Scouting the non-MSL teams in the Northwest suburbs

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Maine West Coach: Kim deMarigny (fourth year)

Last year's record: 35-0, 10-0

Graduated players: Rachel Kent, Vanessa Reyes, Ellie Centella, Jocelyn Jacob, Sarah Magnoni, Yessenia Vilchis

Returning players: Angela Dugalic (6-4 Sr. C/G/F), Lena Albo (Sr. PG), Dylan Van Fleet (Sr. G)

Newcomers: Jaclyn Riedl (Fr. F), Melissa Gomez (Sr. F), Brianna Hernandez (Jr. G), Jane Rothweiler (Jr. G), Angelina Ocampo (Jr. F), Maria Buniao (Jr. G), Marissa Murillo (Jr. F/G), Thirza Hanus (Jr. G), Jaclyn Riedl (Fr. F), Mahogany Shaw (Jr. F), Jade Thomas (So. C)

Outlook: The Warriors return three starters - Dugalic, Van Fleet and Albo - from their undefeated Class 4A state championship team. Dugalic, an Oregon recruit, is rated by many as the top senior in the country. Her 1,081 points rank 13th in program history. All-Area guard Van Fleet averaged 11.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 3.6 assists. "We have some great returning players and are hoping to become a new team with a lot of the same goals as previous squads," said coach Kim de Marigny, who owns a 97-6 career record at West and her teams have won 38 consecutive games (through Wednesday). "We just want to work together and play as a unit and not individuals." The coach is stressing hard defense and getting her offense up and down the court. "We'll look to use our strengths and work to improve our weaknesses on a daily basis," she said. "Our goals are once again to win the conference and get as deep into the playoffs as possible."

Maine EastCoach: Nicole Rinaldi (second year)

Last year's record: 12-18, 2-9

Roster: Colleen Oribello (Sr. G), Emina Hanic (So. C), Mahima Chokshi (So. PG), Rimata Halabi (So. PG), Michelle Piro (So. G), Mahnoor Shafi (Sr. C), Teresa Barbera (Sr. F), Christene Vela (Sr. G), Daniela Vertucio (Hr. F), Azra Murati (Sr. C), Arleth Hernandez (Sr. F)

Outlook: Former Fremd standout and coach Nicole Rinaldi said the Blue Demons' strengths this year start with leadership. "We have outstanding captains with this group who work hard daily," she said. "Their work ethic is contagious. If we keep up with this momentum, improve our defensive mindset, and not go back to old habits fundamentally, we will be a very special team." The Blue Demons should be much deeper this year with three starters returning (Oribello, Chokshi and Hanic). "We have a lot of young players, but they all played a lot of varsity minutes last season," Rinaldi said. "We worked hard over the summer and truly believe we will be even more competitive this season. Our biggest issue will be our lack of size, but we will try to use our speed to make up for that shortcoming. The leadership and team chemistry I've seen already will be a huge impact on our success this season. Building our vocal leadership and team building activities will continue to help us grow as a team and create positive relationships with each other. Caya Apostolou, who graduated last season after scoring 1,369 points, is now playing at Upper Iowa University.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

St. ViatorCoach: Jason Raymond (fifth season)

Last year's record: 25-9, 3-4

Returning players: Nora Ahram (So. G), Joy Bergstrom (So. G, Emma Morrisey (Jr.), Aubrey Horbach (Jr. G), Keely McClellan (Jr.), Abby Longstreet (Jr.), Caroline Sexton (Jr.), Ava McLellan (Jr.), Elise Bollard (Sr), Michele Maslowski (Sr.)

Newcomers: Kate Peterson (Jr.), Gabby Brown (Jr.), Callie Mulligan (Jr.), Lily Collins (Jr.), Brooke Davis (So.), Louisa Battin (Fr.)

Outlook: St. Viator coach Jason Raymond welcomes back six players who saw significant action last year, including four starters. "It is an experienced team but still has a lot of room for a lot of growth," Raymond said. "We plan to be playing our best ball in February. We will feature more height and athleticism than in the past. This year's team is more adept at attacking the basket." Bergstrom averaged 14.4 points, scoring almost 500 points for the season. Ahram handed out 99 assists and Morrissey averaged 7.8 points. Seniors Bollard and Maslowski will provide senior leadership. "Just like every year, our goals are to compete in the upper half of the ESCC, win a regional and compete for a trip downstate," Raymond said. "But most of all be the best we can be at the things that will carry us to those places."

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

LeydenCoach: Stephanie Kuzmanic (sixth season)

Last year's record: 10-19, 3-9

Graduated players: Gabriela Hurtado, Kassandra Perez, Jennifer Molini, Ivanna Hernandez

Returning Players: Evelyn Abundes (5-8, Sr. G), Yaritza Frias (5-5 Jr.), Lania Harris (5-7 Sr. F), Anixa Cisneros (5-9 Sr. F), Leah Ferrici (5-6 Sr. G)

Newcomers: Becky Colmenares (5-5 Jr. G), Kayley Reith (5-6 Jr. G), Jocelyn Muenster (5-5 So. G), Emily Collier (5-11 Jr. F), Carcicia Ruiz (5-9 Jr. F), Isabella Toral (5-11, So. G).

Outlook: Coach Stephanie Kuzmanic has an athletic group of girls who have the ability to play at a fast tempo. They are strong on the defensive end of the floor and successful when they get in transition. "We will rely on our two returning starters (Evelyn Abundes and Yaritza Frias) to take over offensively," Kuzmanic said. "We will also gain some scoring with Anixa Cisneros and Leah Ferrici who sat out last season due to knee injuries." Colmenares is a talented newcomer who can play both ends of the floor and is expected to add major contributions.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN SOUTH

Maine SouthCoach: Jeff Hamann (second season)

Last year's record: 19-11, 5-5

Graduated players: Nicole Scales, Hannah Schilling

Returning players: Niki Manolis (5-3 Jr. PG), Niamh Gardiner (5-11, Jr. G), Nicole Gardiner (5-10 Jr. G), Greta Miller (5-11 Sr. F)

Newcomers: Abby Ciprian (5-5, Jr. G), Caroline Barker (5-7, So. G), Megan O'Leary (5-5, Jr. G), Emily Pape (6-0, So. F), Ellie Ronan (6-1, Jr. C)

Outlook: The Hawks graduated a 1,000-point scorer (Nicole Scales who is now playing for North Dakota State) and four-year starting point guard Hannah Schilling. "While we did lose a special senior class from last year's team, we are returning four out of our top six players," said Hawks coach Jeff Hamann. Three of those players (Niamh Gardiner, Nicole Gardiner and Miller) are back with the Hawks' top three rebounders. "We will need to successfully bring together our experience with our talented newcomers," Hamann said. "In addition, I believe our team is extremely versatile." Several players have the ability to play and guard multiple positions. "We need to use that versatility to our advantage," Hamann added. "Also, this team is athletic and fast. We need to understand that and play with an extremely fast pace both in practice and in games. They want spectators, etc. to describe our team as smart, tough, tenacious, fast and aggressive. These adjectives will drive us every day in practice and of course in the games."

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC

Christian LibertyCoach: Steve Rowland

Last year's record: 15-10, 4-2

Graduated players: Annika Dinkleman, Emma Wolke

Returning players: Megan Ng (5-4 Jr. G), Julia Wolke (5-3 So. G), Audrey Law (5-6 So. G), Melissa Castro (5-4 So. G), Christine Seon (5-6 Jr. F), Hannah Mindak (5-8 So. F)

Newcomers: Nina Delasalas (5-4 Fr. G), Amanda Elleson 5-4 Fr, G), Ani Christian (5-5 Fr. G), Shine Seon (5-5 So. F), Ellie Dinkelman (5-5 So. G), Dayna Mateo (5-4 So. G), Grace Meshreky (5-4 Fr. G)

Outlook: The Chargers are looking to build on their success from last season. "We're still a very young team with a lot of quickness," said coach Steve Rowland. "We are returning our four leading scorers from last year's team."