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Scouting the Mid-Suburban East

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Buffalo GroveCoach: Steve Kolodziej (eighth season)

Last year's record: 17-13, 4-6

Graduated players: Sydney Fortman, Jackie Bickhaus, Hannah Young, Sam Hansen, Jackie Lavigne

Returning players: Megan Fontanetta (5-3 Sr. G), Kendra Lee (5-10 Sr. F), Alyssa Ramos (5-9 Sr. G), Macy Floro (5-7 Sr. G), Zori Angelova (5-11 Sr. F)

Newcomers: Kora Kipley (5-7, Fr. G), Kayla Askew (5-6 Jr. G), Leah McKenna (5-10 So. F), Kim Stuercke (5-6 So. G), Alexa Loverde (5-2 So. G), Sydney Jacobs (5-4 So. G), Grace Vellers (5-4 So. G), Marissa Kurowski (5-8 So. F), Cassidy Green (5-9 So. F)

Outlook: The Bison welcome back five seniors with multiple years of varsity experience, including All-Area Lee (11 points, 8.3 rebounds). "So the expectation and potential are high," said BG coach Steve Kolodziej. " If we can stay healthy and develop some depth I think we can build upon last season's success." Kolodziej likes his players' commitment to their strength and conditioning regimens. "Hopefully that translates to some grit and physicality." he said. "Our schedule is loaded and within the first two weeks we will see where we're at and what we need to improve on in order to compete for a MSL championship. This team is extremely motivated and has a lofty expectation. It'll be a fun group to be a part of. The most impressive thing about these athletes is the type of students and all-around kids they are."

Elk Grove Coach: Jennifer Buxton (sixth season)

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

Graduated players: Rachel Kandefer, Jaela Preister

Returning players: Sarah Burkhardt (5-3 Sr. G), Kailtyn Ingebrigtsen (6-0 Sr. F), Madilyn Korkis (5-7 Sr. G), Megan Murray (5-5 Sr. PG), Olivia Masnica (5-5, Jr G), Alyssa Trausch (5-10, Jr. F), Lili Duckmann (5-7, So. G)

Newcomers: Tasvi Patel (5-7 Jr. F), Pranjal Patel (5-7, Jr. G), Alexa Joshi (5-5, Jr. G), Hannah Gryzik (5-4, So. G), Julia Masnica (5-6 Fr. G).

Outlook: The Grenadiers have a lot of speed, including All-Area guard Megan Murray, who averaged 11 points, 4 assists and 3.7 steals last winter. "We are looking to use that speed to our advantage," said Grens coach Jen Buxton. "We will look to pressure the ball and push in transition." Buxton said the Grenadiers are eager to accomplish some big goals. "But the Mid-Suburban League is always tough," she said. "So we have to come ready to play in every game."

HerseyCoach: Mary Fendley (22nd season, 440-205)

Last year's record: 20-10, 7-3

Graduated players: Emily Collins, Brianna Luciano, Maddie Jacobson, Emily Born, Chelsea Manoj, Aya El-Fiky (transfer student returned to Egypt)

Returning players: Mary Kate Fahey (5-8 Jr. G), Mary McGrath (6-1 Jr. G), Jessie Carlquist (5-6 Sr. G), Jordan Carlquist (5-7 Sr. G), Claire Stollfuss (5-8 Sr. F)

Newcomers: Katy Eidle (5-11 Fr. G), Meghan Mrowicki (5-9 Fr. G), Natalia Kubsik (5-10 Jr. F), Avery Larson (5-10 Jr. G), Annie Lindgren (5-11 Jr. F), Jacqui Jacobson (5-11 Jr. F), Megan Kleve (5-7 Jr. G), Megan Morris (5-3 Jr. G), Maggie Kaepplinger (5-6 Jr. G), Courtney Clayton (5-5 So. G. injured and unable to play 19-20 season)

Outlook: With only two returning starters (Fahey and McGrath), the Huskies will be a young team. All-Area guard Fahey handed out a team-high 97 assists while averaging 10.3 points last season along with 69 rebounds and 26 steals. "She is a pass-first guard, but is a very capable scorer and is one of the top guards in the league," said hall of fame Hersey coach Mary Fendley. "A lot depends on how the veterans mesh with the newcomers." Fendley said a lot her players got nice recognition this summer and fall. "So, I am excited to see them work hard to meet those high expectations," she added. "I think we have the pieces to put something special together. As the season progresses, we should be able to show a lot of improvement."

Prospect Coach: Marie Miller (second season)

Last year's record: 15-10, 5-5

Graduated players: Abbey Danciu, Ashley Adams, Helen Siavelis, Jessica Kowalczyk, Stephanie Kowalczyk, Tia Sadlon, Amanda Behles, Kayla Byrne

Returning players: Sarah Skaggs (5-6 Sr. G), Olivia Accardi (5-6 Sr. G), Jolene Neuhalfen (5-3 Sr. G), Ellen Sherwood (5-10 Sr. F), Eliot Dojutrek (5-8 Jr. G), Mia Gusloff (5-10 Jr. F)

Newcomers: Isabella Gebala (5-3 Jr. G), Alex Giannopoulos (5-3 Jr. G), Emily Neugebauer (5-9 Jr. F), Eileen Deines (5-6 Jr. G), Riley Cradduck (5-8 Jr. F/G), Andie Will (5-8 So. G), Summer Srodulski (5-11 So. F), Macy Zei (5-3, So. G), Jenna Acosta (5-10 Jr. F)

Outlook: As she begins her second season as the Knights' head coach, Miller welcomes back four seniors and two juniors from last year's team that finished five games above .500. "We're excited to be back in the Jean Walker Field House and preparing for another competitive season," Miller said. With many road games on the schedule, the Knights will be challenged both physically and mentally to compete at the highest possible level as they make their run for a MSL title. "We're already off to a great start, full of new faces and new opportunities," Miller said.

Rolling Meadows Coach: Ryan Kirkorsky (eighth season, 225-104 including four years at Elk Grove)

Last year's record: 21-8, 8-2

Graduated players: Mallory Brand, Alexa Davis, Kristin Dillon, Lily Greifenstein, Elise Kowalski, Kathleen Maltese

Returning players: Madison Aiello (5-4, Sr. G), Kelly Boyle (5-7 Sr. G), Kelsie Campbell (5-8 Sr. G), Colleen Cox (5-10 Sr F), Sarah Ingemunson (5-8 Sr F), Susannah Holifield (5-10 Sr. F), Bridget Rolla (5-7 Sr. G), Sam Elenz (5-8 Jr. G), Moira Hickey (5-6 So. G), Alison Sellergren (5-8, So G).

Newcomers: Maddie Paddack (5-6 Jr. G), Nicole Davis (5-5 So. G), Emily Galvan (5-4 So. G), Madi Niedbala (5-6 So. G)

Outlook: Rolling Meadows coach Ryan Kirkorsky loves the tremendous leadership he'll have from seven seniors who have been together since fifth grade feeder. Holifield (team-high 268 rebounds and 61 assists last season) and Rolla, who missed last season with a knee injury, are captains. "The two of them are proven winners, and they bring a level of commitment and competitiveness unique to the high school level," Kirkorsky said. Elenz and Sellergren played important minutes last season and are expected to expand their roles. "Unfortunately, Moira Hickey (started every game as freshman) is currently sidelined (injury) but we're looking forward to her coming back strong after her recovery," Kirkorsky said. "We're confident that the rest of our roster will fill the needs of our team." Kirkorsky said the sophomores are very talented and will make an immediate impact. "The MSL East will be just as competitive as it has been the last few years," he added. "And we're excited for the challenge."

Wheeling Coach: Matt Weber (sixth season, 73-73)

Last Year's record: 11-18, 1-9

Graduated players: Nosa Igiehon (Starter currently at Rose Hullman), Tommy Helms, Karina Gomez

Returning players: Morgan Collar (5-11 Sr. F), Chloe Drozdz (5-3, Sr. G), Sophia Stanke (5-6 Sr. G), Naomi Mettelus (5-3 Sr. G), Lauren Webb (5-10 Sr. F), Ashley Yasak (5-9 So. F), Nikki Niznik (5-3 So. G)

Newcomers: Ruby Trujillo (5-8 Sr. F), Keyahna Andersson (5-3 So. G), Sara Aranda (5-9 So. G), Leslie Giles (5-10 So. F), Riana Hayes (5-10 So. F), Delanee Hernandez (5-4 So. G), Julia Kawa (5-6 So. G), Ty-Ana Howard (5-5 Fr. G), Maya Teran (5-9 Fr. F)

Outlook: Wheeling coach Matt Weber knows exactly where to look for leadership - Collar, Drozdz and Stanke are three-year starting seniors. Collar is coming off ACL/MCL surgery. She was averaging over 15 points and 8 rebounds before the injury. Drozdz leads the offense at the point while Stanke looks to lead the club from 3-point land. Mettelus, Webb, Yasak and Niznik have varsity minutes and will all be integral contributors. "We want to play great defense and create open looks from spacing the floor with our shooters," Weber said. "Morgan Collar will continue to be a post player who is hard to defend. Drozdz is one of the quickest players in the area. After teams play us, we want them to remember that they had to work hard for open looks. Throughout the year, we want to keep improving."

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