Girls basketball: Scouting the MSL West

MID-SUBURBAN WESTBarringtonCoach: Babbi Barreiro (22nd season)

Last year's record: 19-9, 8-2

Graduated players: Angie Kirchoff, Brooke Gunderson, Carrie Madden, Aoife Callanan, Cassidy Goldsmith

Returning players: Abigail Elo (5-5 Jr. G), Kelly Katis (5-5 Jr. G), Bailee McDonald (6-0 Sr. F), Lauren Pector (5-9 Sr. G), Auri Grayson (5-8 Jr. G), Megan Talbot (6-2 Jr. F), Tamara Zivak (5-10 Sr F)

Newcomers: Bri Stryczek (5-7 Jr. G), Maggie O'Donnell (5-8 So. G), Kayla Besthoff (5-6 Jr. G), Rachel Mori (5-8 Fr. G), Ciara Callanan (5-9 Jr F), Claire Collier (6-0 So. F), Maddie Carr 6-1 Jr. F), Alex Van Ryne (6-1 So. F),

Outlook: Beginning her 22nd season, Barreiro is the dean of MSL girls basketball coaches. The former all-conference softball and basketball player at Elk Grove, owns a career record of 363-280. She likes the mix of this year's team which returns eight players, including three starters. All-area forward Megan Talbot averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds last season with 2 steals, 2 assists and 2 locks per game. McDonald was another inside scoring threat, collecting eight double-figure scoring games, including a career-high 17 points against Jacobs. Kelly Katis, the third returning starter, tossed home a career-high 16 points against Hoffman Estates. Grayson proved valuable off the bench. "I am expecting Megan, Bailee, Auri and Kelly to pick up from where they were last season," Barreiro said. "And I like the fact that we will have many kids who can score both inside and out. I love the mix we have going into this season. They are not flashy but they are working well together." Barreiro figures her team to be deep. "We have a couple of great role players back from last season," she added. "The newcomers are making an immediate impact (three sophomores and one freshman). I look for us to challenge teams at both ends of the floor." The Fillies are opening their season in the Buffalo Grove Thanksgiving Tourney and will again compete in the Dundee-Crown Charger Classic during the Christmas break. "I expect the MSL to be extremely competitive in the West and the East," Barreiro said. "And we look forward to being in the thick of things."

ConantCoach: Deirdre Naughton (first season)

Last year's record: 18-11, 6-4

Graduated players: Sarah Mazurek, Morgan Retzer

Returning players: Haley Anderson (6-0 Sr. F), DeeDee Durr (5-10, Sr. G-F), Nireet Dhillon (5-8 Jr. G), Dani Engelbreit (5-4 Sr. G), Katie Lomas (5-11 Sr. F), Brie Murphy (5-11 Sr. F), Sidney O' Keefe (5-0 Sr. G), Andrea Palazzo (5-6 Sr. G), Alissa Wachal (5-10 Sr. F), Jorie Wachal (5-9 So. G), Lexi Zades (5-7, Sr. G), Hailey Rothstein (6-0, Sr. F)

Newcomers: Karli Hennigan (5-8 Jr. F)

Outlook: Coach Deirdre Naughton gets plenty of leadership with nine seniors in her first season directing the Cougars. The former New Trier and DePaul standout also has two talented returning underclassmen (Jorie Wachal and three-year varsity starter and all-area guard Dhillon). They join Durr, Lomas, Anderson, Jori Wachal and Alissa Wachal as Cougars who have all scored in double figures during their varsity career. "With a deep veteran bench, we will play a high pressure defense," said Naughton, whose team includes four players (Durr, Alissa Wachal and Hailey Rothstein) from the two-time defending Mid-Suburban League defending softball championship team. "You will see this team look to push the ball in transition and play a balanced inside-out half court game. Our goals are to compete for a conference title, a regional title and to play deep in to the postseason."

Fremd Coach: Dave Yates (ninth season)

Last year's record: (27-4, 10-0)

Graduated players: Hannah LaBarge, Erica Simios

Returning players: Haley Gorecki (6-0 Sr. G), Emily Bieda (5-7 Sr. G), Caroline Macius (5-10 Sr. F), Megan Chernich (5-9 Sr. G), Brianna Lewis (5-4 Jr. G), Bryana Hopkins (6-2 Jr. F), Julia Wacker (6-2 Jr. C), Lauren Glaser (5-5 Jr. G), Erin Lenahan (5-10 Jr. G), Grace Tworek (6-2 So. F)

Newcomers: Amanda McCartney (5-7 Jr. G), Jenna Simios (5-9 Jr. F), MacKenzie Bednarek (6-0 Jr. F), Becca Stapleton (5-10 Jr. F), Missy Adrian (5-9 So. G), Emilija Peleckas (5-9 So. G), Hayley Williams (5-5 So. G)

Outlook: The Vikings will be shooting for a third straight Mid-Suburban League title and return one of the top players in the state. Duke recruit Haley Gorecki is set for her fourth varsity year after an all-state campaign which saw her average 23 points, 6 rebound and 3 assists. "Haley is much stronger and has grown her game from last season," said Fremd coach Dave Yates. "She spent all fall working 3-4 days a week with her trainer (Jeff Pagliocca) and is playing at an extremely high level. I think she is the best player in the state." Also earning all-area status were juniors Bryana Hopkins (10 ppg, 7 rebounds, 2 assists) and Brianna Lewis (9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists), "Bryana has taken her game to another level," Yates added. "She played through a number of injuries last season and still made a big impact on our team. She is finally healthy and has been dominating in practice. Her outside shot has improved and she has that bounce in her step again." Lewis continues to improve as she begins her third straight season as a varsity starter. "She has worked very hard on her jump shot and is one of the most competitive players I have ever coached," Yates said. " Her quickness with the ball and great vision is what makes her very difficult to defend." Hopkins holds several college offers while Lewis, Lenahan, Tworek and Wacker are also getting D-1 interest. The Vikings will face a challenging schedule this year including games against Divine Savior (Wi.), Joliet Catholic, Crete, Heritage Christian (In) as well as a trip to Phoenix to play in the NIKE Tournament of Champions. The Vikes will also have a game at the McDonald's Shootout in Villa Park. Fremd will feature size and excellent guard play as well as an extremely deep team (the Vikes' freshman team was 24-0 last year and the sophomores went 23-2). "This group was a possession away from a trip to the supersectional last year with 4 sophs and a frosh logging significant minutes," Yates said. "I am excited to see how those experiences benefit us and motivate us for the upcoming season. The sky is the limit for this group, we have lined up a very challenging schedule to test this group. This is the deepest and most talented team I have had in my time at Fremd."

Hoffman EstatesCoach: Mike Koester (first season)

Last year's record: 4-23, 1-9

Graduated players: Markia Anderson, Sara Ishak, Andrea Wolinski

Returning players: Hannah Dusharm (5-4 Jr. G), Caitlyn Farina (5-6 Sr. G), Erin Hanson (5-6 Jr. G), Alexis Morris (5-7 Jr. G), Jennifer Nailor (5-9 Jr, F), Heaven Robinson (5-1 Sr. G), Mary Saitta (5-9 Sr. F), Monraia Wilson (5-8 So. G)

Newcomers: Madeline Anaya (5-3 Jr. G), Alexis Fuentes (5-8 Jr. F), Mya Johnson (5-1 Jr. G), Mynk Richardson-Clerk (5-6 Jr. F), Isabelle Schafer (5-6 Jr. F), Tayler Williams (5-5 Fr. G)

Outlook: First-year coach Mike Koester takes over a young team with only three seniors but the Hawks return four starters, including Wilson. As a freshman, she scored in double figures in the Hawks' first five games of the season and had a career-high 25 points twice (against Jacobs and Highland Park). Saitta and Hanson also had double-figure scoring games last season. "We have a lot of hardworking girls who are picking up a new offensive and defensive system," Koester said. "The coaching staff is very excited with the progress that we have seen so far and are looking forward to see them progress throughout the year."

PalatineCoach: Mark Johnson (second season)

Last year's record: 10-20, 2-8

Graduated players: Morgan Radtke, Erin Mayer, Bridget Ryan, Morgan Gallagher, Sami Heuertz, Kirsten Allen, Rachel Fritz, Kenisha Anderson

Returning players: Monica Masini (6-2 Sr. F-C), Katie Conklin (5-6 Sr. G), Maria Charlier (5-7 Sr. G), Carrissa Multon (5-9 Jr G-F)

Newcomers: Kendall Kane (5-9 So. F), Sydney Rzepka (5-9 Fr. F-C), Tiana Henderson (5-5 Fr. G), Cora Jacobsen (5-6 Jr. G), Ashley Shapiro (5-10 Jr. G-F), Geena Eliades (5-6 Jr. G), Michala Leber (5-1 Jr. G), Sarah Udoni (5-10 Jr. C), Anna Wozniak (5-11 Sr. F-C), Gracie Grana (5-8 Sr. F), Demi Pappas (5-8 Jr. G-F)

Outlook: As he begins his second season, coach Mark Johnson expects his Pirates to be very competitive this winter. "We expect to challenge for the top of our division and also to earn a high seed in the postseason," said Johnson, who graduated eight seniors including Radtke (10.1 points, 4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals). Among the returning players is Masini, who averaged 7 rebounds in 12 games last season. "Monica Masini has been a beast in practice," Johnson said. " I'm looking forward to seeing her be a leader for us on the floor this season." The Pirates are hoping for strong efforts at the Dundee-Crown Thanksgiving tournament and Warren Christmas tournament. "Our sense of team and commitment to each other is what is going to get us through this tough season," Johnson said. "I'm excited to see these girls play and see how competitive they will be. Our seniors as a whole have been dynamite in practice and off-court with leadership. Our underclassmen have been competing very well in practice and I'm expecting solid minutes from them, too."

SchaumburgCoach: Curtis Goodwin (second season)

Last year's record: 7-20, 3-7

Graduated players: Alyssa Pinones, Melanie Meyer

Returning players: Brittany Reinhart (5-7 Sr. G), Tatiana Doroskin (6-4, Sr. F), Kelsey Hill (5-6, Sr. G), Jessica Harberts (5-3 Sr. G), Taylor Helton (5-11 Sr. F), Jada Blackwell (5-11 Sr. G-F), Lily Chavarria (5-6 Sr. G), Paige Alt (5-9 Jr. G-F), Mallory Gerber (5-11 So. G), Laura O'Connell (5-11 So. G-F)

Newcomers: Lexi Ross (5-7 Jr. G-F), Jessica Cleator (5-9 Jr. G-F), Becca Kasner (5-9 Jr. G), Serena Carson (5-7, Jr. G), Brittany Little (5-5, Jr. G)

Outlook: The Saxons return 10 players from last year's squad and all gained valuable experience during coach Curtis Goodwin's first season directing the team. "Our seniors have stepped up as leaders and are focused on improving off of last year," Goodwin said. "We have some younger players back who are really on the same page as our seniors and worked hard to improve this past offseason." Blackwell (career-high 33 points last year vs. South Elgin), Gerber and Ross are coming off a fall in which they helped lead the Saxon's volleyball team to the MSL West and regional titles. Reinhart had a career-high 25 points against Barrington. Chavarria, Gerber and Doroskin (8 points per game) all enjoyed double-figure scoring games last season. "We are really excited about some of our newcomers this year and believe they will help step in and contribute," Goodwin said. " Our strengths as a team will lie in our chemistry on and off the court, experience, and a team concept that the kids are really buying into." The Saxons will look to play at a faster pace than last year. "As our identity takes shape, we want to get out and use our speed and length to make things tough for teams defensively," Goodwin said. "We expect major contributions from a number of players this year on any given night. If we can continue to improve on a daily basis, we hope that will put us in a position to compete consistently with each team in our conference, giving us a chance to improve our standing from last year."