Scouting the MSL East

MSL EASTBuffalo GroveCoach: Steve Kolodziej (sixth season)

Last year's record: 13-16, 4-6

Graduated players: Georgette Topalis, Megan Gamber, Kendall Prochaska, Gina Bolis, Allie Chessick

Returning players: Alyssa Floro (5-5 Sr. G), Jackie Bickhaus (5-6, Jr. G), Sydney Fortman (5-10 Jr. F), Kendra Lee (5-11, So. G/F), Macy Floro (5-6 So. G), Alyssa Ramos (5-5 So. G)

Newcomers: Megan Fontanetta (5-4, So. G), Zori Angelova (5-11 So. F), Sam Hansen (5-6 Jr. G), Jackie Lavigne (5-10 Jr. F), Hannah Young (5-6 Jr. G), Raegan Little (5-7 Jr. F), Heide Schmit (5-9. Jr. G), Emma Lozano (5-6 So. G), Kayla Weede (5-4 So. G), Sam Sellis (5-10, So. F), Mia Faraci (5-4 So. G)

Outlook: Coach Steve Kolodziej watched his team grow a lot last year with several underclassmen contributing throughout the season. Now he is hoping that results in a few more wins for the Bison. "We are an extremely athletic group that should be able to frustrate some people on the defensive end of the floor," Kolodziej said. "As always, the expectation is to take things one play at a time, one quarter at a time and one game at a time and be playing our best basketball when it matters most. I'm going to be challenging the group to communicate, take ownership of the team and take our play to the next level."

Elk GroveCoach: Jen Guth (fourth season)

Last year's record: 4-24, 0-10

Graduated players: Jenny Banak, Isabel Michniak, Leilani Rivera & Erin Allegretti.

Returning players: Zoe Blomquist (5-8 Sr. G), Emma Simmons (5-4, Sr. G), Bailey Smola (5-8 Sr. F), Rachel Kandefer (6-0 Jr. F), Megan Murray (5-4 So. G)

Newcomers: Sydney Marquis (5-10, Sr. F), Kaitlyn Ingebrigtsen (6-0 So. F), Madilyn Korkis (5-5 So. G), Olivia Masnica (5-5 Fr. G), Alyssa Trausch (5-7 Fr. F), Isabella Tierney (5-7, Fr. G)

Outlook: Elk Grove coach Jen Guth has a mix of younger and older players who have a lot of basketball smarts. "They play together," said the former Buffalo Grove standout forward. "And they are unselfish teammates." Murray is her returning point guard. She played almost every minute of every game as a freshman. "This year she has the experience behind her," Guth said. "And she will continue to be the leader of our offense." Blomquist showed more improvement over the summer and is expected to be a strong offensive scorer. "Our team goals are to win more games and compete in our conference, while also improving our shooting percentage," Guth said. "We don't want to just play in games, we want to continue to improve and get more wins."

HerseyCoach: Mary Fendley (20th season)

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

Graduated players: Claire Gritt, Kelly Weyhrich, Gina Miklasz, Carly Cooper, Drea Cannon, Carly Silva, Kendall Palmer

Returning players: Maesyn Benjamin (5-9 Sr G), Erin McGrath (5-11 Sr. F), Sydney Hemenway (5-4 Sr. G), Claire Rogowski (5-8 Sr. G), Sarah McGrath (5-10 Sr. F), Katie McGrath (6-0 Sr. F), Haley Skiko (5-10 Sr. F)

Newcomers: Emily Collins (5-7 Jr. G), Maddie Jacobson (5-10 Jr. F), Chelsea Manoj (5-3 Jr. G), Emily Born (5-6 Jr. G), Marlena Kot (5-5 Jr. G), Mary Kate Fahey (5-6 FR. G), Janine Boyan (6-0 So. F)

Outlook: The Huskies graduated three all-area players, including 1,000-point scorer Gritt, but are ready to reload as usual under coach Mary Fendley. "Despite losing a lot of talent, we have the pieces to put together a solid team," said Fendley, who owns a 405-170 career mark as she begins her 20th season. Erin McGrath is the Huskies only returning starter but her triplet sister Katie and Benjamin produced quality minutes last year. Rogowski provides great shooting range while Hemenway and Fahey should contribute in the guard position. "A lot of kids are working hard in practice trying to earn opportunities to get in the mix (including defensive specialist Collins)," said Fendley, who has guided Hersey to four straight regional titles and the MSL crown last year.

ProspectCoach: Gabrielle Lovin (third season)

Last year's record: 12-14, 5-5

Graduated players: Kendra Gancarz, Haley Will, Mary McKenna, Maggie Determann, Eileen Donohue

Returning players: Emily Frasco (6-0 Sr. G), Margherite Pettenuzzo (5-6 Sr. G), Stephanie Kowalczyk (5-6 Jr. G), Ashley Adams (5-8 Jr. G-F), Lizzie Fanslow (5-7 Sr. F), Sara Biesterfeldt (5-8 Sr. G).

Newcomers: Helen Siavelis (5-3 Jr. G), Amanda Behles 5-7 Jr G), Jessica Kowalczyk (5-6 Jr. G), Jenna Stidham (5-7 Jr. G-F), Tia Sadlon (6-0 Jr. F), Kayla Bryne (5-8 Jr. G), Elizabeth Jonas (5-5 Jr. G), Abbey Danciu (5-8 Jr. G-F), Emalee Depa (5-9 Jr. F)

Outlook: The Knights hope their ability to push the ball up the floor and switch up offenses and defenses will leads to successful results. Alabama-Birmingham recruit Frasco and Wisconsin-Oshkosh golf recruit Pettenuzzo, a three-year starter, lead the team with the most experience in coach Gabrielle Lovin's system. "Marguerite has great knowledge of our plays and defensive sets that she will be able to use to her advantage," Cottrell said. "Emily brings an inside and outside game along with leadership on the court." Stephanie Kowalczyk joined the Knights after one conference game last season. "She has done a tremendous job with her role leading the team at point guard," Lovin said. "Sara (Biesterfeldt) had a great summer shooting the ball and has developed a comfort in her game." Adams was also pulled up to the varsity half way through last season. "She will add an ability for us to push the pace while still being physical down low," Cottrell said "We have a deep bench that will allow us to change our lineups according to who we are playing. This is a competitive group of girls." The Knights placed fifth in the East two years ago and were third last year. "We are hoping to get higher this year," Lovin added. "I expect our team to support one another through thick and thin during this long competitive season. Our goals are to push ourselves defensively and let that light our fire offensively. We have a great group of girls who are hungry to play and compete. A regional title is another goal at the top of our list. Playing as one and believing together will be a big factor in our success. Our deep bench is going to be a great asset down the line. When you have players who are willing to change positions and work hard to make the team better, it is inspiring."

Rolling MeadowsCoach: Ryan Kirkorsky (sixth season)

Last year's record: 24-7, 8-2

Graduated players: Katherine Nolan (Loyola), Kyra Spiwak (Providence), Morgan Campagna, Kelsey Nallon, Clare Preissing

Returning players: Natalie Anderson (5-8 Sr. G), Caili Hosler (5-9 Sr. F), Hannah Joyce (5-11, Sr. F), Mallory King (5-8 Sr. G), Miyah Ruiz (5-8, Sr. G), Melissa Spiwak (5-6 Sr. G), Alexa Davis (5-7 Jr. G), Lily Greifenstein (5-6, Jr. G)

Newcomers: Mallory Brand (5-11, Jr. F), Kristin Dillon (5-6, Jr. G), Elise Kowalski (5-10), Jr. F), Kathleen Maltese (5-9, Jr. G), Susannah Holifield (5-10 So. F), Bridget Rolla (5-7, So. G)

Outlook: Mustangs veteran coach Ryan Kirkorsky says he and his coaching staff are excited to start a new journey with this year's group of players, some of who were part of the Mustangs' regional championship teams a year ago. "And they want to create their own legacy," he said. "We will place the ownership of the team in the hands of our six seniors." The Mustangs are deep at the guard position. "That depth will be the strength of our team," Kirkorsky said. "We have four skilled point guards who can lead the team. Melissa Spiwak is our driving force with her energy and competitiveness. Natalie Anderson, Alexa Davis, Lily Greifenstein, and Caili Hosler played important minutes for last year's team, and I'm excited to see what each of them brings in expanded roles." Sophomores Holifield and Rolla are talented and ready to contribute at the varsity level. "We have a deep roster with a number of kids competing for minutes," Kirkorsky said. "As always, we're asking our players to embrace the process as we navigate a competitive schedule."

Wheeling Coach: Matt Weber (fourth season)

Last year's record: 13-17, 3-7

Graduated players: Melissa Claver (Washington University, St. Louis), Kourtney Schuetz (Illinois College), Shannon Kennedy, Ayana Blair

Returning players: Nansy Velev (5-8 Sr. G), Nosa Igiehon (5-11 Jr F/C), Christina Pierini (5-5 Jr. G), Morgan Collar (5-10 So. F/C), Chloe Drozdz (5-3 So. G), Sophia Stanke (5-6, So. G/F)

Newcomers: Karina Gomez (5-3 Jr. G), Tommy Jean Helms (5-6 Jr. G), Lauryn Webb (5-10 So. F/C)

Outlook: The Wildcats won't be short on athleticism this winter. Coach Matt Weber has a roster in which every player competes in multiple sports. " We want to run the court and show off our athleticism," Weber said. "We have good post players (Igiehon and Collar) who need to demand the basketball, which will open up outside shots for our 3- point shooters (Pierini, Collar, Stanke, Helms)."The Wildcats will rely on Velev to run the show at point for the third straight season. "For us to be successful we have to want to work together as a team and outwork our opponents." Weber said. "The goal of our team is to compete for a conference championship and to win a regional championship."