Jerseyville tourney recap

The Deck the Halls with Basketballs tourney in Jerseyville ended with the home team winning the title, The Lady Panthers had set their sights on bringing home some championship trophies this year. With a second place finish in the Alton tourney to start the year, that goal was on their mind. With the CM Lady Eagles moving out it opened up a clear opportunity to bring home the hardware this year. Coach Kevin Stroebels girls responded. In an all Mississippi Valley final the Lady Panthers used a great defensive effort to bear Triad 50-30. The All tourney team consisted of: <ul> <li><strong>MVP Clare Breden </strong>of Jerseyville. Clare was able to step up every time the team needed her. There were slow starts and fast starts but whenever it was most important, she was there. Clare showed great range on her shot and the ability to use the dribble drive to get into the lane. Once she is in the lane Clare can finish with both hands in many ways.</li> <li><strong>Abby Manns </strong>of Jerseyville is a great defender and can score too. Abby is long and can use that to her advantage on the floor. She rebounds well for her size, deflects passes and finishes well in the lane off the drive.</li> <li><strong>Ali Barisch</strong> of Triad has the ability to hit the 3 consistently and get to the foul line. She is a very good free throw shooter that will make you pay when you bail her out with a foul. Ali is crafty at getting to the basket. She is not the best athlete in the field but is smart about using fakes and angles to get in the lane.</li> <li><strong>Hannah Krumwiede </strong>of Carrollton is a 4 time all tourney selection. Hannah runs the point and is the most consistent scorer for Carrollton. She can hit the outside shot and is adept at getting her shots off in the paint against taller girls. Hannah looks to score when she drives the lane and is very patient at waiting for the right shot.</li> <li><strong>Adrenna Snipes </strong>of Alton Marquette continues to prove that even though she is a freshman, she is one of the better players in the area. She has become the focus of the defense of all of her opponents yet still averaged 19 points a game for the Lady Explorers in the tourney. She has to continue to expand her game in the lane to finish more shots, but she can get in the lane consistently.</li> <li><strong>Samya Johnson and Michelle Owens </strong>of McCluer North were a dynamic duo that showed very well in this years tourney. Johnson is 5'9 and uses her length and quickness to get into the lane and finish. Owens is shorter at 5'4 but is gone before you know she was there. Here speed gets her anywhere on the court and she will finish in the lane.</li> <li><strong>Laila McNeal </strong>of Alton appears to be about 5'9 when she plays but is really closer to 5'5. She can really jump and is really quick with her first step. Laila uses that ability to get in the lane and finish by out jumping her opponents. As you see her penetrate you think she is stopped but then she will jump higher than everyone and finish the layup.</li> <li><strong>Sophie Lorton </strong>of Calhoun continues to show her ability to score at all levels in all ways. She can hit the 3, but once you get out on her she will blow by you. If she does not have the ball in her hands she will cut hard and run the offense to find easy buckets. Once you decide to foul her, it is over. She is a great free throw shooter.</li> <li><strong>Natalie Synder </strong>of Taylorville is a strong/tough wing player. She can hit the 3 but is also more than willing to fight for offensive boards. Natalie is often the focus of the other team and therefore she has to fight for everything she gets. She is willing to be a decoy and get hers off a relentless all out effort if that is what it takes.</li> </ul> Congratulations to JCHS on a well run tourney and to the Lady Panthers in getting that 1st place trophy they have been after!