S.W. Illinois Jets 16U Girls win championship of USJN Tournament in Chicago

The S.W. Illinois Jets 16U girls ventured North to Chicago and came away with the championship of the United States Junior National Summer Final in their age division. The Jets defeated the Chicago Hoops Express 52-49 in the championship game to finish with a perfect 6-0 record for the tournament.

 "We had some injuries early this summer, but it all came together over the weekend," said Jets coach Todd Hill. "I really challenged the girls before the tournament. We had a .500 record in July and we've never finished July with a losing record. The girls really stepped up all weekend."

 In the championship game, senior post player Amarah Brooks-Williams (Belleville Althoff) led the Jets with 17 points. Sophomore guard Jasmine Stubblefield (Althoff) added 10 points. In the semifinals, the Jets defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers Elite by two points on a last-second basketball by center Mary O'Keefe (Edwardsville).

 The Jets are made up of standout girls players from the metro-east in the sophomore, junior and senior classes. Also on the team are junior Brooke Schulte (Breese Mater Dei), who was an Earlaustinjr.com All-Area First Team selection in 2010; Janell Anthony (East St. Louis), Janell Whitworth (Althoff), Danielle Amann-Stewart (Mascoutah), Leigh Kesper (Edwardsville), Tiarra Snow (East St. Louis) and St. Louis area standouts Stephanie Anderson (Whitfield) and Kelsey Sikes (Timberland).

 Congratulations to the S.W. Illinois Jets 16U girls on their championship performance in the Windy City.