Roses Are Red: 15U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='486489' first='Jordynn' last='Johnson'] (2026) of Elkhart High School and [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100']-Wright Black 15U.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 (<em>July 6-8</em>) or the Run 4 Roses Championship (<em>July 9-11</em>), 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 five young ladies who participated in one of the 15U divisions and stood out because they either (a) made a good first impression, or (b) they played better than expected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='665452' first='Grace' last='Goldman'], 2026, 5-8 W, North Harrison H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='715779' first='Southern' last='Indiana Gold'] 15U</strong><br>- This was my first time seeing Grace in action, and I felt like she was solid/steady throughout the game I was able to see. She has an athletically strong frame, she moves well in most directions, and she plays with a nice toughness and a motor. I felt like she could play a variety of roles, whether that be acting as a point forward in transition, or scoring the ball as a more traditional wing. I definitely want to see more of her soon, but she certainly popped up on my radar last weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486489' first='Jordynn' last='Johnson'], 2026, 5-2 PG, Elkhart H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100']-Wright Black 15U</strong><br>- I have seen Jordynn a few times over the past 12-18 months, but this was as under control and poised as I've seen her. She looked a little taller, she was still aggressive and athletic, but she picked her spots better and controlled tempo. She has a solid to strong frame already, she is quick, fast, and somewhat shifty, plus she can score it at all three levels or distribute to open teammates. She also has the talent to become an elite on-ball defender. If her perimeter jumper becomes consistent, watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='761180' first='Hunter' last='Mote'], 2026, 5-5 PG, Shawe Memorial H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='IGB' last='']-Dues UA Rise 15U</strong><br>- I had heard rumblings this Spring about Hunter, and she was every bit of that and more in my first time watching her. She has really nice length, she's quick/fast and shifty, and she is an absolute playmaker off the bounce. She plays with her head up looking for open teammates, but she can also get downhill, change directions in traffic, and finish around the basket. She seemed to have a veteran's demeanor running the offense, plus she was crafty and effective defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKenzie Chapman, 2027, 5-8 G, Zionsville Community H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='712566' first='Indiana' last='Elite'] Platinum 3SSB 15U</strong><br>- McKenzie is a really nice guard in the rising Freshman class. She saw some action with Zionsville's Varsity group during the June scholastic "live" period, and I'd anticipate her earning some rotation minutes this Winter. With this specific grassroots team, she is one of their better guards, and she plays with an outstanding motor. She is strong for her age, quietly tough-nosed, but she's also skilled and can handle it a little, knock down open shots, and she will defend with effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Claire Larrison, 2027, 5-10 W, Waldron H.S., [program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='IGB' last=''] GUAA 15U</strong><br>- I was really impressed with Claire's potential in my first time watching her. She has a long, lean frame, fluid athleticism, and she looks like she might grow another inch or two in the next year. She has ball skill and can take on a point forward role, she can knock down an open jumper, and she can attack the basket and finish inside. I think she has a lot of recruiting "measurables" that college coaches will really like, so if she continues to get stronger and build her skill, she could be a nice recruit long-term.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->