State champs Incarnate Word return with top players

The high school girls’ basketball season got underway last week. Defending Class 4 state champion Incarnate Word Academy will field one of the top teams in the country this season. As we begin another season of girls’ basketball, here are some of the top players to watch as well as some of the top teams of note. 

Players to watch

Gwen Adams (Incarnate Word): Powerful 6’0” senior forward who has signed with SIUE.

Alli Ball (Principia): Versatile 6’1” senior forward who has signed with Akron.

Nakiah Bell (Incarnate Word): Outstanding senior point guard who has signed with Iowa State.

Tiara Bramlett (Hazelwood East): Excellent 5’11” senior forward who averaged 14 rebounds a game.

Napheesa Collier (Incarnate Word): Talented 6’1” junior forward who is one of the top players in the country.

Jesheon Cooper (Belleville West): Improving 6’5” senior who is starting to become a force inside.

Aaliyah Covington (Edwardsville): Excellent 5’11” senior guard who has signed with Saint Louis U.

Zhanesha Dickerson (Miller Career Academy): Senior 5’9” forward who is one of the best in the Public High League.

Kortney Dunbar (Edwardsville): Talented 6’2” swing who can shoot the 3-pointer. Signed with Tennessee.

Braennan Farrar (Miller Career Academy): Excellent senior point guard who led Phoenix to the PHL title.

Khalia Miller (North Tech): Talented guard who led North Tech to the Class 3 Final Four last season.

Lauryn Miller (Kirkwood): Talented freshman forward who is already making a big impact this season.

Taylor Miller (Metro): Versatile 5’11” forward who does everything for the Panthers.

Jordan Roundtree (Parkway West): Smooth 5’9” sophomore guard who is averaging 17 points a game.

Alesia Sutton (Parkway North): Outstanding sophomore point guard who is one of the best in the state.

Brittany Thomas (Parkway South): Talented senior guard who scored 36 points in a game last week.

Rachel Thompson (MICDS): Hard-working 5’9” sophomore who is one of the top young players in the area.

Gabby Walker (St. Charles): A 6’0” sophomore who led the Pirates in scoring and rebounding as a freshman.

Zoe Wallis (Parkway Central): A 6’3” senior post player who led the Colts to a district title last season.

Teams to watch: Incarnate Word, Edwardsville, St. Joseph’s Miller Career Academy, Parkway North, MICDS, Kirkwood, Parkway South, Mater Dei, Belleville West, Hazelwood Central, Webster Groves, Fort Zumwalt West, Cor Jesu, Breese Central, North Tech, Lutheran (St. Charles).