Southern Illinois Shootout: Top Performers

The three day of the Southern Illinois Shootout in O'Fallon and at Belleville East had a good mix of talented players. There were 6 games played on the first day with five each of the last two days. Bellevillle East, Belleville West, Edwardsville and O'Fallon competed all three days with other teams from Illinois and Missouri filling in the schedule. Some of the top performers we saw were: <ul> <li><strong>Amelia Bell </strong>is 6'0 2021 4/5 from O'Fallon. Amelia had an outstanding week showing her ability to run the floor and finish around the rim. She had 34 points hitting 10/12 free throws to go with 12 field goals in the first game. For the week she averaged16.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.Amelia has worked hard on her game with a focus on improving her skills to play facing up to the basket. She is a hard nosed player that college coaches should be tracking.</li> <li><strong>Jakayla Kirk </strong>is a 5'10 2020 forward from Hazelwood Central ( Mo). Jakayla had a great week scoring 19 per game and pulling down 10 rebounds per game in their four games. She has a high motor and the whole team plays tough defense. Jakayla was able to help turn the defense into offense and score at all 3 levels. She hit a high percentage of her shots and was good from the free throw line. She is a very strong girl, especially in her lower body so she is able to handle contact and not lose balance or position.</li> <li><strong>Megan Hallemann </strong>is a 6'4 2020 post from Greenville. Greenville only played one game in the Shootout, a Wednesday matchup with Belleville West. Megan had an outstanding game with 21 points and 7 rebounds to go with 5 blocks. She did a very good job of handling the physical nature of the bigs from West. During a critical possession late in the game Megan was able to hit a turnaround jumper in the lane to score the basket that sent the game to Overtime.</li> <li><strong>Kayla Gordon </strong>is a 5'4 2020 point guard from O'Fallon. Kayla scored 14 points, had 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists per game over the Shootout. Kayla is special when it comes to her ability to get into the lane and score over bigger opponents. She has a feel for how to get the ball up on the rim. Sometimes that is a floater that is released before the defender gets there, sometimes that is contorting her body or release point to get it over the defender. No matter what it takes Kayla finds a way.</li> <li><strong>Laylah Jackson </strong>is a 5'6 2023 guard from Bellleville East. Laylah stepped forward as a consistent scoring threat for the Lady Lancers to start her freshman year. She has deep range on her 3 point shot and can hit it with consistency. Laylah also has quickness and good handles that allow her to get penetration where she can finish with a variety of scoring moves. Laylah is one to watch as she continues to develop.</li> <li><strong>Tyler Butler </strong>is a 5'10 2021 forward from Belleville East. East is going through some early growing pains having to replace so much production from the class of 2019, but Tyler was a familiar face that Coach Kemezys can count on to produce. Tyler will be counted on to provide scoring and rebounding this year on a consistent basis. She responded well by getting 11.5 points per game and 6 rebounds for the week. Tyler can score in the paint in many different ways and is a player that would benefit from continued to work on adding the dimension of a more consistent shot out to 16-18 feet.</li> <li><strong>Jordan Peete </strong>is a 5'6 2020 guard from Ladue. Jordan had 41 points in 2 games in the event. She is excellent at getting to the basket and drawing contact when she gets there. She got to the foul line 17 times in two games and made 14. Her 3-point shot was not working as well in the Shootout but she has shown the ability to knock those down in other games.</li> <li><strong>Sydney Harris </strong>is a 6'0 2022 wing from Edwardsville. Sydney began her sophomore campaign proving why she is one of the top scorers in the 2022 class in Illinois. Sydney can hit consistently from behind the 3 point line which forces defenders to play her tight. She has good handles and is improving her ability to score off the dribble. Sydney has a good head for the game so she can pass the ball and read the defense at a very high level. She does not force her offense and is a willing passer when opponents place too much emphasis on stopping her.</li> <li><strong>Jaida McCloud </strong>is a 6'0 2020 wing from Peoria Richwoods. In their two games at the Shootout Richwoods played Edwardville and O'Fallon, two good 4A programs. McCloud showed the length and offensive ability she has been knows for around the state. She has the ability to affect the game on both ends with her long arms. Jaida does a good job finishing around the basket especially around shorter players that often have to guard her because of her skills and quickness.</li> </ul> This is always a great event to start the season where you can see talent from the Metro East area but also coming down from up state and the Missouri side. Each school gets a chance to see where they stand against some top competition.