Player Impressions - Howell @ Brighton

We always look forward to a Howell and Brighton rivalry game! This matchup in Brighton didn't disappoint as there was some impressive talent on display. Howell won by a score of 59-39. They played at a high speed and got downhill offensively. Defensively, Howell played the passing lanes and made moving the ball very difficult. This was a recipe for success. Let's look at some of the players that stood out in this contest.

Alison Farr (2025, G, Howell)

Farr has always been known as a shooter, and while she can most definitely fill it up and did so in this game, it was her work off the bounce and her ability go north-south that stood out the most. On one occasion she simply beat the defense back, caught a pass over the top and laid it in for an easy 2. Farr effectively used a ball fake left and a righty take to finish at the rim. Her defense caught my eye as well. Farr was a menace in the passing lanes and showed impressive anticipation that she turned into deflections. She also had a steal that she turned directly into an elbow jumper.

Sophia Heady (2025, PF, Brighton)

Heady has been a player that I always thought had a lot of upside. Well it looks like it's all coming together for her. If she plays like this consistently, she's probably one of the most improved players that I've seen this season. Heady was all over the defensive glass all night long. She had to have at least 10 boards. Heady had strong hands and played with power. She was tough with short drives to the right and showed that she can finish through a defender. Heady was active on D as she picked up a steal and fast break bucket.

MacKenzi Duthie (2026, F, Howell)

Duthie is going to have a huge influence in the success of this talented team. As their tallest player and often the only forward on the floor, she often needs to have an influence around the rim. Duthie had just that in the win against Brighton. She caught a drop off pass on the right block for a layup. Duthie had at least 2 put back buckets as well. That's a handful of high percentage buckets around the rim. Don't forget though, Duthie has ball skills and can shoot as well. She buried a catch and shoot 3 in the second half.

Gracyn Houck (2027, G, Brighton)

Houck impressed me last high school season as a freshman and it's fun to see the growth in a player's game. She showed some real offensive versatility in this game. On 2 occasions Houck went over the top of the defense with a post feed that led to an assist on a layup. She also found a lane to the rim and attacked with a cut, catch and score. Houck drew a foul on this play and turned it into an and 1.

Gabby Piepho (2026, G, Howell)

Piepho didn't have her biggest game numbers wise. But really, that just proves what a tremendous all around talent she is. She doesn't have to put up 20 to have a huge influence on the game. Piepho had her hands on the ball a lot and offhand I don't remember a single turnover. Let that sink in. When she did shoot, they were smart high percentage looks. Piepho is a high IQ and unselfish player, both things that make her an elite prospect.

Ellie Pierson (2025, SG, Brighton)

Pierson didn't have a ton of opportunities in this game, but nobody really did with Howell's suffocating defense. It was still very easy to see the skill and talent that Pierson has. She found a lane to the rim early and attacked it with her right hand, drawing a foul in the process. Pierson hit a DEEP triple on the wing and looked very comfortable with her jumper.

MJ Mikus (2025, G, Howell)

Aquinas has a good one on the way. I think the game that she showed against Brighton will take well at the next level. Mikus was consistently downhill putting defenders on her hips. She attacked off the bounce and delivered a bounce pass feed to an open cutter for an assist. Mikus again touched the paint on a drive and kicked it off to a shooter for an assist. She had a creative righty take to the rim and a finish.

Kylie Pung (2025, G, Howell)

Pung was impressive as well in the Howell win. She showed the ability to score from multiple levels of the floor. Pung had a sweeping drive with a highlight reel off balance finish. She also hit multiple catch and shoot triples. Pung even showed that she could be a factor in the open floor, outpacing the defense and finishing a fast break with a right handed layup.