Girls basketball: Lake County previews

FOX VALLEY FOX

Grayslake Central

Coach: Roger Lass (first season)

Last year: 16-14, 8-2 in FVC Fox

Key losses: G Kara Ming, G Kelly Washington, F Colleen Centella, F Lauren Trentadue

Outlook: No Ming, no zing? Maybe. But that doesn't mean the Rams' won-lost record will get significantly dinged this season. It's just that for the first time this decade there isn't a Ming on their roster. Kayla graduated in 2004 after four varsity seasons and about 2,000 points. Her kid sister Kara then played varsity for three seasons and also proved to be a prolific scorer. Not only did Kara graduate in 2007, so did fellow all-area players Colleen Centella and Kelly Washington. "We're not going to be a team that has a girl score 15-20 points a game," coach Roger Lass said. "We're going to be well-balanced, and that's going to make us hard to prepare for I think. Any of them could lead us in scoring any night." This is Lass' ninth year at Grayslake, after serving as the sophomore coach the last eight years. A 1980 graduate of Hersey, this is his first season as a head coach, but he's certainly familiar with Rams Basketball. He takes over a team with only one returning starter in senior point guard Rachel Culp. "She's a very good three-point shooter," Lass said. "She drives to the basket, and hopefully she gets to the line a lot. But she's very unselfish." Lass' team was scheduled to open its season against Buffalo Grove on Thursday night with a probable starting five of Culp, senior center Erin Claxton, senior forward Haley Glynn, junior guard Katelyn Putkonen and junior guard Alison Metzger. Only Metzger didn't play varsity last season. Junior guard Meghan LeBaron is another varsity veteran. Lass is carrying a pair of freshmen in forward Kathryn Dickson and guard Alexandria Scarboro, and he expects both of them to contribute. "We're going to play good defense," Lass said. "We're not particularly big, but we're going to play hard." The question is, can the Rams generate enough offense? "The way we're going to play, we're going to get a lot of our points off our defense," Lass said. "That's going to spread (the scoring) around a lot."

Grayslake North

Coach: Jim Sarver (second season)

Last year: 3-25, 1-9 in FVC Fox

Key losses: none

Outlook: If the Knights play defense as well as their coach thinks they can, they'll be in a lot of games. And if they are, the second-year team should improve on its 3-win total from last season. "We're trying to get them to play hard every moment," coach Jim Sarver said of his players, "because everybody else plays hard every moment." The Knights return essentially their entire roster from last season, including senior guard Natalie Barczyk and senior forward Hilary Kuhl, who were the team's top scorers. New this season is sophomore post Lauren Erikson, a transfer from Florida, where she started for her varsity team as a freshman. The junior group includes guards Brittany Kline and Kelly Russ, both of whom played varsity last season. Watch for athletic guard Elizabeth Phillips and 6-1 center Alex Lowry to have big seasons after flashing good potential last season. "I think we have more pieces to the puzzle," Sarver said. "We have more players that can play the same position. We're a deeper team, and I like the fact that all 14 of my kids can play defense." If the Knights can find a way to produce more offense on a consistent basis this season, they could surprise some teams. "I think we're going to be a lot better than last year," Sarver said. "If we're able to start scoring, then we'll be OK, because we can play defense with anybody. That's not an issue with us."

NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIE

Antioch

Coach: Tim Borries (first season)

Last year: 4-23, 2-10 in NSC Prairie

Key losses: G Meryl Weber, F Kyle Sisler

Outlook: The Sequoits' new head coach is no stranger to the program, as Tim Borries has coached freshman and sophomore basketball at Antioch the last 11 years. He's in his 19th year as a teacher at Grayslake Middle School. Antioch hired him last March to replace Don Zeman (retired) as varsity girls basketball coach. Borries takes over a team that brings back its leading scorer from last season in senior forward Christine Gaborek. She averaged a little more than 7 points per game as a varsity rookie, with a high of 20. "We're going to lean on her a lot," Borries said. When the Sequoits open the season Saturday at the Geneva tournament (a 2:30 p.m. start against the host school), their starting front court also should include junior forward Martha Arntson. Borries will start three guards -- junior Katrina Holm, freshman Andi Potkonjak and possibly sophomore Allie Anttila. Potkonjak enters her first season of high school basketball with AAU experience. "She has great court vision, passes very well and has a nice outside shot," Borries said. "But she's a freshman so there's going to be some growing pains." Holm has been a varsity soccer player since her freshman year. "So she knows what it takes," Borries said. "She's fast, quick and the heart of a lion. She accepts all challenges." Borries likes his bench, which includes junior forward Brittany Deem, junior guard/forward Katie Budd, senior forward Kelly Emanuelson, junior guard Erin Schoenfelder, junior guard Jen Precht, senior guard Jessica Long, junior guard Heather Hawkins and junior guard Cassie Madriles. "As long as we can keep our turnovers down, we should be OK," Borries said. "We're not a very tall team but I think we're a fast team. We'll push the ball up, play aggressive defense and try to disrupt the other team's offense."

Grant

Coach: Tom Oeffling (ninth season)

Last year: 25-6, 12-0 in NSC Prairie

Key losses: G Kariann Hill, G Nikki Staton, C Becka Gonyo

Outlook: The Bulldogs should win 25 games -- because that's how many games they won last season. Sound too optimistic? Check out their recent history. The Bulldogs notched 20 victories in both the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, then enjoyed consecutive 22-win campaigns, before recording a school-record 25 victories last season. Truth be told, it could be hard for the Bulldogs to match the success of last season, which also included their first regional title in 25 years. While Grant graduated its rugged guard combination of Kariann Hill (basketball at Converse College) and Nikki Staton (soccer at Loyola University), plus pivot Becka Gonyo (volleyball at Marquette), it returns two-time all-area forward Jamie Swanson (11.5 ppg last season). "She's stepped up her game," coach Tom Oeffling said. "She's gotten better every year and she's much better this year than she was last year." Another key for Grant -- and another reason for optimism -- is senior forward Autumn Gaylor, who'll be playing her third season on varsity. "That girl, I'm really high on," Oeffling said of the 6-1 forward. "I expect a lot out of Autumn. She's really blossoming. She's so athletic, can run the floor and has developed a real nice 10-12-footer." When Grant opens its season today with a 4:30 p.m. tipoff against St. Martin de Porres at Deerfield, its probable starting lineup should feature seniors Gaylor, Bailey Wagner (verbal commitment to Georgia Tech for track and field) and Tori Ziegler up front. Swanson will be on the wing, with senior Heather Ruetsche at the point. As Ruetsche goes, so might the Bulldogs, as she'll be handling the ball. While Ruetsche is a three-year varsity player, she has never started at the point. "She had to go up against Kariann and Nikki and Kaela Munster (in practice) two years ago, and she had to go up against Kariann and Nikki last year," Oeffling said. "So I hope she's ready. If she isn't, she has to be." Grant has attempted to beef up its schedule. "It's a tougher schedule," said Oeffling, whose team will compete in Mundelein's Christmas tournament, will face Wheeling for the second year in a row and will play host Willowbrook in McDonald's Classic. "I have five girls who have been with me since their sophomore year," Oeffling added of Swanson, Ziegler, Wagner, Gaylor and Ruetsche. "So that makes me optimistic, but I want to see us play."

Lakes

Coach: Elizabeth Hinkle (first season)

Last year: 0-28, 0-12 in NSC Prairie

Key losses: G Chaz Stipetic

Outlook: The Eagles showed improvement in their second year as a program but still went winless, stretching their losing streak to 56 games. Gone is coach Eric Vichnick and in is Elizabeth Hinkle, the former Elizabeth Hart, who played for the University of Toronto and the Canadian National Team. The 33-year-old coach won't focus on what the Eagles have done in the past, but rather what they can do in the future. "There's no reason why we can't (win)," she said. "(But) there's lots to work on and there's lots more that we need to add." The Eagles return their top two scoring threats from last season in seniors Mandy Schellinger (6-1) and Keshia Cunningham (6-0). Schellinger has been the Eagles' leading scorer the last two seasons. "She's a good leader in practice," Hinkle said. "She understands time and flow in the game, and it's consistent." Cunningham made honorable mention all-conference last season. "Great athleticism," Hinkle said. Schellinger and Cunningham were joined in the starting lineup Monday against Rolling Meadows (a 43-34 loss) at Mundelein by fellow seniors Nora Kenney and Nickie Folinazzo, and junior Simone Hobbs, who was up on varsity last year. The Eagles' newcomers include sophomore guard Katie LaTour, 6-2 sophomore Alyssa Mol and 5-11 junior Paige Czaplicki.

Round Lake

Coach: Gary Edge (22nd season)

Last year: 14-13, 8-4 in NSC Prairie

Key losses: G/F Stephanie Morse

Outlook: The Panthers don't necessarily have an identity. They're capable of playing good defense one night, then not so great "D" the next night. They're capable of scoring one night, then struggling to put the ball in the basket the next night. That's the way they played last winter. "Our biggest problem last year was our inability to play at a consistent level all the time," coach Gary Edge said. The Panthers are hoping a year of experience helps solve their consistency problem. They return essentially their entire squad and boast an all-area/all-conference guard in junior Labrenthia Murdock (10 ppg last season). Murdock and her classmates Amber Phillips (6-0) and Ashley Miller (6-0) are all starting their third season on varsity. Phillips made honorable mention all-conference last season. Senior guards Brittany Kucia and Jazzmin Rivers have been on varsity full-time since they were sophomores. Senior Patty Velazquez is another veteran. "I think we're a better basketball team than last year," Edge said. "Our skill level is better." Other Panthers who figure to contribute are junior guard/forward Myra Edwards, senior guard Corrine Conrad, senior post Christina Pfingsten and senior guard/forward Brittany Jordan. The Panthers have shown steady progress the last couple of years. They went just 1-28 three years ago, but won 9 games the following campaign and hiked their win total to 14 last season.

Vernon Hills

Coach: Paul Brettner (eighth season)

Last year: 9-19, 7-5 in NSC Prairie

Key losses: G Lauren Rucks

Outlook: When the Cougars lost forward Yeh-Eun Jin to a season-ending knee three games into last season -- after she scored 45 points in the team's first two games -- it took them a long time recover. They endured a nine-game losing streak in mid-season and didn't start playing their best basketball until there was less than a month left in the season. "It took us a good half a season to find a mix and a style that could actually (work)," coach Paul Brettner said. What also didn't help the Cougars was point guard Kelly Nagle sitting out a good chunk of games with a knee injury. Nagle's knee is better, but now it's her other knee that's keeping her off the court. The senior missed the entire volleyball season after first being sidelined by a sprained ankle. When she was close to returning, Brettner said, she tore the meniscus in her knee and had surgery. "We're hoping to get her back by next Wednesday, the finale (at Mundelein)," said Brettner, whose team started the Mundelein tourney this week with losses to Mundelein (56-43) and Glenbrook North (48-42). "If not, then Wauconda (on Nov. 27)." Nagle is a key player for the Cougars, and they have several others. Perhaps no Cougar played better down the stretch than center Amy Burton, who's back for her senior season. Senior guard Brianna Skeens is coming off an all-area season in volleyball. Sophomore guard Alana Coy and junior Jamie Rucks joined the varsity after last season started and made big contributions. Nagle, Skeens and senior Erin O'Donnell all have been on varsity since they were sophomores. Sisters Mallory (junior) and Jessica (sophomore) Feece also will be counted on. Jessica Schwartz is the lone freshman on the team. "We got a chance to do some pretty good things," Brettner said. "We got a lot of kids who are going to go out there and bust it. We can go full court, and against most teams we're going to be able to get the ball up the floor pretty quick." The Cougars don't figure to be a particularly high-scoring group, but Brettner's teams typically compete hard. "We're going to be the same team," the coach said. "We'll be a team that fights like crazy -- no one big star. We're just going to hope to be a real solid team."

Wauconda

Coach: Tim Bartusch (ninth season)

Last year: 11-15, 4-8 in NSC Prairie

Key losses: none

Outlook: Another season, another impact freshman. For the third straight year, the Bulldogs welcome in a freshman who figures to contribute immediately. Tammy Ellis is expected to come off the bench tonight when the Bulldogs open their season against Richmond-Burton at Marian Central, but the ninth-grader figures to receive plenty of playing-time this winter. "She has the best jump shot of anyone I've ever coached," coach Tim Bartusch said. "Defensively, she's good, and she's not afraid to go to the basket." Ellis could wind up starting in the back court with sophomore Kate Martino, who ran the offense all last season. Martino could move to shooting guard, with Ellis playing the point, or Ellis could play shooting guard with Martino remaining at point guard. Wauconda's guards -- whoever they are -- will look to get the ball to junior Lauren Mead, who'll be playing her third varsity season. An all-area player last season, the 6-foot Mead averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds. She's coming off an all-area season in volleyball. Bartusch also returns seniors Katie LePage and Courtney Kimes, both of whom started last season and have been on varsity since they were sophomores. Jaclyn Schumann and Amanda Gertz are the team's other seniors. Kristin Brown, one of seven juniors on the roster, is expected to join Mead, Martino, LePage and Kimes in the starting lineup tonight. "Our juniors will give us a lot of depth," Bartusch said. "Our juniors are extremely aggressive and they play hard. The big thing now is just to get them experience. ... Depth-wise, we're in much-better shape. I'm hoping to play 9-10 players." While Wauconda has the potential to score, Bartusch is admittedly concerned about his team's ability -- or willingness -- to defend and rebound. Those were concerns last season, too. "Playing defense and stopping people is what we've really emphasized the last two weeks," Bartusch said. "So I'm hoping it pays dividends." Wauconda is not hosting a Christmas tournament this season and instead will compete in the Woodstock/Richmond-Burton tournament.

NORTH SUBURBAN LAKE

Lake Zurich

Coach: Chris Bennett (third season)

Last year: 13-21, 3-9 in NSC Lake

Key losses: G Carly Zarr

Outlook: If the Bears start this season like they finished last season, they could very likely reverse their 2006-07 won-lost record. "I think 20 wins is certainly within the realm of possibility," coach Chris Bennett acknowledged. "But we have a lot of work to do." The Bears lost 11 of their first 14 games last season, but eventually jelled and started playing the winning brand of basketball that the program has grown accustomed to. They won seven of their last nine games, losing only to New Trier and Buffalo Grove, both of which advanced downstate. Lake Zurich pulled off three straight upsets in the state tournament, winning its own regional and advancing to the Rolling Meadows sectional final. The Bears return two-time all-area guard Lydia Bauer, a 6-footer who averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds as a sophomore last season, as well as fellow starters Peggie Parhas, Olivia Allen and Audrey Bauer. Parhas, Allen (who's ran track downstate the last two springs) and the Bauer sisters were joined in the starting lineup Tuesday night at Prospect (a 56-52 loss in overtime) by Gabby Chapa, who played varsity as a freshman. Audrey Bauer was also a freshman on varsity last season. Senior point guard Parhas, a three-year varsity player, played huge during the Bears' late-season run. "We're optimistic about the year because I think we know we're capable of playing like we did at the end of last year," Bennett said. "We're still young, so I think it's probably going to take us a little while to get going, but I think we'll be better at the end again." The Bears' top reserves figure to be junior guard Coryn Schmit (an all-area softball player last spring), senior guard Kelsey Karmell and senior forward Jessica Cacioppo. All five starters figure to benefit from playing AAU ball over the summer. "It's a nice group of girls," Bennett said. "I think they genuinely like each other and want to do well as a team."

Libertyville

Coach: Kathie Swanson (second season)

Last year: 20-8, 8-4 in NSC Lake

Key losses: G Mimi Savatic, F Carol Kruckman, F Kali Feiereisel, G Ally Yarc, MT Lee, Casey Curschman

Outlook: Senior Ali Haws and junior Maka Stewart just got done helping the volleyball team place fourth in the state. Last winter the two players contributed on the basketball team, which won 20 games. Sure, the Wildcats graduated five starters on that squad -- including all-area/all-conference players Carol Kruckman (12.2 ppg, 7 rpg) and Mimi Savatic (8.6 ppg, 5 apg) -- but they're not dwelling about losses of any sort. "I don't like the word 'rebuilding,' because these kids are used to having success at the lower levels," coach Kathie Swanson said. "They have a winning mentality." Neither Haws nor Stewart played in the Wildcats' season-opening 48-43 loss to Prospect on Monday night, but Swanson expects both players to be key players for her team once they get their basketball legs. Stewart, who was one of the Wildcats' top reserves last season, also was sidelined by mono during the volleyball season. Swanson's only other players back from last season are senior guards Dana Eriksen (a good shooter) and Erin Knauff. Against Prospect, Swanson started identical twins Hannah and Haley Walton, Eriksen, junior Casey Hopper and junior Erin Waehner. Junior Kristy Williams led Libertyville in scoring with 10 points coming off the bench. Hopper is the Wildcats' tallest player at 5-11. Waehner and Haws are listed at 5-10. Swanson considers her team small, so she wants her players to be more committed to rebounding and wants them to use their speed as much as possible. "We definitely have high expectations," Swanson said. " 'Transition' is probably a better word to use."

Mundelein

Coach: Brian Evans (ninth season)

Last year: 14-15 3-9 in NSC Lake

Key losses: P Stefanie Withrow, P Becca Mahar

Outlook: The Mustangs almost certainly will be better. "We won 14 games last year with a far-less talented team," coach Brian Evans said. And yet, the Mustangs are young. Evans' 10-player roster includes three sophomores and a freshman. "They were nervous before the (season opener Monday night)," Evans said after his team opened its 2007-08 campaign with a 56-43 win over Vernon Hills. "I asked them after the game, 'How many of you guys were nervous before the game?' and all of their hands went up. I had forgotten that -- with the exception of (seniors) Sam Panitch and Kelsey Weyers -- all those girls don't have very much varsity experience." Sophomores Toni Knar and Brooke Evans (the coach's daughter) played heavy minutes as freshmen last season and showed great potential, but Evans might not make her season debut until the second week of December. She had surgery in July to repair cartilage in her knee, an injury that was originally misdiagnosed as a bone bruise according to her dad. The 5-9 guard just received clearance to practice this week. "She's dying to get back on the court," Brian Evans said. Junior Kelsey O'Connor made a sparkling varsity debut against Vernon Hills, scoring 22 points (four 3-pointers). The 5-8 guard could greatly help an offense that didn't have a consistent double-digit scorer last season. "She can shoot and she can put it on the ground pretty well," Brian Evans said. Panitch will be playing her third varsity season and gives the Mustangs a trusty point guard. Sophomore Jessica Bjerning and freshman Olivia Dunigan figure to play a lot throughout the season. While the Mustangs have a decent combination of youth and experience, they don't have height. Their tallest players are Weyers and veteran junior J.J. Sawchuk, both of whom are listed at 5-10. "We got to get out and pressure," Brian Evans said.

Stevenson

Coach: Trish Betthauser (second season)

Last year: 13-18, 7-5 in NSC Lake

Key losses: F Sarah Geissler, G/F Erin Murtha, G Emma Swanson, C Katie Leska

Outlook: Thirteen wins? Never mind bad luck. For Stevenson's tradition-rich girls basketball, that's just bad -- and hardly what Trish Betthauser had in mind as a victory total for her first season as the Patriots' head coach. While the Patriots played their typical tough schedule and lost a lot of close games, they didn't always play consistently on either side of the court. "I expect us to be better defensively and to show more discipline on the offensive end," Betthauser said. "In terms of wins and losses, I refuse to talk about them. I know what we can accomplish. We'll have to go out and make it happen. If we focus on getting better every day, then the wins will take care of themselves." Gone are three-time all-area forward Sarah Geissler (14.4 ppg last season) and all-area forward Courtney Murtha (9 ppg). Murtha and point guard Emma Swanson were four-year varsity players. Geissler and 6-footer Katie Leska spent three seasons on varsity. "Varsity inexperience is a concern, but not as major one," Betthauser said. "I can't deny those losses in our lineup. Those young ladies will be greatly missed. (But) I really enjoy coaching this '07-08 squad. They compete. They are willing to be pushed and they don't mind being held accountable." One returning player who is essentially still a newcomer is junior point guard Kayla Fisher, who transferred from Loyola last year but didn't become eligible until late last season. Others in the starting mix include senior guard Claire Moller (an "incredible defender," Betthauser said), senior forward Caitlin Morrissey, junior guard Courtney Graber, senior forward Monica Pawlus and 6-1 sophomore Kelsey Simon Betthauser promoted two other underclassmen, as well, in freshmen Anna Morrissey and Michelle O'Brien. "They play free and fearless," Betthauser said. "I love their energy and passion. They're not afraid to make mistakes, and they are so eager to make an impact.".

Warren

Coach: John Stanczykiewicz (ninth season)

Last year: 28-4, 12-0 in NSC Lake

Key losses: G/F Melanie Duplessis, G Brittany Innes, F Deanna Payne, G Stacey Leach

Outlook: The Blue Devils should tower over their competition, particularly in Lake County, again this season -- and not just because their starting lineup boasts 6-5 Sarah Boothe, 6-2 Lory Shaw, 5-10 Erin Norwood and 5-10 Shana Shepherd. Warren figures to win its fifth straight NSC championship, providing it stays healthy. In Boothe, the Blue Devils have a four-year varsity starter who began this season with 1,403 points. The captain of the Daily Herald All-Area team the last two years, she committed to Stanford just prior to the school year. Last season she averaged 16.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.4 blocks and 2.6 assists per game. Coach John Stanczykiewicz says all he's looking for out of Boothe this season is more consistency. "She's had games in the past where she'd score 16-17 points but she didn't shoot the ball very well," he said. Boothe will be joined up front by seniors Shaw and Norwood, both of whom have played varsity the last two years. "I think our most improved player possibly is Lory Shaw," Stanczykiewicz said. "She really made a commitment to basketball. She gives us a post player opposite of Sarah who's a scoring threat." Shepherd is another three-year varsity player who is an excellent shooter. "She has three-point range 3-4 steps outside the arc," Stanczykiewicz said. While Norwood, Shaw and Shepherd are first-year starters, junior point guard Joree Green started about 10 games early last season with Stacey Leach out. (Warren graduated four starters in Leach, Melanie Duplessis, Deanna Payne and Brittany Innes). "There's not pressure on Joree to do a lot," Stanczykiewicz said, "other than take care of the ball, get us in our offense and play good defense." Stanczykiewicz's top reserves figure to be sophomore Alex Booker (an all-area softball player last spring), junior guard D'Anequa Taylor, senior post Megan Wozniak, senior guard Kristin Mierzejewski, senior forward Kaitlyn Heffernan and junior guard Kim O'Leary. "Our question is, are we going to get good perimeter play so we can support our big players?" Stanczykiewicz said. "Sarah's really developed her perimeter game. But we don't need her playing the point."

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

Carmel

Coach: John Ryan (ninth season)

Last year: 15-14

Key losses: G/F Caitlin Trevillyan, G Erin Heatherman

Outlook: Coach John Ryan isn't certain -- not yet anyway -- whether his veteran team can make a run at 20 wins. "I'm taking it one game at a time," he said after his Corsairs opened their season with a 33-20 win over Grayslake North at Mundelein on Monday. Actually, Ryan isn't even looking that far ahead. Will the Corsairs be better this season? "We were better in the first half," he said with a grin. "We weren't better in the second half." Ryan's teams always defend hard, but they don't always score consistently. That's something he wants his current group to improve on. "Yeah, they'll work hard on defense," he said. "I'm hoping that we can score some more points, though." Junior guard Tiffany Hendrickson is one of the better shooters in the county and is playing her third varsity season. She led the team in scoring last season. "She'll end up being our leading scorer (again) this year," Ryan said. The Corsairs' season-opening starting lineup featured Hendrickson, center Erin Glogovsky, forward Lauren Lehocky (team-high 10 points), guard Caitlin Hendricks and guard Aubrey Simmons. Seniors Glogovsky, Hendricks and Simmons, and juniors Hendrickson and Jenna Korte, are all three-year varsity players. Christine Ruhl is a 6-foot sophomore pivot. Ryan also has 5-11 freshman Beth Scudder on his roster. "At practice, she shows some flashes of excellence," the coach said. .Hendrickson had 14 points in Carmel's 37-36 loss to Rolling Meadows on Tuesday. "The defense always comes before the offense -- always," Ryan said. "(Defense) is hard work. Offense is execution, shooting form. It takes time. But these kids are more offensive-minded than (players) I've had in the past. So I think we'll be able to score more points, eventually."