Week 1 Outstanding players Southern Illinois

The season is off and running and there have been some players shining brightly in the first week of play. The following is a list of players in Southern Illinois that caught my eye the first week.   [player_tooltip player_id="78769" first="Sydney" last="Harris"]. Sydney had a nice game to start the season by putting up 26 points in the win over Belleville West. She is going to be counted on as more than just a scorer for the Lady TIgers this year. Sydney will be asked to be more of a leader on a team that is lacking one true vocal leader like they have had in the past. Sydney has multiple D1 offers already but will be working to expand her game and her list of suitors. [player_tooltip player_id="203070" first="Jenna" last="Scheller"]. Jenna showed her touch and scoring ability in the opening loss to Alton. When she gets the ball in the paint Jenna has a good chance of putting the ball in the basket. She had 18 points and hit 9/15 shots inside the paint. As she expands her game to use her left hand more and continues to develop her outside shot Jenna will be a force over her last 3 years for the Lady Kahoks. [player_tooltip player_id="160153" first="Chloe" last="White"] Chloe had a nice first two games for Jerseyville in leading them to two wins. After those two opening games Chloe is averaging 15.5 points per game. She gets her points mostly inside the 3 point arc by driving to the basket. Off the bounce Chloe can pull up in the mid range or get all the way to the rim. She has a different role now that [player_tooltip player_id="123584" first="Clare" last="Breden"] has moved onto college.Chloe is now the go to scorer that is counted on to deliver the big baskets. Chloe will surprise many fans as she has really come on as a player from the beginning of last season. [player_tooltip player_id="160159" first="Alexis" last="Pohlman"] Alexis had a nice first game with 15 points in a win over Carlinville. That is a nice way to start the season for Greenfield as Carlinville has been a top team in their area over the past two years. Alexis was only 1/6 from the free throw line, which is completely out of the norm, or she might have hit 20. She has a great shot with smooth form that allows her to be able to consistently score from the perimeter. As she continues to develop her range and game at the rim Alexis will put up big numbers. Anaya Davis is a 5’10 2021 4/5 from Althoff Catholic. Anaya is a very strong inside/outside threat that can use her strength to get position in the lane and work through traffic. Due to a knee injury she was almost forced to develop her shooting touch and has become a legitimate threat from the 3-point line. Because of her big body she is hard to defend in the paint. Her quick feet then help her provide space to get her shots off in the lane. Anaya is a unique player that is worth the look for college coaches. [player_tooltip player_id="194520" first="Tyler" last="Butler"] Tyler was her usual self in game one of the season against Althoff. Her effort is outstanding and it always seems to payoff in the end. Through her strength and proper use of positioning Tyler is very good on the boards and in the paint. In the first game she scored 14 points and had 18 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive end. Tyler is an ideal 4/5 at the small college level in that she can live in the post. If she is paired with a tall girl that likes to stretch the floor, even better. To maximize her potential Tyler needs to improve ball handling and her mid range jump shot. Rylee Smith is a 5’6 2021 Guard from Southwestern/Piasa. Rylee had 17 points in the opening game loss to Jerseyville. Rylee has a nice shot that she is very deadly with in the 15-18 foot range. She has a knack, despite being on the smaller side, for finding room in the mid range to get her shot off. Rylee can shoot it from behind the 3-point line and has decent ball handling skills. Rylee would be a nice addition to a JC or D3 team as she has a nice game and is a good program kid. [player_tooltip player_id="160149" first="Alecia" last="Doyle"] Alecia is a top level athlete and player in Southern Illinois. As an extra option for the last two years she has earned her stripes with the Lions varsity that went all the way to state last year. Alecia is now the main cog and the focal point of their offense and she is proving herself ready to carry the team. She scored 23 points in an opening night victory and continues to show her improved skill and outstanding speed and jumping ability. Alecia already has 2 D1 offers and I believe that number will grow quickly this spring and summer. Gwyn Mitchell is a 5’11 2021 Post from Greenville. Gwyn has the task of taking over in the paint for long time standout Megan Hallemann. While Gwyn will never be 6’4 and will not be the defensive intimidator that Megan was, Gwyn has her own skills. In the block she is a scorer as was shown by her 23 points opening night. Once Gwyn gets a shoulder by you to the basket she does a great job of finishing. I expect her to continue to be a weapon for the Lady Comets this year as they try to make the best of 2021. [player_tooltip player_id="160146" first="Reese" last="Bennett"] Reese is a tough scorer and defender that has become a viable threat from the 3 point line on every possession for Belleville West. She scored 16 points in the opening loss to Edwardsville including hitting 3 from behind the arc. I love the grit and toughness that Reese shows by battling through injuries, playing tough defense and accepting the challenge of being a go to scorer in her third year as a starter. Reese is a definite small college level player that should be watched. [player_tooltip player_id="159965" first="Madyson" last="Rigdon"] Madyson had a nice opening game for Paris where she has established herself as one of the leaders of the program for the next two seasons. Madyson is an excellent defender that showed her 3-point shot in the opening game by going 4/5. She had 18 points. 7 rebounds and 6 steals. Madyson is a player that should be followed by D2 schools and coveted by top NAIA and D3 programs as she will excel as a defensive stopper and be able to contribute on the offensive end too.