Lebanon Christmas Tourney Preview
The annual Lebanon Christmas Tourney gets underway on Thursday with a little bit of a twist. Lebanon does not have a team this year so the host School is not participating. The Greenville JV team has stepped in and will…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Lebanon Christmas Tourney gets underway on Thursday with a little bit of a twist. Lebanon does not have a team this year so the host School is not participating. The Greenville JV team has stepped in and will meet top seed Father McGivney in the first round.
In the top half of the bracket the seeds look to be able to make it through to the semi finals. This would put Chester against Greenville. Chester is a very high scoring team but I think Greenville can hold them down enough to win and advance to the finals.
In the bottom half of the bracket I believe undefeated and top seeded Father McGivney gets through to the semi finals. In that game a number of teams could find their way through to the semi finals. I think Columbia has had enough experience playing without point guard Aryn Henke and ready to make a splash. I see them in the semi final against Father McGivney.
The seeds should continue to hold up and bring Greenville into the championship game against Father McGivney. This should be a great match up where both teams will try to use their zone defense to create turnovers and hold the other team’s scoring in the 40’s. If you force me to pick I will say that Father McGivney is undefeated until someone beats them so I have to take them. It may come down to Big 3 vs Big 3, who scores more.For Greenville that is Megan Hallemann, Rylee Pickett and Natalie Iberg. For Father McGivney that is Madison Webb, Charlize Luehmann and Anna McKee.
Some of the top prospects that will be playing in the tourney include:
2020
Hallemann- Greenville
Pickett-Greenville
Webb-Father McGivney
Ashlynn Wrightman Gibault
Molly Diekemper Carlyle
Danika White New Athens
Erianna Henry Sparta
McKenzie Hancock Wesclin
Kamryn Pieron CORL
Destiny Williams Chester
2021
Iberg-Greenville
McKee-Father McGivney
Macie Peltes CORL
Bailey Bell Wesclin
Emily Smith Marissa
2022
Luehmann Father McGivney
Bree Portz Marissa
Jaden Hinnerichs Steeleville
Octavia Heidelberg Dupo
Sydney Rheinecker Sparta
Taylor Holten Columbia
2023
Karsen Jany Columbia
There are a number of players from small schools that may not be on the radar of any colleges outside of southeastern Illinois. Within the group of 2020 and 2021 players there are many girls that are absolutely fit for the small college/junior college level. They can help any team that is looking for depth and kids that are willing to work and earn their minutes. The 2022 and 2023 kids all have potential to play at the next level. Portz had an outstanding freshman campaign, Holten and Jany have been forced to take on a big role in the transition at Columbia and have a bright future ahead. Luehmann has expanded her game and become a consistent force as a sophomore and Heidelberg shows a ton of raw potential. There are some small school gems to see here.