Southern Illinois AAU awards: Glue players of the year

Every team needs that "glue" player to succeed. That player that plays great defense, rebounds, hustles and leads the team. She doesn't worry about the headlines or the glory, she does what the teams needs. In conjunction with the coaches for the teams I have been covering in the summer, here are the glue players that held their teams together. <ul> <li><strong>Bella McCartney </strong>is a 5'11 2020 4 from Routt Catholic and the Illinois Inferno. Although she is not as tall as some girls she faces, Bella wins the battle of the boards consistently. She is a warrior with a desire to out hustle and out work her opponents. Bella will find the loose ball, some how get to offensive boards that seem out of her reach and simply will her way to a double double every night.</li> <li><strong>Chloe Book </strong>is a 5'8 2021 wing from Breese Central and the Southern Illinois Hawks 16u. Chloe can do everything for you. She is tough and shows that in her defense and rebounding. Chloe also has the skill to do damage on the offensive end. She can handle, pass, drive and shoot the ball. Chloe can be depended on for whatever you need.</li> <li><strong>Caite Knutson </strong>is a 5'11 2020 wing from Collinsville and the Southern Illinois Hawks 17u. She can defend guards and posts and has a toughness about her that every team needs. Caite is a hustle player that is flexible in her ability to also play inside and out on offense. She is that jack of all trades that every team needs. The ability to fill whatever role the team needs is special and Caite can do that.</li> <li><strong>Emily Reynolds </strong>is a 5'11 2020 4 from Hillsboro and the Central Illinois Predators 17u. Emily continues to come up when effort and hard work are discussed. She is one of the better screeners around as she is strong and tough. There isn't a game that goes by where Emily is not on the floor diving for loose balls, trying to get that one extra opportunity for her team. Emily is a very good defender and an even better leader. She has the intangibles every coach wants.</li> <li><strong>Kylee Parker </strong>is a 5'6 2021 guard from Springfield Lanphier and the Central Illinois Predators 16u. Kylee is a player that uses her length well at the guard spot to influence the game at both ends of the floor. She uses her quickness and IQ to jump the passing lanes and creates deflections and turnovers. Kylee rebounds well from her guard spot and will immediately attack once the ball is secure. Kylee is a player that leads by her example on the floor. She has dealt with a medical condition that is not yet diagnosed. Despite this hanging over her head she plays all out and doesn't let it slow her down.</li> <li><strong>Ally Fitzgerald </strong>is a 6'2 2022 post from Marquette High in St Louis and the Blue Star Silvey 15u. Ally is a beast down low on the defensive end. She blocks many shots and like any good shot blocker she influences so many more than she blocks. Ally is an excellent rebounder too that is long and strong.Ally has D1 offers in her pocket already and with her size there are more to come for the sophomore.</li> </ul> The players are all about doing the little things to make their team successful. They may or may not show up in the box score yet they are important to winning. These ladies are winners.