per game last season. Cooley posted averages of 6.9 points, 2.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game as well, as the Bulldogs will look to use her talents to capture their second straight district crown –– and perhaps much more –– this winter.

Jaidyn Klimp, Galesburg-Augusta

It’s without question that Klimp has been Galesburg-Augusta’s go-to bucket getter throughout her high school career. The senior is closing in on 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds and is coming off a stellar junior season in which she averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game, while also recording 4.1 steals and 2.2 blocks per game. After finishing under .500 a year ago, Klimp is aiming to push the Rams toward a winning season to cap her career.

Holly Talbert, Climax-Scotts

After leading Climax-Scotts to an impressive 15-7 record a season ago, Talbert returns as a dynamic junior wing with already three years of varsity experience. The 5-foot-9 forward was best in and around the painted area, as she posted a team-high 14.7 points per game, along with 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals. A two-time first team all-conference selection, Talbert could very well power the Panthers to some postseason hardware in 2025.

Addy Woodrow, Gull Lake

Woodrow was a pivotal piece to Gull Lake capturing an outright SMAC-East title last season and finishing with a 16-7 record, its best year in recent memory. Now with Bree Eklund graduated, Woodrow will look to be the Blue Devils’ go-to scoring threat in 2025 after averaging 7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game last season –– those numbers were good for a first team all-SMAC selection. Woodrow has a knack for getting to the basket and playing downhill and has developed a respectable mid-range game as well.

Yazmyne Morales, Kalamazoo Central

With Kalamazoo Central’s roster much younger these days, Morales is perhaps the team’s most promising talent already showing significant signs of being a true floor general. The 5-foot-5 point sophomore point guard has a strong basketball awareness, according to head coach Jason Plunkett, and showcases an all-around game that helps the Maroon Giants get good looks on offense consistently.

Olivia Griswold, Portage Central

With a talented senior class now gone, Griswold is perhaps the face of Portage Central’s future as a powerful young post player in the making. The 6-foot-1 sophomore already possess a strong rebounding ability, and with her athleticism and strength, she’s been a pivotal piece to the Mustangs’ 3-0 start. Griswold finished with 10 points in a win over Loy Norrix earlier this week and added nine points in a win over Portage Northern last week.

Ava Tate, Portage Central

The 5-foot-10 junior forward is another one of head coach Rob Brown’s intriguing young players, as Tate should get to showcase her true skills in a more prominent role this winter. Tate led the Mustangs with a game-high 14 points in a win over Portage Northern earlier this month and is at her best when powering her way to the basket but has also shown to be a versatile defender –– which should bode well for Brown’s system.

Halie Bishop, Lawton

Lawton may have found its next star point guard in Bishop, a 5-foot-6 sophomore that has already made waves as a tenacious defender. In just two games to start the season, Bishop has recorded an eye-popping 17 steals and 36 points in powering the Blue Devils to a pair of wins as her on-ball pressure and defensive intensity has been glaringly apparent. That type of defensive disruption could very well make Lawton a dangerous team come tournament time.

Tessa Prough, Otsego

Now one of Otsego’s veteran players, Prough has been one of the more reliable and productive players under head coach Tony Koshar in recent memory –– even if her game isn’t all that flashy. The 6-foot senior forward has averaged nearly a double-double in the Bulldogs’ latest two wins, highlighted by an 11-point, 12-rebound and four-steal night in a win over Niles last week. Prough could very well be leaned on to take on a large share of the scoring until sophomore Brooke Smalldon returns form injury.

Scarlett Hosner, Vicksburg

Solidifying her role as Vicksburg’s sixth man over the last three seasons, Hosner is poised for a major breakout campaign, according to head coach Tim Kirby –– and there’s already evidence behind that. The senior forward dropped a team-high 17 points in a thrilling win over Paw Paw last week and has a real opportunity to lead the Bulldogs in scoring this season. Perhaps Vicksburg’s best athlete on the team, Hosner brings a dynamic scoring punch to Vicksburg’s quest for another deep postseason run.

Lilah Smith, Gull Lake

After leading the Blue Devils in rebounding last season, Smith returns for her senior campaign looking to do more in hopes of building off last year’s successful 16-win year. The all-state Toledo soccer commit averaged 6.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals en route to first team all-SMAC-East honors, and at 6-foot, her size and strength make her a clear rebounding machine in Southwest Michigan.

Other names to know

Carolina Mancera, Lawrence (Jr.)

Sophia Affriseo, Marcellus (Sr.)

Anna Overway, Plainwell (So.)

Riley King, Portage Central (Sr.)

Winter Owens, Kalamazoo Central (Sr.)

Kynnedi Patterson, Kalamazoo Central (Sr.)

Stella Shaefer, Paw Paw (Jr.)

McKenzee Terpstra, Lawton (Jr.)

Alyssa Weldon, Plainwell (Jr.)

Scarlett Hosner, Vicksburg (Sr.)

Emily Zemitans, Vicksburg (Sr.)

Dani Glass, Three Rivers (Jr.)

Amiriyae Potts, Kalamazoo Central (Jr.)

Abby Baushke, Decatur (Sr.)

Sadie McDaniel, White Pigeon (Jr.)

Avery Jager, Martin (Sr.)

Kylee Killeen, Gobles (Jr.)

Daisy Jackson, Gobles (Jr.)

Addie Smucker, Kalamazoo Hackett (Sr.)

Bailey Allison, Lawton (So.)

Cienna Nightingale, Mendon (Jr.)

Addy Reeves, Climax-Scotts (Jr.)

Angeleah Campbell, Loy Norrix (Jr.)

Abby Pueblo, Loy Norrix (Jr.)

Audrey Lingbeek, Otsego (Jr.)

Addison Sziede, Schoolcraft (Sr.)

Val DeVries, Schoolcraft (Fr.)

Jennaya Decker, Three Rivers (Jr.)

Jaedyn Herlein, Constantine (Jr.)

Mara Webb, Centreville (Sr.)

Jaelynn Little, Bangor (Sr.)

K’Liyana O’Steen, Bangor

Mary Stears, Centreville (Sr.)

Maliyah Flowers, Portage Northern (Fr.)