Grassroots Spring Highlights (17U)
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The featured image is of Kya Hurt Kya Hurt 5'7" | PG Lawrence North | 2025 State IN (2025) of Lawrence North High School and IGB GUAA 17U. I don’t recall ever doing a midseason rundown of highlights during the…
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Kya Hurt
Kya
Hurt
5'7" | PG
Lawrence North | 2025
State
IN
(2025) of Lawrence North High School and
IGB
GUAA 17U.
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 17U Team:
Honestly there were two teams that immediately came to mind, and I’m not sure they have played each other, but if they did, it was likely very early (March) before they had full rosters. With that said, I feel like the
IGB
GUAA team and the Lady Gym Rats EYBL team have stood out from the crowd in 17U. The
IGB
group rosters just three Indiana prospects from the 2025 class, but four from the 2026 class and one from the 2027 class, making their performances each weekend all the more impressive.
Brooklynn Renn
Brooklynn
Renn
6'3" | PF
Silver Creek | 2026
State
IN
(2026) is a potential star for the next level, because with her combination of height and athleticism, there aren’t many things she can’t do. I’ve also been impressed with the backcourt trio of
Kya Hurt
Kya
Hurt
5'7" | PG
Lawrence North | 2025
State
IN
(2025),
Gabby Spink
Gabby
Spink
5'9" | PG
Gibson Southern | 2025
State
IN
(2025), and
Kennedy Holman
Kennedy
Holman
5'8" | PG
Hamilton Southeastern | 2026
State
IN
(2026). Most games, all three of them play well, but when someone is having an “off” game, there are two other highly skilled, able players there ready to run.
The Gym Rats have gotten strong contributions from a couple of Ohio prospects, but the Hoosiers offer plenty of production as well.
Vanessa Wimberly
Vanessa
Wimberly
5'5" | PG
Lake Central | 2025
State
IN
(2025) has been dynamic just about every time out. Whether it’s breaking down a defender, knocking down an open jumper, or pick-pocketing an opponent to create transition, she has been huge for them this season.
Jaylah Lampley
Jaylah
Lampley
6'2" | SF
Lawrence Central | 2025
State
IN
(2025) has always been skilled and talented, but she continues to outwork that ability and show her versatility. She has also shot it very well from outside. Younger sister
Lola Lampley
Lola
Lampley
6'3" | SF
Lawrence Central | 2026
State
IN
(2026) is starting to look more comfortable expanding her game as well, while
Ella Bobe
Ella
Bobe
5'9" | CG
South Knox | 2025
State
IN
(2025) has been a key pickup this year for the Gym Rats as a dangerously effective perimeter shooter with a nice basketball IQ.
.
Surprise 17U Team:
I feel like the
Always 100
Platinum E40 team has entered most seasons with some intrigue and excitement, but they have struggled through their share of injuries and roster changes over the years. This time around, however, the group has played extremely hard each time out, and they are shooting the ball much better as a group. Over the last month,
Kenzie Garner
Kenzie
Garner
6'1" | SF
Sheridan | 2025
State
IN
(2025) has been a big addition, as she adds size and nice shooting touch from anywhere on the floor. Athletic guard
Keadriah Butler
Keadriah
Butler
5'9" | SG
Lawrence North | 2026
State
IN
(2026) gives them an attacking style of guard who has nice size and can score against most defenders.
Jacklynn Hosier
Jacklynn
Hosier
5'8" | CG
Alexandria-Monroe | 2025
State
IN
(2025) has spent more time on the ball this year than last, and I think it has helped her game come full circle, while
Ava Shafer
Ava
Shafer
5'8" | SG
Mooresville | 2025
State
IN
(2025) has really stepped up over the last few weeks and brings energy to the floor. Together, they have already won three games this Spring against Indiana teams with multiple Division-I prospects, but even still, they aren’t void of injury.
Lauren Perry
Lauren
Perry
6'3" | SF
Carmel | 2025
State
IN
(2025) has had her moments knocking down shots outside with range, but she has also struggled with a foot issue, while
Taryn Fisher
Taryn
Fisher
5'7" | PG
Carmel | 2025
State
IN
(2025) and
Mackenzie Woods
Mackenzie
Woods
5'8" | PG
Carmel | 2025
State
IN
(2025) have missed time with ailments as well.
.
Under.The.Radar 17U Team:
If you want a team that is just enjoyable to watch, I recommend checking out the
Indiana’s Best
group. There might not be a collective group of prospects who compete as hard as they do every game, and at both ends of the floor.
Maddy Bruce
Maddy
Bruce
5'7" | CG
Lafayette Central Catholic | 2025
State
IN
(2025) and
Olivia Jones
Olivia
Jones
5'8" | SG
Pendleton Heights | 2026
IN
(2026) are everywhere and will run through walls for their teammates. They rebound well for perimeter players, defend multiple positions, and both are willing passers while also being able to score it a little themselves. 5-10 to 5-11 forwards
Riley Vanaman
Riley
Vanaman
5'11" | PF
Lebanon | 2025
IN
(2025) and
Ella McCarter
Ella
McCarter
5'10" | PF
Rochester | 2025
IN
(2025) give them a pair of nice athletes with length, and both are capable of defending bigger players, pursuing rebounds outside of their area, plus they each have a nice inside-out offensive game. I also think
Lauren Bear
Lauren
Bear
5'8" | SG
Tri-West | 2025
IN
(2025) gives them a “sniper” on the perimeter who can heat up very quickly. She is one of those kids who you absolutely don’t want to challenge to a game of H-O-R-S-E.
.
Most Improved 2025 Prospect:
It took me deciding between about a half dozen ladies for this, but I feel like Indiana Pride Attack’s Madi Allen Madi Allen 5'9" | SG North Decatur | 2025 State IN (2025) has done some things much better this Spring than when I last saw her in the Fall. Throughout her career, she has transformed her game from that of a forward to a wing, now to a true guard. She can score it at all three levels, she’s a nice athlete with some length, and she plays with an outstanding motor. Her versatility and work ethic are going to make a college program very happy.
.
Surprise 2025 Prospect:
Again, there were a few candidates for this title, but 5-5 point guard Olivia Fry Olivia Fry 5'5" | PG Homestead | 2025 State IN (2025) of the OPS-Krebs team stands out the most to me. She has been great all Spring, but there was one game earlier this Spring I often reflect upon. She is a tenacious defender, an energetic and supportive teammate who brings others up with her, but she can also make plays. She is the ideal small college setup point guard who loves to facilitate, but she also has some touch outside to keep defenses honest. She also always seems to play with a ton of heart and a competitive fire.
.
Playing “Up” & Making Noise:
Another tough choice here, so I decided to offer this to a backcourt tandem. The City Elite Supreme NE2K duo of
Addison Penziol
Addison
Penziol
5'4" | PG
Marquette Catholic | 2026
State
IN
(2026) and
Laniah Davis
Laniah
Davis
5'8" | SG
Marquette Catholic | 2026
State
IN
(2026) began the Spring as if they were seasoned veterans and haven’t looked back. Penziol is a strong, left-handed, traditional point guard who sees the floor very well, does a nice job in transition at pushing the ball and knowing when to attack or when to initiate the offense, and she has a nice mid-range game. She is also a fierce defender on the ball and someone who just continues to impress with her understanding of the game. Davis is another strong guard, she has nice all-around size, length, and athleticism, and she is a menace offensively. She is very physical on attack, can get downhill in a hurry, and is a quick jumper and a high jumper who elevates to finish above taller/longer defenders. She actually reminds me a bit in size and scoring ability to 2023 Hobart graduate Asia Donald. Davis can change a game quickly by pouring in the points.
.
Never-Ending Motor:
There were a lot of prospects to consider for this, but in the end, I felt like
Indiana Elite
Thunder’s
Meredith Tippner
Meredith
Tippner
5'10" | SG
Noblesville | 2025
State
IN
(2025) best fit the bill. She has always been talented, skilled, and worked hard, without question. But this Spring she seems to be playing with a more intense sense of urgency, so much so that she is starting to pick up high-major Division-I offers. She has absolutely worked to put herself in a position to earn these opportunities, as she is a tireless contributor, and she works hard at both ends of the floor.