Of the St. Louis American
The 2005-06 girls basketball season has already started in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Here are 25 girls to watch as the season unfolds.
Brittney Adams (Belleville East): A powerful 5’10” junior forward who averaged 9.4 points and five rebounds on a team that advanced to the IHSA supersectionals.
LaShayla Bell (University City): An athletic four-year starter who returns after averaging 14 points and seven rebounds as a junior.
Jaleesa Butler (Alton): A versatile 6’1″ forward who recently signed with Georgetown. She is capable of playing all five positions.
Shanika Butler (Gateway Tech): An All-Public High League performer who averaged 15 points as a sophomore.
Felicia Chester (Incarnate Word): A 6’2″ All-State performer who has helped lead the Red Knights to two consecutive Class 5 state Final Four berths. She recently signed with DePaul.
Anye Covington (Edwardsville): A 6’1″ transfer from Centralia who will bolster the Tigers’ chances of returning to the Class AA Elite Eight for a third consecutive year.
Brittany Dodson (Metro): One of the area’s quickest guards who returns from last year’s Class 2 state runners-up team.
Dana Guthrie (Hazelwood West): A 5’2″ shooting guard who averaged 16 points to lead the Wildcats to a district championships.
Shania Hurst (Kirkwood): A versatile 5’10” junior who averaged 12 points, three rebounds and three assists as a sophomore.
Natisha Jones (Wellston): A 5’4″ senior guard who led the Trojanettes in scoring at 17 points a game last season.
Shakara Jones (Francis Howell Central): A 6’1″ junior who earned “Fab Five” honors in 2005 after averaging 21 points and eight rebounds as a sophomore.
Meghan Lewis (McCluer South-Berkeley): Talented sophomore guard who averaged 12 points, three rebounds and two steals as a freshman.
Theresa Lisch (Althoff): The top player in the St. Louis area. The Saint Louis University signee averaged 22 points a game in leading Althoff to a third-place finish in the IHSA Class A state tournament.
Kelsey Luna (St. Joseph): A four-year starter at point guard who returns for her senior year after recovering from a knee injury. She signed with Indiana State.
Brittany Noel (Jennings): A 5’9″ senior who averaged 10 points a game in helping the Warriors to their first ever Final Four appearance in 2005.
Kristen Peebles (Hazelwood Central): A 6’1″ sophomore post player who combines strength and athleticism around the basket. She is one of many talented post players on the Hawks’ team.
Alex Simpson (Normandy): A 6’1″ senior who helped the Vikings to the Class 5 state quarterfinals. She signed with Tulsa last week.
Teandria Smith (East St. Louis): The youngest of East Side’s talented sister act. The 6’0″ sophomore averaged 12 points and 9.6 rebounds as a freshman.
Victoria Smith (East St. Louis): The 5’11” junior twin averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a game for the Flyerettes.
Veronica Smith (East St. Louis): The other half of the talented twin duo who averaged 10 points and four rebounds as a junior.
Eryn Stepherson (Edwardsville): An athletic 5’9″ sophomore guard who should blossom into one of the top players in the metro east.
Catherine Stepps (Beaumont): Talented 5’5” senior guard who averaged 15.5 points and earned All-PHL honors as a junior.
Mackenzie Stirmlinger (St. Joseph’s): A four-year starter, the 5’11” Stirmlinger is one of the area’s top shooting guards. She signed with Iowa State last week.
Joi Walker (Career Academy): A 5’9″ transfer from Metro who bolstered Career Academy’s front line with her great athleticism and improved skills.
Lauren Woods (Belleville East): A 5’11” junior forward who is off to a fast start in 2005 after being a key reserve last season for the Lancers.
