Prep players take coach's role in feeder league tourney

It's not exactly a rematch of the Class 3A Ridgewood sectional final, but some Vernon Hills and Carmel Catholic girls basketball players will have a rematch of sorts Sunday.

They won't be playing against each other on the court, however. Rather, they'll be facing off as coaches.

The Northern Illinois Girls Feeder Basketball Association is holding its year-end tournament at the Libertyville Sports Complex this week. It will conclude with the eighth-grade all-star teams playing at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Thirty-five programs representing 33 high schools reaching from Antioch to Maine South are participating. There are 122 teams (fifth-eighth grade). A total of 230 games will be played with the champions being crowned Sunday. Games start at 2 p.m.

Lakes coach Pete Schneider started the league 14 years ago with 10 teams.

Vernon Hills seniors Sydney Smith and Lauren Webb are coaching the Red Team. Coaching the Blue Team are Cassidy Kloss, Leah Lach, Paige Gauthier, Alexa Svoboda, Nicole Bitter and Kathleen Felicelli from Carmel.

"All of these kids played in this league in the past," Schneider said. "The list is endless. If they are playing for their high school, more than likely they played in this feeder league, which is so cool to watch these kids grow up."

There is no admission cost.