Scouting: Girls basketball holiday torunaments
26th annual Charger Classic
Where: Dundee-Crown High School
When: Dec 26-27-29-30
Defending champ: Fenwick
Favorite: Fenwick
Dark horse: Prospect
Outlook: Fenwick (7-2) and New Trier (10-1) appear to be the top two teams. Prospect, Fremd, Maine West and Buffalo Grove are the local entries in this 16-team event, which is considered one of the premier tourneys in the state. Prospect is off to a 10-1 start (only loss to 9-1 Lake Zurich) under second-year coach Martha Kelly. Fremd (8-2) is enjoying solid success under third-year coach Dave Yates, as the Vikings get consistent scoring from Gianna Abruzzo and Taylor Glassman. Rookie coach Pat Dudle has Buffalo Grove (3-6) improving, as the Bison prepare to face Derril Kipp's Maine West club (7-3) - which won this tourney five times, the last title in the late 1990s.
Bill Neibch Falcon Classic
Where: Wheaton North High School
When: Dec 22-23-26-27
Defending champ: Hinsdale Central
Favorite: Hinsdale Central
Dark horse: Hersey
Outlook: Top-seeded Hinsdale Central (10-0) looms as the favorite to defend its title. The top eight teams are seeded. Hersey (6-3) is No. 4 in the 16-team field, and the Huskies have always outplayed their seed. They were champs in 2002 and 2004 under veteran coach Mary Fendley. Sophomore Megan Rogowski was named the tourney MVP at the Maine West Tip-Off Classic. Hersey opens with Glenbard North. Unseeded Schaumburg (4-5), which won the tourney in 2005 under coach Bill Murmann, opens against No. 2 seed Waubonsie Valley. Taylor Kosla and Sarah Kellermeyer lead the Saxons. Elk Grove (5-5) and first-year coach Ryan Kirkorsky open against No. 5 seed Wheaton North. Ashley Capotosto leads the Grenadiers at 15.4 ppg.
26th annual St. Viator Snowflake
Where: St Viator High School
When: Dec. 20-22-23-26-27
Defending champ: St. Viator
Favorite: St. Viator
Dark horse: Niles West
Outlook: The Lions will try to defend their title in the eight-team tourney. Junior guard Susan Hohenadel leads the Lions with 17.8 ppg. She also has nine 3-pointers, while classmate Mary Calov has also tossed home nine from long range. Calov, Kelly Hendricks, Colleen Nolan, Bridget Urbanus and Jamie Blenner have all scored in double figures at least once this season for the Lions (7-4), who won three straight road games last week against North Chicago, Marist and St. Joseph. Viator, 4-0 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference will begin action Saturday against Maine East at 12:30 p.m. Leyden starts with Highland Park at 12:30 p.m. Rounding out the eight -team field are Elmwood Park, Northside Prep, Fenton and Niles West. Games will be played in the Cahill Gymnasium and the Mahoney Court. The championship game is slated for 2 p.m. on Dec 27.
Mundelein Holiday Tourney
Where: Mundelein High School
When: Dec. 20-22-23-26-27
Defending champ: Grant
Favorite: Mundelein
Dark horse: Hoffman Estates
Outlook: Hoffman Estates and Conant are contending for the Mid-Suburban West and would love to make positive statements in this 12-team tourney. The Hawks (8-2) are playing well with wins over Barrington and St. Viator, while Conant's (7-2) losses are to Fremd (31-28) and Waubonsie Valley (58-43). Coach Dan Travers Cougars are led by key scoring threats Emma Loos and Ashley Lindeman. The Hawks begin play against Vernon Hills at 3:30 Saturday, while the Cougars face Rolling Meadows at 8 p.m. Rookie coach Todd Hatfield brings Rolling Meadows (2-7) into the tourney looking for more experience. The Mustangs feature nine underclassmen, including three sophomores and two freshmen. Second-year Hoffman coach Mike Nocella returns to the tourney with all five starters (Megan Fischer, Carol King, Megan Bernardoni, Megan Evans and Jada Stotts) back.
Chicago Holiday Basketball Classic
Where: Montini and Loyola (early round games at Stevenson, Barrington and Lake Zurich)
When: Dec 20-22-23-26-27
Defending champ: Montini
Favorite: Montini
Dark horse: Barrington
Outlook: Montini (9-1), ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, beat Lake Zurich, Trinity and Loyola in consecutive games last year to win the tourney. Barrington got off to a 7-0 start this season before falling to Hoffman Estates and Hinsdale Central. The Fillies get steady play from sophomore Sarah Mass. Jenny Schnack is a force underneath the boards, while the Kirchoff sisters - Anna and Abby - are versatile. The Fillies won the Bison Tip-Off Classic three weeks ago with a 5-0 record. Mass, Sam Maasarani and Abby Kirchoff were all-tourney selections. Barrington will play its five games at five different gyms. The Fillies open with Montini (at Stevenson), followed by Lake Zurich (at Barrington) and Stevenson (at Lake Zurich). Their final two games will be held at Montini and Loyola. Completing the six-team field is Downers Grove South. Lake Zurich (9-1) lost for the first time Tuesday night to Libertyville.
Blue Devil Classic
Where: Warren High School
When: Dec 20-22-23-26-27
Defending champ: Wheeling
Favorite: Wheeling
Dark horse: Deerfield
Outlook: Wheeling (11-0) returns as the defending champ with all its starters back expect Illinois freshman Lana Rukavina. Purdue-bound Ashley Wilson and juniors Janelle Cannon and Bianca Szafarowicz have been top scorers for the state-ranked Wildcats. Deerfield handed Maine West (7-3) 1 of its 3 losses. The Wildcats meet Lake Forest (Saturday at 3 p.m.), Deerfield and Carmel in round-robin play. Wheeling coach Shelly Wiegel also gets solid play from junior Stephanie Kuzmanic and senior Bridgette Gray in the backcourt, while freshman Kellie Kuzmanic and junior Selma Smajlovic have provided solid relief off the bench. Palatine (2-8), directed by first-year coach Leslie Schock, opens with Niles North on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Pirates senior Katie MacFabe, an all-area selection last season, has scored in double figures in three of the last five games.