Brea Beal narrows her list to 5 schools

Prep Girls Hoops Illinois top ranked 2019 player, and two time Miss Basketball for the state of Illinois, has narrowed her extensive list of suitors to 5 schools. Brea has been an All State player each of her 3 years for Rock Island and is currently ranked #12 in the ESPN national rankings. As a 5 star player Brea has been offered by most of the top programs in the country. She has cut that list down to the following schools:

• Illinois
• Michigan
• Louisville
• Duke
• South Carolina

Brea has not given a timetable for a decision.

She has had tremendous individual success averaging just below 20 points and 10 rebounds her sophomore year and just over those numbers her junior year. But, the one elusive item for her has been the team success that she has been striving for. The past 4 years in a row, 3 with Brea on the the floor, the Rocks have been eliminated by Edwardsville before making it to the final 4. Brea will no doubt be very focused on changing that trend during her senior year. She is part of a very exclusive club in having won two Miss Basketball awards but she is looking to join the exclusive club of state champions in her last season.

Brea is considered a very versatile wing player. She is 6’0 tall and can post up smaller players, drive and draw contact against bigger players and has a jumper that she is very confident in hitting from beyond the 3 point line. She has excellent body control when she faces contact and is adept at finishing with either hand in the lane. The consistent results she delivers are impossible to ignore, she is 5 star player for a reason.

Brea has mentioned in the past that she has really studied the games and mental approach of Tamika Catchings and Cappie Pondexter, two of the finest to ever play in Illinois. She is especially impressed with their attitudes and mental approach to the game. Being the player to stop and the focus of everyone’s attention every night can be a daunting task and these two top players have excelled at it. Brea is hoping to improve her mental game and be able to handle the stress that comes in tough games, such as the battles with Edwardsville the last two years.

Candace Parker is the only 3 time winner of the Miss Basketball award in Illinois history so Beal has the chance to align herself with another “all time” great in the state by finishing off her career strong. No matter what happens her senior season, one of these 5 teams is going to get a great player, With her work ethic and talent she should be able to contribute the minute she steps on campus so I am sure these 5 programs are all working hard to secure a commitment.