Titans, Spartans girls basketball teams off to fast starts
With one Thanksgiving tournament title under their collective belt and another perhaps imminent, the Glenbrook girls basketball teams are off to good starts.
Glenbrook South, with four starters returning from its 2021-22 regional championship squad, went 5-0 to win the title at Mundelein.
Glenbrook North was 3-0 entering Tuesday's game against Taft for the Maine East title. The tournament is being held at Glenbrook North while Maine East's gymnasium is under construction, said Glenbrook North coach Nick Capalbo.
The Glenbrook North Spartans graduated all five starters from last year's 19-10 team, notably Northern Illinois freshman Brooke Blumenfeld, but began the season playing good defense.
The Spartans' man-to-man scheme held Argo scoreless in a quarter in one Glenbrook North victory, and limited Lakes to four points in a half in another.
"This team is gelling really well together, they like each other, and they're playing really well defensively," Capalbo said.
Understanding program systems and communicating them on the court will be a plus for this team. The Spartans have seven seniors on the team, including captain Bryce Wolf, who scored 15 points against Argo and 11 against both McHenry and Lakes.
Kate Leverenz is a 5-foot-10 senior who is the team's top rebounder, a great leader and defender, Capalbo said.
He also has youth on the court with freshman guard Kaya Schneider and sophomore point guard Jami de Guzman. Her game is similar to last year's 3-point threat for the Spartans, graduated guard Jaden de Guzman.
An elusive regional title remains a goal for this squad, though overall varsity inexperience will be a factor.
"We're just having a lot of fun," Capalbo said. "It's a really great, coachable group to be a part of."
Glenbrook South coach Scott Nemecek is likely to have a lot of fun this season as well, with a strong returning group.
College prospect Sydney Rogers, 6-2 junior Anna Rosenberger and returning all-conference junior guard Chloe Gonzalez each were named to the Mundelein all-tournament team. The Titans won the event for the sixth time in eight seasons.
Nemecek said he got balanced scoring out of his group, and a few big wins enabled him to get everyone valuable playing time.
Rogers scored a team-high 22 points in the Titans' 62-36 victory over Grayslake North that earned Glenbrook South the Mundelein title.
The team also includes sophomore point guard Gina Davorija, a quality starter last season as a freshman. Megan Flentye is the sole graduate from last year's starting five.
Also on hand is returner Christina Korompilas, plus top newcomers Anjali Nimmagadda, Amanda Karavites, Paige Simon and Dana Ralston.
Last season's team finished 20-8 and won its first regional title in three years.
A Central Suburban League South title, and a sectional title, are "clearly" among Glenbrook South's goals this season, Nemecek said.
"We would be lying if we did not say that's where our sights are set," he said.
Glenbrook South tested its early undefeated record with a home game Tuesday against Prospect. Glenbrook North hosts both teams' CSL South opener at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29.