Girls basketball preview: MSL West

Barrington

Coach: Babbi Barreiro (16th year)

Last year's record: 5-25, 2-8

Graduated players: Lianne Davis, Kelly Pickering, Michael Jane Maropis, Samanatha Beach

Returning players: Jenny Schnack (6-0, Sr., F), Anna Kirchoff (5-8, Sr., G), Sarah Reindl (6-1, Sr., F), Emily Harris (6-0, Jr., F), Shelby Whigham (5-10, So., F), Sarah Mass (5-8, So., G)

Newcomers: Lindsey Pickering (5-7, Jr., G), Abby Kirchoff (5-7, So., G), Brooke Chandor (5-9, So., G), Kiersten Tinkoff (5-8, So., F), Lizzie Deuel (5-7, So., F), Sam Maasarani (5-5, So., G), Casey Shoults (5-10, So., F)

Outlook: The Fillies will have more experience on the floor this winter as Whigham, Schnack, Mass, Harris, Anna and Kirchoff had starting roles at some point last winter. Reindl was a key contributor off the bench. Whigham (8 ppg, 6 rebounds) was leading the team in scoring when she injured her knee at the Maine South Christmas tourney and underwent surgery. She had a second surgery on that knee last month but Barreiro believes the sophomore will be ready go at the start of the season. "She's excited to get back in a game and make an impact," Barreiro said. "I think we'll definitely have some sophomores (Mass, Tinkoff, Abby Kirchoff, Chandor, Deuel, Maasarani and Shoults) make impacts. I'm looking for nice things from Anna Kirchoff, too. I think we have nine or 10 girls who can see significant minutes." Harris, an all-area volleyball player, ended up as the Fillies' top scorer last season at nearly 10 points a game. She was also the top rebounder. "I think one of the things we have going is that we're going to be balanced," Barreiro said. "Shelby and Emily will have to do a good portion of the scoring but we'll need other threats, too, and I think we'll have them." Barreiro (256-212 in 15 years) likes the team attitude. "It's a nice group which is team oriented," she said. "In the offseason, they seemed to be putting the team goals ahead of themselves so that's been nice to see. The successful teams I've had were those kind of teams. I'm really excited about the season. I think the kids are looking to turn some things around from where we finished last year. We're expecting big things and I think the girls are up to the challenge."

Conant

Coach: Dan Travers (fourth year)

Last year's record: 23-7, 8-2

Graduated players: Michelle Rawleigh, Ariana Zades, Lisa Parisi, Noreen Davis, Danielle Ladehoff, Monica Danek, Meghan Melone

Returning players: Angie Lonski (5-1, Sr., G), Lauren Jason (5-5, Sr., G-F), Emma Loos (5-9, Sr., PG), Alyssa Schroeder (5-5, Sr., F), Ashley Lindeman (5-5, Jr., G), Marissa Ross (5-5, Sr., G), Jackie Piasecki (5-9, Sr., F), Stephanie Zentner (5-9, Sr., F)

Newcomers: Nicole Ladehoff (5-6, Jr., G), Kelsey McMahon (5-9, Jr., F), Kim Davis (5-7, Jr., F), Emily Field (5-9, Jr., F), Lindsey Fillingim (5-6, So., G), Amanda Beddard (5-4, Jr., G), Allyssa Massarelli (5-4, Jr., G), Sarah Gohman (5-4, Jr., G)

Outlook: Loos returns as the only starter for Travers from his MSL West co-championship team that graduated all-area selections Rawleigh and Zades. "Emma will direct the offense for us," Travers said. "We are looking for her to pick up her offensive game somewhat and to anchor our defense. She is a three-year starter and she knows what to expect." Loos scored in double figures six times a year ago. "She is one of the top players in the conference, hands down," Travers added. "She does it all - defense, shooting and ball-handling." Travers hopes last year's success rubs off on this year's group. "I think it was a great learning experience for our kids to understand what it takes to be successful," he said. "Things like the hard work and responsibility of what it takes to be good. The girls have done good job working on their skill level this summer and fall." The Cougars will be small so they'll try to push the ball and speed up the tempo of the game. "I don't think there are any secrets." Travers added. "It will be rebounding by committee. We're going to have to attempt to create turnovers from defense. We've got some juniors who are very confident because our program skill level is getting better all the way through. That helps everyone out in practices."

Fremd

Coach: Dave Yates (third year)

Last year's record: 16-11, 7-3

Graduated players: Tracy Nachtsheim, Dani Videka, Melissa Castles, Kaitlin Jones, Kelly Oswald, Hannah Devine

Returning players: Katie Hetzner (5-8, Sr., G), Sam Thelin (5-8, Sr., G), Taylor Glassman (5-8, Jr., G), Gianna Abruzzo (5-8, Jr., F)

Newcomers: Megan Gray (6-0, So., F), Allie Gaeding (5-5, So., G), Bridget Kubis (5-7, So., G) Jaimie Groot (5-8, So., G), Amanda Heredegen (5-7, Jr., G), Sheila Loberg (5-8, Jr., F), Kendall Minta (5-8, Jr., G), Megan Hubbard (5-9, Fr., G), Jessie Wiedemann (6-0, Fr., F), Allison Manade (5-11, Fr., F).

Outlook: Glassman (third varsity season), Hetzner (third) and Thelin (fourth) are returning starters. Abruzzo, beginning her second year on the varsity, was one of the first players off the bench for the Vikings, who were in the West title hunt in the final week of last season. "Each one of those girls has been around a lot of time," Yates said. "I think we created some good momentum at end of the season (won 10 of last 12). I was pleased that we showed we could compete for a championship. The next step now is to win one - I think that definitely is a goal for our kids." Glassman (8.5 ppg, 35 steals, 32 assists) will direct the offense for the third straight year. "The strength of our team is that we have Taylor running the point and multiple perimeter kids," Yates added. "Even though we're young, we have able replacements behind all our girls. And once they get a little experience behind them, they will give us good depth. They proved they could play this summer." Glassman had a career high of 20 points against Hoffman last winter. "Obviously, we'd like to see her continue what she is doing but every one of our girls has to step up and play more minutes," Yates said. "They all have to be more consistent scorers. They all had moments where they scored in double figures. So we just need the consistency to come together." Season-highs were 13 for Thelin and 12 for Abruzzo.

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Mike Nocella (second year)

Last year's record: 21-8, 4-6

Graduated players: Missy Douglas

Returning players: Megan Evans (5-11, Sr., F), Jada Stotts (5-10, So., F). Alex Wulbecker (5-9, Sr., F), Megan Bernardoni (5-11, Jr., G), Megan Fischer (5-11, Sr., G), Carol King (5-7, Sr., G)

Newcomers: Kelsey Lukowicz (5-8, Jr., G), Kriste Hisey (5-9, Jr., F), Kierra Evans (5-7 Jr. G), Mary Pettit (5-6 Fr G), Jackie Dunner (5-8 Jr F)

Outlook: The Hawks return four starters (Fischer, Evans, Wulbecker and Bernardoni) as they try to make a run at the West crown. Also back is the sixth player, Stotts, who Nocella said was "technically just like a starter" for last year's team. "Jada played a lot and made the all-tourney team at McHenry," he said. "She has a knack of picking up the team." Nocella believes the Hawks can pick up where they left off last year when they won 21 games. "We think we can do what we did last year and hopefully a little better in the conference," he said. "Last year we kind of pulled together as a team and hopefully we can do that again." Four-year starter Fischer returns with her 17 points and 7 rebounds. She has 1,008 career points and is verbally committed to the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Nocella is also looking for big things from Bernardoni and Stotts. "Hopefully, Jada will be more comfortable with our offense and defense now in her second year," the coach said. "Actually, our offense and defense were new to everyone last year but the other girls had the experience of playing on the varsity." Nocella thinks Bernardoni will surprise some people. "I look for her to average close to double figures," he said "She had a good summer and she is hungry." Nocella thinks the Hawks can be versatile. "We're probably more fast-paced than slow down, but sometimes we have to get our wits about us and set up our offense. And we're very efficient when we do that." Nocella's assistant is Gabrielle Cottrell, who recently graduated from Manhattan. Cottrell played for Nocella at Prospect and was a four-year starter and all-area selection. "I feel very fortunate to have her on my staff and have the chance to mentor her," Nocella said.

Palatine

Coach: Leslie Schock (first year)

Last year's record: 10-22, 1-9

Graduated players: Jessica Ritsche, Megan Boechers, Nicole Linares, Kaitlyn Hofeldt, Katie Wildman, Breanne Quaritsch, Saarh Iuorio, Kristina Lane

Returning players: Katie MacFabe (6-2, Sr., C), Lauren Orris (5-11, Sr., F), Megan Spencer (5-8, Jr., F), Heather Zimmerman (5-7, Jr., G)

Newcomers: Katie Nawrot (5-8, Jr., F), Jenny Solberg (5-7, Jr., F), Katie Mnichowicz (5-4, So., G)

Outlook: As she enters her first season, Schock, a former Elgin and Northwestern University forward, welcomes back two seniors from the Pirates varsity a year ago. "We are going to be young and inexperienced but also excited," she said." We look to be very competitive in the MSL and to start off the year strongly with a good showing at the Dundee-Crown Thanksgiving Tournament." One of those seniors is all-area center MacFabe, a four-year varsity player. She scored 336 points as a junior, averaging 10.5 points, with 257 rebounds and 77 blocked shots. "She has gotten stronger and will be one contending as one of the top post players in the league," Schock said of the Pirates' captain. "And with her strength, Lauren Orris will be a force on the boards." Zimmerman joined the Pirates varsity as a sophomore and will take over as the point guard. "She has great ball-handling skills and makes smart decisions with the ball," Schock said. "Jenny Solberg is deceptively quick and she can shoot from the outside." The coach expects Nawrot to contribute as a small or power forward. "Despite her height (5-8), with her speed and strength, she can play either forward position. " Schock said. "She is the workhorse of the team." Spencer is a three-year varsity player and can provide 3-point shooting. Schock calls Mnichowicz the sparkplug of the team. "She has great defensive skills and she is always hustling and will spell Zimmerman at the point," she said. Schock is looking to have her Pirates play full-court defense, run the floor and she is emphasizing scoring in transition.

Schaumburg

Coach: Bill Murmann (sixth year)

Last year's record: 28-6, 8-2

Graduated players: Drewann Pancratz (Carthage volleyball and basketball) Gabrielle Blackwell (University of Chicago basketball), Gryte Satas (basketball at Washington-St Louis), Kylie Castans (basketball at Illinois Weseylan), Kaitlin Marchok

Returning players: Sarah Kellermeyer (5-11, Sr., F), Sarah McGinn (6-0, Sr., F), Siobhan Cerney (5-9, Sr., F), Taylor Kosla (5-8, Jr., G), Lauren Swanson (5-7, Jr., G), Rachael Kahan (5-7. Jr., G)

Newcomers: Meghan Hutchinson (5-5, So., G), Jennifer Pomagier (5-7, So., F), Rachel Stuehm (5-9, So., F), Lexi Carravetta (5-3, So., G), Candace Zaplatynsky (6-1, Jr., F), Alyssa Saklak (5-10, Fr., F), Kelly Skorczewski (5-10, Fr., C)

Outlook: With the graduation of 1,000-point plus scorers Blackwell, Castans and Pancratz, the Saxons are losing nearly 4,000 points. "We've got some kids back with experience," said Murmann. "With those seniors in front of them the last few years, they were provided a great example of work ethic and the ability to succeed. Now it's their turn to step up in their place." Kosla returns for her junior season as the starting point guard. "I expect a lot of leadership from Taylor," Murmann said "We have some natural leaders. Sarah Kellermeyer was our sixth player and saw a lot of time and so did Rachel Kahan." Murmann said McGinn and Cerney also are good leaders. "We might not score as many points as last year but we're hoping we'll be a better defensive team," the coach added. "The girls' work ethic and attitude during the offseason has been great. They mesh together great. The team unity has been great and the kids really get along great."