news from the circuit in the last week….

As the AAU season comes to an end there are more stories of southern Illinois girls playing well. All in all it was a very good July session for many girls. Here are some that stood out in the last events. Hannah Mitchell  is a 6ft  2020 4/5 from Belleville East and the Evolution Elite 17u. Hannah played really well at the Nike Nationals in Atlanta. She averaged in double figures rebounding and was a force scoring inside too. In the 3rd place game she finished the summer with 18 points. Hannah is one to watch on a Belleville East team that will be replacing most of the starting line up. Lainie Wolter is a 5'6 2020 PG from Mt. Zion and Central Illinois Predators 17u. Lainie has played really well to end the summer. She has a great basketball IQ and can run the team from the floor. She will find mismatches and help her team exploit them.Lainie is a very good defender and a capable scorer. Macy Silvey is a 5’9 2022 guard from Edwardsville and Blue Star Silvey 15u. Macy finished the summer with her best event yet. She has played the 2 most of her life and is a pure shooter. Macy has been forced into playing the 1 in July and has responded well. She has handled the pressure and does a good job of getting the team into their sets. Macy scored consistently in the last tourney and really kept her team in a few games. Emily Reynolds is a 5’11 2020 4/5 from Hillsboro and the Central Illinois Predators 17u . Emily is an excellent rebounder that can control the glass on the defensive end. She can get the ball to the guards and help create fast break opportunities. On the offensive end Emily has developed some consistency in hitting the 15 foot jumper. This skill opens up the middle of the lane for others to drive and post up. Emily also plays with another big on her high school team so this a great skill to have. Kristen Huffman is a 5'7 2020 PG from Routt Catholic and Illinois Inferno. Kristen really shot the ball well at the end of the season. She is a very tough defender that will get the tough stops in key situations. Kristen has a non stop motor that is a huge spark to the team. Being a cross country runner, Kristen does not get tired on the floor. Khloe Damm is a 5'10 2021 wing from Illini Central and the Illinois Inferno 17u. Khloe joined up with the Inferno late in July and showed her versatile play. She has great length for her position and can get into the lane with great moves and handles. Kenzie Decker is a 5'7 2021 guard from Glenwood and the Central Illinois Predators 16u. Kenzie was a snipe from the 3 point line to end the season. Once the other teams played up on her she did a great job of using her dribble and a hesitation move to get in the lane. Kenzie is a great leader that provides vocal support from the floor and the bench. As the AAU season comes to an end it is great to see these ladies finish strong. I look forward to catching them during the school season to see if they can maintain the momentum.