Every Rose Has Its Thorn: 16U Standouts (Part-1)
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During the stretch of July 6 through July 11, many of Indiana’s top prospects and grassroots teams found themselves in Louisville, Kentucky, at some point, participating in either the Run 4 Roses Classic (July 6-8) or the Run 4 Roses…
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Continue ReadingDuring the stretch of July 6 through July 11, many of Indiana’s top prospects and grassroots teams found themselves in Louisville, Kentucky, at some point, participating in either the Run 4 Roses Classic (July 6-8) or the Run 4 Roses Championship (July 9-11), or possibly both tournaments. With more than 150 Indiana grassroots teams in attendance, it was improbable to see everyone for a duration long enough to offer a fair evaluation, so I focused more so on the teams I was less familiar with. Below is a look at six young ladies who participated in one of the 16U divisions and stood out because they either (a) made a good first impression, or (b) they played better than expected.
Danica Barnes, 2025, 5-6 G, Elkhart H.S.,
Always 100
Showtime 16U
– As soon as Danica got into the game I was watching, she stood out immediately. She is a blur of an athlete, as she changes ends of the floor in just a couple of seconds. She has great quickness, some bounce, plus she’s built extremely long. I don’t know that she did one thing better than the next, but as soon as she got in, the game changed, and she made multiple plays in her time on the floor. She scored at the rim, found open teammates, and she created havoc defensively, both on and off the ball.
Libby Green, 2025, 5-8 G, Penn H.S.,
Always 100
Dream 16U
– This
Always 100
Dream team has several girls with potential, if this or that happens for them. Libby is no exception, and I was drawn to her length, her fluid athleticism, and her ability to produce in a variety of ways. She was okay handling the ball at times, but I really liked her on the wing. She was able to find rhythm and knock down an open jumper, but she also looked to attack the basket, and she grabbed a couple of offensive rebounds. I also like her defensive versatility.
Vanessa Wimberly
Vanessa
Wimberly
5'5" | PG
Lake Central | 2025
State
IN
, 2025, 5-5 PG, Lake Central H.S.,
Always 100
Takeover E40 16U
– I have seen Vanessa several times over the past couple of years, but she looks so much stronger and is playing with greater physicality now. She often attacked the basket and finished around the rim through contact. She still has good speed and quickness, and she possesses the ability to change directions in traffic. She is a set-up person first and foremost, but her ability to burn opposing defenders/defenses and score it when open really puts them in a bind.
Lydia Wright
Lydia
Wright
5'7" | SG
Silver Creek | 2025
IN
, 2025, 5-7 G/W, Silver Creek H.S.,
Indiana Elite
Drive S40 16U
– Lydia is on a team loaded with good guard play and talented shooters, but I feel like over the past few months, her game has grown as much as anyone’s on the roster. She has really worked on her handle and taking care of the basketball, and she just looks more comfortable and athletic as a scorer at all levels. She has always played with a quiet toughness and a strong motor, and that remains, but her confidence now at the offensive end of the floor is evident and helps her be more productive.
Joslyn Bricker
Joslyn
Bricker
5'8" | PG
Warsaw | 2026
State
IN
, 2026, 5-8 G, Warsaw Community H.S., OPS Black E40 16U
– Joslyn had a standout year as a Freshman for the Lady Tigers, and she has carried that strong play over to the Spring. She is extremely long, fluidly athletic, and she plays with a veteran’s crafty approach. She can handle the ball and initiate the offense at times, but she will need to be a little more dynamic changing directions against pressure. She is an accurate perimeter shooter with a quick release, plus she is a willing defender. Strength will be the biggest necessity over the next few months, but she has tremendous upside.
Kayla Stidham
Kayla
Stidham
6'0" | SF
Hamilton Southeastern | 2026
State
IN
, 2026, 6-0 F, Hamilton Southeastern H.S.,
IGB
‘ last=”] GUAA 16U
– Kayla has always shown great touch shooting the basketball, whether it be in the mid-range or around the perimeter. But what has really stood out to me about her over the past couple of months is, she looks as though she has made herself stronger, leaner, and more explosive. She is starting to attack the basket much more consistently/productively, and she is becoming a true multilevel scoring threat. That’s a huge step in her development, so if she can add that urgency defensively, watch out.