SWIC Blue Storm Team Camp: Top Illinois Teams
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The Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) Blue Storm Team Camp in Belleville, IL featured many of the top programs from the metro east area, just across the river from St. Louis. Many of those programs were from the powerful Southwestern Conference,…
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Continue ReadingThe Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) Blue Storm Team Camp in Belleville, IL featured many of the top programs from the metro east area, just across the river from St. Louis. Many of those programs were from the powerful Southwestern Conference, which produced two state champions in 2018. Here is a look at some of those teams that participated in the Blue Storm Team Camp:
East St. Louis: The Flyers graduated some tremendous talent from their Class 3 state championship team, including All-Stater Terrance Hargrove, who is at Saint Louis University. However, the Flyers appear to have reloaded as they went 6-0 over the weekend. They still have plenty of size and length on their roster. The key player back is 5’11” 2020 point guard Jashawn Anderson, an underrated player who makes big plays on both ends of the floor. Up front, 6’8″ 2020 forward Armond Williams is a long, slender athlete who is skilled and can run the court. 6’4″ 2020 LaShawn Johnson is a versatile athlete who gets to the basket and makes plays. The front line got bigger with the addition of 6’7″ 2020 forward Patrick Readye, an Althoff transfer with a skilled post game.
Alton: The Redbirds graduated some excellent players in Donovan Clay, Antonio Smith and Josh Rivers, but they will continue to field a quick, athletic team that can put pressure on opposing teams. 2020 point guard Andrew Jones will run the show once again. The 5’11” Jones is a crafty ball handler with quickness and shooting ability. I really liked the play of 6’4″ 2020 Moory Woods, who was very explosive and can score from many spots on the floor. 6’0″ 2020 guard Ky’lun Rivers is a slasher with experience with 6’0″ 2021 JaMarcus Gary is another solid guard.
Belleville East: The Lancers will build some talented young players. I was very impressed with 6’4″ 2022 guard Braxton Stacker, who did a solid job as a freshman last season. He has good size, good handles and a smooth jumper off the bounce and from 3-point range. East also picked up a key transfer in 6’2″ 2021 point guard Ethyn Brown, who came over from Althoff. He has good size, a strong body and he has the ability to organize his team.
Belleville West: The two-time Class 4A state champions will have a decidedly new look with the graduation of Mr. Basketball EJ Liddell and his supporting cast. The lone returning veteran is 6’3″ 2021 wing Tommie Williams, who was impressive with his athleticism and slashing ability throughout the weekend. A talented newcomer to watch is 5’10” 2022 point guard Jadin Brazil, the younger brother of graduated point guard standout Lawrence Brazil. He has skills and can lead a team. 6’4″ 2020 forward Deonte Wright displayed some nice moves in the post, including several effective spin moves for buckets.
O’Fallon: The Panthers have some good young talent on hand, led by 6’7″ 2021 forward Shawn Riley, an active rebounder with solid moves in the post and the ability to drive as well. There are guards aplenty at O’Fallon with talented 6’1″ 2022 Caleb Burton, who can shoot the 3-pointer and take you off the dribble. 5’11” 2021 guard Chris Porter can light it up from 3-point distance as can 5’8″ 2021 guard Drew Tebbe. The one senior in the backcourt is 6’0″ 2020 Amarey Wills, Providing a little beef up front is 6’3″ 2022 power forward Dawson Algee, who can really rebound.
Roxana: One of the smaller schools in the field, the Shells were dangerous to guard with a number of players who can shoot the 3-pointer. They had good ball movement to consistently get their shooters open. 6’2″ 2021 guard Gavin Huffman can really move without the basketball and shoot it coming off screens. 5’9″ 2021 point guard Andrew Beckman can shoot it, but he was also very solid off the bounce while 6’2″ Jacob Golener wasn’t afraid to let it fly from just about anywhere on the court.