Scouting Libertyville

LIBERTYVILLE

Coach: Greg Pedersen (seventh season)

Last season: 14-14, 7-7 in NSC, lost to Stevenson in Class 4A Highland Park regional semifinals

Key losses: G Morgan Manski

Returning players: Sr. F Maddie Spaulding (5-11), Sr. F Maggie Evers (5-10), Jr. G Margaret Buchert (5-7), Jr. G Lydia Crow (5-8), Jr. F Abigail Frea (5-11), So. G Lauren Huber (5-9)

Newcomers: Jr. G Brooke Bair (5-9), J. G Abby Parkerson (6-1), So. G Morgan Spaulding (5-9), So. G Marianna Morrissey (5-7), So. G Elise Rodriquez (5-8)

Outlook: The Wildcats' .500 record last season was appropriate, as they never won more than two games in a row and their longest losing streak was three games. That was to be expected since coach Greg Pedersen had a roster with only one senior, eight sophomores and one freshman. "We return the majority of the team from last season," said Pedersen, who has four sophomores (one returnee) on his 2018-19 roster. "Still on the young side with only one senior getting significant minutes." That senior is 5-foot-11 post Maddie Spaulding, who's playing her third varsity season. Senior forward Maggie Evers, who came off the bench last winter, is out for season with an ACL injury. "Maddie Spaulding gives us much-needed muscle and inside presence," Pedersen said. The Wildcats' strength should be their guard play. Junior Lydia Crow poured in a school-record 75 3-pointers and earned all-area honors last season. She has a school-record 121 3s in just two seasons on varsity. As a first-year varsity player last season, Margaret Buchert scored in double digits in 18 games. Sophomore Lauren Huber did a lot of the dirty work, while also showing she can provide offense. "Crow, Buchert and Huber give us a nice trio of guards," Pedersen said. "Each can handle the ball and score. Huber is our defensive centerpiece and can guard any position." Abigial Frea is another junior who contributed on varsity as a sophomore. "We expect Abigail Frea to step up and make strong contributions, especially in rebounding," Pedersen said. "(Sophomore) Morgan Spaulding and (junior) Brooke Bair have a chance to give us significant minutes." The Wildcats should be an improved and more consistent team. "We have a close-knit, goal-oriented group," Pedersen said. "We're just going to take this season one game at a time and focus on playing as a team. The hope is to improve throughout so we're playing really good basketball by February."