Early season breakout performers in Southern Illinois

Prep Hoops Graphic

Don Halling

November 30, 2018 @ 11:23 PM

photo courtesy of the St Louis Post Dispatch and Stltoday.com   During the first two weeks of the season we have seen a few unknown/ under appreciated players make a name for themselves. The following is a list of some of those players that caught my eye. <ul> <li>Aubrey Hubbard Junior guard Waterloo is averaging 13 points per game. She has been on fire from behind the 3 point line with 15 in 4 games.</li> <li>Bryce Dowell Senior guard from Belleville East is averaging 22 points per game. Bryce is a player that was known but with Kaylah Rainey down for the season Bryce has gone to another level. She is averaging 3 made 3's per game and shooting 94% from the free throw line.</li> <li>Kourtland Tyus is a Junior point guard from Civic Memorial. Kourtland is being counted on to really step up her game this year for the Lady Eagles. So far, she has been on it. Kourtland is averaging 11.2 points, 4.5 assists and 4.5 steals per game. That scoring is important for the team if they are going to make a run in February.</li> <li>Adrenna Snipes is a Freshman point guard for Alton Marquette. She has been the catalyst and ball handler that Coach Green has needed. Adrenna is capable of scoring but is also an excellent and willing passer. So far she has burst on the scene with 15.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 6.7 steals per game.</li> <li>Brooklynn Smith is a Senior forward at Carlyle. Brooklynn is certainly well known in the Southeastern part of the state, but probably not outside of her area. She has had a great start to the season. So far Brooklynn is averaging 17 points and 12.3 rebounds. She is a definite small college prospect and outworks most girls on the floor.</li> <li>Nyah Ford is a Senior guard from Belleville East. Like Dowell everything changed for Nyah when the news of Kaylah Rainey missing her senior came out. Nyah was slated to spend time on the wing but was moved to the point guard spot. The transition has taken a few games as she balanced her new role with a scorers mentality. In her last game against East St Louis she put it all together. In an overtime victory Nyah had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.</li> </ul> These girls are all off to a fast start. Check back for updates on how their seasons progress and look for other breakout performers as they emerge.