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Scouting the Northern Lake County Conference

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY

ANTIOCH

Coach: Tim Borries (11th season)

Last season: 30-4, 13-1 in NLCC, won Class 3A Resurrection regional, won Johnsburg sectional, lost to Marshall in Concordia University supersectional

Key losses: PG Ashley Reiser, G Amy Reiser (Milwaukee School of Engineering), G Erika Gallimore

Returning players: Sr. G Taylor Feltner (5-3), Jr. G Piper Foote (5-5), Sr. G Olivia Ori (5-5), Sr. G Amy Vazquez (5-2)

Newcomers: So. G Ayanna Tommy (5-6), Jr. G Becca Ustich (5-4), Fr. G Hailey Webb (5-4), Jr. G Rachel Phillips (5-6), Fr. G Gianna Riforgiato (5-7), Jr. G Kaitlyn Stay (5-7), Jr. G Noor Abdellatif (5-9), Sr. G Kathleen Zamudio (5-7), Fr. G Erin Miller, Fr. F Faith Miller (5-10), Jr. G Samantha Brown (5-6)

Outlook: It's not "Reiser 2.0." That wouldn't be fair to freshman twins Faith and Erin Miller. But like four years ago, the Sequoits start a season with nonidentical twins on their roster. "They both know basketball. They both love basketball," coach Tim Borries said. Faith Miller is listed at 5 feet 10 and her long arm-span allows her to play bigger than her height, Borries said. Erin Miller is a 5-9 guard who's also flashed potential. Borries isn't expecting the twins to make the same immediate impact as Ashley and Amy Reiser did as freshmen. The Reisers graduated after scoring a combined 2,977 points (1,627 by three-time all-area captain Ashley) in four varsity seasons. The Sequoits also piled up 109 wins and a pair of sectional championships during the Reisers' run. What's left is a team that continues to lack size (Faith Miller is the Sequoits' tallest player) but boasts good athletes who can get after it defensively as well as shoot from the arc. Senior guard Taylor Feltner (5-3) and junior guard Piper Foote (5-5) are returning starters. Feltner can shoot the ball. Foote (Western Illinois softball commit) is one of the best defenders in the county and was named All-NLCC Third Team last season. Senior guard Olivia Ori (5-5) is another shooter. Among the other newcomers besides the Miller twins are speedy sophomore Ayanna Tommy (5-6), who had a successful varsity season in track as a freshman, freshman guard Gianna Riforgiato (5-7) and freshman guard Hailey Webb (5-4). Junior Kaitlyn Stay (5-7) is another shooter. "You want to get us early," Borries said. "Once (the newcomers) grasp the concept of what we want to do on defense, look out. They cover so much ground." Former longtime head coach Tim Bowen returns as Borries assistant. The offense - which graduated three double-digit scorers in Ashley Reiser (15.6 ppg), Amy Reiser (12.2 ppg) and Erika Gallimore (11.3 ppg) - could be one by committee. "Our best offense may be our defense," said Borries, whose Sequoits earned a share of the inaugural NLCC title last season with Grayslake Central. "We want to force a lot of turnovers, (score) in transition, get some easy points that way."

GRANT

Coach: Kevin Geist (first season)

Last season: 12-19, 6-8 in NLCC, lost to Stevenson in Class 4A Stevenson regional final

Key losses: G/F Keyana Linbo, G Ameerah Muhammad, G Charneice Burns

Returning players: Sr. F/C Mallory Harrity, Jr. G Ally Mahinay, Sr. G Roxanne Temple, Sr. G Kennedy Kiesgen, Sr. G Makiah Linbo

Newcomers: Jr. G Carly Burgeson, So. G/F Kateylnn Dupree, Fr. G Olivia Finalyson, Jr. G/F Brooke Karpinske, Fr. F/C Jazzlyn Linbo, So. G/F Alya Rangel, Jr. G Mercedes Uribe

Outlook: The Bulldogs never recovered from a rough start last year. Now it's time for a new start with a new coach, who's new to girls basketball. Kevin Geist had previous coaching stops at Lake Zurich Middle School as well as Morton West, Niles North, Maine East and Maine South high schools. He was a multiple-sport athlete at Maine South (Class of 1999) and Carthage College. A first-year special education teacher at Grant, this is his first time coaching girls basketball and first time as varsity head coach. He's excited for the opportunity and anxious for his team to start a new chapter. A year ago, the Bulldogs started 0-7 and saw second-year coach Kathie Swanson take a personal leave of absence. Chris VanAlstine coached the team the rest of the season on an interim basis, and the Bulldogs went 12-12, winning a Class 4A postseason game. "They're mature beyond their years," Geist said of his players. "I think (the last three years) has toughened them up a bit. They really play for one another. They speak up when they have a question, they have good leadership (skills), they want to succeed, and they work really hard." Geist inherits a pair of all-conference players and double-digit scorers in junior guard Ally Mahinay (All-NLCC Second Team) and senior post Mallory Harrity (All-NLCC Third Team). Both have been on varsity since their freshman year. Senior guard Roxanne Temple is another three-year varsity player. Geist - who's no relation to longtime Grant wrestling coach Ryan Geist - has a pair of freshmen on his roster in guard Olivia Finalyson and forward/center Jazzlyn Linbo, whose sister Makiah is a returning varsity player. Makiah is one of only four seniors on the squad along with Harrity, Temple and guard Kennedy Kiesgen. "I'm a firm believer that you go with seniority first and earn your spot on the court," Geist said. "If you've put in the time in the off-season and in the summers, and if you've been here for four years, you get first crack. Then play will dictate after that." Geist hopes his Bulldogs can wear teams down with their depth, athleticism and size. "I like to play high tempo," Geist said. "I believe firmly that you play your tail off on defense and make the other team tired, and then you look for a good shot on offense. We'll play a couple of different styles, but I like to play fast and take the best shot available."

GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL

Coach: Steve Ikenn (eighth season)

Last season: 22-8, 13-1 in NLCC, lost to Fremd in Class 4A Barrington regional final

Key losses: G Amanda Larson (Carthage College), F Lindsay Brust

Returning players: Sr. G/F Payton Gosell (5-9), Jr. G Maura Fitzgerald (5-6), Jr. G Rosie Drevline (5-8), Sr. G/F Jordyn Gosell (5-9), Sr. F Ania Barnes (6-0), So. F/G Kate Bullman (6-1)

Newcomers: So. G Madeline Mussay (5-5), Jr. G Abby Tonkery (5-9), So. G Amanda Kocialkowski (5-9), Jr. F Kristina Heerdegen (5-10), So. G Lauryn Cartee (5-5)

Outlook: The Rams jumped from 15 wins in 2015-16 to 22 last season, and that was with 6-footer Ania Barnes tearing her ACL the day after Christmas in a tournament game at Warren. Grayslake Central also started 0-3 last season, before winning 22 of its next 26 games. "They responded well to the adversity we went through with that," said coach Steve Ikenn, whose Rams earned a share of the inaugural NLCC title last season with Antioch. Gone are two-time all-area guard Amanda Larson and all-area forward Lindsay Brust. Both Larson - who led the team in points, assists and steals in each of the last two seasons - and Brust were named All-NLCC First Ream last season. Barnes returns for her fourth varsity season. She had a 22-point effort against Antioch last December. "She looks the same as she did before she got hurt," Ikenn said. "She got off to a great start last year. I'm just looking for her to get back where she was. She's a four-year veteran and taking on more of a leadership role." The Rams also welcome back point guard Maura Fitzgerald (All-NLCC Second Team), senior identical twins Payton (a righty) and Jordyn (a lefty) Gosell, junior guard Rosie Drevline and 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Kate Bullman. Ikenn's opening-night starting lineup featured Barnes, Bullman, Fitzgerald, Drevline and Jordyn Gosell. Ikenn has only 11 girls on his roster and expects them all to contribute. Four of the players - Bullman, Lauryn Cartee, Amanda Kocialkowski and Madeline Mussay - are sophomores. "We got a nice athletic roster," Ikenn said. "We're a fairly fast team. We don't have a ton of size, but we've got enough."

GRAYSLAKE NORTH

Coach: Rob Nicoletti (fourth season)

Last season: 17-12, 9-5 in NLCC, lost to Libertyville in Class 4A Stevenson regional semifinals

Key losses: G Sidney Lovitsch (Saint Xavier University), G Sydney Paez, F Abby Fish

Returning players: Sr. F Abbey Guenther (5-11), Jr. G Savannah Guenther (5-10), Jr. G Jordyn Gerdes (5-7), Jr. G Margaret Stanfel (5-6), Sr. F Abby Hamelton (5-11), Sr. G Molly Rutkowski (5-7), Sr. G Sarah Rauch (5-6)

Newcomers: Jr. G Ja'kya Newbill (5-6), Jr. G April Taylor (5-5), Sr. G Victavia Taylor (5-7), Jr. F Brittany Grim (6-0), Jr. G Lauren Hansen (5-5), Jr. G Madi Isaacs (5-6), So. G Faith Standerski (5-5)

Outlook: The Knights can't love having no Lovitsch. For the first time in five years, Sidney Lovitsch is not the focal point of most everything they do at both ends of the court. The four-year varsity guard graduated after 70 wins and school-record 1,445 points. Now at Saint Xavier University, her 15.3 points per game last season helped the Knights win 17 times. "A lot of these girls are used to playing with Sidney," coach Rob Nicoletti said. Players have new roles this season, and Nicoletti is confident they can adapt. "It's an adjustment for the girls because a lot of times we had the luxury of deferring to Sid," Nicoletti said. "We have girls stepping up, and they're doing a good job of it in practice. It's just going to take some time for it to translate, but it will." The Knights will get a boost at the guard position when Waukegan transfer Ja'kya Newbill becomes eligible in January. "Another ballhandler, another really good passer," Nicoletti said. "She's going to help us a lot, especially on the offensive end." Junior guard Margaret Stanfel, who came off the bench last season, tore her ACL in the Knights' regional-semifinal loss to Libertyville last February. She might miss this week's Mundelein tournament, which concludes Saturday. The Knights return only two starters in junior Savannah Guenther (5 feet 10) and her older sister Abbey (5-11), who's a senior. Savannah was a consistent double-digit scorer last season, earning All-NLCC Third Team honors, and rebounds the ball well, too. Like Savannah Guenther and Stanfel, Jordyn Gerdes got lots of playing-time as a sophomore last winter. Nicoletti's roster features five seniors, eight juniors and one sophomore in Faith Standerski, who played varsity softball last spring. "They're really close," Nicoletti said of his players. "They work really hard, they're really coachable, and they give you their best every day. I love their mindset. There are no egos. I'm excited to see where we go. We have a lot of new faces and faces who have new roles."

LAKES

Coach: Brian Phelan (third season)

Last season: 17-15, 7-7 in NLCC, lost to Warren in Class 4A Warren regional semifinals

Key losses: G Natalie Iacopetti, F/G Sarah Zellmann, F/C Savannah Sikora, F/G Isabella Quaranta, F/C Natalie Pawlak, G Shannon Hurlbut

Returning players: Jr. G Sara Smith (5-8), Jr. F Mia Edwards (5-10), Jr. C Paule Ceneac (6-1)

Newcomers: Jr. G Kylie Jozwik (5-11), Jr. G Brittany Washington (5-6), Jr. G Nicole Jones (5-9), Sr. G Abbie Korjenek (5-5), Jr. G Taylor Lehman (5-8), Jr. G Chloe Lukasik (5-10), Sr. G Caitlin Rodriguez (5-8), Jr. G Mia Urban (5-6), Sr. F Anna Wallenfang (5-6)

Outlook: The Eagles boast 35 wins in the last two seasons but postseason hardware has eluded them. In fact, while the program keeps producing more or more girls who play AAU, it has never won a conference or regional championship. That means the tally board hanging on the gym wall remains blank. And the players are aware of it. "That's one of their goals," coach Brian Phelan said. "They want to be the first team." The Eagles, who nearly upset host Warren in the Class 4A regional semifinals last February, will move down to Class 3A for the state tournament this season. "It doesn't guarantee a regional championship, but the possibility is greater," Phelan said. The coach knows it won't be easy, regardless. Junior point guard Sara Smith (5-8) and junior post Mia Edwards (5-10) are the Eagles' only returning starter. Another junior, 6-1 Paule Ceneac, also played varsity last season and is coming off a successful season for the volleyball team that captured 29 wins. Two more juniors, guards Kylie Jozwik and Brittany Washington, round out the starting lineup. All five starters play AAU ball. "This is our first wave of a big group of girls that play basketball in the off-season," Phelan said. For now, newcomers Anna Wallenfang, Abby Korjenek, Caitlin Rodriguez and Taylor Lehman figure to play the most minutes coming off the bench. "They've been playing together for a long time," Phelan said of his players. "We don't have to find new roles. Everyone knows their role. They're competitive and care about each other. Our best players are our hardest workers. The recipe's right for a good run. We're just going to keep grinding out." Phelan joked that his job is to stay out of the way. "All the starters can break people down off the dribble, they can all create, and they know how to move on defense," he said. "I've probably never had this high of a collective IQ on a team before."

ROUND LAKE

Coach: Doug Barnshaw (second season)

Last season: 7-20, 3-11 in NLCC, lost to Wheeling in Class 4A Warren regional play-in

Key losses: G Leslie Diaz, G Emely Martinez

Returning players: Sr. F Kiara Billups (5-10), Sr. G Yamileth Lopez (5-4), Sr. G Griselda Martinez (5-5), Jr. G Diane Flade (5-8), Sr. F Alexandria Ramirez (5-6), Jr. G Emily Etherington (5-4), Jr. F Samantha Nicoline (5-7), Sr. F Hannah Brooks (5-8)

Newcomers: Jr. G Maria Mota (5-6), Sr. F Kaley Greenwood (5-5), Jr. F Courtney Greenwood (5-5), Jr. G Giselle Raygoza (5-5)

Outlook: The Panthers are starting a new chapter, as longtime coach Howard Conkling lost his fight with cancer this past summer. His longtime friend and fellow teacher/coach Doug Barnshaw coached the Panthers on an interim basis last season and returns to direct the team. Barnshaw brings back a veteran group that includes 5-foot-10 senior forward Kiara Billups, who was named All-NLCC Third Team last season. Junior guard Diane Flade flashed potential last winter, particularly against Grant in the Panthers' regular-season finale, as she scored 21 points. The other returning players who got significant minutes last season include senior guard Griselda Martinez, senior forward Hannah Brooks, junior guard Emily Etherington and junior forward Samantha Nicoline, who was a midseason call-up. Barnshaw's roster features six seniors and six juniors.

WAUCONDA

Coach: Jaime Dennis (ninth season)

Last season: 14-14, 5-9 in NLCC, lost to Hersey in Class 4A Wauconda regional semifinals

Key losses: C Katie Rossetti (Carroll University), G Hayley Sutherland, F Hayley Redmann, F Mallory Carver

Returning players: Jr. F Allie Tylka (6-0), Sr. F Elise Deaver (5-10), Sr. G Michaela "Po" Kimbell (5-0), Sr. G Allison Pope (5-2), Jr. G Megan Sinnott (5-2), Sr. G Marina Zamudio (5-5)

Newcomers: Fr. G Lluvia Sanchez (5-4), Fr. F Carly Motley (5-6), Fr. G Maddie Carver (5-5), Fr. G Ella Karg (5-6), Fr. F Kiley Szmajda (5-10), So. F Morgan Lung (5-7), Jr. G Dakota Thompson (5-1), Sr. F Staci Gustafson (5-6)

Outlook: Jaime Dennis took a break from coaching last season after giving birth to her son, Ty, last November. She returns this season to coach kids just slightly older than her 1-year-old. All joking aside, Dennis has promoted five freshmen - Lluvia Sanchez, Carly Motley, Maddie Carver, Ella Karg and 5-foot-10 Kiley Szmajda - and sophomore Morgan Lung. All are expected to get playing-time. "It's a totally new experience for both Dave (assistant coach Dave Schmitz) and me," Dennis said. "Normally we're pretty veteran-heavy. We might occasionally pull up one or two kids. It's definitely been a different situation and different issues that we have to tackle - how we approach practice - because they don't know the stuff that they usually know at this point at the varsity level. We're covering a lot in a short amount of time." Dennis has some catching up to do herself. The Bulldogs went 14-14 under interim coach Greg Dorgan last season. "There are still cobwebs with certain things," said Dennis, who got out to watch a handful of games last season. "I look at Schmitz and I'm like, 'Wait a second. How did we do this?' I've been coaching 18 years, total, and this a totally unique situation." Three-year all-conference center Katie Rossetti graduated, but the Bulldogs return 6-foot junior Allie Tylka, who's the team's tallest player and has been starting since her freshman year. Tylka averaged 12.6 points per game last season, playing mainly at guard, including the point. "She can do anything," Dennis said. "She really can fill any role for us. She can handle the ball. She can be our center. (Where she plays) depends on how quickly the rest of them develop." Senior forward Elise Deaver and 5-foot senior Michaela "Po" Kimbell are the only other players who got significant minutes last season. Dennis calls her newcomers "basketball players," as they've gone through the Junior Bulldogs feeder program and have participated in AAU. "In that group of rookies, there are some ballhandlers," Dennis said. "We're changing our offense a little bit this year (more up-tempo), suiting it more toward the kids that we have, rather than the same old flex that we've been running for years. That'll still be an option, but we're also giving them a little more freedom because they ARE basketball players." A roller coaster season won't surprise Dennis. "I think we're probably going to sneak up on people and win some games that we shouldn't, and then I think that we're probably going to lose some games that we should win," she said. "With that many rookies on the team and little experience, we're going to have some ups and downs. Sometimes we'll look great and other times we're going to look like, 'Oh my goodness, we need to practice.' "

  Antioch's Taylor Feltner, left, defends against Grayslake Central's Maura Fitzgerald last season at Antioch. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Grant's Mallory Harrity, left, drives past Stevenson's Madison Wicklund during a Class 4A regional matchup last season Lincolnshire. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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