SWC Tourney Preview and Top Prospects

With the strange year that we have been living through a unique idea has come to fruition for the Southwest Conference teams. They will end the season with a conference tourney that should be fun. The top seed will earn a first round bye. All top seeds will be the home team. So, the first round will be 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5. The 1 seed will face the winner of the 4 vs 5 game and the other two winners will face off in the other semi final. My predictions will look fairly stock. First Round-- Edwardsville over Collinsville, Belleville West over Alton and Belleville East over East St. Louis. Semi Final Round-- O’Fallon over Belleville East and Edwardsville over  Belleville West Championship-- O’Fallon vs Edwardsville. You can’t get me to predict that game no matter how much you ask me, lol. I live in Edwardsville, know many of the players and parents but also have a great relationship with the Nick and Greg Knolhoff and many of their current and former players. So, my opinion is not for public consumption on this one! Some of the top 2021’s in the conference are: <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="123579" first="Amelia" last="Bell"] Amelia is having an outstanding senior campaign averaging 16 points and 9 rebounds per game. As a leader for O'Fallon she is hoping to help her team leave this 2021 season with the best award that is possible, undisputed conference champs.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="123597" first="Katelynne" last="Roberts"] Katelynne is a very good defender and rebounder that has played a big role this year for Edwardsville. she has developed her shooting touch and is a capable shooter out to the mid range. Katelynne is signed to play at Missouri S&amp;T after finishing up this season.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="194520" first="Tyler" last="Butler"] Tyler is uncommitted but has had an excellent season that should be drawing attention from college coaches. This strong 4/5 is a great fit for a small school or JC that is looking for someone to hustle, work hard and control the boards. Tyler is averaging 18.6 points and 15.6 rebounds per game.</li> <li>Grace Riley is a 5'6 point guard from Belleville East. Grace is a nice ball handler that can score a little and defend. She is a prototype point guard that can run the team and hit open shots when given the opportunity. Grace will continue her career at SWIC next year.</li> <li>Germayia Wallace is 5'9 wing from Alton. Germayia is a good at working her way to the rim. She is patient and long so once she gets in the lane she is capable of finishing over smaller defenders. She is averaging 8.6 points per game and 4.3 rebounds.</li> <li>Astacia Bush is a 5'10 forward from Collinsville. Astacia is a strong player that does a very good job of rebounding. She does a good job of getting positioning and using her body to seal off position. Astacia is averaging 8.6 rebounds per game but has had many games over 10 including a 20 rebound night against Alton.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="201766" first="T’yana" last="Lovelace"] is a 5'11 post player that uses her strong lower body to create good position in the lane. Once she gets  the ball Tyana can score with either hand and has expanded her range out from around the rim. Tyana is scoring 9 points per game and pulling down 5 boards per game. She has decided  to continue her career at ICC next year.</li> </ul> There are numerous college prospects in this conference. Here is a look at the underclassmen. <strong>O’Fallon</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="148153" first="Shannon" last="Dowell"] is a smooth 5'10 wing that is tough to to stop in the open court. She is certainly going to be a big fator in who wins this event.</li> <li>Rhylea Johnson is a 2022 4/5 with the ability to play inside and out. Rhylea gets minutes off the bench for now but should anyone get in foul trouble in the O'Fallon front court Rhylea could become a key player.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="195138" first="Zsana" last="Hawkins"] Z is a big bodied front court player that excels with her back to the basket in a physical game. She will no doubt be a big factor next year but unless a unique situation presents itself Z will not play a big role in this tourney.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="148160" first="Jailah" last="Pelly"] Jailah may be the wild card in this event. She is a transfer from ESL and will be eligible for the first time when the tourney begins. Jailah is a very athletic player that will help O'Fallon on defense and in pushing the ball up the floor.</li> <li>Klaire Keel is a 5'8 2022 wing that has a nice shot and plays with great hustle and effort. Klaire tends to play in spot duty and may be affected by Pelly being eligible, but she has a nice shot and could play a factor.</li> </ul> <strong>Edwardsville</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="78769" first="Sydney" last="Harris"] Sydney is the leading scorer in the conference and has been a top player since she walked on campus as a freshman. Sydney can score in multiple ways and will certainly need to be consistent if the Lady Tigers are going to take this crown.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="124890" first="Macy" last="Silvey"] Macy is a first year starter for Edwardsville that has been a consistent threat for them. She helps with the ball handling duties and can get hot from the outside. Her production and ball handling will be a big factor.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="124869" first="Elle" last="Evans"] Elle is a long wing that is another important player for Edwardsville. She shares the ball handling with Silvey and has a nice stroke from the outside. With her length Elle can cause problems on the defensive end too.</li> <li>Arianna Bennett is a 6ft 2022 Forward that is a great defender and rebounder. If she plays the hustle game to her fullest ability Arianna has a chance to make big plays and be a factor in this conference tourney.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="203069" first="Emerson" last="Weller" Emerson is another role player that could end providing production at a key time to to affect the outcome. She is tough in the lane and will rebound with bigger players. If Emerson can provide key points in crucial times for Edwardsville she can make a big difference.</li> </ul> <strong>Belleville West</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="160146" first="Reese" last="Bennett"] Reese is a tough defender and sharp shooter for Belleville West that will be looking a big game to provide a spark to her team. She is capable of catching fire from behind the 3-point line and that will be needed if her squad is going to make a run at Edwardsville.</li> <li>Lamiyah Terrell is a 5'7 2022 guard that has started along with Bennett since they were freshman. Lamiyah has shown spots of really being able to defend and push the pace in the open court.</li> <li>Maliah Sparks is a 5'8 2023 guard that uses her length and athletic ability to penetrate and score. She has good vision as a passer and will steals off the passing lanes and pressuring the ball handlers.</li> <li>Charleece Davis is a 5'6 2023 guard that has been the second leading scorer at 9.5 per game. She does a good job of drawing contact and converting at the free throw line. These 3 young guards will need to be able to pressure Edwardsville into turning the ball over and getting points off the turnovers.</li> </ul> <strong>Belleville East</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="148167" first="Laylah" last="Jackson"] Laylah is a deep range shooter that has good vision and court sense. She has a flair for her passes and is really going to need to find a way to score if Belleville East is going to win their first game and give O'Fallon a scare in the semi final.</li> </ul> <strong>East St. Louis</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="148161" first="Shakira" last="McCline"] Shakira has been the leading scorer on this squad and a key player since she came on campus as a freshman. She combines skills with athletic ability that allows her to excel in the open floor. She is scoring 15 points per game and finishing at a high rate near the rim.</li> </ul> <strong>Alton</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="124880" first="Adrenna" last="Snipes"] Adrenna is a top level talent that transfered to Alton high this year. She has dealt with knee issues that have kept her off the court for a few games. Adrenna has that special ability that could be a factor in any game and allow her to keep her team in a game they do not belong in all by herself.</li> <li>Renee Raglin is a 5'7 2022 guard that has top level track speed and likes to play a full court game. She can defend and finish at the rim and teams well with Snipes pressuring the ball and pushing the pace.</li> </ul> <strong>Collinsville</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="203070" first="Jenna" last="Scheller"] is a 6'3 post player that can score and rebound for the Lady Kahoks. She does a good job converting shots in the lane and shoots a high percentage when she can establish her position.</li> <li>Megan Janson is a 5'2 2023 point guard that has been able to provide some scoring punch late in the season. Megan has a knack for getting in the lane where she can score or pass. Her handles are very good and despite her size Megan is a player that go at the next level.</li> </ul> &nbsp; &nbsp;