Easter Hoops Shootout: Younger Standouts
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Last weekend was the first Easter Hoops Shootout, operated by Heartland Girls Hoops Tournaments. It is the same group that brought us the Flight Invitational in year’s past, they are always very hospitable and host nice events, and there were…
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Continue ReadingLast weekend was the first Easter Hoops Shootout, operated by Heartland Girls Hoops Tournaments. It is the same group that brought us the Flight Invitational in year’s past, they are always very hospitable and host nice events, and there were some high-level teams included this year from a variety of grassroots programs. This is the third and final of three articles quickly recapping play from last weekend. I was looking to watch specific teams, so I didn’t see everyone, but below are a handful of 2025, 2026, and 2027 prospects who I felt stood out in the time I was able to see them.
Ayla Krygier
Ayla
Krygier
6'0" | SF
Lake Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025, 5-11 PF/SF, Lake Central H.S.
– Ayla has always been a solid and versatile forward, but in the past year she has really been able to work on developing both her frame and her skillset. She looks noticeably stronger and more powerful, she battles inside with posts, and she often out-rebounds them with sheer hustle and determination. Skillfully, she is shooting and handling it much better around the perimeter, and she is a problem in the mid-post.
Maya Layton, 2026, 5-6 PG, Faith Christian School
– Maya is extremely long and wiry, she is fluid and somewhat smooth, and she is playing against 17U competition without any intimidation whatsoever. She “fits in”, which is great, as she can handle, create, and knock down shots at all levels. As she continues gaining strength, her shooting consistency should continue to rise, and she will be a problem finishing at the basket. Learning situational basketball will be next.
Naja Winston, 2026, 5-10 PF, Crispus Attucks H.S.
– Naja is another impressive athlete in what is shaping up to be a pretty solid 2026 class thus far. She has an athletic frame, she can run and jump, and she plays with a motor. She is more of a rebounder/defender right now, but over the last two months, you can see her confidence growing offensively. She’s attacking the basket more often, making dribble-moves, and even looking to shoot facing the basket.
Lillie Graves, 2027, 5-11 SF/PG, Lafayette (IN)
– I don’t usually incorporate prospects this young, but Lillie played at the 17U level last weekend, and she was at times the best player on the floor. She has extreme length, nice North/South athleticism, plus some ball skill and the ability to finish around the basket or make shots to the 3-point line. She is hard to define by position, because for now she can literally play anywhere on the floor…and she’s still growing.
Amirah Jordan, 2027, 5-4 PG, Louisville (KY)
– This was the second weekend I’ve seen her, and Amirah was again one of the best players at the 15U level. She isn’t very big, but she has tremendous ball skill, a veteran savvy for the game, and she always makes the correct play. Her sense of who is where, from both teams, and her ability to deliver the ball to open teammates is impressive. She’s also a feisty little gnat defensively, who can guard the ball 84-feet.