2023 Bracket Busters: Five game-changing players

<p>The younger talent in the state of Michigan is proving it is more than capable of busting a few brackets.</p> <p>The Class of 2023 is one of the strongest the state has seen in some time, and plenty of high-caliber players still get overlooked.</p> <p>Here’s five players that are capable of dominating a match with their explosive talent, or ability to excel at multiple positions.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66291" first="Laurece" last="Abraham"], MH Detroit Country Day/Legacy</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_136688" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-136688 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/Laurece-Abraham-300x295.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="295" /> [player_tooltip player_id="66291" first="Laurece" last="Abraham"][/caption] <p>On a very deep and talented Legacy 16-1 ADIDAS squad, Abraham can be a real unsung hero for the squad from the middle position. Standing 6’1”, she has big-time power on her swings and is a real force at the net for blocking and getting her hands on the ball. She faces the same challenges at Detroit Country Day, a young squad littered with hitting talent. Still, Abraham makes the most of her opportunities and can be a big tide turner when her number is called.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66295" first="Allison" last="Berent"], DS Notre Dame Prep/Legacy</strong></p> <p>Berent is one of those players that is just too talented to keep off the floor. Notre Dame Prep had arguably the top defensive duo in the state this past fall, but Berent still worked her way onto the floor and produced at a number of positions. She showed dynamic skills by being able to hit and block at 5’7” when her team needed her, all while maintaining an elite-level of defensive ability. She competes against the best hitters in the country in club practice, only making her a stronger player. Berent’s adaptability make her a real game-changer.</p> <p><strong>Kalliann Cook, L/DS Birch Run/Michigan Elite</strong></p> <p>Cook can be somewhat unassuming when you watch her calm demeanor on the floor, but her play is very explosive. Quick reactions and great footwork allow her to dig out the strongest attacks and make highlight-reel plays on a regular basis. Cook’s play has led Birch Run to some of its strongest seasons in program history and that alone makes her a Bracket Buster in her own right. Cook has shown just how much an elite defender can take a team to the next level.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="66304" first="Megan" last="Grose"], S/OPP St. Catherine/Michigan Elite</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_130408" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-130408 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/59_Megan-Grose2-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="66304" first="Megan" last="Grose"][/caption] <p>Grose is another multi-talented player that can turn a match around in a number of ways. As a setter, she’s a tremendous athlete and court general that is able to connect with her hitters and make the right calls at the right time. As an outside, Grose brings a lot of power to her swing and has the competitive fire to go toe-to-toe with any hitter on the other side of the net. Michigan Elite and Wixom St. Catherine know they have a big asset that they can move around the court and that only strengthens their lineup for different matchups.</p> <p><strong>Meredith Simmons, OH Rockford/FaR Out</strong></p> <p>Simmons really made a big splash during the 2020 prep season for Rockford, establishing herself as a game-changer in the Class of 2023. Building on that this club season, Simmons is becoming a more consistent finisher while sharpening her defensive play to become a six-rotation talent. Simmons has a very high ceiling and that makes her a Bracket Buster, as she’s sure to tap into that potential more and more as the year continues, spoiling some tournaments for her opponents in the process.</p>