Ariel Braker named Detroit News Player of the Year

2010 prospect Ariel Braker was named player of the year and 2009 prospect Destiny Williams was named along with her to the all-state team:

Ariel Braker made a name for herself during the state finals last month.

She averaged 19 points, 18 rebounds, 8.5 steals and five assists for Grosse Pointe North. Impressive, considering the 6-foot-1 sophomore averaged 14.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, seven steals and four blocks during the regular season.

Oh, and by the way, she also helped Grosse Pointe North win the school's first girls basketball state championship.

She can add another accolade to her resume -- The Detroit News Player of the Year.

"We wanted to be the first ones to make it all the way and win a state championship," Braker said. "Our whole team had the attitude that we have to win.

"I knew I had to make an impact for us to have a good tournament run."

While she made great strides on offense during the tournament, Braker still banks on one sure thing in her game: defense.

"I love defense," she said. "Defense wins games. Back when I was little I was told defense comes from the heart. You have to work hard to play well defensively. "

...

Destiny Williams, Benton Harbor: Williams, who runs the floor well and is dominant in the post, averaged 24.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, 5.2 blocks, 4.3 steals and 3.3 assists. Williams should be among the contenders for Miss Basketball next season.

Also, 2008 verbal Jamillya Hardley was honorable mention in Class A and 2009 verbals Jenny Ryan and Rachel Sheffer were named to the Class C All-State teams (Ryan first team, Sheffer second team). A number of prospects also received honors including Jasmine Hines, Nya Jordan, Amber Moore, Sharena Taylor, Sami Tucker, and Madison Williams.

Sami Tucker was named to the Lansing Journal's Dream Team as well.

Hat tip girlsbasketballrecruit blog.

Article on 2010 Prospects Madison Williams and Ariel Braker

The Detroit Free Press has an article on Madison Williams and Ariel Braker, two sophomores on Michigan (and many other school's) radar:

And after watching some of the best girls basketball this state has to offer, the U. came away floored by two young ladies.

Remember these two names: Ariel Braker and Madison Williams.

Braker, a 6-foot-1 sophomore forward, flirted with triple-doubles all weekend as Class A's Grosse Pointe North won its first state title.

She almost messed around and averaged a triple-double over the weekend. Try these averages over the two games of the final four: 19 points, 18 rebounds, 8.5 steals, five assists and 2.5 blocks.

...

Williams, a 6-6 sophomore center, dominated the paint for Birmingham Detroit Country Day in the Yellowjackets' Class B title game victory over Detroit Community.

She only scored six points, but she blocked eight shots and altered some more as the Yellowjackets won their ninth state title.

The U. knows what you're thinking. You are questioning how well she can move since she is so tall.

The U. can report that the young lady moves easily up and down the court and finishes around the basket with great ease.

She said after the game she had offers, but told the U. she "promised to keep it a secret."

2010 Prospect Ariel Braker

Michigan has offered a scholarship to Ariel Braker, a 6'1" sophomore from Grosse Point North High School. She led her team to the state title last weekend:

Nobody got the job done quite like Ariel Braker, who led North to a 58-46 victory over East Lansing Saturday for the Class A state title.

Braker, 6-feet-1, is only a sophomore, but she had a weekend that people will talk about for years to come.

In Friday's semifinal, she scored 20 points, grabbed 23 rebounds and had nine steals.

In Saturday's championship game she scored 15 points, pulled down 16 rebounds, had eight steals, five assists and blocked four shots.

"I realize I did good, but it's more about my team than me," she said. "I still have two years to play."

Again, she is only a sophomore, but we need to check her birth certificate because she plays with the poise of a senior.

She doesn't run up and down the court, she glides. It is hard to imagine describing a basketball player as graceful, but Braker turns the game into a ballet.

The neat thing about Braker is that she doesn't realize she is a star, or if she does, she keeps it to herself. She is not a drama queen and is only too happy to be just one of the girls and defer to the upperclassmen.

She is one of the absolute best players in the state, yet the only word she could come up with when Michigan coach Kevin Borseth offered a scholarship last month was: "Wow!"