Saturday Standouts from the Heartland Hoopfest

Earl Austin April 25, 2026 @ 10:11 PM

We were in Mattoon, IL this weekend to take in the action at the Heartland Hoopfest. Here is a look at some of the top standouts from the first day of competition on Saturday.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0902.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1833545" /></figure>   Alayah Nelton (Illinois Valley Warriors 16U); The 5'10 2028 guard was the best player that I watched during the day. She plays a very smooth game and she excels in all facets. She plays the game at her own place as she's never rushed. She's a potent three-level scorer who also makes her teammates better with her passing ability. She'll pass up her good one if a teammate has a better one.     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0809.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1833547" /></figure>   Pailynne Camp (Illinois Havoc 16U NE2K): A 5'10 2028 guard who can impact play at both ends of the court with her length and athleticism. She's a good secondary ball handler who can facilitate offense and also score from all three levels. She could shoot the 3-pointer off the catch and she was excellent in transition.     *******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0869.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1833548" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1447850' first='Lilah' last='Porter'] ([program_tooltip program_id='948123' first='TC' last='Hoops'] 16U): A (‘0 2028 forward from Puxico who had an excellent performance in the game I watched on Saturday. She was attacking the basket well in the first half and putting pressure on the defenders. She also blocked multiple shots as she showed her athleticism. In the second half, she added some good jump shooting.     *****   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0850.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1833552" /></figure>   Noel Nifong (Indiana Prospects): A 2028 guard who has excellent speed and who plays with a tremendous amount of energy. She was fearless when she got downhill as she was going high off the glass for layups. She was very good in the transition game and she made multiple 3-pointers.     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0889.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1833556" /></figure>   Haley Carracci (Illinois Attack 15U): A 5'8 2028 guard who hit four 3-pointers in the game I watched. She was especially good from the corners. She also attacked the close outs for drives and one dribble pull ups. She also used her length and activity to be disruptive with deflections and steals     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0852.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1833557" /></figure>   CeCe Kay ([program_tooltip program_id='712817' first='Southeast' last='Dynasty'] 16U): A 5'8 guard from Ste Genevieve who is a very good all-purpose player. Her ball handling and facilitating was excellent. She could go off script on plays and get teammates open with a simple head nod or making eye contact. She is also a very good cutter off the ball as she reads defenders well.

We were in Mattoon, IL this weekend to take in the action at the Heartland Hoopfest. Here is a look at some of the top standouts from the first day of competition on Saturday.