Team Intros: Indiana Flight 16U & 15U
Over the last couple of seasons, the Indiana Flight program has scaled back a bit on the number of teams they have throughout their program, but they remain one of the biggest programs in the state with regards to the…
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Continue ReadingOver the last couple of seasons, the Indiana Flight program has scaled back a bit on the number of teams they have throughout their program, but they remain one of the biggest programs in the state with regards to the total quantity of teams they roll out each season. With them trimming back a little, it has helped each team be more competitive, and there are some really nice teams and individuals in the younger age groups.
Indiana Flight UAA 16U: This group coached by Richard Wright is the 16U Flight team designated to participate in the Under Armour Association, and they have several really nice prospects spread throughout their roster. Katie Burton (2021) of Fishers has probably drawn the most attention to date, and the high-scoring guard continues to put up numbers and draw Division-I offers & interest. Hanna Knoll (2021) of Angola has been a really hot name lately, and following the first “live” weekend in April, she picked up multiple Division-I offers of her own. She is a long, fluid, and versatile combo guard who really knows how to play. Lilliann Frasure (2021) of North Judson-San Pierre is another really nice threat around the perimeter, and she’s one of the most versatile kids in the state. She is a strong wing who can score at all levels, she plays with a great motor, and she’s tough. Taylor Singer (2022) of Gibson Southern is new to the team this year, but at 6-3 she stands out to college coaches. She has a great frame, runs the floor well, and has really good length. Forward Destiny Jackson (2021) of Fort Wayne Northrop and post Amber Austin (2021) of Homestead come from Northeast Indiana and provide a nice athletic presence. Jackson is a long and somewhat bouncy energy-giver who can make plays at all levels while Austin is a strong, physical post with good length and the ability to score it consistently around the basket. And Katie Wright (2021) of Zionsville, Ava Gardner (2021) of Frankton, and Alivia Terry (2021) of North Central add quality depth to this team. Wright is a really nice wing forward who is skilled in the mid-post and around the perimeter, Gardner is a fairly athletic combo guard who can hit shots outside or handle point guard duties at times, and Terry is a tough-nosed and physical forward who is really good in the mid-post, but she can shoot it too and is developing a nice perimeter skillset. This group is sure to draw a variety of interest, from Division-I schools and small colleges.
Indiana Flight Grey (South) 16U: Coach Dexter Wilson always has very competitive, intelligent, and skillful teams that tend to dissect opponents from beginning to end. This year is no different, and this South group is incredibly fun to watch, though there are only seven team members and they often play with only five girls. Karly Sweeney (2021) of Salem has quickly become one of my favorite players to watch. She is a strong wing guard, she’s tough-nosed, and she plays with one of the best motors I’ve seen. She can handle it some, hit shots outside, and she rebounds her position well. Gracie Adams (2021) of Lanesville has really made a name for herself in Southern Indiana, and the wing forward is long, fairly athletic and skilled at all three levels. She’s probably best at times in the mid-post, but she can handle it and knock down perimeter jumpers as well. Jaclyn Emly (2021) of Silver Creek has some similarities to Adams, but Emly is probably more of a guard and is a very good perimeter shooter you must respect outside. Layne Burke (2021) of New Albany is someone who I think could end up being the best prospect long-term, because at 5-11ish she has good size as a power forward, she moves around the floor very well, and she’s starting to add to her skillset facing the basket. Abby Grimm (2021) of Silver Creek was a new name to me this Spring, and this guard has been really good. She’s quick/fast, feisty, and she has good all-around skill on the point or even as a wing at times. Kendra Sill (2021) of Eastern-Pekin and Savannah Kirchgessner (2021) of Silver Creek round out the roster, and they are both hard-working, versatile forwards who battle nonstop and who are great in the mid-post and on the boards. This group is a collection of tremendous small college prospects, though I wouldn’t be surprised if a few Division-I schools checked in on them from time to time.
Indiana Flight UAA 15U: Hal Pearson coaches the 15U Flight team that plays in the Under Armour Association, and this group can be a lot of fun to watch at times. The standout to me is Diana Burgher (2022) of North Harrison, and I feel like each time I see her she is doing something new and/or better. At 6-0, she has really good length, she’s a nice athlete in all directions, and she’s really doing a nice job of transitioning from the post to the wing. The guard combo of Alison Saunders (2022) of North Harrison and Emme Rooney (2022) of Silver Creek has moments of brilliance. Saunders is more of a pure point guard, and she can handle, pass, and knock down shots, while Rooney is more of a shooter/scorer, but she too can slide over and run offense as a point at times. Kendall Hale (2023) of Cannelton still needs some work, but at her age and size (about 6-0 to 6-1), she moves around the floor well, works hard, and is physical. She’ll draw her share of attention over the years. I have been really impressed with both Abigail Ratts (2022) and Natalie Noel (2022), both of Salem, at times this Spring. Ratts is a high-motor, tough-nosed, fairly athletic forward who is really good in the mid-post. Noel is almost like a point forward who plays with good athleticism, she can handle it and create, and she too plays with a great motor. Olivia Lovan (2022) of Sacred Heart (KY), McKenna Pearson (2022) of North Harrison, and DeMaria King (2022) of Charlestown round out the roster and add depth. Lovan and Pearson are high-motor wings who battle and show versatility, while King is a bouncy and energetic power forward who is good in the mid-post or around the block. Look for this team to draw a wide range of interest from Division-I schools and small colleges.
Additional Notes: The Indiana Flight Maroon (South) 16U team coached by Cory Giesige has a couple of really nice younger players in their backcourt by the names of Taylor Treat (2022) of New Albany and Audrey Giesige (2022) of Paulding (OH). Treat is a water-bug of a point guard who flies around the floor, while Giesige is a nice athlete with good strength and athleticism for her age. Indiana Flight Red 16U coached by Brent Perry is a really solid mixture of 2021s and 2022s. I’ve been pretty impressed all Spring with the play of Emily Wood (2021) of Noblesville. The long and active forward is really good around the block or in the mid-post. Wings Adison Homan (2021) of Plainfield and Kaylee Denham (2021) of Whiteland have been solid all Spring as well. They are strong, fairly athletic wings who play hard and physical. The Illinois/Indiana Flight West groups in each age group are an extension of the Indiana Flight program, and they have several really nice ballplayers from Eastern Illinois and the Vigo/Vermillion County area. At the 16U level, Chloe Rippy (2021) and Lexy Gilman (2021) are a couple of nice little guards from South Vermillion, while at the 15U level, Anna Blank (2022) of Olney (IL) is a talented and strong wing prospect who is already drawing a lot of Division-I interest. While I realize this article is primarily about 16U & 15U teams, Kendal Bolen (2023) of Roncalli is an intriguing 6-0 post, Riley Flinn (2023) of West Lafayette Harrison is a smooth wing guard, and Linzie Wernert (2023) of Lanesville is a strong wing forward with some skill. Bolen and Flinn are on the Indiana Flight Orange 14U team, while Wernert is on the Indiana Flight Yellow (South) 14U team.