THE GIRLS OF SUMMER: Salem hoops team jelling in off-season
Members of the Salem girls basketball program are pictured during a break in the action at Northwood University earlier this summer.
One of the youngest MHSAA Division 1 girls basketball teams in southeast Michigan during the 2024-25 season, Salem gave opponents fits with its beyond-its-years maturity, hustle and skill level.
The Rocks’ ascension toward prominence has only grown more rapidly this summer, during which Head Coach Rod Wells’ band of sisters completed a 24-2 record.
Among the most eye-catching victories came against Ann Arbor Skyline, Livonia Stevenson, Temperance Bedford, Farmington Hills Mercy, Lake Orion, Rochester and Ludington.
“Our defense has been phenomenal and we’re sharing the ball on offense,” said Wells, who guided the Rocks to the Division 1 semifinals in 2023.
‘Big Three’ keep getting better
“Of the girls who have played this summer, just one is a senior (Elissa Antoun). Our big three have been sophomores Stella Stotz and Lainey Claramunt, and junior Julia Steinhebel. The progress they’re all making has been fantastic.”
Stotz looks destined to take over Salem’s point-guard duties following a break-out freshman year in 2024-25. She also emerged as a key player for Salem’s girls soccer team this past spring.
“What I like about Stella is she gets everyone involved in the offense, and she still manages to get her points,” said Wells. “It’s always nice to have a 5-foot-10 sophomore point guard with her poise and all-around skills. She led us in rebounds last year as a freshman.”
Steinhebel is a leader on the court and off, Wells noted.
Long-range bomber
“Julia shoots the ball really well – she’s been bombing in threes this summer — and she makes sure all the girls are in the right places on the court. She a glue player, for sure.”
Claramunt has proven her spectacular freshman season on varsity was no fluke as she has piled up at least four 20-points-plus games this off-season.
“Lainey is a wing who can shoot, handle the ball and rebound,” Wells explained. “She’s really worked on her outside shot and it shows.”
Among the other young contributors this summer have been incoming freshmen Charley Kus, Natalie Lawler, Natalie Johns and Haley Steckel.
Who needs seniors?
“We went 6-1 at the Northwood University tournament and we didn’t have any seniors playing,” Wells marveled.
“Adding these talented incoming freshmen to the mix has been refreshing and great for our team’s depth.”
Although the Rocks’ winning trajectory is on the climb, they will still face some daunting hurdle next season when it comes to earning hardware.
Plenty of obstacles to overcome
Fellow KLAA West Division foe Howell added 6-foot-6 Michigan State University commit Lily Williams, who played on a home-school team prior to this upcoming season, her last with high school eligibility.
Wells said having defending state champion Belleville in its district will be a tough task.
“Nobody did us any favors this off-season,” Wells said, chuckling. “But the group of girls we have this year will not be intimidated by anybody, that’s for sure.”
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
