Prairie State Conference: Who is doing the dirty work?
Photo courtesy of Riverbender.com As a part of our on going series of preview articles about the Prairie State Conference we will talk a little about the girls in the conference doing the dirty work. Every team needs those girls…
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As a part of our on going series of preview articles about the Prairie State Conference we will talk a little about the girls in the conference doing the dirty work. Every team needs those girls that are going to hit the boards and defend. These players are the players that are the glue that holds the team together. Like they say, defense wins championships!
- Taylor Bradley is considered by Coach Stock as both his best rebounder and best defender for Metro East Lutheran. Taylor is a long forward that works very hard and that effort is invaluable for her team. Without her on the floor they see a decline in their ability to slow down the other team and keep them off the boards. As her minutes increased last year due to her performance she averaged over 8 rebounds per game the rest of the season. She is always given the responsibility to guard the other teams best big and she is consistently holding her own, By having a good feel for the game she is able to position herself to take away what her opponent is trying to do and force them into uncomfortable spots. Taylor will certainly play an important role for the Knights this year and will have to carry a large load.
- Macee Eisenbarth is an under sized post player from Nokomis that also gets results by attitude and effort to make up for what she lacks in size. She was able to average over 5 rebounds per game last year on a senior dominated team and will most likely see that number jump significantly this year as she takes on more ownership of the team. Macee has very good footwork and quickness that allows her to get into a good position to rebound and she has the grit to go get the ball.
- Payton Connors is the only returning starter for Coach Green at Alton Marquette. At 5’7 she is a tough guard that is very hard nosed. She is always asking for the assignment of guarding the other teams best player and relishes those opportunities. She is not afraid to mix it up and will do what she can to get her opponent off their game. She likes to create steals and so she will need to control the fouls a little better this year that plagued her last year as she will be counted on for on court leadership on a young team.
- Madison Webb is a strong 5’10 forward from Father McGivney and is their returning leading rebounder. Madison was able to average over 8 rebounds per game last year for Coach Oller. She will be counted on to do the same this year and if she can continue her trend of getting almost 3 offensive boards per game she will give herself those easy scoring opportunities that can change the flow of a game. Madison moves well for her size so she is able to often beat other girls to the ball when the odd bounces or loose balls happen under the basket.
- Anna McKee is a high scoring guard for Coach Oller at Father McGivney and at 5’8 she has long arms and is very quick. This athletic combination created over 5 steals per game for her last year and led to many fast break opportunities and easy baskets. Anna is only going to get better as she is going to be a sophomore this year and should be even more instinctive and tough on the defensive end.
- Kiley Kirchner saw minutes on a senior dominated team for Alton Marquette last year as a freshman. Kiley is a 5’8 jack of all trades that Coach Green can use in many different capacities. She is an explosive athlete that is very strong and has a knack for rebounding. She was able to get a very high percentage of her rebounds last year on the offensive end. Her quickness and strength allow her to go get the ball and take it away from other girls who may have had better position. She will definitely be counted on to be a consistent force rebounding on both ends this year for the under sized and young Explorer team.
These girls will all be counted on as major contributors for teams that want to win the conference championship and it very well could come down to which team and its players are better at the dirty work that has to be done!