Girls basketball: Previews for Maine West and St. Viator

Maine West

Coach: Derril Kipp (27th season)

Last year: 26-9, 9-1

Returning players: Erin Baumstark (5-9 Sr G), Brittany Begrowicz (5-11 Sr. F), Michelle Braun (5-7 Sr. G), Ellen Coogan (6-0 So. F), Colleen Vana (5-9 Sr. G), Mary Kusner (6-0 Sr. F)

Newcomers: Samantha Acosta (5-6 So. G), Holly Christensen (5-5 Jr. G), Margo Ehorn (5-11 Jr. F), Nicole Eisenberg (5-6 Sr. G), Allisan Ellwood (5-6 So G), Kelsey Hargesheimer (5-9 Jr F), Shaneese Nelson (5-9 Jr. F), Jessica Ollerer (5-9 Jr F), Megan O'Neill (6-0 So. F), Shaina Yalda (5-4 Jr. G)

Outlook: Begrowicz, the Warriors' most consistent player the last three seasons, injured her knee in July and had ACL surgery. As she begins her senior year, the all-area forward is in the best playing condition of her career according to Kipp. "She's in better shape than she has ever been because of her fitness program and rehab (for the ACL surgery)," Kipp said. "As soon as she is ready to play, she should help us." Kipp expects Begrowicz (13.5 ppg) to be ready to go by the start of the conference season. Kusner (8 points, 8 rebounds) also is a returning starter. The all-area volleyball player registered double-doubles in five of the Warriors' last six games last season. "She really started to improve at the end of last season and I think she will do nothing but star for us again this year." Kipp said. Kusner had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the sectional final against Schaumburg last year. Inside, the Warriors also have Ellen Coogan, who played a lot as a freshman. The 6-foot sophomore has become stronger and an improved player. O'Neil (6-foot) played on the freshman team last season and will probably see action inside, too. The ever-versatile Colleen Vana will move from a wing to point guard this season, replacing all-area guard Anna Randazzo. "Colleen had a real good summer at the point," Kipp said. "So we think she can handle it." Yalda has been showing signs of handling the point, too. She started on the freshman and sophomore teams the last two years. "She is kind of in the Anna Randazzo mode," Kipp said. Erin Baumstark saw a lot of playing time last season and Kipp expects her to provide scoring, too. "Erin can shoot the 3-pointer," he said. The Warriors have four seniors (Begrowicz, Vana, Kunser and Baumstark) who saw a lot of floor time last year. "It's real important to have that kind of senior leadership," Kipp said. "The key is Vana replacing Randazzo at point because Anna did a lot for us last year." Acosta was the leading scorer on the sophomore team last year (14 ppg) and is a very good 3-point shooter. Also vying for starting positions are Hargesheimer and Braun. "They've both looked real good in the preseason and are looking for possible starting spots," Kipp said. Ollerer and Ehorn started on the sophomore team last winter and Kipp likes what he has seen from them in preseason drills. "I think this team will be as good as last year," Kipp added. "We've changed a lot of things in terms of personnel and will look a lot different this year." The Warriors will be looking for a 24th conference championship in 27 years under Kipp, a Hall of Fame coach who has won 649 games along with seven trips to the IHSA state finals and an undefeated Class AA state title 20 years ago.

St. Viator

Coach: Paul Bjerkness (second year)

Last year: 14-16, 2-9

Graduated seniors: Kelly Blenner, Casey Dolezal Kaitlyn Kelly, Kaitlyn Bujak, Danielle Saletnik

Returning players: Jenny Muench (5-6 Sr G), Tori Callero (5-7, Sr. F), Sarah Lakowske (6-0 Sr C), Christy Supergan (5-10 Sr. C), Kelsey Floyd (5-8 Sr. G), Lauren Fabbri (5-6, Sr. F), Danielle Volpi (5-10, Sr. C), Colleen Nolan (5-9, Jr. F), Mary Calov (5-9 So. F), Susan Hohenadel (5-7 So. G)

Newcomers: Christine Muench (5-9, Jr. C), Jamie Blenner (5-8 Jr. F), Katelyn Orlowski (5-9 Jr. C), Kelly Hendricks (5-2 Jr. G), Amanda Kompanowski (5-4, Jr. G), Sofie Martin (5-4, Jr. G), Alissa Bozza (5-6 Jr. G)

Outlook: Bjerkness is looking for Muench to provide senior leadership. Hohendahl and Calov will have expanded roles and will be relied on for more offense this season. Nolan begins her third year on the varsity. "She will have an expanded leadership role in terms of production," Bjerkness said. "Colleen is our defensive leader and we need her to step up with a little more aggressiveness on offense." Bjerkness is hoping to solidify the point guard spot with Hendricks, who also brings solid defense to the floor. "Hopefully, we'll play better defense this season," the coach said. "We'll have to rebound as a group because we are not blessed with a lot of size. Everyone will have to box out and do their jobs on the glass. We have a good group of sophomores who had a lot of success last year and we're excited about them coming up to the varsity and bringing that enthusiasm and success."