EAST ST. LOUIS - Brady Niemi, a sharpshooter senior point guard who plays on the boys basketball team for Edwardsville High School, is probably one of the Tigers' most improved players this season, and showed why during a 68-60 loss at East St. Louis on Dec. 5, 2025.
Niemi hit five threes during the first half as the Tigers broke out to a 31-21 lead in the second quarter, but the Flyers fought back in the second half to take the win in the Southwestern Conference opener for both teams. Three nights earlier, against Springfield, Niemi got the roll on a game-winning three with almost 30 seconds left in regulation, then stole a pass with 20 seconds left to help give Edwardsville a 51-49 win in the Tigers' home opener Dec. 2.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
In the first few games of the season, Niemi is the team's leading scorer, averaging 13.3 points, and 1.3 rebounds-per-game. He's also 11-of-17 from three-point range after six games.
Niemi is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers.
In a postgame interview that followed the loss to East Side, Niemi expressed his disappointment with the loss, but was proud of his team for battling throughout the game.
"I'm just disappointed that we lost," Niemi said. "I'm proud of how our team played, how we battled the whole time, but I wish we could have pulled that one out, for sure."
Niemi didn't see much playing time last season, averaging 1.3 points and 0.5 rebounds per game in six appearances, also having three assists and one steal. This season, to go along with his scoring and rebounding averages, he's also been credited with seven assists and two steals. It's something Niemi worked on during the summer, and the payoff is starting to come around.
"Yeah, I worked," Niemi said. "I'm just trying to figure out my role on the team. I didn't play a lot last year, so I'm just trying to figure everything out, but I'm trying to do the best I can. I'll keep working and still trying to get better. So, I've have work to do."
The Tigers are off to their 3-3 start this season, which isn't too bad a start for the team.
"It's alright," Niemi said, "I practiced for that, I practice at least every day, so I'm happy with that. But I've got to keep working on my defense all the time."
Niemi's goals and aspirations for the Tigers and himself are very ambitious for this season.
"I really hope we can win a regional on our home court," Niemi said, "and maybe keep winning these conference games, keep winning these games, and have a real good record and go to the sectionals."
