SWC Conference preview
The Southwest Conference has been ruled by Edwardsville for many years now. The Lady Tigers have been the top overall 4A program south of I80 since Coach Lori Blade took over. O’Fallon and Belleville East have improved their programs, but…
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Continue ReadingThe Southwest Conference has been ruled by Edwardsville for many years now. The Lady Tigers have been the top overall 4A program south of I80 since Coach Lori Blade took over. O’Fallon and Belleville East have improved their programs, but have yet to be able to slay the dragon. Here are players that are strong candidates to make the All Conference team and determine who will be the conference champion.
Sydney Harris is a 6’0 2022 wing from Edwardsville. Sydney can score the ball with the best players in the area. She has a smooth shot that she can hit from anywhere on the court. Sydney has a knack for hitting the big shot and does not shy away from the moment. She will almost certainly lead the Lady Tigers in scoring and 3-point shots made. Sydney already holds D1 offers and that list will grow in her sophomore season.
Kayla Gordon is a 5’4 2020 point guard from O’Fallon. Kayla is a point guard with an ability to get in the lane and finish. She has several finishing moves that allow her to get shots over the taller players. With a group of talented post players in her team Kayla should find opportunities for assists also. Like an ideal point guard Kayla also excels on defense and at the free-throw line. If Kayla can develop a consistent 3-point shot she may be as difficult to guard as any player in Southern Illinois.
Caite Knutson is a 5’10 2020 wing from Collinsville. Caite is a versatile player that will affect the game on both ends of the court. She is capable of defending any position and hindering that player from having a good game. Caite is also capable of dropping 20 points in any game. She is a good outside shooter, but also knows how to use her strength to get in the lane.
Shania Nunn is a 6’0 2020 forward from Belleville West. Shania has is a name that fans will recognize. She has been the go to player for West for two years. Shania has worked hard to expand her range on her shot to add an additional weapon to her game. She has proven her ability to use quick moves in the lane to get her points. Shania is also an excellent rebounder on both ends of the floor.
Kristyn Mitchell is a 6’0 2020 post from Collinsville. Kristyn is set up to have an excellent senior season. She has put in the work to really improve her game. Kristyn can now score at all three levels consistently. Her footwork on her post up game has improved as has her ability to put the ball on floor from the mid-range. Kristyn has always had pride in her ability to hit the 3-point shot and I expect her to improve in that area also. Now that defenders have to pay closer attention to the rest of her game they will no longer be able to sit on her outside shot.
Queirra Love is a 5’4 2020 point guard from Edwardsville. ”Que” is one of the fastest players end to end that you will find. There may be girls that can beat her in a sprint, but once you add dribbling the ball to the equation, Que rises to the top. She is an all around player that will provide the on court leadership and direction for Edwardsville. Que is a terror on defense that will make life difficult for the point guards in the conference. On offense Que has shown an improved 3-point shot to her arsenal. While she brings much more to the team, Que has really become a legitimate scoring threat.
Tyler Butler is a 5’10 2021 forward from Bellevile East. Tyler had an excellent off season playing for the Evolution Elite. With the loss of the class of 2019 the Lady Lancers will be looking for scoring punch. Tyler is a prime candidate to step up and become a double/double machine for Coach Kemezys. After having some big games as a sophomore Tyler will have the chance to be more of a focal point of the offense and reap those benefits. Tyler can score both inside and outside and uses her athletic ability to create chances to get her shot off.
Other players that will contend for All Conference spots:
- Amelia Bell 6’1 2021 post from O’Fallon
- Tyana Lovelace 6’0 2021 post from O’Fallon
- Kylie Burg 5’9 2020 wing from Edwardsville
- Hannah Mitchell 6’0 2020 post from Belleville East
- Bria James 5’7 2020 guard from Belleville East
- Faith Liljegren 5’7 2020 point guard from Collinsville
- Jaime Russell 5’11 2020 forward from East St. Louis
Edwardsville is the defending champ and until someone knocks them off you can’t pick against them. O’Fallon, along with Collinsville and Belleville East seem to have the best shot at breaking the streak. Belleville West will have a nice team but might be slightly below the top tier. East St. Louis and Alton are both going through coaching changes and a transition period so it is hard to know what to expect. East St. Louis has an abundance of talent so it would not be a surprise to see Coach Butler and her team get a big win along the way.