DuPage County: Scouting Class 4A girls basketball regionals
Class 4A Lake Park regional
Teams (seeds): Lake Park (3), Bartlett (5), Glenbard East (9), St. Charles East (14).
Sectional host: Hoffman Estates.
Outlook: This might be the most competitive final in the sectional if it comes down to Lake Park and Bartlett. Lake Park surely hasn't forgotten when these teams met last month at the Coach Kipp's Hoopsfest at Willowbrook. Bartlett fell behind by 17 in the first quarter but won 66-63. Sharpshooting guards Lexie Sinclair and McKenzie Hare each scored 27 points for the Hawks. Lake Park senior Darrione Rogers, a DePaul recruit, is the best player in the sectional and capable of very big numbers also. Glenbard East junior Lauren Huber is a player to watch.
Class 4A Schaumburg regional
Teams (seeds): York (2), St. Charles North (7), Schaumburg (11), WW South (15), Hoffman Estates (18).
Sectional host: Hoffman Estates.
Outlook: This is the best York team in years, and the West Suburban Conference champion would love to add regional and sectional championships to its list of accomplishments. Sara Krissinger is due back from a bout with the flu, meaning the Dukes should be at full strength again. They are a much better team with her leadership and scoring in the lineup. Amaya Rufus, Sydney Fuglsang, Kaitlyn Kjome, Sydney Molis, Carley Schwartz and Megan Juneman form a strong core along with Krissinger.
Class 4A Batavia regional
Teams (seeds): Geneva (1), Willowbrook (8), Batavia (10), Glenbard North (16), West Chicago (17).
Sectional host: Hoffman Estates.
Outlook: This seems like Geneva's regional to lose. The Vikings might not be as good as they were in previous years when they won state championships, but they have some very good players like Colgate-bound Lindsay Blackmore, Kate Palmer and Katie Montgomery. Willowbrook will need Stephanie Dasbach and K'Aliyah Herron to be at their best.
Class 4A Glenbard West regional
Teams (seeds): Wheaton North (4), Glenbard West (6), Addison Trail (12), Conant (13).
Sectional host: Hoffman Estates.
Outlook: If 6-foot-2 Taylor Huff is healthy enough to get back in the lineup, Glenbard West's chances increase dramatically. She and Maggie Stutelberg form a strong 1-2 punch. But will the Hilltoppers have enough to beat Wheaton North in the final? Claire Hyde and Julia Simon form a formidable backcourt, and Ellie Hubbard, a future Big Ten softball shortstop, has become a force on the court the past couple of weeks.
Class 4A Plainfield North regional
Teams (seeds): Benet (1), Plainfield North (8), Waubonsie Valley (9), Plainfield East (16), Romeoville (17).
Outlook: Benet has been ranked No. 1 in the state most of the season and has been as tested by elite competition as much as any team in Illinois. Kendall Holmes (DePaul), Brooke Schramek (Wisconsin) and Kendall Moriarty (Nebraska) all are Division I recruits. The best game of the regional might be the Plainfield North-Waubonsie Valley semifinal. Ahniya Melton has had a breakout season for the Warriors. Grace Setter, Mykah Berkompas, Lauren McKnight and Halle Williams have played well also.
Class 4A Oswego regional
Teams (seeds): Naperville Central (4), Oswego (5), Oswego East (12), Neuqua Valley (14).
Sectional host: Benet.
Outlook: Naperville Central and Oswego look to be fairly evenly matched and likely will face each other in the final. Oswego has plenty of height with Jennah and Jennelle Rogers, but Mia Moore, Angelina Schlinger and Julia Henrikson can score too. Naperville Central is accustomed to playing taller teams. The Redhawks might need to make double-digit 3-pointers to beat Oswego, but Gabi Melby, Karly Maida, Katlyn Allen and Co. can do it.
Class 4A Yorkville regional
Teams (seeds): Naperville North (3), West Aurora (6), Yorkville (11), East Aurora (15).
Sectional host: Benet.
Outlook: Junior Greta Kampschroeder leads a young and improving team that went undefeated through the DuPage Valley Conference. Junior Alison Kickel has come on as a strong contributor lately, and freshman guard Abby Drendel has gained a lot of experience through the season. Senior post Jada Wilmington will be counted on for defense and rebounding. That said, the Huskies will be challenged in this regional, starting with East Aurora.
Class 4A Metea Valley regional
Teams (seeds): Bolingbrook (2), Metea Valley (13), Plainfield South (7), Plainfield Central (10).
Sectional host: Benet.
Outlook: Metea Valley's growth has been stunted by some injuries. The Mustangs face a tough opener in Bolingbrook. The Raiders earned a vote in last week's state poll. They have great talent and real sectional championship aspirations.
Class 4A Hinsdale Central regional
Teams (seeds): Downers Grove North (2), Proviso East (7), Hinsdale Central (10), Oak Park (15).
Sectional host: Proviso West.
Outlook: There's plenty of familiarity here with three of the teams from the West Suburban Silver and the fourth, Proviso East, in the Gold Division. Hinsdale Central has showed it's capable of pulling of a surprise, but the Red Devils will be tested by the Proviso East press. Downers Grove North will focus on defense as usual. Seniors Alexis Parker and Ellie Gross have a strong supporting cast in their younger teammates.
Class 4A Whitney Young regional
Teams (seeds): Whitney Young (1), Jones (8), Downers Grove South (9), Hubbard (16).
Sectional host: Proviso West.
Outlook: Whitney Young has to be regarded as a strong favorite in this field. The Dolphins are ranked 10th in the state in the AP poll with another 20-win season and another talented group. Downers Grove South should have a good shot at winning its semifinal. Meghan Stapleton and Erin Ganschow lead the way for the Mustangs.
- Orrin Schwarz