This top five is lacking in true post players. But with two Miss Basketballs, two runners-up and a fifth who could've been, I'd take them against most.
Remember, we're introducing a
potential All-Decade team each Thursday until December, when, based on
your comments and my original groupings, we'll come up with our
All-Decade teams for each sport. Check out the links at the bottom of
this post to contribute to all of the conversations so far.
Here's what I've got for girls hoops:
Kristin Haynie, Mason (2001,
Michigan State) -- Averaged 20.2 points, seven rebounds, six assists and 5.3
steals per game as a senior, when she finished runner-up in the Miss Basketball
voting. She led the Spartans to the national final and plays in the WNBA. Few
area players have accomplished so much.
Lindsay Bowen, Dansville (2002, MSU) -- Bowen is one of the few who can equal Haynie. She was also in the backcourt on that MSU national finalist and has played in the WNBA. Averaging 27.7 points per game, she sits third in state history in career points and tied for third in career 3-pointers, while also among career leaders in assists. She was Miss Basketball runner-up as well as a senior.
Patrice McKinney, Everett (2002, MSU and Eastern Michigan) -- By a slight edge, the best of the Vikings teams that won back-to-back Class A state titles in 2000 and 2001. She was a two-time all-stater despite averaging only 13 ppg during those seasons, and could dunk despite standing only 5-foot-8.
Tiffanie Shives, Lansing Christian (2005, MSU and Gonzaga) -- Named the LSJ Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior, when she also was named Miss Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American. She is seventh in state history in career points, first in 3-pointers, second in assists and also among leaders in steals.
Kellie Watson, Ionia (2008, Notre Dame) -- A four-time all-stater and two-time LSJ Player of the Year despite injuries that limited her final two seasons. She never averaged fewer than 17 points per game with a high of 23.8 as a junior, and played every position at 6-2. She scored 1,529 points during her career.
Others in the conversation:
Casey Rost, St. Johns (2001, Western Michigan) -- Averaged 19.7 points per game as a senior, when she was a Miss Basketball candidate and ended up the LSJ Female Athlete of the Year for the entire school year. She has played professionally in Europe.
Sheena Moore, Everett (2002, Nevada-Las Vegas) -- Also an all-stater with McKinney their senior season, she led that 2001 Vikings team in scoring at 15.7 ppg and was a tenacious defender.
Jenny Poff, St. Johns (2005, MSU and Ohio) -- The
two-time LSJ Dream Teamer averaged 19 points per game as a senior when she was
named Miss Basketball runner-up and Class A Player of the Year.
Sami Tucker, East Lansing (2009, Wisconsin-Milwaukee) -- The most consistent standout of East Lansing’s state-contending teams, she made three LSJ Dream Teams and was the Player of the Year as a senior despite having to play in the post when she’ll likely play wing in college. She averaged at least 14 points her final two seasons and at least seven rebounds per game over her final three.
Britni Houghton, Waverly (2006, Central Michigan) -- The LSJ Player of the Year as a senior was a four-year starter and a big part of Waverly's Class A state champion team in 2004. She scored 17.1 and then 20 ppg her final two seasons.
Lauren Aitch, Waverly (2005, MSU) -- The truest center on this list, Aitch also was a four-year starter and the senior leader on the Warriors state-champ team. She was a two-time all-stater and Miss Basketball candidate as a senior. Her best season may have come as a junior when she averaged 19.3 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Andrea Doneth, Lansing Catholic (2006, St. Bonaventure) -- A three-time all-stater, she like Watson played every position, and she led the Cougars to the state semifinals. She scored a career-high 17 points per game as a senior.
Jennifer Smith-Dewey, Okemos (2003, Michigan as a student but had offer from WMU) -- A two-time LSJ Dream Team pick was Player of the Year as a senior when she led the Chieftains to the Class A state final. She averaged a double-double as a junior and 15.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 1.6 blocks as a senior center.
Nicole Piggott, Pewamo-Westphalia (2003, Oakland) The 6-footer was versatile like Watson and Doneth and the LSJ overall Athlete of the Year like Rost. She finished sixth in the Miss Basketball voting as a senior when she averaged 15 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Ta’Shia Walker, Sexton (2004, Michigan) -- Walker was an all-stater and one of the state’s biggest college recuits as a senior when she averaged 18.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
Klarissa Bell, East Lansing (2010) -- A two-time Dream Team selection so far, she should be a Miss Basketball candidate this winter and end up East Lansing’s leading scorer ever. She’ll sign with Michigan State.
Chloe Hamilton, Holt (2006, Butler) -- Hamilton
graduated as a two-time Dream Team selection and Holt’s all-time leading scorer.
She was also named the LSJ overall Athlete of the Year as a senior.
Danielle Bishop, Laingsburg Christian (2003, Toledo) -- Played at a non-MHSAA school, but was obviously a standout making the Class D all-state team and then going on to excel in the Mid-American Conference.
And the coaches: Mid-Michigan has great girls
basketball and great coaches. Right now, my edge goes to Everett’s Johnny Jones,
who built an absolute powerhouse and won the first two Class A state titles of
the decade. Also in the conversation: Lansing Christian’s Norm Randall and Portland St. Patrick’s Al
Schrauben have also had perennial powers. DeWitt’s Bill McCullen, Waverly’s Frank Trotter, East Lansing’s Rob
Smith, Holt's Doug Harkema, Okemos’ Christine Sermak and Mason's Marcy Kinzer are among many other great ones who have won a lot of games this decade.
High school sports editor 
