Scouting Warren
WARREN
Coach: John Stanczykiewicz (18th season)
Last season: 17-13, 5-7 in North Suburban Lake, lost to Fremd in Class 4A Warren regional final
Key losses: F Jocelyn Bell
Returning players: Jr. G Jordyn Hughes (5-9), Jr. G Kaylen Dickson (5-11), Sr. G Rebekah Foley (5-11), So. F Dana Lundtveit (6-1), Jr. G Alex Beien (5-6), Sr. G Asha Lake (5-8), Jr. F Abbie Mellican (5-10)
Newcomers: So. G Tiffany Maravilla (5-2), Sr. G Nefeli Papadakis (5-5), Jr. F Olivia Johnston (5-9), Jr. G Camille Cuevas (5-7), So. G Jataia Harris (5-7), So. F Breleigh Gula (5-11)
Outlook: The Blue Devils jumped from 9 wins in 2013-14 to 13 two years ago to 17 last season. They're in position to see another win increase, especially since their best players from a year ago are back. Junior guards Jordyn Hughes and Kaylen Dickson are both three-year varsity players and are both coming off all-area and all-conference campaigns. Hughes averaged a team-leading 13.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while the 5-11 Dickson averaged 12.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Coach John Stanczykiewicz said Dickson is receiving major D-I interest. "Kaylen Dickson easily could be the best basketball player in Lake County this year," Stanczykiewicz said. "She does things that girls just don't normally do. She elevates, she attacks off the bounce, she can shoot 3s, and she can adjust her shot in midair. She's an incredible athlete." While Dickson did not start as a freshman, Hughes did. She's been an impact player since then. "She's improved," Stanczykiewicz said. "She's improved her ballhandling, she's a much better shooter, and she's in much better shape." There's also 5-10 senior guard Rebekah Foley, who's been starting on varsity since she was a freshman and was honorable mention all-NSC last season. There are four sophomores up, and that group includes 6-1 Dana Lundtveit, who played up as a freshman. Senior guard Nefeli Papadakis is back after not playing last season to focus on her promising judo career. She played varsity as a sophomore. "I'm not going to say she's going to be the best point guard in Lake County, but there are intangibles that she brings," Stanczykiewicz said of Papadakis. "Leadership. Friendship. Support. She has those intangibles that I think we were missing a little bit last year."