Here are 19 of the top high school girl basketball players to watch this season
Following is a list of 19 of the top players to key an eye on during the 2019-20 girls basketball season in southern Illinois:
Clare Breden, Jerseyville, jr.
A true offensive threat during her first two seasons with the Panthers, the 5-9 Breden remains the go-to girl. Averaging 17.7 points last season, she is at a 17.4 ppg clip in leading Jerseyville to a 4-1 start. Breden is a two-time second team all-area selection.
Ellie Brown, Highland, sr.
The Bulldogs’ leader both on and off the court, the 5-7 Brown returns for her fourth and final season in the starting lineup. Known for poise and calming influence, Brown was a first team all-area player a year ago when she averaged 12.7 points and nearly four assists per game. Currently averaging 11 points for the Bulldogs (3-1), Brown went over the 1,000 point mark for her career a week ago.
Anaya Davis, Althoff, jr.
An imposing presence inside in 2018-19 when she averaged 12 points and four rebounds while making nearly 88 percent of her shots, Davis is currently sidelined with a knee injury but could be back by mid to late December.
Kayla Gordon, sr. and Amelia Bell, jr., O’Fallon
The 5-5 Gordon and 6-foot Bell are combining to score 31 points a game for OFallon (4-0) which hopes to challenge Edwardsville in the Southwestern Conference. A second team all-area player a year ago, Gordon is a lightning quick guard who can penetrate but also has the ability to step out and hit an open 3-point shot. Bell, who averaged just over 9 points last season is an inside presence who is currently leading the Panthers in scoring (16.8 ppg) and rebounding (9.3).
Anna Hall, sr. and Kourtland Tyus, sr. Civic Memorial
This duo is key to one of the premier Class 3A teams in the state this season. A starter since early in her freshman season, the 5-7 Tyus is well over the 1,000-point mark for her career and is one of the premier point guards in southern Illinois. She averaged 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and four steals a game for an Eagles team which finished 29-6 last season. Hall, the reigning News-Democrat Large School Player of the Year is an athletic 6-1 forward who can run the floor. She averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds last year. The Eagles are off to a 5-0 start this season with Tyus and Hall pouring in a combined 33 points per outing.
Caite Knutson, sr., Kristyn Mitchell, sr. and Faith Liljegren, sr., Collinsville
Always one of the more dangerous teams to play late in the season, the 2019-20 Kahoks aren’t wasting any time in the early going this fall, winning the Nashville Tournament by beating the host Hornets in the final. Knutson, Liljegren and Mitchell combined for more than 32 points a game last season and are all averaging in double figure scoring.
Shannon Lampe, Mater Dei, sr.
A four-year impact player for coach David Kohnen’s Knights, the 5-9 Lampe can score both in the paint or from the perimeter. Averaging 11.8 points, Lampe helped Mater Dei reach the Class 3A sectional final where lost to Effingham in the Class 3A sectional final. Lampe is currently averaging 15.5 ppg for the Knights who have won three of their first four games to start the season.
Quierra Love, sr. and Sydney Harris, soph. Edwardsville
A first team all-area selection and one of the top guards in the state a year ago, the 5-4 Love if the floor leader for coach Lori Blade’s team which figures to be one of the top Class 4A teams in the state once again. Love is currently averaging 9.3 points after scoring at a 10.8 ppg clip last season The 6-foot Harris has the ability to post up inside or step out and make the 3-point jumper Already with the reputation for wanting the basketball with the game on the line, Harris leads the Tigers (5-0) in scoring with a 19.7 average.
Anna McKee, Father McGivney, jr.
The Griffins schedule may not be the most challenging, but there is little doubt the 5-9 McKee is worth the price of admission on a nightly basis. Currently averaging 15.6 points and 5 assists per game, McKee should go over the 1,000 point mark sometime before Christmas.
Shaniah Nunn, Belleville West sr.
Headed to Kaskaskia College next season, the 6-1 Nunn has improved steadily throughout her career as a Maroon. Agile and quick enough to guard smaller players on the defensive end, Nunn also can either post up inside or step out to make 3-point shots. Nunn averaged 10 points and 7rebounds last season.
Bree Portz, soph. and Emily Smith, jr. Marissa
Consistent play was the hallmark for this Meteors duo a year ago as she combined for 26 points for a Marissa team that won 26 games and advanced to the Class 1A Salem Super-Sectional. This season, Portz (15.,5 ppg) and Smith (12 ppg) have Marissa off and running again at a 3-1 mark.
Adrenna Snipes, Marquette, soph.
One of the top freshmen scorers in the metro east a year ago when she averaged 17.9 ppg, the 5-5 Snipes has been even better in 2019-20, averaging 20.7 points. But the athletic Explorer continues to shine all over the court. Already with 15 3-point field goals , Snipes also is averaging 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and nearly five steals for a Marquette team which has gotten out to a 4-1 start.
Danika White, New Athens, sr.
A four-sport athlete and one of the best in the Cahokia Conference for the past four years, the 5-10 White has the speed to get out on the break and create havoc with defensive pressure and the strength to dominate in the post. Despite getting double teamed on a nightly basis, White is still scoring 12 points per game. She averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds a game last year.
