Freshman class in Fox Valley something special

Averaging 7.9 points in her freshman season at Huntley, Kamsi Nwogu often would be the area's leading scorer for those rare ninth-graders who make the jump straight to varsity basketball.

This year? Nwogu isn't even the leading freshman scorer on her own team. As of last week, teammate Raquel Radermacher averages 8.5.

Both are making a major impact for the Red Raiders, and they aren't alone in what's been a stellar freshman class in the Fox Valley area.

Bartlett's Lexie Sinclair leads all freshman in scoring at 13.7 points per game. Coach Brad Hunt is excited to see Sinclair follow in the footsteps of senior Kayla Hare, the program's all-time 3-point shooter who leads the area with a 19-point scoring average.

"Lexie is going to be just like Kayla when Lexie is a senior," Hunt said. "A little bit to learn still about the higher level games, but as a freshman she shoots the ball really well, she handles the ball really well and I'm ecstatic for the next three and a half years to see what she's going to do because she's going to be a great, great player."

Burlington Central's Elana Wells isn't far behind Sinclair at 12.9 points a game, and also is among the area leaders in assists.

Like most of these freshmen, Wells came into high school already with a lot of basketball experience.

"She is a kid that has played a lot," Burlington Central coach Mark Smith said. "She knows how to play, she knows how to use her body as a point guard which a lot of kids at that age don't. She's able to get some separation from her defender by using her body. That's something I've had seniors who can't do that."

Smith said Wells is still refining her 3-point shot; she made three of them Monday in a win over Belvidere North for the consolation championship at DeKalb's MLK Classic.

"We still encourage her to shoot the ball," Smith said. "She has a ways to go but she's an impressive freshman for sure."

Hampshire's 6-foot-1 Kelby Bannermann is among the area leaders in both scoring and rebounding. She averages 10.4 points a game and is fourth in the area in rebounding at 8.4 a game.

"She's doing some good things," Hampshire coach Mike Featherly said. "She's got the athletic ability. Once she understands the game a little better, sees things a little better, she's going to be dangerous. The nice thing is she's coachable. You can't ask for anything better than that. She wants to get better. She asks questions. She's been a nice addition."

Like Huntley, Dundee-Crown is playing multiple freshmen. Gianine Boado averages 8 points per game and Alyssa Crenshaw also starts.

Red Raiders coach Steve Raethz has been impressed with what he's seen. Radermacher scored 25 points last weekend against Johnsburg.

Huntley is by far the youngest team in the area with five freshmen, three sophomores, one junior and two seniors on the roster, and one of those seniors, McKenzie Krich, has not played due to a torn ACL.

"All of the freshmen and sophomores on our team have gained experienced and improved in their level of play as the season has progressed," Raethz said. "With a young team and as many new players that we have playing varsity basketball, there is going to be a learning curve and period of adjustment in terms of the speed and physicality and just overall expectations of competing at the varsity level. And I think those are the some of the things that you look at as a coach when determining whether or not to move up an individual to play varsity basketball."

At 5-16, Huntley is going through some understandable growing pains but the Red Raiders are making strides. They are 4-3 in the new year.

"This is the youngest group that I've coached in my 19 seasons," Raethz said. "They work very hard and they want to learn and get better, and I'm very proud of the progress that we've made as a team. I think these experiences will pay dividends in the years to come."

Raethz said coaches have a lot to consider in deciding whether a freshman is ready for varsity basketball.

"You have to help that player with understanding that there are going to be peaks and valleys and adverse situations throughout the course of the season, but ultimately, they are going to become better players for going through those experiences," Raethz said. "Sometimes that's a difficult adjustment for a young player because that player is used to having so much success as an eighth grader, but then the player is thrust into a different scenario at the varsity level where the things that used to come easy are more challenging because they are playing against kids who are in many cases two and three years older. Each player adjusts to those challenges differently and some respond to that more quickly than others."

The transition to varsity basketball isn't always easy, though these players are often making it seem that way.

"It's really fun, I really enjoy playing with these girls," Wells said. "I have to step up being a point guard and also as a freshman. I don't want to do too much. I was excited because I used to play with the girls when I was younger."

Wave rolling: Undefeated in the Metro Suburban Red at 6-0, St. Edward's two toughest tests to a conference championship still remain: matchups with Walther Christian at home next Tuesday and at Walther on Feb. 1.

Senior Mariel Franco, averaging 9.4 points and 5.8 rebounds a game, is one of the main reasons for the success for St. Edward, who has overcome an 0-3 start to sit at 13-6 overall.

"She's been someone we've been able to rely on," St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson said. "She picks up some key rebounds for us. She is a hardworking player. She never quits. She kind of fuels our team."

Lesson learned: A year ago Geneva suffered a surprising January loss to St. Charles North - the Vikings then won their next 15 games culminating in the Class 4A state championship.

Coach Sarah Meadows is hoping this year's team can use January setbacks last week to Mother McAuley and Loyola in similar fashion.

"They may have been shaking off Mother McAuley but after having two (losses) it was like, OK, now it's time," Meadows said. "Last year we lost to North and it took one to adjust and this year it took two."

While next year's Vikings certainly will have a different look considering all five starters are seniors including a pair of four-year standouts Margaret Whitley and Stephanie Hart, they will return sophomore Lindsay Blackmore.

As the first player off the bench this year, Blackmore leads the team in rebounding at almost 6 a game and has made some clutch shots in key games.

"Lindsay has really bought into the role," Meadows said. "She's coming off the bench and doing a nice job with it."

Star shooter: Speaking of emerging sophomores, St. Charles North point guard Leilauni Chanthaboury nailed four 3-point baskets and also was a stalwart defensively with 14 points and 4 steals in a hard-fought loss to St. Charles East last Friday.

"She's been playing with a ton of confidence lately," North Stars coach Mike Tomczak said. "It's great to see her coming into her own. It's hard to believe she's still a sophomore. We have really seen her turn the corner lately, wanting the ball and shooting with confidence and attacking the rim a little more."