Girls basketball: Scouting DuPage County

Posted November 21, 2013 12:23 am

Daily Herald report

AddisonTrail

Coach:RobSchader.

Lastyear:7-20,1-11,inWestSuburbanGold;lostinregionalopener.

Topplayers:ConnieBarkoulies,sr.,PG;BreeMurray,sr.,G;KatieDziabis,sr.,G/F;ArletaArizi,sr.,F;KellyBaumgartner,sr.,F;NicoleAshley,sr.,G;MelyssaPham,sr.,F.

Scoutingreport:TherebuildingcontinuesatAddisonTrail,withanumberoffreshfaces,mostofwhomwillplaywhiletheBlazersgo10-12deep.They’llusetheirdepthandgreatspeedandathleticismtotheiradvantage,hopingtooffsetsomeshootingwoesandlackofheight.“We’llhaveatoughtimescoringattimes,”Schadersaid.Murrayreturnshavingplayedgoodminuteslastyear,andSchaderlikesDziabis’abilitytodriveandshoot.“Sheworksreallyhard,”Schadersaid.PhamisworkingherwaybackfromanACLinjury,butshecanshootalso.Still,alltheBlazersarerawintermsofskilllevel,andhowquicklytheylearnwilldeterminehowmuchsuccesstheyhave.

Benet

Coach:PeterPaul

Lastyear:20-10,5-4inDuPageValleyConference;lostinClass4AregionalchampionshiptoNapervilleCentral.

Topplayers:EmilySchramek,jr.,F;EmilyEshoo,jr.,G;KathleenDoyle,soph.,G;EdenOlson,sr.,G;KendallMcDermott,jr.,C;JennaMartin,sr.,F;GraceBumpus,sr.,C.

Scoutingreport:Inhis29thandfinalseasonascoach,PaulreturnsplentyofexperiencefromlastseasonbutwillmissgraduatedleadingscorerChristenPrasse,nowatSt.LouisUniversity.SchramekandEshooeachstartedassophomoresandcombinedfor32pointsinMonday’sseason-openingwin,whichgavePaulcareerwinNo.597.The6-foot-1McDermott,atransferfromYorkville,joinsthe6-footSchramektogivetheRedwingssomesizeandstrongrebounding.“Ifweshoottheballwellwe’llbeineverygame,”saidPaul,whohastaughtatBenetsince1969.“We’vegotalotofreturnersandwefeelreallygoodaboutourselves.”Doyle,atoughpointguard,playshardonbothendsofthefloor,andadeepBenetbenchincludessophomoreguardEliseStoutand5-10freshmanforwardKendalSchramek,Emily’ssister.

DownersGroveNorth

Coach:StephanBolt

Lastyear:9-19,2-10,sixthinWestSuburbanSilver;lostinfirstroundofpostseason.

Topplayers:SarahCostello,sr.,G;PeytonWinters,jr.,F/C;JaidaGreen,so.,G;ColleenHonn,sr.,F;LaurenPorcelli,so.,G.

Scoutingreport:Althoughstillrelativelyyoung,theTrojansgainedalotofexperiencelastyearandhavefourreturningstarters.“Thegirlshavemadeasolidcommitmenttogetbetterintheoff-seasononbothendsonthefloor,”Boltsaid.“Tocompeteatthelevelwewantwemustcontinuetoworkhardtobecomeagreatdefensiveteam.”DownersNorthwillcompeteintheGlenbardEastRachelBachThanksgivingTournamentaswellasWheatonNorth’sBillNeibchHolidayTournamentoverChristmas.“Ontheoffensivesideofthefloorwewilllooktopushtheballintransitionwhilestillplayingincontrol,”Boltadded.“SarahCostelloandJaidaGreenhaveworkedhardtobecomelegitimatemultidimensionalthreatsontheperimeterthatcanbothshootandcreateplaysforthemselvesandothers.”PeytonWintersisaveryskilledpostplayerandwillbeprovideapresenceinsidefortheTrojansthisseason.

DownersGroveSouth

Coach:LyndsieLong

Lastyear:11-10overall.

Topplayers:ClaireHardy,sr.,F;MelissaMcLean,sr.,F;NicoleLandrosh,sr.,F;MeganMuench,jr.,G;AvaPorlier,jr.,G.

Scoutingreport:First-yearcoachLongbringswithheranewcoachingstaff,andtheMustangswillalsobechangingthingsuponoffenseanddefense.“Wehavethepotentialtohaveaverysuccessfulseason,”Longsaid.“IfeellikethegirlshavebeenveryreceptiveofmeandthenewthingsIhaveimplementedwiththemthisseason.Ourteamhasgreatteamchemistry,whichIfeelisveryimportantinateamsport.”Sheaddedthatthegirlshaveworkedhardandhavegottenbettereveryday.“I’msettingthebarhighforourteam.WewillcontinuetoworkhardonthecoachingsideandIknowourplayerswillworkharddayinanddayout.It’sgoingtobeafunyearwiththisgroup,”saidLong,whohassixseniorsontherosterthisseason.

Fenton

Coach:TimAnderson.

Lastyear:18-12,6-6,fourthinMetroSuburbanConference;lostinregionalquarterfinal.

Topplayers:TinaGuarino,sr.,G;RachaelLeschewski,sr.,P;DanaFritz,jr.,G/F;JessicaBango,so.,G;ValAndrews,jr.,G/F.

Scoutingreport:CurioustohowFentonwillfarethisseason?Soisthecoach.“Thisisgoingtobeavery,veryinterestingseason,”Andersonsaid.“Ican’twait.”TheBisonare“extremely,extremelyyoung”and“Wehavenosize,”Andersonadded.“We’vejustgotareallygoodworkethicandwehavesomeskills.Wecanshoot.”LeadingthewaywillbeGuarino,theteam’sMVPthepasttwoseasonsandateamleader.Andersonwillbuildtheteamaroundher.InsidewillbeLeschewski,nevermindthatshe’snottallbybasketballstandards,sheplayslikeshe’sa6-footer.“She’sourdominantinsideplayer,all5-6ofher.Shejumpsthroughtheroof,”saidAnderson,enteringhis26thseason.Fritzisoneofsixreturningplayerswhohaveimprovedalot.

GlenbardEast

Coach:DonFinnie.

Lastyear:3-23,0-14inDuPageValleyConference;lostinsecondroundoftheregional.

Topplayers:TajaneaKey,sr.,F;ElieDonovan,sr.,G;AllisonHansen,jr.,F;RachelLeifheit,jr.,F/G;CamrynBiegalski,so.,G;AshleyBrown,so.,G;BrittanyPaganucci,so.,G;BrasiaSolid,so.,F;MadisonKoch,so.,F.

Scoutingreport:Withfourreturningregularsandaslewoftalentedsophomoreswhowent25-1atthefreshmanlevel,theRamslooktomakebigstridesthisseason.HansenandLeifheitwilleachbestartingforathirdseason,andHansenandKeyeachwereall-DVChonorable-mentionpickslastwinter.“They’relikeafamilyandtheyplaywelltogether,”Finniesaid.“Theyworkedhardduringthesummerandfallleagues,andwhilethisisabuildingyearagain,we’vegotareallygreatgroupofkids.”GlenbardEastboastsmorespeedthaninrecentyears,andImmaculateConceptiontransferKoch,at5-11,helpsinthesizedepartmentaswell.

GlenbardNorth

Coach:JohnChamberlain

Lastyear:11-16,7-7,fourthinDuPageValleyConference;losttoWillowbrookinregionalsemifinals.

Topplayers:LailaPickens,sr.,F;CaitlynDeegan,sr.,F;SamYocum,sr.,F;AriannaCallard,jr.,F;JenniferDeegan,so.,F.

Scoutingreport:Thedepartureof6-foot-4all-DVCperformerKatieWisniewskiduetograduationwilldrasticallychangethewaythePantherslookandapproachthegamethisseason.“Nolongeranchoredinthepostoffensivelyanddefensively,we’llneedtospreadtheflooranduseourquicknessmore,”Chamberlainsaid.Thecupboardisclearlynotemptyasreturninghonorable-mentionall-DVCplayerLailaPickensisanexplosiveforwardandfreshmanZakiyaNewsomewilltakeoverpointguardduties.Additionally,thetwo5-11Deeganforwardsandthe5-10YocumgiveGlenbardNorthsomesizedownlowtogoalongwithisspeed.

GlenbardSouth

Coach:JulieFonda.

Lastyear:22-8,10-2,secondinMetroSuburbanConference;lostinsectionalfinal.

Topplayers:TomeiBall,sr.,F;SteffyBazigos,sr.,G;SydneyBauman,jr.,C;IvanaMarkovic,sr.,G;JennaBrambora,jr.,G;AlexLaPonte,jr.,G;MeganSmith,jr.,G.

Scoutingreport:There’soptimismagainatGlenbardSouth,andwithgoodreason.TheRaidershaveplentyofreturningtalentinthebackcourtwithBazigos,MarkovicandBrambora.Theyhavegoodsizeinthe6-foot-3Bauman.TheyhavegoodleadershipintheSt.Xavier-boundBall.Andtheyhaveplentyofexperience,shootinganddefenseinalloftheirfirstsevenplayers.“Welookgreat,”Fondasaid.“They’reanotheryearolder,anotheryearwiser,stronger,faster.Soyeah,I’mreallyexcited.It’sgoingtobeafunyear.”AllthatexperiencemeansFondaisdoingalotoffine-tuninginsteadofoutandoutteaching.Baumanalsohasmadegreatstrides.“Sheplayedalotofhigh-levelbasketballwithagreatgroup,soshe’skindofatransformedkidfromlastyeartothisyear,”Fondasaid.

GlenbardWest

Coach:MikeHofland.

Lastyear:11-17,3-9,sixthinWestSuburbanSilver;lostinregionalquarterfinals.

Topplayers:ClaireGrant,jr.,G;CassieBuchholz,jr.,G;GreyHayes,so.,G;EllenDaniels,so.,G;MarissaVivoda,jr.,G;GraceBurrello,jr.,G;EmmaKiel,jr.,G.

Scoutingreport:Winorlose,Hoflandislookingforwardtotheseason.“Thegirlsarelookingprettygood,”hesaid.“It’safungroupofkids.Theyworkhardandthey’reathletic.Wedon’thavealotofsizeorexperience,butthey’remakingmehappywiththeirworkethic.”Hoflandisaccustomedtohavinggoodheightonhisteams,buthe’llhavetolearntodowithoutthisyear.Tomakeupforthelackofsize,theHilltopperswillrunmoreandtakemorechancesondefense,makinguseofthatathleticism.Buchholzwillguidetheteamatthepoint.“Cassie’sdoneagreatjobsofar.Icouldn’tbemorehappywithheronbothsidesoftheball,”Hoflandsaid.Grantwillbeinthebackcourtbesideher.“Probablyoneofthebestpureshooterswe’vehadinalongtimehere,”Hoflandsaid.

HinsdaleCentral

Coach:TomMcKenna

Lastyear:16-10,9-3,secondplaceinWestSuburbanSilver;lostinfirstgameofregional.

Topplayers:MaddieRoglich,sr.,G/F;JennaBroz,sr.,F;AbbyGurka,sr.,G;EmilyWasz,sr.,post;MeganLord,sr.,F;GabrielleRush,jr.,G;PaytonKatich,jr.,G.

Scoutingreport:ExpectationsarerunningveryhighfortheRedDevilsasHinsdaleCentralreturnsthreeveryexperiencedstartersfromateamthatfinishedonegamebehindProvisoWestfortheWSStitle.SeniorsMaddieRoglichandJennaBrozarefour-yearvarsityplayers,andGabrielleRushwillbestartingherthirdyearatguardafteraveraging21pointsagameandconnectingon42percentofher3-pointshots.“I’vebeendoingthisawhileandI’masexcitedaboutthisteamasanyteamI’veevercoached,”McKennasaid.TheRedDevilshavethesize,speed,depthandexperiencetocontendforSilverandregionaltitles.Rushhasestablishedherselfasoneofverybestjuniorsinthestate.

HinsdaleSouth

Coach:JenBelmonte

Lastyear:17-9overall,11-1inWSCGoldchampion;lostinregionalfinal.

Topplayers:MaryClaireLadd,sr.,G;MackenzieKern,sr.,G/F;CassieJensen,sr.,F;SydneyKopp,so.,G;AliLokanc,sr.,G;RachelSoukup,sr.,G;HaleyElMahassni,sr.,G;KierraJohnson,sr.

Scoutingreport:Aftergraduatingthreestartersfromlastyear’sconferencechamps,theHornetswilllooktocometogetherandmeshasanewgroupthisseason.ToniRomiti,lastyear’sleadingscorernowplayingatSouthCarolinaUpstate,willbemissed,butHinsdaleSouthisstillreturningexperienceanddepth,ledbyMackenzieKernandMaryClaireLadd,whohavebeenonvarsitysincetheyweresophomores.“Wehavesomeheightinsideandsomeveryquickplayers.Theteamisfullofveryathleticdeterminedplayerswhoallbringalittlesomethingdifferenttothetable.WehopetochallengethetopteamsinourTip-OffTournament,theBenet/NapervilleNorthChristmastourneyandinconference,”Belmotesaid.“Withthatbeingsaid,weplayaverytoughschedulethisyear.”Severalvarsitynewcomers,includingatalentedjuniorclass,willprovidedepth.

ICCatholicPrep

Coach:AubreeLawrence

Lastyear:17-11,7-3wonBlueDivisionofSuburbanChristianConference.

Topplayers:RoryManion,sr.,F;AbbyRadoha,sr,F/G;GraceVitek,sr.G;ErinMaloney,jr.,G;ChiaraGaudio,jr.,G.

Scoutingreport:ICgetsfourstartersbackfromtheteamthatwonthedivision,andVitek,a6-footpointguardreturnsforhersenioryearafterdevotinglastyeartosoccer,whichshewillplayincollege.Manionisagreatallaroundplayerwhowasall-conferenceandall-statehonorablementionwholedtheICvolleyballteamtotheClass2Achampionshiplastweekend.She’sastrongpostplayerwhoisgiftedathleticallyandshe’stheteam’semotionalleader.“Rorylovestocompete,”Lawrencesaid.“Shegetsfiredupandshekeepsherteammatesinvolved.Radohaisanotherall-conferenceplayerwhocanscoreandplaysoliddefense.Maloney,ahard-noseddefender,andGaudio,acreator,giveICapairofsavvyguards.There’sdepthprovidedbyagroupofpromisingunderclassmen.“Weliketoplayahighpressuredefenseandafastup-and-downgameofftransition,”Lawrencesaid.“We’rehighenergyonbothendsofthecourt.”

LakePark

Coach:BrianRupp

Lastyear:1-27,0-12seventhintheUpstateEightValleyDivision.

Topplayers:EmilyDuckhorn,jr.,G;JakeiyaMorgan,fr.,G;EricaFant,jr.,G,JenWarfield,so.,F;AlexisPall,jr.,C;AbbieZastawny,jr,G/F;KellyAdams,sr.,G;RachelPudell,jr.,F/G.

Scoutingreport:Don’tbefooledbythe1-27record.There’sagoodnucleusofdevelopingtalentheretomaketheLancerscompetitiveintheirfirstyearintheDuPageValleyConference.First-yearskipperRupphasbeencoachingLakePark’slower-levelteamsforseveralyears,soheknowsthegirlsandtheircapabilities.DuckhornisthebigreturningscorerandfreshmanMorganbringsanextragear.SheandFantaresmartballhandlerswhocandirecttheattack.TheimprovingWarfieldisapost-upplayerwhocandrawthedefenseoutside,andPallisatirelessworkerwho’sbeingcountedontocancleartheboards.“I’mconfidentthingswillbebetterthisyear,”Ruppsaid.“Everysinglepositionhasimproved,andthegirlsallknowtheirroles.Wehavesomegoodreturneesonthebenchandsomeexcellentfreshmenandsophomoreswhomayhelpuslaterintheseason.Bytheendoftheyear,peoplewillknowaboutDuckhornandMorgan.”

Lisle

Coach:NickBalaban

Lastyear:23-6,11-1firstinInterstateEightConference;lostinregionalchampionship.

Topplayers:SierraBirdsell,sr.,F;ValMelo,sr.,G;LeahReeves,jr.,G;KateTwaddle,jr.,F;SarahMogensen,jr.,F;MonifahDavis,jr.,F;KelseyKretman,jr.,G;TyAnnLegrand-Melton,fr.

Scoutingreport:Balabantakesoveraprogramcomingoffabigcampaignandhopestocontinuethewinningways,withastrongrelianceondefenseandreboundingnightinandnightout.“Thiswillallowustheabilitytogetoutonthebreakandputpressureontheopposingdefense,”Balabansaid.“Ialsolikeourversatilityandflexibilitythatwehaveatallpositionswithourpersonnel.Iseethisasastrengthofours,whichwehopewillcreatematchupsproblemsfortheopposition.”TheLionswillmaketheirfirstappearanceattheRiverside-BrookfieldThanksgivingTournament.Withfivegamesinsixdays,Lislewillusethetourneyasanearlyseasonbarometer,andwillcontinuetohostitsownannualHolidayCageClassic.“Ourgoalsaretocompetefortheconferencechampionshipandaregionalchampionshipaswell,”Balabansaid.

MeteaValley

Coach:KrisKalivas

Lastyear:22-7,10-2,secondplaceintheUpstateEightValley;lostinregionalfinals.

Topplayers:JennyVoytell,sr.,F;KelleeClay,sr.,G;KatieLawrence,sr.,F;ClaireDyer,jr.,F;LexiGaul,sr.,G.

Scoutingreport:Thisseasonwillbeabitofarebuildingyear.Havinglostthreekeyplayerstograduation—LoriObendorf,BriaWalkerandAnnaPetersen—theMustangswillberelyingheavilyonsomenewcomersandyoungplayerstostepup.The5-foot-8Voytellaveraged9.8pointsand4.9reboundslastyear,whileMeteawillgetaboostfromagroupofnewcomersthatincludesguardsLisaLogan,TaseandraParker,SidneyBobo,MadelineSchafer,NikkiCastandJalliyahSlaughter,alongwith5-10freshmanpostplayerCourtneyMorgan,andforwardsMikaylaSmithandColleenO’Neil.

Montini

Coach:JasonNichols.

Lastyear:35-2,12-0,firstinSuburbanChristianConferenceBlueDivision;thirdplaceinClass3A.

Topplayers:KelseyBogdan,jr.,G;KateriStone,sr.,G;KellyKarlis,sr.,G;SaraRoss,sr.,F;ClaireJenkins,so.,F;LeaKerstein,so.,G;ClaudiaKunzer,fr.,G.

Scoutingreport:TheseasonisnotstartingwellatMontini.“Injuriesandsickness,”Nicholssaid.“Wehavenothadonepracticewherewe’vehadthewholegroupof14together.”ThemostseriousisBogdan,whosprainedanankleinSeptemberandisjuststartingtoworkherwayback.ButexpectationsremainhighinLombard.“TherealityisIthinkwe’llbeprettygood.We’llbeasgoodasourthreeseniors.”Thosethree—Karlis,StoneandRoss—areallDivisionIsignees.“KellyKarliscouldbeanall-stateplayerthisyear,”Nicholssaid.“Shehadanunbelievablesummer.”WhatisnewisthattheBroncosmightnothaveatruepostplayerinthestartinglineup.“Offensively,we’regoingtobevery,veryhardtodefend,”Nicholssaid.Expectlotsof3-pointersagain,anditwillbeveryhardtopresstheBroncoswithallthosequick,tallballhandlersseeingoverthepress.ThosearejustsomeofthereasonsMontini’sroughstartstillcouldhaveaveryhappyendinginPeoria.

NapervilleCentral

Coach:AndyNussbaum

Lastyear:25-7,9-5,thirdinDuPageValleyConference;losttoNeuquaValleyinsectionalsemifinals.

Topplayers:ShannonRyan,sr.,G;EmilyKraft,jr.,G;HaleyMinick,jr.,F;KatieMoran,sr.,F;LisaTassi,jr.,F;HannahSwarm,soph.,G;KotrinaStaputype,sr.,F.

Scoutingreport:Twoplayersfromlastyear’s25-winsquadarenowplayingincollege,JamieCuny(Illinois-Springfield)andVictoriaTrowbridge(Nebraska-Omaha)andwillbegreatlymissed.Ontopofthat,Nussbaumsaysthismaybehisleastexperiencedteaminadecade.Butdon’tcounttheRedhawksout.Ryan,athree-yearletterwinner,willtakeoverpointguardduties,andKraftisathreatfrombeyondthearc.Meanwhile,MinickandStaputype,eachat5-foot-11,willhelpinthepaint.“It’sgoingtobeinteresting,”NussbaumsaidofopeningtheyearwithlessexperiencethanhisRedhawlsareaccustomedtohavingonthefloor.“Butwehave16gamesbetweenthisFridayandNewYear’sDay,sowe’regoingtofindoutafewthings.IthinkwecanshootandIthinkwe’llhaveachance.”

NapervilleNorth

Coach:JasonDycus

Lastyear:14-14,6-8inDuPageValleyConference;losttoBenetinClass4Aregionalsemifinal.

Topplayers:HaleyMcClain,sr.,G;MorganneFreeman,sr.,F;KaylaSharples,jr.,F;LaurelPereira,so.,G;CecePope,so.,F.

Scoutingreport:Dycus,alongtimesophomoreboysbasketballcoachatNapervilleNorth,takesoverthegirlsjobthisseasonfromJacquieDiscipio,whosteppeddowntotakeanassistantprincipalpostatWashingtonJuniorHigh.He’llhavetoreplaceDailyHeraldAll-AreaplayerZoeSwift,buttheHuskiesdoreturnpowerforwardKaylaSharples,astrongforceonthecourtwhoclosedhersophomoreyearwith14pointsand14reboundsinaregionallosstoBenet.“She’sagreatcompetitor,”Dycussaidofthejunior,whoisalsoastandoutsoccerplayer.“She’saversatileplayer.Shehasgreatfeetandshelovesthegameofbasketball.We’regoingtoutilizeherinabunchofdifferentpositions.”Asateam,thecoachishopingto“playalittlebitfasterthisyear.”SophomorepointguardPereira,5-foot-10,willruntheoffense,and11playersreturnfromlastseason.

NeuquaValley

Coach:MikeWilliams

Lastyear:27-4,12-0,firstinUpstateEightValley;losttoBolingbrookinthesectionalfinals.

Topplayers:LaurenDeveikis,sr.,G;NajeeSmith,sr.,G;MaliaSmith,sr.,PG;NikiLazar,sr.,G;BryceMenendez,jr.,F/C;JamieMcInerney,jr.,F/C;AliciaAguilar,sr.,G.

Scoutingreport:TheWildcatswillmissthegraduatedAllisonHedrick,lastyear’sUpstateEightValleyPlayeroftheYear,yettheyreturnatonofexperienceandtalentandagainshouldmakerunsataconferencecrownandplayoffsuccess.NajeeSmithaveraged8.8points,6.4reboundsand3.6steals,andlikefellowseniorsMaliaSmith,LazarandDeveikis,willenterafourthseasonasavarsityregular.“Thosefourseniorshavebeenoffandonstarterssincefreshmenyear.Maliahasbeenthestartingpointguardfouryearsinarowandthatmakesiteasyforme,”Williamssaid.“Theirleadershipthat’sbeendisplayedinpracticeandoutsidepracticehasbeenstellarandhasactuallybeencontagiousanditlookslikethey’llbeabletopassthetorchonandwewon’tmissabeatforthenextfewyears.”WilliamsexpectstalentedsophomoreguardsMyiaStarksandKaiMoontoplaykeyroles,alongwiththelonefreshman,5-foot-10MeganKeefer.

St.Francis

Coach:MikePhillips

Lastyear:15-16,7-3,secondintheBlueDivisionoftheSuburbanChristianConference

Topplayers:AlexisLong,sr.,G/F;ReaganSprout,so.,F;ReganKasprak,jr.,G;CarleyPasquale,jr.,G;CorkyHart,jr.,G;CarolinePins,sr.,F.

Scoutingreport:Withallthestartersgonefromlastyear,inexperiencewillbethebigchallengefortheSpartans.Andthisisnotatallteam.Therearealotofyoungpeoplewhowillhavetomatureinahurry.Manyofthegirlsareabouteveninability,soPhillipswillsubstitutefreelyinordertokeepupthedefensivepressurehe’llneedtokeeptheteamcompetitive.Sproathasthemostexperienceandisprobably,alongwithLong,themainthreatonoffense,whilepointguardPasqualeandsoccerplayersKasprakandHartareallaggressiveenoughtogiveopponentsfits.PostplayerPins,iscapableofgettinghershareofrebounds.“Wewillhavetoplayhardondefenseandfindsomescoring,”Phillipssaid.“Wehavedepth,butwe’renottallorexperienced.Ifweplayasateamwecancompeteforconferenceagain.”

TimothyChristian

Coach:MicheleStrube

Lastyear:15-12,9-3thirdinMetroSuburbanConference.

Topplayers:KaitlynGehrke,jr.,C;JulianaStremler,jr.,F;MatyHuisman,jr.G/F;SarahNelson,jr.,G;MackenzieBone,sr.,G;AlexisHoogendorn,sr.G.

Scoutingreport:TheTrojansgraduatedallfivestarters,buttheyhavealotofathletictalent,whichincludesbigsGehrke,who’s6-foot-1andhassomeinsidemoves,andStremler,aclassicpowerforward,whoprovidesanaggressiveinsidepresence.Bothexcelledinthesummerleague.Atthebeginningfirst-yearcoachStrubewillbeteachingthebasics,butsheexpectsthingstofallintoplacelateron.PointguardNelsonisanassetbecauseshe’saleaderandsheknowsthegame.Huismanisanaccuratescorerfrombothinsideandoutside.“We’reworkingonbasketballskillsandkeepingtheoffenseandthedefensebasic,”Strubesaid.“We’llputinatransitiongamealittlelater.Wehaveheightandwe’reathletic,andwe’reabletopushtheballupcourt.We’llbeabletocompete.”

WaubonsieValley Coach:DavidOwles

Lastyear:4-22overall;2-10inUpstateEight;lostfirstroundofregionalsto WestAurora.

Topplayers:AndreaColin,sr.,G;TaylorAmeri,jr.,F; EmmaRigby,jr.,G.

Scoutingreport:Withthreefreshmen,twosophomores,andonlytwoseniorsonthesquad,theWarriorswillbeyoungin2013-14.“Overall,10ofthe15girlsontherosterwerenotonvarsitylastyear,sothereareseveralnewfaces,”Owlessaid.“Theyareahardworkingandverycoachablegroupofgirlswithalotofpotentialwhowillcompetefromdayoneandshouldcontinuetoimprovethroughouttheyear.”WaubonsieValleywillleanonsomeyoungsterstoprovidesomeheightandvaluableminutes,including5-foot-11sophomoreAbbyPhillips,andfreshmenJanieceThomasandKatieD’Ouville.

WestChicago

Coach:KimWallner

Lastyear:8-19,4-10DuPageValleyConference,lostinregionalquarterfinal.

Topplayers:NatalieWarkins,sr.,F;ShellyMolskow,sr.,G;MaeGimre,jr.,G;AubryKusper,sr.,C;KelseyWindisch,sr.,F;MadelineEarls,sr.,F;MollyRicci,sr.,F;HaileySartore,jr.,G;AmariStafford,so.,G.

Scoutingreport:PlentyofchangethisyearfortheWildcats,whohavelefttheDVCtojointheUpstateEightValley.Also,WestChicagomustlearntoadjusttonothavingDailyHeraldAll-AreaplayerLauraPanicaliaround.“Welostourleadingscorer,whoaveraged20pointsagame,tograduationsowewillhavetomakethatupbycommittee,”Wallnersaid.“Iamlookingforsomemorebalancedscoringfromthisgroup.Wewillpressureondefenseandattempttogetfastbreakpoints.”TheWildcats,whowillplayattheRiverside-BrookfieldThanksgivingTourneythisyear,willlooktotakecareoftheballwithfewerturnoversandinreturncreateturnoverswithpressureandturnthemintosomeeasybaskets,accordingtoWallner.

WheatonAcademy

Coach:BethMitchell

Lastyear:8-20,2-8seventhinSuburbanChristianConferenceGoldDivision.

Topplayers:JamieNetzley,so.,G;AbbyOlson,sr.;F/G;MarissaGagliano,sr.,G;ChristinaGarrison,jr.,F;ElizabethMelby,so.;F;MollyThorson,jr.,F;AliGrant,sr.,G;HeidiEngebretsen,jr.F/G;AlexJohnston,fr.,G.

Scoutingreport:MitchellbelievesshehasthehorsestoplaythetransitiongameshelovestobringtheWarriorsbackintotheblack.Herintentionistousetheteam’sdepthtokeepthepressureupondefenseandturnthatintoarunningoffense.Netzley,thetopreturningscorer,wasall-conferenceasafreshman.Olson,aproventhreatfromtheperimeter,willcontributeatthe2and3.Gaglianoisthethirdseniorstarter.VeteransGarrison,whostands6-foot-3andMelbywillsplittimeatcenter.Thorson,agreatathletewhowasoutinjuredlastyear,willbeanasset.FreshmanJohnson,whohasoutstandingcourtsenseforherage,isafuturepointguard.“Wehaveacoreofgoodplayersreturningespeciallyatguardandthenewplayerswillgiveustheabilitytokeepfreshlegsinthegame,”Mitchellsaid.“Wehavegreatpotentialandweshouldbegettingbettereverygame.”

WheatonNorth

Coach:DaveEaton.

Lastyear:23-7,12-2,secondinconference;lostinsectionalfinal.

Topplayers:ChrissyBaird,sr.,F;EmariJones,jr.,PG;KellyThornton,jr.,G;EmilyBarry,sr.,F;AbbieWatts,sr.,G;JessicaWolff,sr.,F;BriLyons,sr.,F;EmmyGryna,so.,G.

Scoutingreport:Therearen’tmanyfamiliarnamesonthisroster,aresultoflosingsixseniors.Butthereisstillgoodtalentherewithagreatattitude.“Thisgroupkeepscomingtogether,”Eatonsaid,“andwhatmakesmeexcitedismykidskeepsaying,‘Ilovethisteam,Ilovethisteam,Ilovethisteam,Iloveit.’Whichisgreat.”Thoughyoung,theFalconswillagaintrytoplaytheirusualaggressivedefense.“Ourdefensehastocreateouroffense,”Eatonsaid.“Ifourdefensecreatesoffense,we’regoingtobecompetitive.”EatonwillrelyalotonBairdandJones.“She’s6-foot-1andlongandcancausesomehavoc,”EatonsaidofJones.Thorntonwillgetachancetoimproveonlastyear’s443-pointers.“That’sagreathighschoolsenioryear,andshedidthatasasophomore,sowe’reexcitedwithKelly.”

WWSouth

Coach:RobKroenhke.

Lastyear:29-4,14-0,firstinDuPageVallyConference;lostinsupersectional.

Topplayers:MeghanWaldron,sr.,G;OliviaLinebarger,jr.,F;ErinZappia,sr.,F;MaggieDansdill,sr.,F;MelindaFranke,sr.,F.;ErinMadigan,so,G.

Scoutingreport:Asthesayinggoes,thepiecesareinplaceatWWSouth.LeadingthewayisDePaulsigneeWaldron,lastseason’sDailyHeraldAll-Areacaptain.“Whenyou’vegotMeghanandtheballinherhands,goodthingswillhappen,”Kroehnkesaid.“I’mexpectinghertotakeitupanotherlevelthisyear.Thesky’sthelimitforher.”WaldronalreadyisNo.5intheschool’sall-timereboundinglistandNo.4ontheall-timescoringlist.Ifshematcheslastyear’snumbers,shewillbeveryclosetobreakingtherecordsofKatieMeierandCharlissRidley,respectively.Backfromaseriouskneeinjuryisanotherfour-yearstarter,Dansdill.“We’repickingourmomentswithher.We’redefinitelynotgoingtowearherdown,”Kroehnkesaid.WithLinebarger,FrankeandZappiaincludedtheTigershaveanexperiencedstartingfive.“I’vegotagoodreturningbunch,”Kroehnkesaid.“I’vegottofindsomekidstocomeoffthebenchandthattakesalittletime.You’vegottothrowintheminthefireandseewhathappens.”He’llgetplentyofopportunitiestodothat.TheTigersopenagainstastrongSchaumburgTournamentfield,withagameagainstMontiniahighlight.TheyalsowillplayintheStateFarmClassic,atFenwickinFebruaryandtheMcDonald’sShooutout,aswellastheBenet-NapervilleNorthholidaytournament.“ThisisthetoughestscheduleI’veeverhad,andit’sthewayIwantit,”Kroehnkesaid.ItcouldhelptheTigers—winnersofthreeconsecutiveDVCtitles—playintoMarch.“We’vemadeittosectionalfinals,we’vebeentosupersectional,”Kroehnkesaid.“Obviously,we’relookingtotakethatnextstep.”

Willowbrook

Coach:TerryHarrell.

Lastyear:22-6,10-2,secondinWestSuburbanGold;lostinregionalfinal.

Topplayers:MollyKrawczykowski,sr.,G;LaurenCarroll,sr.,G;OliviaDomin,sr.,G;SamanthaSchmidt,jr.,F;MelissaRader,sr.,F;DanielleVelasquez,so.,G;AlyssaRessinger,jr.,F.

Scoutingreport:ItshouldbeanotherfunseasonforWillowbrook,eventhoughtherearealotofnewfaces,somethingHarrellisstilladjustingto.“Afteryouhavethesamepeopleforthreeyearsit’skindoflikebeingaprocoach,youexpectthesamepeopletocomeout,”Harrelljokedregardingthesixgraduatedseniors.ThisyeartheWarriorswanttowinaregionalandtheGold,andtheyhavetheteamthatcandoit.Krawczykowskiisagreatplacetostart.Shecanrun,shootandplaydefense,andshe’snottheonlyone.KrawczykowskiwilloftenleadtheWarriorsinscoring,though.“Wehavesomekidswhocanscore.OliviaDomincandefinitelyscore.SamSchmidtcanscore.AndMelissaRader,wedon’trunmuchforMelissa,butshewillscoreofftheboards.She’sreallyquick,shejumpsextremelywell,shereboundswell,sowehaveacoupleothergirlswhocanscore.ButMolly’sthepersonthatyou’regoingtogivesomebodytheballtotrytogetabasketwhenyouneedone.”CarrollandDominwillhandletheball,andtheywillplaydefensethefulllengthofthecourt.WhattheWarriorsdon’thavealotofissize.

York

Coach:JohnConstable

Lastyear:17-12,6-6thirdplaceinWestSuburbanSilver.

Topplayers:MollySchlecht,sr.,C;SarahMilkowski,jr.,G;JesseBianchi,jr.,G;AlyssaKovatchis,jr.,G;PaigeWrasse,sr.C;JennyCoffin,sr.,G;SamiHarrell,sr.,F

Scoutingreport:TheDukescouldbeoneofthebestteamsinthearea.Theyhavespeed,heightandexperiencewithanoutstandingseniorclass.Schlechtis6-foot-2andaforceontheboards,andMilkwoskiisthetopreturningscorer.BianchiandKovatchisareacoupleofknowledgeablepointguardswhoareinterchangeable.Andtherewereacoupleofother6-footersinWrasse,theteam’sbestplayerduringthesummer,andCoffin,anaturalpointguardwhocanhitfromoutsideandwillgivetheDukesamismatchinthebackcourt.Onagivennightanyofthesesixiscapableofleadingtheteaminscoring.Harrellisanother6-footerwhohasagreatbasketballIQandsheplaysstrongdefense.“Nineofourlosseswerebysixpointsorless,”Constablesaid.“Takingthoseninelossesofftherecordisoneofourgoals,anotheriswinningaregional.We’reoptimistic.”

— Compiled by Orrin Schwarz, Stan Goff and Neil Shalin.

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