Grassroots Spotlight: Kingdom Hoops 16U

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been roughly a month since grassroots play commenced in 2025. Not only are we now well into the 2025 club campaign, but we have also arrived at the initial live period of travel play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa is a state that has received a growing amount of attention over the last several years. This, of course, has a domino effect where the whole of the state's girls basketball scene – including AAU organizations such as [program_tooltip program_id='712595' first='Kingdom' last='Hoops'] – have more eyes on it than previously.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The organization had four teams in nearby Wisconsin for the live period as it took part in the Windy City Classic. This included its 16U Bluestar team. Without further ado, here is a look at its 16U roster.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='993993' first='Anna' last='Latham']</strong> – We put a spotlight on Latham recently in our 2027 New Additions piece. She is listed at 5-foot-6 and was part of a Mason City team that concluded last season with a record of 17-8. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alivia Brown</strong> – Brown played up in class last season for [program_tooltip program_id='712595' first='Kingdom' last='Hoops']' 16U team and has returned this season for one more go-round with the same team. Her Northwest team concluded last season with a record of 17-4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":766502,"width":"560px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/Avery-Banks.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-766502" style="width:560px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833952' first='Avery' last='Banks']</strong> – Another who was part of that 16U team from last season and is returning. She stands at 5-foot-5 and primarily operates at the one in the backcourt. Banks gives a presence to Van Meter on this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maci Olson</strong> – The 5-foot-4 sophomore guard has competed in a variety of sports throughout her career. When hoops is not taking up the main share of her athletic plate, it has been taken up by volleyball as well as softball over the years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='863285' first='Makenna' last='Olson']</strong> – Another from the Winterset program – and another who also plays softball alongside what she gets done on the basketball court. Olson can be very accurate with her 3-point shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":766500,"width":"573px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/Rylie-Fugate.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-766500" style="width:573px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='766457' first='Rylie' last='Fugate']</strong> – Fugate played a key role on a Martensdale-St. Mary's team that concluded the 2024-25 campaign with a 17-5 record. The 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and three steals she averaged were key in a successful season for the Blue Devils.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1190090' first='Natalie' last='Smith']</strong> – Winterset is well-represented on this season's travel team and here is another example of said representation. She adds to [program_tooltip program_id='712595' first='Kingdom' last='Hoops'] 16U's backcourt depth as a 5-foot-8 guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jenna Halbrook</strong> – Halbrook is the lone representative from Ankeny on this year's [program_tooltip program_id='712595' first='Kingdom' last='Hoops'] 16U roster. At 5-foot-9, she can provide a team worthwhile minutes at either the three or the four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Macy Hyer </strong>– Hyer is the other of the two representatives from Van Meter on this year's [program_tooltip program_id='712595' first='Kingdom' last='Hoops'] 16U roster. She is a talented two guard that can give opponents problems with her proficient accuracy from deep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Schedule</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Apr. 5-6 – Spring Tune-Up – Des Moines, IA</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Apr. 12-13 – Clash on the Courts – Waukee, IA</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Apr. 25-27 – Windy City Classic – Milwaukee, WI</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>May. 3-4 – Queens of the Court – Des Moines, IA</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>May. 9-11 – KC Classic – Kansas City, MO</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>May. 16-18 – Battle of the Best – Des Moines, IA</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>May. 31 – Jun. 1 – June 1 G.O.A.T. – Des Moines, IA</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Jun. 20-22 – Summer Jam – Minneapolis, MN</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Jul. 11-14 – March to Dayton – Dayton, OH</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Jul. 18-21 – Tournament of Champions – Chicago, IL</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->