Grassroots Spring Highlights (15U)

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='881449' first='Kierstyn' last='Earnhart'] (2027) of Brownsburg High School and [program_tooltip program_id='1002317' first='Indiana' last='Showcase Red'] 15U.   I don't recall ever doing a midseason rundown of highlights during the grassroots season, but I felt like there were quite a few observations worth noting this year. As usual, I am not able to see every single game of every team at every tournament, but I feel like I was able to see most teams multiple times, and on different weekends. These observations come from what I was able to see when I saw these prospects/teams play. Additionally, for the team awards, rosters must consist of at least five Indiana prospects to be eligible, and even though there are some strong non-Indiana prospects on Indiana teams, any individual awards are solely for Indiana prospects.   .   Top 15U Team:   Like in the 16U article, this was a tough call. At the end of the day, though, I felt like the West Virginia Thunder GUAA team had a slight advantage. They have a nice mixture of Freshmen and middle schoolers, but as far as their 2027 backcourt members go, [player_tooltip player_id='716615' first='Elliot' last='Leffler'] (2027) has had one of the best Springs. She is very skillful, she plays with a high basketball IQ, and she has a nice jump-shot with some range outside. She put together a solid rookie season for Roncalli in 2023-2024. [player_tooltip player_id='751044' first='Brooklyn' last='Roberts'] (2027) brings athletic talent and a nice motor to the backcourt, while [player_tooltip player_id='751086' first='Kaylie' last='Harmon'] (2027) is kind of a power point guard. She really understands the game well and has nice skill, plus she loves physicality. Guard Maddie Wallace (2028) of Carmel, plus guards [player_tooltip player_id='1263952' first='Savayah' last='Mitchell'] (2029) and [player_tooltip player_id='1263933' first='Gabby' last='Bellamy'] (2029) of Pike Township, bring a youthful exuberance to the lineup. Wallace is a very good shooter and ball-handler, while Mitchell has already drawn some national attention for her dynamic all-around play as a youngster. Up front, the team relies on the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='644053' first='Miley' last='Sherrill'] (2027), [player_tooltip player_id='751055' first='Ellie' last='Oliver'] (2027), and Loren Macy (2027). Sherrill is a power wing who can play skillfully like a guard or physically like a forward in the mid-post. Oliver is a nice-sized forward with the touch and game of a face-up '4'. Macy is from Kentucky and the younger sister of recent Notre Dame commit Leah Macy (2025).   .   Surprise 15U Team:   After watching them again a couple of times in Louisville two weeks ago, I feel like the [program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='IGB' last='']-Stillabower UA Rise team has the components to compete with most/all Indiana teams in the age group. 5-10 wing [player_tooltip player_id='751062' first='Grace' last='Fischer'] (2027) of Waldron probably has as high of upside as anyone on that team. She is extremely long, fluid, and she has nice perimeter skill, plus a soft touch. I also felt like 5-9 forward [player_tooltip player_id='751082' first='Kara' last='Olejnik'] (2027) of Plainfield played well. She has a strong, athletic, but physical frame, she plays with a nice motor, and she can battle in the mid-post or even around the block, plus she's comfortable around the perimeter. The Franklin Community High School duo of [player_tooltip player_id='890881' first='Addisyn' last='King'] (2027) and [player_tooltip player_id='751071' first='Izzy' last='Stillabower'] (2027) also brings a lot to the table for this squad. King has nice size and strength, plus she's another skillful inside-out forward who can play in the mid-post or around the perimeter a little. Stillabower is a very good perimeter shooter with speed and quickness, and she can slide over to handle the ball and run offense if needed. All in all, this group has nice balance, skill, and talent.   .   Under.The.Radar 15U Team:   I'm not sure too many people are aware of the [program_tooltip program_id='712566' first='Indiana' last='Elite'] Force S40 team, and it's likely because they are from Northwest Indiana. Their best individual talent might very well be point guard [player_tooltip player_id='999415' first='Ava' last='Richie'] (2028) of Crown Point. She has speed and quickness, great length, ball skill, touch, and a competitive fire. Better yet, at about 5-5, she is likely still growing, and she could end up in the 5-8 to 5-10 range one day. Future high school teammate [player_tooltip player_id='756234' first='Ivy' last='Henderson'] (2027) is developing into quite the matchup problem because of her size. She has a broad frame, nice length, and the physicality to cause a lot of people problems at the rim. I've also been impressed with what I've seen out of [player_tooltip player_id='834968' first='Kailey' last='Skurka'] (2027). The Lake Central forward is all motor, plus she plays with a quiet toughness. She has always been an effective rebounder and defender, but now she's starting to stretch her offensive game to the perimeter more. You might also keep an eye on 5-7 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='989342' first='Novea' last='Brandon'] (2027) of Chesterton. She is another long, fluid, and fairly smooth ball-handler, plus she possesses some touch outside. She likes to shoot/score it, but she can also facilitate and run offense when needed.   .   Most Improved 2027 Prospect:   Maybe it's recency bias, but I was really impressed with what I saw out of [player_tooltip player_id='751077' first='Jazlyn' last='Miller'] (2027) earlier this month. She is extremely long and wiry, fluidly athletic, and she plays hard. She has great touch from the perimeter, and she shot it very well that weekend. I think I was most impressed with the fact that despite still needing a lot of strength, she looked so confident and aggressive, and she was constantly on attack offensively. Additionally, she used her length well to help cause turnovers defensively. As she finishes growing and gains more strength, her game should only continue becoming more efficient/more consistent.   .   Surprise 2027 Prospect:   For much of the Spring, 5-6 guard [player_tooltip player_id='881449' first='Kierstyn' last='Earnhart'] (2027) of Brownsburg has been impressive. She has shown the ability to put up points in a hurry. She can knock down shots at all levels or get to the basket and use the free throw line. Additionally, she has a solid handle and can run/initiate offense. She could be a little more dynamic and tighter with it in traffic, but that's all part of the growing process. She's also a solid all-around athlete and can affect the game at the defensive end of the floor. The Lady Bulldogs graduated three guards and are going through a coaching change, so there could be an opportunity for her at the Varsity level this coming year.   .   Playing "Up" & Making Noise:   She might be diminutive in stature, but 5-1 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='893247' first='Se'Rae' last='Bundrent-Palmer'] (2028) of Jeffersonville always seems to make a huge impact. She is extremely fast in transition and can change ends of the floor with the ball in her hands quickly. She is equally great attacking the basket and getting to the rim. In the half-court, she is quick and shifty, and she can dart through gaps without anyone stopping her. Defensively, she is an absolute pest on the ball, and at her size, she has the ability to get "underneath" opposing ball-handlers and make them really work to take care of the basketball. She is also someone who will outplay her size, so I expect for her to have a highly productive high school career.   .   Never-Ending Motor:   When you can watch a player for five minutes in any given game and know you're going to see great effort, I think it's clear they have a great motor. Zionsville guard [player_tooltip player_id='579969' first='McKenzie' last='Chapman'] (2027) is one of those kids, and she has quickly earned that reputation. She had a great mentor this past season in one of our other favorite high-motor players, Emma Haan (2024). McKenzie is one of the most competitive kids in this class, she does a lot of the "little things", but she is also skilled and talented as a basketball player. I would expect to see her step into a leadership role for her high school team in 2024-2025, despite just being a Sophomore.

The featured image is of Kierstyn Earnhart Kierstyn Earnhart 5'6" | CG Brownsburg | 2027 IN (2027) of Brownsburg High School and Indiana Showcase Red 15U.