Gateway Challenge Team Review: Blue Star Silvey 15U
During the USJN 11th Annual Gateway Challenge Coach Jeff Silvey and his 15U team didn’t take the easy way out. Not only is his 15U team stocked primarily with 14U players, but they played up into the 16U division and…
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Continue ReadingDuring the USJN 11th Annual Gateway Challenge Coach Jeff Silvey and his 15U team didn’t take the easy way out. Not only is his 15U team stocked primarily with 14U players, but they played up into the 16U division and went a good portion of the tourney with only 5 players. Those 5 players are all Edwardsville kids and showed well.
Katelynne Roberts is the elder statesman of the group being in the class of 2021. She is a 6’2 post that dressed varsity for Edwardsville last year. She moves well, runs the floor and shows some ball handling ability in the open floor. As she continues to add strength her post game will continue to develop as she will be able to handle contact and finish through that contact.
Macy Silvey is a 2022 5’9 guard that was named to the All Pool team. Macy is strong with the ball, can get to the basket and is an excellent outside shooter. She was hitting the 3 point shot with consistency in the games I observed. Macy showed the ability to handle the ball against pressure and play defense against the older girls which bodes well for her as she steps up the to the High School game.
Ariana Bennett is a 2022 5’11 forward that also was named to the All Pool play team. Ariana is extremely active and athletic. She has the ability to hurt you on the offensive boards and can take the defensive rebound and go coast to coast for the lay up if you don’t stop her. Ariana has the potential to an elite defensive player and rebounder with that length and athleticism.
Elle Evans is a 2022 6’0 wing player that showed the ability to pass the ball and shoot the 3 point shot. She is long and wiry but shows good coordination for a young 6 foot player. She can move and run with the wings and her height allows her to see over the top for the passes to her team and get her shot off when she is defended. In the 6:00 game I observed she got off early scoring 7 points in the first 4 minutes to help the team build a big early lead.
Kate Conner is a 2022 5’7 guard that handled the point much of the day. Kate showed the ability to get into the lane off her dribble and finish at the rim. Kate was pressured a good portion of the day by the older point guards and although she was a little loose with the ball at times she was able to limit the turnovers and keep the ball in play for her team. Kate will have the opportunity to learn behind a strong point guard in the Edwardsville system, Quierra Love which will help her development.
The four 2022 girls for Coach Silvey were a part of Edwardsville Liberty’s 7th grade 2016 and 8th grade 2017 IESA State Championship teams. Macy Silvey and Kate Conner played a role at the State Tourney as 6th graders playing up on the 7th grade championship team. They are proven winners and should help Edwardsville continue the strong tradition that has been built.