2021 Southern Illinois AAU All Stars

In these next few articles I will be recognizing some AAU All Stars from this summer. One thing that is important to understand is that with the addition of Brian Carman to our team we have defined some territories. For the purposes of stories like this I will now only be writing about players south of Quincy/Jacksonville/Springfield/Decatur and Tuscola over to the border. Mt Zion is the only school that is on the border that is possibly unclear, that will be in my area. It is obviously not a straight line from West to East, but a line none the less. That will allow Brian and I to ensure when we write articles like this that there is a clear and defined area for us to use so that we do not try to recognize the same players and therefore get recognition for more players. So, with that said, here are my 2021 AAU All Stars: [player_tooltip player_id="123609" first="Tori" last="Standefer"] is a 5’7 Guard from Civic Memorial that played her AAU ball with Kentucky Premier. Tori had an outstanding summer scoring at 13 per game. She had many games where she had outstanding spurts where she just could not be stopped. Tori showed improved ability to get to the rim and finish with either hand and also a refined 3-point shot. She was more consistent from behind the arc and showed a deeper range than in the school season. Tori brings good athletic ability and outstanding ability on the defensive end of the floor. She is certainly a player that can play a combo role at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="194225" first="Brooke" last="Runge"] is a 5’8 Guard from Altamont and the IL Aristocrats.Brooke is an excellent combo guard that showed her ability to play the lead guard role while also posing a scoring threat. She has excellent vision on the floor to see the pass and be ready to make it before the play happens. Brooke had some nice games scoring the ball. She can hit the 3 point shot but is also comfortable attacking the paint. Brooke has D3 and JC offers in hand and I believe those will continue to come for her until she makes a decision of where her future will take her. Jayden Schuette is a 5’7 Guard from Liberty and Illinois Inferno. Jayden ended her summer on a hot streak by making Pool All Star honors in two events in July. She can score from anywhere on the floor and that makes her tough to guard as she will take what you give her. Jayden can handle the ball well enough to get to the rim but will really hurt you from behind the 3-point line if you back off to stop the dribble drive. Jayden should have a big senior season at Liberty and is definitely a player that small college coaches should be tracking. [player_tooltip player_id="123595" first="Madison" last="Lovett"] is a 5’7 Guard from North Clay and Indiana Elite Havoc. Madi can score in bunches as she proved her junior season when she averaged 22 per game. She handles it well and is also capable of running the team as a point guard. Madi is strong and does not get bothered by pressure and won’t be knocked off her path by contact. On the defensive end she is a very good on the ball defender that will hound the opposing guards. Madi recently committed to play her college ball at Lincoln Land Community College. [player_tooltip player_id="193910" first="Madyson" last="Hill"] is a 5’11 Wing from Vandalia and Indiana Elite Havoc. Madyson continued to show her versatility on the court and all of the ways she can help a college team. She is a point forward type that can handle the ball well enough to direct the offense and make great passes. Madyson will also rebound and defend to add value. Offensively Madyson is still working to be a more consistent threat of hitting the outside shot. Based on her work ethic and desire, I have no doubt she can groove that shooting stroke. Madyson has interest at the small college level and should continue to attract interest at that level. Other Notable players: [player_tooltip player_id="123584" first="Clare" last="Breden"]-- 5’5 Guard from Jerseyville and Blue Star St Louis. Clare had a nice summer session competing with the Blue Star team for the first time. Prior to the tournaments getting going she made a verbal commitment to McKendree and is looking forward to a big senior season. Clare spent time during the summer running the point guard spot which will be valuable experience for her as she transitions to the college game. [player_tooltip player_id="123579" first="Amelia" last="Bell"] -- 6’0 Forward from O’Fallon and Kentucky Premier. Amelia showed her best traits in her first run with Kentucky Premier. She is a high level rim runner and defender. Amelia has expanded her game to be more comfortable on the perimeter. She has been taking visits and has offers at the D3,NAIA and D2 level. She will be taking more visits over the next 30 days and hopefully expanding those offers. Anaya Davis -- 5'10 Post player from Althoff and the Missouri Phenom. Anaya is a big bodied post player that will fight for position and cause problems for her opponents with her motor. Anaya is about 15 months removed from knee surgery and is getting her strength and mobility back as she looks for a big senior season. She is post player that could help small college or possibly benefit from a stint at a JC. Astacia Bush-- 5'10 Wing from Collinsville and Crossover. Astacia is a multi faceted player that can bang inside or play on the wing. She can handle the ball a little and is a very good passer. Astacia will rebound and defend at a high level and likes to compete. She is another player that should be able to help a D3/NAIA school or possibly could benefit from further development at a JC.   Next I will take a look at the 2022 AAU All Star team.