Two 2021 Scorers that need to be on your radar

It is rare to see two freshman girls leading their teams in scoring averaging over 17 points per game. It is even more rare to see two girls doing that within 45 minutes of each other. Southern Illinois had the thrill last year of watching two young athletes breakout during an exciting 2017-2018 season. <strong>Clare Breden </strong>from Jerseyville and <strong>Anna McKee </strong>from Father McGivney had outstanding seasons for their teams last year. Breden was named Honorable Mention IBCA All State after averaging 17.8 points per game at the 3A level. In her freshman season McKee scored 18.4 points per game for her 1A Griffins team. Breden is the 17th ranked player and McKee 23rd in our initial class of 2021 rankings. Breden showed the poise and ability to be very consistent as she was held to single digits only 3 times during the year. She solidified her reputation in the Missouri Valley conference with a 39 point effort in a double overtime game against perennial power Highland. During the Highland game Breden hit 15 free throws. Later in the season she drained 6 three pointers against Triad. Breden shows the ability to score at all 3 levels despite her 5’5 frame. She hit 68 three pointers, but is also great at getting into the lane and scoring or drawing fouls. She was able to make 89 free throws at over 77% which makes her very tough to guard. McKee did most of her damage from the outside as 59 of her 79 field goals came from behind the three point line. She was even more consistent during the year as she was held to single digits only one time. McKee had a 33 point game during the year and made 5 three pointers in two separate games. She was also a good free throw shooter converting 52 free throws at a 66% clip. By developing her range to be able to shoot comfortably a step outside the line McKee is able to get her shots even when pressured. At 5’8 McKee is long and athletic. She has been able to use this frame to be a force on the defensive end too by averaging 5.4 steals per game. Both girls are praised by their coaches as team first players and very coach able. You can find these girls in the gym working on their game in the off season trying to make the Improvements to take the next step during their sophomore campaign. To get a first hand view in the July period look for Breden with the Missouri Phenom and McKee will be with Blue Star St Louis.