USJN Gateway Challenge: Top Shooters
The USJN Gateway Challenge gave a stage to many talented Southern Illinois players. In this article I explore some of the top shooters I saw. Clare Breden is a 5’5 2021 guard from Jerseyville. She plays for the SI Hawks…
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Continue ReadingThe USJN Gateway Challenge gave a stage to many talented Southern Illinois players. In this article I explore some of the top shooters I saw.
- Clare Breden is a 5’5 2021 guard from Jerseyville. She plays for the SI Hawks Elite 17u team. Clare has deep range on her shot. This allows her to find space to get her shot off more often. Clare has really developed her floater which forces her defenders to honor the drive. When Clare gets a clean look her consistent mechanics make her deadly.
- Macy Silvey is a 5’9 2022 guard from Edwardsville. She plays for the Blue Star Silvey 15u team. Macy is the Vinnie Johnson of our era. She doesn’t come off the bench but she is like a microwave, she can heat up in a hurry. When she gets on a roll you better deny her the ball because she will make 2 or 3 in a row before you even realize it. She should have a chance to make an impact for EHS this year.
- Rylee Pickett is a 5’6 2020 guard from Greenville. She plays for the Blue Star Renken 17u team. Rylee went all the way to the final day in the State Farm 3 point shootout last year. She has a great shot and will fill it up if you leave her. She plays school ball with a talented post player so she can benefit from that. If you choose to leave her, you will pay for it.
- Kate Minkler is a 5’6 2020 guard from Ladue High in St. Louis. She plays with the St. Louis Eagles 17u team. Kate was one of the top 3 point shooters in the St. Louis Metro area last year. She made 86 threes and shot a respectable 37%. Kate does a great job of getting her feet set and delivering a consistent shot.
- Rylee Smith is a 5’6 2021 guard from Piasa Southwestern. She plays with the SI Hawks Elite 16u team. Rylee is an excellent mid range shooter. She some critical baskets for her team in their last game of the day. Rylee can get hot from behind the 3 and was a consistent scorer for her school team. She does an excellent job of finding space with one or two dribbles and hitting the 15 footer.
Of course there are always many talented players in a big tourney like this. In the games I saw, these ladies caught my eye. They may not have made the most shots of the day, but based on what I have seen over the past year, they have the most consistent shots in the area.