The top players that I saw this summer. Class of 2022

Over the next few days I will break down, by class, the top players I was able to see this Summer. Some of the players I was able to see with their High School teams and some with their AAU teams. I wish I could see everyone, but that is not possible! I was able to see some very good players and came away very impressed with the talent in Southern Illinois. <strong>Sydney Harris.</strong> Edwardsville. Sydney is a 6'0 forward that led Liberty Middle school to IESA state championships the last 3 years. Last year she scored 63 points in the 3 game state tourney. She can handle the ball, shoot the 3 and find ways to put the ball in the hoop at all levels. She will need to find a comfort level in Coach Blades system and improve her lateral quickness to handle the speed of the 4A game, but without a doubt she can already score enough that she will be hard to keep out of the lineup. She comes from a strong basketball family with her Uncle Jon being the mens coach at SIUE, her father Rob being a standout at Edwardsville, her mother LeAnn was a standout in her college days at SIUE and her brother Tre is one of the all time leading scorers at Edwardsville. Sydney has a bright future ahead of her. She spent her spring/summer with the Midwest Elite team in addition to her June schedule getting acclimated to the Edwardsville High school team. <strong>Ariana Bennett  </strong>Edwardsville. Ariana is a 5'11 forward that continues to show the high ceiling that exists for her potential. On her worst days she reminds you of Dennis Rodman with her will and determination to get every rebound and play tough defense. She can run the floor and shows a growing offensive game that on her best days make her look like a force to be watched closely over the next 4 years at Edwardsville. At 5’11 she has the size and the athletic ability to be a wing in college, but,she needs to continue to develop her ball handling and shot. If she continues to grow there is no limit to what she can be. Ariana spent the spring and summer with the Blue Star Silvey 15u team playing against older players and good competition so she has had many opportunities to work on her game. <strong>Macy Silvey</strong> Edwardsville. Macy is a 5'9 guard that continues to show that she has a very advanced game for an incoming freshman. She can score the ball at all 3 levels and has an exceptional 3 point shot for a player of her age. She is already showing the size and strength to take the ball to rim and absorb the contact. She has spent the spring and summer playing with the Blue Star Silvey 15u team that faced 15u and 16u competition so she has experienced the pressure and strength the older girls can bring that will prepare her for varsity minutes as a freshman. Macy is a very willing passer and sees the floor very well so she should fit in well with the older girls when Coach Blade needs her. <strong>Adrenna Snipes </strong>Alton Marquette. Adrenna is a 5'7 point guard and is one of the most gifted point guards in the area. She is fast and can handle the ball very well. Because of that she is very hard to keep out of the lane. She can hit the 3, although this is probably her biggest area of potential improvement. She is an exceptional passer that is more than willing to watch her teammates do the scoring if teams collapse on her. She is a difference maker for Coach Green and should step into the starting point guard spot from day 1. She played her select ball with the Crossover team and with that team she also has shown that she can defend and really pressure the ball full court. Her Aunt Cathy is an Alton and IBCA Hall of Fame player that scored over 2,600 points and had over 1,600 rebounds so Adrenna certainly has a good role model in the family. <strong>Alyssa Powell </strong>Triad. Alyssa is a 6'0 post that should have an opportunity to see some action for the Triad varsity despite the depth they have returning on the front line. Alyssa is extremely athletic and can guard any position on the floor. She is capable of being very disruptive on the point guard or a wing because of her length yet has the strength needed to body a post in the paint. Her offensive game is still developing but she has the ability to be a force from day one on the offensive boards. I have seen flashes of some good post moves and a decent shot from 10-15 feet. Once she has a player buried in the post Alyssa is excellent at keeping them sealed off so she can give good passing lanes to her teammates. She is one with a really high ceiling that could develop into anything she sets her mind to doing on the basketball court. Alyssa was a part of the Crossover select team and will continue to focus on getting better. &nbsp; &nbsp;