Grassroots Spring Highlights (16U)

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='834925' first='Kylah' last='Patterson'] (2026) of Hammond's Oliver P. Morton High School and Lady Gym Rats EYBL 16U.   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 16U Team:   This was one of the toughest calls I've had to make so far. I feel like there are a few teams in this age group who have played at a higher level than others this Spring. But, when it comes down to it, I didn't want to take the easy way out and give a multi-way tie or anything like that. So, with that said, I feel like with their complete body of work, the [program_tooltip program_id='716173' first='Always' last='100'] Elite 3SSB group in 16U has a slight edge over the field right now. Not only have they run through nearly all of their competition this Spring, but they have done so without probable starter [player_tooltip player_id='419439' first='Lillian' last='Barnes'] (2026) and athletic point guard [player_tooltip player_id='486538' first='Trinity' last='Wilburn'] (2026), both injured. Both [player_tooltip player_id='492319' first='Myah' last='Epps'] (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='414465' first='Gabby' last='Helsom'] (2026) have stepped up in a big way. Epps is an athletic, skillful, and heady combo guard who has racked up quite a bit of high-major Division-I interest. Helsom is just starting to scratch the surface in terms of her recruiting, and her ability to shoot it outside and be physical on the wing and in the mid-post have earned her a lot of Spring attention from mid-major and "mid-plus" Division-I programs. Both [player_tooltip player_id='486509' first='Maya' last='Layton'] (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='486542' first='Alonna' last='Divine'] (2026) are talented point/combo guards who can fill it up or create offense for others, while [player_tooltip player_id='486559' first='Maryrose' last='Felling'] (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='486500' first='Elise' last='Coleman'] (2026) are dangerous shooters who can draw the attention of an opposing defense quickly. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='486537' first='Naja' last='Winston'] (2026) and impressive 6-0 post [player_tooltip player_id='1263971' first='McKenzie' last='White'] (2029) offer a presence in the frontcourt. 5-7 wing Karsyn Erford (2026) is a nice new addition this season from The Buckeye State.   I would still like to give a nod to the West Virginia Thunder GUAA team, the [program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='IGB' last=''] GUAA team, and the [program_tooltip program_id='712566' first='Indiana' last='Elite'] Prime 3SSB team for their starts to the grassroots season. WVT has gotten strong Springs from [player_tooltip player_id='486519' first='Katie' last='Reed'] (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='486508' first='Mollie' last='Ernstes'] (2026), while also mixing in a couple of talented 2027s. They have good size, skill, and all-around talent. [program_tooltip program_id='712550' first='IGB' last=''] has leaned on the younger inside duo of [player_tooltip player_id='756247' first='Paige' last='Schnaus'] (2027) and [player_tooltip player_id='751115' first='Payton' last='DuVall'] (2027). Those twin towers, along with strong guard play from a mostly 2026 backcourt have keyed several nice wins. [program_tooltip program_id='712566' first='Indiana' last='Elite'] blended together a brand-new group this year, but they have started to find their stride and have seen girls like [player_tooltip player_id='492324' first='Madalynn' last='Shirley'] (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='750718' first='Adah' last='Hupfer'] (2027) really step up in the frontcourt. They, too, have an effortful backcourt which always competes.   .   Surprise 16U Team:   I started to think about a specific team for this, then another team from their same program popped into my head. So, I would like to mention both the OPS-Ankenbruck and the OPS-Jordan teams in this spot. You could even argue one or both in that group above, as they have competed regularly with a couple of those teams. The Ankenbruck squad has made their way with just seven rostered Sophomores all season, and they utilize great perimeter play to separate from their opponents. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='567134' first='Joslyn' last='Bricker'] (2026) has developed into a really nice college prospect with her fluidity/smoothness, her ability to bury shots, and her overall IQ and feel for the game. [player_tooltip player_id='486540' first='Whitney' last='Ankenbruck'] (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='486514' first='Anisa' last='Tonkel'] (2026) are two of the toughest, hardest-working perimeter players you will find in this class. They are always on attack at both ends of the floor, and they will flash really nice skill as well. I also feel like wing [player_tooltip player_id='624876' first='Camryn' last='Conley'] (2026) has been great this season. She brings tremendous length and skillful versatility to the team. She can defend three positions, and she is effective most places offensively.   The Jordan team is constructed in a more traditional way, with true post play, forwards, wings, and guards. Post [player_tooltip player_id='624885' first='Miley' last='Wareing'] (2026) has continued her standout 2023-2024 high school season this Spring. She is extremely physical and aggressive inside, but she has good hands and footwork as well. I really think [player_tooltip player_id='486518' first='Swynn' last='Jackson'] (2026) has the chance to be a special talent. She is such a long lefty, with a really nice balance to her game. She can score it at all three levels, she can facilitate, and she can defend. Greensburg Pirate [player_tooltip player_id='479613' first='Alyson' last='Powers'] (2026) is another long, fast, and athletic wing prospect, but she is also kind of their energy and toughness standout. She does a really nice job of feeling out a game, and when she needs to "ratchet it up", she does so accordingly. I have also really been impressed with the development of [player_tooltip player_id='761179' first='Carley' last='Moellering']'s (2026) game. She was about 5-7 when I first saw her in the Fall, she's every bit of 5-9 now, and she is just a smooth, skillful, high IQ point guard with a really nice jump-shot.   .   Under.The.Radar 16U Team:   There were a couple of different directions I could have gone with this, but in the end, I chose the Legacy Force Supreme Pink group because of their virtual anonymity and newness to the circuit. This is a Lafayette-based group with some really nice basketball players, but I don't feel like I've heard much about them in casual conversation. They should be a "must-see" by some of the Midwest's elite small college programs this Summer. Each time I've watched them, [player_tooltip player_id='553262' first='Chloe' last='Finney'] (2026) has stood out to me almost immediately. She is a skillful wing with a pretty jump-shot, but she has gotten noticeably stronger, more aggressive offensively, and she's a solid all-around athlete. A new name for me this Spring is 5-10 forward [player_tooltip player_id='928900' first='Ava' last='Burkle'] (2026) from Rossville. She is extremely long, wiry-strong, but bouncy, active, and willing to be physical inside. She also flashes really nice mid-post skill. [player_tooltip player_id='486526' first='Marley' last='Dale'] (2026) teams with Finney at McCutcheon and is a 5-10 forward herself. She likes the mid-post offensively, but she is a physical contributor inside at the defensive end. And [player_tooltip player_id='626869' first='Braelyn' last='Williams'] (2026) is kind of the best of both worlds, as she has the frame and strength to play physical inside at both ends, while also possessing some athleticism and touch around the perimeter offensively.   .   Most Improved 2026 Prospect:   I feel like there are two ladies who specifically stand out when I think about this topic, both polar opposites, and both from the suburbs on the complete opposite side of Indianapolis. The first is [player_tooltip player_id='884487' first='Aniyah' last='Anthony'] (2026), a 5-6 point guard from Tri-West. The other is [player_tooltip player_id='928927' first='Allyson' last='White'] (2026), a 6-2 post from New Palestine. Anthony is a really nice athlete, but over the past year she has done a nice job of improving her skillset and control. I felt like she was more of a scorer/combo guard last year, but her decision-making and overall understanding of the game continue to improve. She averaged 4.0 turnovers per game as a Freshman but just 1.8 as a Sophomore, and she increased her assists per game as well. I think she can make another jump as both a scorer and facilitator this coming year. White's growth is exactly that...physical growth. She is extremely long, tall, wiry, and fluidly athletic/bouncy. As she continues to gain strength and finishes growing, she will continue to improve and be more impactful/efficient. However, she has shown some really nice flashes so far this Spring, and she could make a much bigger impact for the Lady Dragons in 2024-2025. She did manage to see the floor in 14 games this past Winter, averaging 1.2 rebounds per game.   .   Surprise 2026 Prospect:   I picked up the name [player_tooltip player_id='832703' first='Mylee' last='McQueary'] (2026) during the 2023-2024 season, but I had yet to see her in-person until this Spring. The Madison Lady Cub had a nice year, averaging 9.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as a 6-0 Sophomore forward, plus she knocked down 20 3-pointers at a 42% clip, as well as 74% of her free throws. When I finally saw her for the first time in April, she was very intriguing. She has a fairly long frame, an athletic build, and she moves around the floor comfortably. She can post inside a little and use her height/length to her advantage, but she almost looks more comfortable facing the basket, whether that be in the mid-post or around the perimeter. She has nice touch, as evidenced by her percentages above, and she's trying to put it on the floor quite a bit. She has a solid North/South attacking game, but she will need to play a little lower in traffic and learn to change directions in tighter windows. Still, at 6-feet, she has the potential to be a really nice college prospect, and I am anticipating statistically she'll have a much-improved Junior season for the Lady Cubs.   .   Playing "Up" & Making Noise:   There are a number of 2027s (and 2028s, and 2029s) playing "up" in 16U, but there are two that come to mind almost immediately when I think of this category. The first is [player_tooltip player_id='610126' first='Rylee' last='Canaan'] (2027), and she was present the last couple of grassroots seasons playing on older teams. The second is [player_tooltip player_id='834925' first='Kylah' last='Patterson'] (2027), and not many people statewide are as familiar with her, as she didn't play for a mainstream grassroots program last Summer, and she has only been to a handful of games so far this Spring. Canaan is a 6-1 forward who does a little of everything. I've mostly been impressed with her motor and sense of urgency this Spring, and her willingness to fulfill whatever role is needed. She has length, some strength, and she's a solid athlete. She's skilled in the mid-post and around the block, and she can play a face-up role around the perimeter as well. Patterson is, for lack of a better description, a chaotic ball of energy who just makes things happen. She is a powerful and rugged 5-11 forward who plays with a nonstop motor. Imagine a healthier, more athletic version of Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun. "K.P" can bully-ball you inside, out-rebound most players, and dominate at the basket. She can also bring the ball up the floor in transition, get to the rim, or find open teammates. You don't know what to expect out of Patterson each possession, but sometimes she makes that "wow" play where you do a double-take. She always has triple-double potential when she takes the floor.   .   Never-Ending Motor:   I've talked about a number of prospects this Spring because of their motors, but I wanted to go off the beaten path a little bit here. I feel like each time I see the name [player_tooltip player_id='624005' first='Akya' last='Koenig'] (2026), the first thing that comes to mind is her energy and effort. She seems like a great teammate, always engaged, talking, cheering, whatever, whether she's in the game or sitting on the bench. She plays with a great motor, is willing to do a lot of the "little things" other girls just won't, but she also has a solid all-around skillset and can play in the mid-post or around the perimeter comfortably. The 5-9 forward is in a deep and talented program at Fishers, but I feel like she might be able to contribute this coming season because of her work ethic and willingness to run through walls for her team and teammates.

The featured image is of Kylah Patterson Kylah Patterson 6'0" | SF Example Academy | 2027 State IN (2026) of Hammond's Oliver P. Morton High School and Lady Gym Rats EYBL 16U.