Girls basketball: MSL West preview

Barrington

Coach: Babbi Barreiro (15th season)

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Graduated seniors: Siobahn Callanan, Sara Rebmann Adrienne Darrow, Adena Gilden, Val Taylor, Ardie Reed, Bridget Natalie, Samantha Beach

Returning players: Samantha Beach (5-11 Sr. F), Michael Jane Maropis (5-7 Sr. F), Lianne Davis (5-4 Sr G), Kelly Pickering (5-7 Sr. G)

Newcomers: Claire Roggeveen (5-7 Jr G), Jenny Schnack (5-11 Jr G), Sarah Reindl (6-0 Jr. F), Anna Kirchoff (5-7 Jr. F), Lindsey Dulla (5-6 Jr G), Stephanie Berg (5-8 Jr. G), Kristen Kukowski (5-11 Jr. F), Kristen DiMonte (5-9 Jr. F), Bess Donoghue (5-10 Jr. F), Emily Harris (6-0 So. F), Sarah Mass (5-7 Fr. G), Shelby Whigham (5-10 Fr. F).

Outlook: The defending MSL West champ graduated most of its starting lineup but Barreiro likes the versatility of all her players. "We're young," she said. "Sam played a lot of minutes for us last season and I think she will be a tremendous leader for this group. She is multi-faceted. Defensively, she is awfully tough and can guard almost any other player on the floor. And, we have other kids like that, too." Davis also saw a lot of minutes toward the end of last season and Barreiro expects her to produce offense as well. "Other than those two, we do not have a ton of game experience but we do have some really nice athletes who I think will help a lot," said Barreiro, who likes the way the girls have been working hard every day in practice to run the system the way she wants. "It's an extremely athletic group," she added. "I think it's a team that is very deep with very versatile players. I think our schedule is one of the toughest around but I expect us to be very competitive in the big games. Schaumburg is going to be tough in our league but I think we're where we want to be right now." Callanan finished her career with 1,185 points, averaging 15 points and 6 rebounds last season. Gilden (8 points, 3 steals, 2 assists) was also an all-area player. "We certainly lost a lot," Barreiro said. "Siobhan, is a tough player to replace with her inside-outside game which forced a lot of teams to center their defenses around stopping her. It won't be easy to replace her. We'll have to do it with more people. I think we're going to be a more balanced scoring team and there's nothing wrong with that. I like the tempo the kids are playing at and they are all vying for starting positions. It's wide open. I think it's truly a true team effort this year rather than a one dimensional look. And we expect our freshmen and sophomores to be nice additions, too."

Conant

Coach: Dan Travers (third season)

Last year: 14-15, 3-7

Graduated players: Kailey Kassner, Kelsey Goergen, Shedaezha Hodge

Returning players: Monica Danek (5-5 Sr. G), Emma Loos (5-5 Jr. G), Ariana Zades (5-6, Sr. G), Lisa Parisi (5-6, Sr. G), Noreen Davis (5-5 Sr. G), Danielle Ladehoff (5-8, Sr. F), Michelle Rawleigh (5-11, Sr. C-F), Lauren Jason (5-6 Jr, G)

Newcomers: Ashley Lindeman (5-5, So, G), Rachel Groenwald (5-10, Jr. C), Jackie Piasecki (5-10 Jr C), Alyssa Schroeder (5-7, Jr F), Angela Lonski (5-4, Jr. G), Marissa Ross (5-6 Jr. G), Stephanie Zenter (5-8 Jr. F), Meghan Melone (5-5 Sr. G)

Outlook: Travers welcomes back four starters with the backcourt of Loos, Parisi and Zades and forward Rawleigh. Ladehoff looks like she could fill in the fifth spot as a forward. "We've just got to be able to score points," Travers said. "We're going to try to shoot and get open shots. We've got to run our motion offense and bury open shots. We must create points off our defense." Parisi hit a 3-pointer which defeated Elk Grove at the buzzer in the regional semifinal last year. Rawleigh and Ladehoff will provide rebounding. Loos will run the point while Zades and Parisi have experience on the wings. Travers said Davis and Lindeman will add depth off the bench at the guard spot. "We'd like to improve on last year's record," Travers said. "We are also looking for some good things from Monica Danek and Alyssa Ross off the bench. We know our conference will be very tough. Hands down, Schaumburg is the team to beat. They have four starters back with a lot of skills and went to the sectional final." Jason has been lost for the season due to a second ACL injury to her right knee. "It happened this summer," Travers said. "It's unfortunate She is a quality young lady." The Cougars open against Addison Trail, which is coached by Rob Schader who is the brother of Travers' assistant coach and former Conant standout Tracy Thornley.

Fremd

Coach: Dave Yates (second season)

Last year: 8-21, 3-7

Graduated players: Michelle Abruzzo, Ciara Brady, Devon Brinkmann, Marissa Schullo

Returning players: Dani Videka (6-0 Sr. F), Kelly Oswald (5-11 Sr. G), Melissa Castles (5-10 Sr. F), Tracy Nachtsheim (5-9 Sr. G), Hannah Devine (6-0 Sr. C), Kaitlin Jones (5-11, Sr. G-F), Sam Thelin (5-8 So. G), Katie Hetzner (5-8 Jr. G), Taylor Glassman (5-7 So. G), Breeda Joyce (6-0 Jr C)

Newcomers: Michelle Withey (5-11 Jr. F), Gianna Abruzzo (5-8 So. G-F), Lauren Zaworski (5-9, So F), Erin McCarthy (5-7 Jr. G)

Outlook: Yates welcomes back 10 players who saw varsity action, including full-time starters Glassman (4 ppg) and Videka. Thelin, Castles and Jones also saw some starting time a year ago. "All 10 of our returnees played a part in our strong second half of the conference season last year," said Yates, whose club defeated Schaumburg and Conant, and lost to Palatine, Hoffman Estates (OT) and Barrington in games that were won on the last few possessions. Videka averaged 8 points, 4 rebounds and shot 55 percent from the field before tearing her ACL with 9 games left in the season. "She was our best player in the middle third of our season (before she got hurt)," Yates said. "She led us in scoring eight times last year. Dani can score inside, step outside and knockdown shots and at times brought the ball up against pressure." The Vikings played all summer without Videka as she rehabbed a knee injury. "I think this forced other players to step up and assume the scoring roles left vacated by Dani, Devon Brinkmann (graduated) and Marissa Schullo (graduated)," Yates said. "We don't return many players with 'big' numbers but I think we will be very competitive every night." Yates believes he has solid depth at every position and improved shooting. "The girls have worked extremely hard during the off season to improve their individual skills," he said. "I am excited to see their hard work pay off this season. We have a nice mix of talented players in each class (sophomores through seniors) who should all contribute."

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Mike Nocella (first season)

Last year: 8-18, 1-9

Graduated players: Katie Wainwright

Returning players: Colleen Roberts (5-5, Jr. G), Megan Evans (5-10, Jr. F), Melissa Douglass (5-5 Sr. G), Alex Wulbecker (5-8, Jr. F), Megan Fischer (5-10 Jr. G), Carol King (5-7, Jr. G), Megan Bernardoni (5-10, So. F)

Newcomers: Nicole Skworch (5-5, Jr. G), Jada Stotts (5-8 Fr. G-F), Allison Reed (5-7 Jr. F)

Outlook: Fischer, King, Wulbecker and Evans had starting experience for the Hawks last year while Bernardoni was a key player off the bench. Fischer averaged 15 points last season. "Fischer and Bernardoni look like decent ballplayers," said Nocella, who takes over the program after serving as Prospect head coach the last 11 years. "Megan is a very good shooter. She seems to feed the ball well and creates opportunities for other players. I'm seeing some leadership from her. We're hoping to get some good inside play from Megan Evans. Bernardoni looks like she has a decent shot and her agility is pretty good." Roberts missed last season with an ACL and Nocella likes her quickness and shooting ability. He also expects Wulbecker to bring solid defense and rebounding. The new coach says the Hawks must learn a new system. "I think it's a team very much like my one last year at Prospect," he said. "Whether or not we can finish above .500 depends on how soon we can get things together. All of the kids have played for a couple of years. But they are still young. The more consistent we can play, the better the results. They seem to be eager and enthusiastic which is great." Nocella sees this as a nice challenge and he hopes the Hawks will open some eyes before the season ends. "I think we have the potential to do it," Nocella said. "We'll have to see what happens." I'm very excited to get started."

Palatine

Coach: Ron Theberge (seventh season)

Last year: 19-12, 7-3

Graduation losses: Katy Spencer, Sophie Rattray, Megan Malone, Amanda Schappert

Returning players: Sarah Iuorio (5-4 Sr. G), Kristina Lane (5-9 Sr. G), Nikki Linares (5-6 Sr. G), Jessica Ritsche (5-4 Sr, G), Megan Boecher (5-10 Sr. F-G), Katie MacFabe (6-3 Jr. C), Lauren Orris (6-0 Jr F)

Newcomers: Megan Spencer (5-9 So G), Joslin Lloyd (5-3 So G), Heather Zimmerman (5-7 So. G), Amanda Allen (5-6 Jr. F), Stephanie Frost (5-9 Jr. F), Kelsey Griffin ()5-9 Jr F), Lizzie Mocinski (5-5 Jr. G), Kaitlyn Hofeldt (5-8 Sr, G), Bre Quaritsch (5-6 Sr. G), Katie Wildman (5-8 Sr. G).

Outlook: Lloyd and Zimmerman give the Pirates some added depth on the perimeter. Hofeldt played club volleyball last year after playing basketball her freshman and sophomore seasons. She is very athletic and will contribute at some point. "The girls are working very hard and are eagerly anticipating the upcoming season," said Theberge. "We have a nice mix of veterans and underclassmen. I think our team chemistry will be outstanding as well as the leadership that our eight seniors will provide on a daily basis." This is Iuorio's fourth year on the varsity and she will take over at point for Katy Spencer, an all-area selection now playing for Harper, Kristina Lane, MacFabe and Orris begin their third seasons on the varsity. MacFabe qualified for the state track and field meet in the discus as a sophomore. Orris missed her freshman year due to an ACL injury and was fourth in the state for discus last year. Nikki Linares is also a starter for the volleyball and softball teams at Palatine. "Needless to say we have some very good athletes on our roster," said Theberge, whose staff includes former area girls basketball stars Kristy Freeman (Palatine), Casey Starkey (Schaumburg) and Leslie Schock (Elgin). "I think we will only improve as the season progresses. I thoroughly enjoy coaching these girls. They work awfully hard, have great attitudes and are an absolute joy to be around." Megan Spencer is back after missed most of last season with an ACL injury.

Schaumburg

Coach: Bill Murmann (fourth season)

Last year: 21-13, 7-3

Graduated seniors: Sara Sarmast, Ange Carravetta, Lindsay Saklak, Brittany Samuels

Returning players: Drewann Pancratz (5-10, Sr. G), Kylie Castans (5-10, Sr. F), Gabrielle Blackwell (5-11, Sr, F), Gryte Satas (6-4 Sr. C), Kaitlyn Marchok (5-10, Sr. F), Taylor Kosla (5-8, Jr. F), Siobhan Cerney (5-8, Jr. F), Sarah Kellermeyer (6-0 Jr. F).

Newcomers: Sarah McGinn (6-1, Jr. F), Rachel Kahan ( 5-7, So. G), Lauren Swanson (5-6, So. G)

Outlook: Murmann has a veteran group of players that will have a combined total of 25 years of experience after this season. "These girls have the desire and passion necessary to succeed so we anticipate having the ability to compete for the title in a very competitive Mid-Suburban and look to advance in post-season play," the coach said. "We will judge the quality of our play based on our execution and not how many points are scored in any individual game. It looks to be an exciting and fun year ahead of us." Pancratz, Castans and Blackwell were all-area selections last year. Pancratz, the Daily Herald honorary captain for the all-area volleyball team, led the MSL West last winter with 30 steals and averaged 9.6 points, 4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals. Castans, who poured home a career-high 32 points in the Saxons' sectional semifinal upset (52-48) of top-seeded Maine South, averaged 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds. Blackwell was the second-leading scorer (12.3) and rebounder (6.9) in the MSL West. Satas, who serves as a rebounding force, is also a three-year varsity player. Murmann said Kosla will move into the point guard spot replacing the graduated Sarmast and Kellermeyer looks to be the most improved player. Marchok, who begins her second year on the varsity, can play in the post or on the perimeter.