Scouting DuPage County girls basketball
Addison Trail
Coach: Rob Schader.
Last year: 11-17, 3-9, sixth in West Suburban Conference Gold Division; lost to Wheaton Warrenville South in the Class 4A regional semifinals.
Top players: Nicolette Scorza, sr., G; Berenice Berumen, sr., P; Vincenza Zaccaro, sr., G.
Scouting report: The Blazers have three players back who gained plenty of experience last season while playing valuable minutes, including a pair of guards. They also list depth as a strength this year. "We have an opportunity to play 10-12 girls this year, but many of the girls are first-time varsity players so there will be some growing pains early on," Schader said. "They are a hardworking group of girls that are always looking to get better. It has been a fun start to the season." Zaccaro and Joanna Gray are threats from the perimeter for Addison Trail. Junior guard Angelina Carreras will be the main ball handler. Look for Scorza and juniors Serena Gilliam and Karime Martinez to be tough on the boards.
Benet
Coach: Joe Kilbride.
Last year: 28-5, 6-1, second in East Suburban Catholic Conference; lost to Edwardsville in a Class 4A supersectional.
Top players: Tsimba Malonga, sr., G: Clara Prasse, jr., G; Lauren Stack, jr., F; Brooke Schramek, so., F; Lindsey Rogers, so., F; Kendall Holmes, so., G; Quin Early, jr., G; Ashley Konkle, jr., F.
Scouting report: The Redwings have more youth in key places than they usually do, so this could be an up-and-down season. Still, expectations are high. "There's enough talent. We've got decent size. We've just got to figure out how the pieces fit," Kilbride said. An important piece is Malonga, the fourth-leading scorer last year in the ESCC. A University of Denver recruit, Malonga will shift to the off-guard spot from point guard to give her more space to attack the basket and take advantage of the best midrange jump shot around. She will be the only returning starter who's a senior. Prasse takes over at point guard, but don't expect the Redwings to change anything. They will continue to push the ball upcourt. ACL injuries also have taken a toll on the Redwings. Stack is working her way back from last winter's knee injury. Konkle, a transfer from Metea Valley, hurt her knee in April and hopes to be back by New Year's. Madison Demos is out for the season after a July injury, a tough loss because she was having a great summer and would have gotten considerable playing time.
Downers Grove North
Coach: Stephan Bolt
Last year: 18-11, 6-6, tied for third in West Suburban Conference Silver Division. Lost to Montini in the regional final.
Top players: Julia Kramper, jr., G; Quinn Stephens, jr., F; Ellie Gross, so, G; Lauren Sebek, jr., G; Annie Edwards, sr., P; Jalyn Harris, jr., P.
Scouting report: The Trojans return just two starters, but coach Bolt believes that this team could be better because of its toughness and the versatility of some of the returnees. The Trojans have three confident ballhandlers in Kramper, Sebeck and Gross. All are quick and can push the ball, and they give the opposition matchup problems because they're all capable of scoring. Kramper is expected to take it to another level this year. Stephens, Edwards and Harris, a transfer, give Bolt an improved inside presence. "We're athletic and we have good depth," Bolt said. "There will be a learning curve, but they're intense and competitive. I think the sky's the limit."
Downers Grove South
Coach: Lyndsie Long
Last year: 16-12, 10-2, second in West Suburban Conference Gold Division. Lost to Whitney Young in the first round of regionals.
Top players: Jen Masello, sr., C; Maggie Greco, jr., G; Holly Lueken, jr., F; Meghan Stapleton, fr., G; Aaliyah Hatter, so., G; Lindsay Morton, sr., G; Erin Ganschow, so., F; Jaylyn Grant, jr., G.
Scouting report: The Mustangs can go far this year on the backs of three outstanding returning starters: Lueken, a great shooter; Masello, an inside scoring presence; and Greco, a smart point guard who can find her teammates or take it to the hoop. The Mustangs have good size and they'll be playing a more structured offense. "We'll be running more patterns," Long said. "It should open up more opportunities for Masello and Lueken." Last year the Mustangs were strong in conference but struggled in tournaments. Long believes she has the talent to add more wins and advance further into the state tournament. "We have to play smarter and dictate the tempo on both offense and defense," she said.
Fenton
Coach: Dave Mello.
Last year: 2-23, 0-12, seventh in Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division; lost to Addison Trail in regional quarterfinals.
Top players: Jennifer Martinez, sr., G; Jamie Minard, sr., G; Sarah Mason, sr., G; Andrea Acuna, sr., G; Amari Benbow, sr., G; Reyna DeLaTorre, sr., G.
Scouting report: Clearly, Mello is not afraid of a challenge. It's no secret he has one at Fenton and he's facing it head-on, and with a lot of energy. He's seeing it pay off already. "The girls are working hard. The energy, enthusiasm are up there," he said. Convincing the players they can win is half the battle. "We're going out there with the mindset that we're going to compete each and every night, but with the understanding that there are going to be rough nights," he said. The Bison will play a style very few other teams play, and they're installing it in a hurry. Because Mello just accepted the job in September, they didn't have a summer to work on it like most teams. Like the Grinnell College men's team or the North Central College women, the Bison will play one of the most up-tempo styles in the sport, with five-player substitutions every minute or two. The 17 players on the roster will all see playing time, often in the first half of each game. They will press constantly and shoot a lot of 3-pointers. "We'll be exciting to watch. We're going to play a fun style," Mello said. He has another way of describing this style of play too: "A lot of chaos."
Glenbard East
Coach: Don Finnie
Last year: 9-17, 5-5 in Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division, fourth place; lost to Hoffman Estates in Class 4A Hoffman Estates regional quarterfinal.
Top players: Sam Dooley, sr., G; Mattie Pusateri, sr., G; Sommer Dolinski, sr., F; Katie Hansen, sr., G; Tori Tyler, sr., G; Bobbi Poke, sr., G; Faith Davies, sr., G.
Scouting report: Finnie likes what he sees so far in the Rams as they prepare for the 2017-18 season, but he believes he'll get the full picture once games begin. "And then we can tweak and refine," he said. Finnie expects big contributions from all veterans, especially Dooley, Pusateri and Dolinski. "They all play very good defense and are good shooters," Finnie said. The Rams have shown a strong teamwork concept in practice, and Finnie thinks that will be crucial to both the offense and defense. "I think our ability to be a team, to stay together is a strength. On offense ball movement will be crucial. We'll need to be quick with the ball and always seeing each other, looking for the good shot. On defense communication is key," he said.
Glenbard North
Coach: Steve Wit
Last year: 12-16; lost to Rolling Meadows in Class 4A Conant regional semifinal.
Top players: Leah Miller, sr., G; Lauren Lee, sr., F; Neveah King., so., G; Trinity Medina, sr., F; Arielle Capel, so., G; Brea King, so., G.
Scouting report: Wit now leads the varsity girls team after a stint as sophomore boys coach. He considers this season's version of the Panthers as multidimensional, and he said that will be crucial to success. "We bring back some experience with Leah and Lauren. They saw varsity playing time as freshmen. Our sophomore guards (Brea King, Neveah King and Capel) are quick, and our forwards (Medina and junior Ashley Cooney) will fill the lanes," Wit said. Like most coaches, Wit is stressing the team concept and said that's crucial, especially when it comes to defense. "I think we will have to try different defenses to see what works. I want them committed to the team concept and know the schemes and I want them to be a defensive-minded team. We look to be playing up-tempo on offense and we want to generate offense through a tough defense," he said.
Glenbard South
Coach: Morgan Kasperek.
Last year: 23-6, 12-0, first in Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division; lost to North Lawndale in Class 3A sectional semifinals.
Top players: Mady Carli, sr., G; Sarah Cohen, sr., G; Ally Daca, sr., P; Maggie Bair, jr., P.
Scouting report: The operative word around the Raiders this year is "legacy." With four starters returning, three of them seniors, they want to leave their mark on the program. They also want to leave their mark on the MSC in the school's last season before moving to the Upstate Eight. Experience and chemistry are obvious strengths. "It's been able to let us start on a different level. There's not as much review. There's not as much back to the basics. Those guys have been with us since the beginning," Kasperek said, adding "It feels like it's Week 3 instead of Week 1." Bair had a great summer after winning the Class 3A 3-point shooting contest last spring. At 6-foot-2 she's also a force down low. Bair averaged a double-double her sophomore season. Senior Grace Buckley will back up Bair and Daca in the frontcourt. Carli and Sarah Cohen are the leaders in the backcourt, and they'll be joined by Cohen's freshman sister, Lauren. The goal this year is to make waves in the sectional, where they keep running into perennially tough teams North Lawndale and Marshall, with Nazareth on the rise now too. "We're going to have a loaded sectional again," Kasperek said.
Glenbard West
Coach: Kristi Faulkner.
Last year: 16-11, 5-7, fifth in West Suburban Conference Silver Division; lost to York in Class 4A regional semifinals.
Top players: Jamiyah Thomas, jr., F/C.; Sammy Harris, sr. G.; Cameron Kruse, sr. G.; Taylor Huff, so. C/F.; Katelyn Heller, jr. G.; Maggie Stutelberg, fr. G.
Scouting report: Faulkner, a former Hilltoppers standout who went on to play at the University of Iowa, takes over the program and will have the benefit of an experienced group in 2017-2018. "We are excited for the season. We have some talent and versatility on this year's team," she said. "We have strong senior leadership this season and some size inside, and we have four players that all started at some point last season." Look for 6-foot-2 sophomore Taylor Huff, who had a nice season last year on the sophomore team, to contribute along with freshman Maggie Stutelberg. Thomas and Huff are garnering some Division I interest.
Hinsdale Central
Coach: Karen Persinger
Last year: 21-10, 8-3, second in West Suburban Conference Silver Division. Lost to Proviso East in the regional final.
Top players: Alex Hughes, sr., F; Claire Lozier, sr., G; Abby Howell, sr., G; Riley Revord, sr., G/F; Chinazaekpereamaji Nwankpa, sr., F; Cassie Kruse, sr., F.
Scouting report: The Red Devils have no starters returning, just a bunch of players with high potential who have been patiently waiting for their opportunities. And they're faced with the task of learning a new system being installed by first-year coach Persinger, who the last three years coached Glenbard West. "These kids are hungry and they're working hard," Persinger said. "They do a nice job of moving the basketball and our defense is improving." The coach is confident going to everyone on her 11-person roster, so expect the Red Devils to press more on defense. There's no dominant inside presence, just a lot of athletic kids in the 5-foot-8 to 5-10 range who can run. Lozier and Howell can shoot the three while wing players like Revord and Hughes are versatile and have good range.
Hinsdale South
Coach: Jen Belmonte.
Last year: 8-22, 2-10, sixth in West Suburban Conference Gold Division. Lost to Kenwood in the regional final.
Top players: Emily Koziol, jr., G; Evelyn Edmond, sr., F; Erin Adams, so., F; Aurora Korfist, so, G; Maddie Jensen, sr., F; Crystal Hardrick, sr., G, Alix Muckles, sr., G; Francesca Markos, jr., G.
Scouting report: Coming off a rebuilding year that was a bit "messy" at times, the Hornets expect to improve with a deep, athletic, though still young, team that is versatile and aggressive. Koziol was all-conference, Adams at 6-foot can hit from both inside and out, while Edmond and Jensen are strong on the boards. The return to full strength of formerly injured players such as Hardrick, Muckels and Korfist, will help with the ballhandling and the team's ability to drive. Koziol is a leader coming off a great AAU season. She's getting attention from colleges. "We have a cohesive group," Belmonte said. "We think we can move up in conference and win a few in the postseason."
IC Catholic Prep
Coach: Kelsey James
Last year: 16-13, 6-4, fifth in Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division. Lost to Glenbard South in the regional championship.
Top players: Claire Gibler, sr., G/F; Sophie Zanoni, sr., G; Jaida Smith, jr., G; Georgia Mahnke, sr. P; Kiersten King, sr., F; Josie Lytton, sr., G/F.
Scouting report: Gibler is an outstanding all-around player who can beat you in many ways, and she makes the players around her better. She will play at the next level. But this team has got other assets that make it formidable. "We're faster this year and taller," James said. "We have a lot of quick guards who can beat you off the dribble, and Mahnke gives us a strong inside presence." Smith is a speedy returning starter, Zanoni is a three-year starter, while Lytton can guard all five positions. King, who started two years ago, is a strong, outside shooter and she can drive. "I'm optimistic that this will be a special year," James said. "It just depends on how badly the girls want it."
Lake Park
Coach: Brian Rupp.
Last year: 11-17, 8-8, fifth in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to St. Charles East in Class 4A regional semifinal.
Top players: Carson Vance, sr., G; Darrione Rogers, so., G/F; Camryn James, sr., G; Kate Kirkham, jr, G; Daina Riser, sr., F; Paige Westfall.
Scouting report: A big smile creases Rupp's face when talking about the season, and with good reason. In Vance he's got a four-year varsity player who will play at Division II Illinois-Springfield next season. She's the most dangerous 3-point shooter on a team with six players who can hit the 3. Rupp also gets back the 5-foot-10 Rogers, who suffered an ACL tear in the first quarter of the first game last year. Rogers is a gym rat who's being recruited by Big Ten, Big East and SEC schools. She can guard any position on the floor and her offensive game is just as well-rounded, though a foot injury will sideline her the first 2-3 weeks of the season. Rupp calls her "just an unbelievable player. I mean, I can't tell you what she does. Even her work ethic is above and beyond everyone else and not just her talent." But best of all, Rupp has a group of girls who love being around each other even more than they love the game. "We're relatively healthy. The vibe is awesome right now. Everyone's really excited to be here," Rupp said. The Lancers should be a contender in a loaded DuPage Valley Conference this season. If there's a weakness it could be rebounding and post play in general. But the Lancers have good depth to go with their good talent, forcing teams to choose who they're going to defend. Riser is the sleeper in the mix.
Lisle
Coach: Nick Balaban.
Last year: 20-12, 8-3, third in Interstate Eight Conference; lost in Class 2A sectional semifinal to Peotone.
Top players: Natalie Takahashi, sr., PG; McKenzie Weaver, jr., G.; Carolynn Keleher, sr., G/F; Jordan Buchelt, jr., F/C.
Scouting report: The 5-foot-6 Takahashi, a four-year varsity player and three-time all-conference selection, is back to guide the offense. She led the team in scoring, assists and steals last season. "She'll bring a steady presence to the point guard position and guide the team's offense by scoring and by creating shots for her teammates," Balaban said. "Natalie will also be the head of our defense, by applying pressure and bringing tenacity and she'll continue to be a focal point of our team." Weaver, who started all 32 games at the 2-guard position for the Lions, is a solid passer, rebounder and outside shooter. Lisle will also get a boost from Paige Kellie, Caitlyn Webber, Audrey Strunewitz, Shamaria Williams and sophomore Gabrielle Wagoner, who led the JV Lions on the offensive and defensive ends last season. "I think we'll be pretty good, as our depth might be a little better this year, but we're still undersized. We'll have to scrap for everything," said Balaban, now 75-43 at the school.
Metea Valley
Coach: Cedric Williams
Last year: 13-16, 7-9 DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Minooka in Class 4A Oswego regional semifinal.
Top players: Jamairrah Woods, sr., F; Tess Thompson, jr., F; Jessica Goluch, sr., C.
Scouting report: Enthusiasm and speed are the two characteristics that Williams is seeing so far from the Mustangs. "They are hungry to get on the court. We're young, but we're quick." Williams wants that quickness to be used especially on defense. "I want them to run outside of their comfort zone. We'll have a pressure defense. I want them to be able to defend from floor to floor," he said. Williams said that Woods, Thompson and Goluch are crucial to Metea's leadership. "They're buying into what we're doing and understand where we want to go," he said. The Mustangs' coach said that if the team follows certain things consistently, Metea can have a successful season. "They have to come ready to play. Communication has to be there, communication with each other on both ends of the court and they have to play together and be unselfish," he said. "And I think we have those kids that can do that."
Montini
Coach: Jason Nichols.
Last year: 35-2, 6-0, first in GCAC Red; placed third in Class 4A.
Top players: Illysse Pitts, sr., G; Aaliyah Patty, sr., C; Lindsey Jarosinski, sr., C; Sam Mitchell, jr., G; Frankie Kokkines, jr., G; Zoe Zacker, jr., G; Sydney Prochaska, so., G.
Scouting report: This team has the potential to be as good as any Montini team in the past, and that's saying something. We'll start in the post, where the 6-foot-3 Patty (Ohio State) and 6-5 Jarosinski (Wake Forest) probably will play together a lot more than they did last year. "Our post players they look good. I mean Aaliyah Patty looks outstanding. Lindsey Jarosinski had an outstanding summer," Nichols said. Few teams in the nation have a pair in the post to match Patty and Jarosinski. The backcourt is strong also, led by Valparaiso-recruit Pitts. "Illyse is a really, really, really good shooter," Nichols said. "She could have an incredible senior year." Zacker is back after tearing her ACL last December. If she can stay healthy, Montini should win a 14th straight sectional and maybe more. "Zoe looks great," Nichols said. Mitchell takes over at point guard and "has been awesome. I love her at the point guard position," Nichols said. Even top subs Kokkines and Prochaska have Division I scholarship offers already. All the guards can shoot the 3-pointer, which means defenses can't just gang up on Patty and Jarosinski in the post. "I like our team, I really do," said Nichols, adding he'd like to see his players get mentally tougher. "If we stay healthy we'll be good."
Naperville Central
Coach: Andy Nussbaum.
Last year: 23-9, 13-3, second in the DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Yorkville in Class 4A regional finals.
Top players: Mia Lakstigala, sr., G; Lucy Schmid, jr., F; Maiah DeShazer, sr., G; Abby Kincaide, sr., G; Erin McHugh, sr, G; Bella Alvarado, sr., G.
Scouting report: Entering his 30th season as the Redhawks' coach, Nussbaum knows when he's got a good team and when he doesn't. "I think we've got a good group. Of course when you have Mia and Lucy in the group, it's going to look very good right away," he said. The 5-foot-11 Lakstigala is one of the best players in the county, a do-everything player who will matriculate to the University of Pennsylvania next season. The second-fastest Redhawk to score 1,000 points (No. 1: Parker, Candace), Nussbaum said she's only gotten better since last season. "I'm just happy we get her for another year," he said. Schmid also is a returning All-Area player and a force in the post. "Lucy looks great," Nussbaum said. Unfortunately, Schmid won't have her running partner in the post. Olyvia McGuire has an injured wrist and will miss at least two months and possibly the entire season. DeShazer returns to run the point, a good partner for Lakstigala in the backcourt. Kincaide should slide into the starting five after being a key reserve last year. Alvarado should be in Nussbaum's rotation after moving to Naperville from Alabama, with a year in England in between. The Redhawks also should add a couple of sophomores from last year's undefeated freshman team, giving Nussbaum reason to be happy about team depth, which he'll need to compete in a strong conference. "It's a good time to be optimistic," he said.
Naperville North
Coach: Jason Dycus
Last year: 13-14, 7-9 DuPage Valley Conference, fourth place; lost to Naperville Central in Class 4A Joliet Central regional semifinal.
Top players: Lauren Platou, sr., G; Sadie Jurkovic, sr., C; Greta Kampshroeder, fr., G/F; Nikki Kwilosz, so., G; Kara Rivard, so., G.
Scouting report: The way the 2017-18 season is shaping up for the Huskies, teams will have to focus on more than one aspect of their game to stop it. The roster has plenty of depth at guard led by Platou, Kwilosz and Rivard, who both saw varsity playing time last season as freshmen. Senior Callie Ladone is a shooting guard, while Kampshroeder, a heralded 6-foot freshman, is both an option at guard and forward. "Our guards are pretty strong this year. All four handle the ball well," Dycus said. Up front, the 6-5 Jurkovic returns at center as does 6-2 senior Ella Bristow. Dycus speaks highly of the capability of the Huskies' guards and forwards and centers. "This could be a good inside/outside punch, I hope," he said. And he thinks defense will also be key for the Huskies. "I think our defense will be quite quick and will be able to get up and guard our opponents man-to-man regularly. I want to make it for people to find it difficult to run their offense against us," Dycus said.
Neuqua Valley
Coach: Mike Williams.
Last year: 9-21; lost to Benet in the Class 4A regional semifinals.
Top players: Jada Harvey, sr., G; Erin McCarthy, jr., F/C; Rachel Tait, sr., G/F; Megan Callahan, sr., G; Ashley Ishman, jr., F/C.
Scouting report: Last year was a rare down year for the Wildcats, who had just two seniors. But lots of experience returns in 2017-18 and things are looking up again. "Last year was one of those years where you weather the storm, stay afloat, come back the next year and get everyone focused," Williams said. "It was tough, but we've got a nice few years ahead of us." McCarthy, an athletic 6-for-1 soccer player, returns to the program to provide a solid post presence, and Harvey is back after missing two of the last three seasons with knee injuries. They'll join Tait and Ishman and perimeter threat Callahan to get the team back on track. "It's going to be a year of us back to our normal chaotic type of defense, and running and flying around," said Williams, whose team's deep roster includes nine seniors and 6-1 freshman center Claudia Gallegos. "I think there are some positive things out there on the horizon for us," Williams added.
St. Francis
Coach: Melissa Taylor.
Last year: 17-13, 7-2 in the GCAC; lost to Sycamore in Class 3A regional finals.
Top players: Antwainette Walker, sr., G/F; Shelby Winkelman, sr., F; Christine Fasana, sr., G; Grace Carragher, sr., G.
Scouting report: Four returning seniors will pace the Spartans led by Walker, who averaged 17.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.5 steals a game last year. "We have experienced veterans and are excited for them to lead the way," said Taylor, whose roster includes four seniors and six juniors, to go along with freshman Kate Chaparro and a pair of talented sophs. "Our underclassmen are sponges to embracing the varsity pace." Junior point guard Madison Wisted is out with an ACL injury, but St. Francis is counting on sophomores Shannon Cooney and Emily Dziengel to help account for Wisted's absence.
Timothy Christian
Coach: Michele Strube.
Last year: 13-15, 5-7, third in Metro Suburban Conference Red Division. Lost to Lisle in the regional final.
Top players: Emily DeBoer, sr., C; Heidi Westra, jr., G/F; Jordyn Strube, jr. G; Olivia Schuringa, sr., C; Hannah Schuringa, fr., F; Sureya Alex, fr., G.
Scouting report: Timothy Christian's season will rely in large part on getting a group of varsity volleyball players readjusted to basketball and the development of several key freshmen. The Trojans are tall and athletic and they play tenacious defense. The efficient half-court offense is led by the coach's daughter, Jordyn Strube, the leading returning scorer. But coach Strube would like to pick up the tempo this year and get her team into a transition game that produces more easy layups off steals. "We will be young, aggressive and we hope to surprise," coach Strube said. "We think Jordyn can develop into a go-to scorer, Alex gives us a good point guard, while DeBoer, Westra and the Schuringas provide size and talent inside. We need to learn how to finish better."
Waubonsie Valley
Coach: Brett Love.
Last year: 5-22, 1-15, last in the DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Joliet West in regional quarterfinals.
Top players: Gina Palasz, sr., P; Doyin Dada, sr., G; Caleigh Cramer, sr., G; Lauren McKnight, fr., PG; Ahniya Melton, so., P; Grace Setter, so., G.
Scouting report: Love, a former coach at Hinsdale South, takes over a Warriors program looking to get back on track. Palasz, Cramer and Dada all played varsity last year and key the squad this season along with freshman McKnight, a point guard with plenty of potential, and Setter, a speedy sophomore with 6-1 size at the 2-guard. Lisle transfer Ahniya Melton, 6-foot junior Keeshya Bellows, and freshman guard Mykah Berkompas will also see plenty of court time. "All the girls are coachable and buying into the goals we have for the team," said Love, who describes the hard-working Palasz as the heart of the team, who embodies leadership and motivation. "I've been in this situation before. It's never an easy task. But half the battle is getting them to want to do the things it takes to be successful."
West Chicago
Coach: Dan Vashinko.
Last year: 6-21, 1-9, last in Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division; lost to Batavia in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals.
Top players: Sofia Radice, sr., PG; Sam Wiegele, sr., G; Sierra Koenig, sr., F; Catherine Miller, sr., C.
Scouting report: Vashinko takes over the program from Kim Wallner after serving as an assistant last year at East Aurora and will welcome back four starters, including point guard Radice, who averaged close to 10 points a game last year. Expect the Wildcats to win more games this season with seven returning seniors on the squad, including the 5-foot-10 Miller in the middle, and both guards. "There is definitely excitement with the program and the girls are competing every day and they're ready to get started," said Vashinko, who also expects solid contributions from freshmen Shailee Patel, Sadie Obenhauer and Maggie Culver. West Chicago will get a good early look at its team while playing at the West Aurora/Waubonsie Valley Thanksgiving Tournament.
Westmont
Coach: Rich Panitch
Last year: 5-21, 1-9 in the Interstate Eight Conference; lost to Lisle in Class 2A Lisle regional semifinal.
Top players: Sydney Pardy, sr., C; Kailyn Neimer, sr., G; Allena Kraft, sr., G.
Scouting report: Panitch, a veteran coach, takes over a team that he believes is very capable on offense. "We have a lot of very good athletes. We have excellent shooters and we would like to spread the court and use those shooters and we have a couple of kids that are capable inside players," he said. The Sentinels are not rich in depth, but their players are capable of playing multiple positions. The 5-10 Pardy can play all five positions and Neimer is the team's shooting guard with a strong outside touch. Kraft is another strong shooter. Panitch considers Westmont's defense a work in progress. "I'm not married to one defense. But I'm pretty particular about defense. I want everyone being in one place at the right time," he said. The Westmont coach is implementing new schemes on offense and defense to maximize his team's talent. "Hopefully, it will make us competitive, Panitch said.
Wheaton Academy
Coach: Erin Carwell
Last year: Lost to Burlington Central in Class 3A Wheaton Academy regional quarterfinal.
Top players: Lizzy Swoboda, sr., F/C; Rachael Bermudez, sr., G; Cassie Bonga, sr., F; Analise Richcreek, jr., F.
Scouting report: Carwell becomes head coach after being an assistant last season and is excited at the potential of the Warriors. Swoboda is in her third season on the varsity, one of the team captains, and can play every position. Bermudez is the team's point guard and Bonga returns from competing in the state 3-point contest in 2016. "Lizzy is very versatile, Rachel knows that position (point guard) and knows what to do to get the ball quickly up court. Cassie has made drastic improvement," Carwell said. The Wheaton Academy coach said the team is capable of being aggressive on offense. "They have a willingness to attack the basketball and drive to the basket. But they all want to work as a team. The biggest thing for us is to take care of the basketball and play smart. Especially with team defense, we need to be five talking together as one."
Wheaton North
Coach: Dave Eaton.
Last year: 23-6, 15-1, first in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Rolling Meadows in Class 4A sectional semifinals.
Top players: Hannah Swider, sr., G; Maggie Bonga, sr., G; Sophie Ahlberg, sr., G; Matti Zander, jr., G; Nikki Baird, jr., G; Sarah Topps, jr., F.
Scouting report: The Falcons could start the season without two starters because of injuries, but there's every reason to believe they will have another very good season. Baird should be back soon after breaking her foot in AAU ball, and Topps is probably two weeks away from returning from a hand injury. The Falcons answer these injuries with more depth than last year. They will take advantage of that to press more on defense and push the tempo more on offense. Swider, who will stay home to play at Wheaton College next year, is one of the best players in DuPage County, a gym rat who has gotten stronger in the off-season. "She's continually getting better," Eaton said. "She's really been a dominant force in practice." Baird not only improved her 3-point shooting but also got stronger and may be a little taller, now about 6-foot-2. Like Swider, Baird will try to use her improved strength to get to the basket more. "They're even harder to guard because there are so many options," Eaton said. Yet Eaton calls Ahlberg, the point guard, the "key to our team. She gets us into our offense so well." Ahlberg is fast, and she too has improved her shot. All three players have plenty of varsity experience. Opponents can't overlook Zander, either. She is better defensively and is shooting very well, Eaton said. "We've got a nice group coming back," he added.
WW South
Coach: Rob Kroehnke.
Last year: 20-10, 13-3, tied for second in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Geneva in Class 4A sectional semifinals.
Top players: Jayla Johnson, sr., F; Kennedy Youngblood, sr., F; Mira Emma, jr., G; Mackenzie Stebbins, jr., G; Maria Dohse, jr., G; Paige Miller, jr., G; Kylie Ruggles, jr., G.
Scouting report: Kroehnke said the Tigers are ahead of last year's pace already, which is saying something, considering it took the eventual state champion to knock the Tigers out of the state playoffs. The Tigers lost two key pieces of last year's team (Sarah Struebing and Jayne LaBelle), but they return a lot of experience and talent. It starts with Johnson, a fourth-year varsity player and a force in the low post. Johnson averaged better than 50 percent shooting her first three seasons. "And she's still getting better," Kroehnke said. Emma, Youngblood, Stebbins, Dohse, Miller and Ruggles will form the rest of the Tigers' core, playing on the perimeter. And the Tigers will work in the juniors who lost just one game on the sophomore level last year despite having five members of their class on the varsity. The main concern for Kroehnke is the Tigers' lack of size. "It's always been something we've dealt with," he said. Still, it's even more pronounced this year. "We're smaller, but I definitely think we're a little more athletic, a little quicker, so hopefully we'll find ways to use that during a game, both offensively and defensively." They'll compensate by being a typically strong Tigers defensive team, and they've got some 3-point shooters who can take pressure off Johnson down low. In the last year of the DVC as we know it, WW South should be a contender again.
Willowbrook
Coach: Terry Harrell
Last year: 9-19, 5-7 West Suburban Gold; lost to Oak Lawn in Class 4A Oak Lawn regional quarterfinal.
Top players: Katelyn McCann, jr., G; Jayla Smith, sr., G; Sydney Verdino, jr., G; Megan Schmid, jr., G; Maureen Schmid, jr., F.
Scouting report: The Warriors have three starters returning, including last season's leading scorer, McCann, and Maureen Schmid. Last season's leading rebounder, Cece Lizasuain, will return later this month from a knee injury, and Harrell considers her aggressive rebounding important to Willowbrook again this winter. McCann's shooting ability and basketball IQ also will be key. Junior guards Emma Barrington and Maura Heneghan provide quality depth off the bench. "We have speed and quickness. But we are small," Harrell said. "But we have guards that can help us play an up-tempo offense. Defensively, we will have to take care of the paint." Harrell said rebounding will also be crucial to the Warriors achieving success. "We are not going to win the battle of the boards, but we need to be within three or four rebounds of the other team. If we win the battle, that bodes well for us."
York
Coach: Brandon Collings.
Last year: 15-13, 4-8, sixth in West Suburban Conference Silver Division. Lost to Geneva in the regional finals.
Top players: Caylin Rufus, sr., G/F; Danielle Dennis, jr., G; Madison Park, sr., G; Kathleen Levins, jr., F; Lauren Viola, sr., F; Hailey Walker, sr., G; Emily Rohman, jr., F.
Scouting report: With a strong, talented senior class, first-year coach Collings expects to turn a lot of last year's close losses into "W's" this year. "Our goal is to compete for the conference title," Collings said. "But to do that we'll need to get contributions from some of our juniors." Returning all-conference player Rufus, who signed with Upper Iowa University, and Dennis are complete players, while Park at point guard runs the show. The supporting cast is tall, athletic and experienced. The Dukes return 70 percent of last year's scoring. Collings can go 10 deep easily and he has a lot of options. "I'm impressed so far with the girls' ability to take care of the ball and avoid mistakes," he said.
- Stan Goff, Orrin Schwarz, Neil Shalin, D.J. Wanberg