Some Standout 15U Forwards of Note at the Heartland Hoopfest

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were plenty of talented young players on hand at this weekend's Prep Hoops Heartland Hoopfest in Mattoon, IL. Here is a look at some of the top forwards in the 15U Division that caught our eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1834033,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0948.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1834033"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fallon Alsberry (Angels Basketball): A 5'10" forward from Homewood Floosmoor (IL) who impressed me with her overall athleticism and quickness around the basket. She had a quick first step, which she used to drive around taller defenders. She was also gobbling up offensive rebounds with her quick second jump. She was in the air before other players were thinking about getting off the floor. She can also put the ball on the floor and pull up for the jumper from the mid-range area. She looks to have a lot of upside for future development as a player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1834035,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0888.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1834035"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryann Huber (Illinois Valley Warriors): A 6'0" forward from Dunlap (IL) who is an excellent low post player with good fundamentals. She uses her height and strength to get very good seals inside and she catches the ball well and finishes with a soft touch. She keeps the ball high and she has good footwork in the paint. She was also running the court well to score on rim runs. She is also a good passer out of the low post to open shooters if she sees a double team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1834037,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0910.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1834037"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kinley Wainman (Blackheart): A 5'9" forward from Evansville (IN) who was the most impressive shot blocker that I watched during the weekend. She wasn't the tallest player, but she was able to get to shots with her good length and great since of timing. She would go up with two hands and get to the ball while the shooting was bringing it up. And she did it without fouling. She also had some quick reactions to block a few jumpers on the perimeter. She was solid on offense as well as she hit a nice jump hook in the lane and stepped out and hit a 3-pointer off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1834038,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0890.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1834038"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brenna Lamberti (Illinois Attack): A 5'8" forward from Oswego East (IL) who really played a tough game inside on a team that doesn't have a lot of size. She is one of the taller players and she did a great job of rebounding and playing taller players to a standstill with her effort. She made good use of the jab step on offense to set up a drive to the basket or raise up and shoot a jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1834039,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0874.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1834039"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1277060' first='Mary Katherine' last='Ulrich'] (Illinois Valley Warriors): A 6'0" forward who was very effective in the low post. She was tough to move when she established her position. She gave a good target to pass the ball to and she was able to score with a nice drop step. She also had a very good spin move inside as she showed some good footwork. She is a very good screener and she was able to catch it and score on the roll down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1834040,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0950.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1834040"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Laila McFerren (Angels Basketball): A 5'11" forward from Homewood Floosmoor (IL) who plays a very solid game around the basket. She's physically strong and she did a good job of rebounding in traffic. She also made some tough catches in the paint and powered up to score. She also had a good defensive presence as she could block shots or wall up and alter other shots with her length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1834041,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/IMG_0905.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1834041"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miracle Wright (Illinois Valley Warriors): A 5'8" forward from Illinois who was a terrific offensive rebounder. She was giving away height to everyone she played with, but she tremendous on the boards with her athleticism and extra effort that she played with. She was also getting out of her area to rebound. She was constantly getting extra possessions for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->