North Stars have good reason to look forward to next year

I'll admit it -- I'm a huge Chicago Cubs fan.

As part of my 46-step (year) process, I've grown used to watching them suffer some of the most heartbreaking defeats imaginable as well as celebrating the occasional come-from-behind victory.

When you're rooting for a team that hasn't won a World Series title for nearly 100 years, time isn't exactly on your side.

But patience is.

After watching St. Charles North's girls basketball season come to an end following Monday night's 50-39 Class 4A supersectional loss to Buffalo Grove, a few things immediately came to mind:

• High school girls basketball players are getting better and better every year.

• Girls basketball has evolved into a rough, physical game.

• The more experienced team won.

• The more physical team won.

• The better team probably won.

For North Stars Nation, those last three statements probably rub some the wrong way.

But look at it this way. Buffalo Grove has compiled an amazing 4-year record of 123-19 and made its third downstate appearance in four years this weekend at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena.

By contrast, St. Charles North finished with a losing record just two years ago. Coming into this season, the North Stars had won just postseason games -- ever.

Bison seniors Ellyn Ayoub, Allison Mocchi and Maggie Mocchi, who combined for 39 points, 19 rebounds, 10 steals and 9 assists Monday night at Elgin Community College, have already signed Division I scholarships for Loyola (Ayoub) and Northwestern, respectively.

While 6-4 junior center Kelsey Smith is almost a shoo-in to ink a Division I offer over the next 12 months, it's more than likely she will be the lone St. Charles North player making the ascension to that level.

And did I mention that Buffalo Grove's terrific trio all stand 5-foot-10 and are blessed with athleticism and strength?

Meanwhile, I'd say the supersectional program listed heights of St. Charles North starters Caitlin Winkelman (5-9), Nika Sircher (5-6), Anna Conrad (5-6) and Kiley Hackbarth (5-6) were more than a little generous, if you know what I mean.

However, there's no substitute for heart -- and these North Stars definitely possessed plenty of that in 2007-08.

While they'll miss graduated senior starters Sircher and Winkelman, the North Stars will return a great nucleus in 2008-09 with a towering center (Smith), feisty point guard (Hackbarth) and versatile guard (Conrad).

Add in plenty of depth with sharpshooting guard Alex Messacar, Jenna Bell, Sara Skluzacek, Lindsey Kutcher, Emily Papke, Brandy Giannini, Rachel Johnson, and potential -- sophomore frontcourt player Dana Sibley -- and the North Stars might crack the top 10 in the 2008-09 preseason ratings.

More importantly, they'll possess the much-needed experience they didn't have the last two seasons against Maine West (23 regional titles) and Buffalo Grove (11 sectional, 9 supersectional titles).

"I hope that we're going to be able to use this game to kind of get experience for next year," Smith said moments after Monday's defeat.

Buffalo Grove coach Tom Dineen certainly came away impressed with the North Stars.

Considering the 29-year veteran has coached more than 900 games and pocketed 676 career victories, his words carry a little extra meaning.

"I told their coach (Katie Sauber) that they have a nice, young team," said Dineen. "They're going to be back."

Be patient North Stars fans -- your time is coming.

"They're not done," Winkelman said of her soon-to-be former teammates. "It's exciting for them. I can't wait to come back and watch them next year."

As any good Cubs fan can relate -- I can't wait till next year, either.