Player Impressions Playoff Version - Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard V. Romulus

I always say, the better and more willing passing team always has an advantage. Well the passing performance by Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard on Monday night was one of the 3 best that I've seen all season. And that includes both boys and girls basketball in more than 1 state. Romulus played hard and fought hard and are a talented team in their own right. You don't win a District Championship on accident. But it was Gabriel Richard moving on to the regional finals, winning by a score of 72-29. We're going to look at some players from both teams that left their mark on the game.

Charlotte Miller (2025, G, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard)

Remember what I said about passing the ball? Here's a perfect example. Miller could score as much as she wanted. But her highlights from this win were littered with her sharing the basketball. Miller had an on target touch post feed. She then hit the free throw line off the bounce and kicked to a shooter for an assist. Miller than rifled a chest pass post feed for another assist. Oh let's not forget her slicing bounce pass assist that was on time and on target. Yeah, she shot the ball as well. Miller buried a catch and shoot from the top and then added another off the bounce. She also hit a turn around jumper and a deep mid range jumper from the wing. 

Ava Rodriguez (2026, G, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard)

How about another elite passer that can also shoot the lights out? Well, Rodriguez is just that. I don't know that I've seen more effective over the top post feeds this season. She had at least 2 of them that led to assists. More than once, Rodriguez shook defenders and attacked the lane, then found shooters and picked up assists. She buried a triple off the catch and also had an impressive pull up 3 pointer from the top. That pull up was so tough to defend. Rodriguez really showed some flash with the ball, whether creating for teammates or finishing herself.

Sienna Walker (2025, F, Romulus)

Romulus may not have gotten the win, but Walker definitely caught my attention. I loved the way that she played hard and wanted it no matter what the score. There was no surrender in her game. Walker was able to play through contact and got to the free throw line a couple times because of it and added a bucket that she powered through a defender. Walker could step out some too. She hit a pretty elbow jumper and a deep mid range jumper. Walker added a power floater across the lane.

Saige Edmondson (2025, F, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard)

Edmondson is so fun to watch. When you talk about 4 year improvement from freshman to senior seasons, there aren't many that have developed their game more. Edmondson plays hard and that was evident when she turned a hustle ball save into an and 1 under the rim. She played well off the block, turning into a couple of buckets. Edmondson did a great job seeking out space, catching feeds with strong hands, and finishing under or near the rim. She just played really efficient and effective basketball.

Vanessa Rodriguez (2026, G, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard)

Rodriguez was pretty much the definition of well rounded in this game. She did such a great job of letting the game come to her and then contributing however her team needed. Let's start out with her defense. Rodriguez picked up 2 early steals, turning one into an assist and the other into a fast break bucket. She played and read passing lanes and had a couple deflections because of it. And in Gabriel Richard style, she can pass and shoot as well. Rodriguez had a lefty drive with a floater finish and a wing 3. She also fed the post over the top of the defense.

Samaira Searcy (2026, G/F, Romulus)

Searcy is a really talented basketball player and an athletic wing. She did a nice job trying to attack the basket and make plays for Romulus. Searcy had an athletic righty drive and added a bucket off a cut, catch and score. When the defense played off of her, she showed range on her jumper hitting 2 wing triples.

Mimi Fitzpatrick (2028, G, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard)

Fitzpatrick is a talented freshman guard at Gabriel Richard. Feels like we've said that before. She looked like she can shoot the ball. Feels like we've said that before too. Fitzpatrick hit 3 triples in the win against Romulus. I think that she's a young player that we should have on our radar.