Players on the move, giving new schools a lift
This fall in DuPage County football was "the year of the quarterback."
Some basketball seasons might be touted as the "year of the point guard" or "year of the big guy."
This is the year of the transfer.
Among the top 11 teams in the Daily Herald's latest girls basketball rankings, five boast impact transfers in their starting lineups. A sixth, No. 1 Montini, starts senior Courtney Thomas - who moved to the Lombard school from Loyola last year. This year No. 2 Geneva, No. 4 Elk Grove, No. 6 Waubonsie Valley, No. 8 Glenbard West and No. 11 Immaculate Conception all are benefiting from recent additions.
Talk about a talent shift.
Transfers are nothing new to the Chicago-area boys basketball scene. Cully Payne and Dameon Mason are among the west suburban notables just in the last eight years, both moving to new schools after two years. The top two players in Illinois this year, Waukegan senior Jereme Richmond and Morgan Park junior Wayne Blackshear, are at their second high schools. Speculation is that Blackshear's move last year was influenced heavily by his AAU affiliation - commonplace in Chicago boys basketball.
The girls basketball moves this year, though, are a different animal. Most did not choose to leave their old schools. Ex-Driscoll starters were forced to find new homes when the Addison school closed its doors last spring.
"It was hard for us three, coming to a new school," said Kasey Reaber, now at Immaculate Conception with sister Taylor and Alexandra DiVito. "But we've warmed up to our new teammates."
The move for three new Waubonsie starters wasn't as traumatic. But like the ex-Driscoll girls, it wasn't their call to leave Neuqua Valley when District 204 redrew its boundaries.
"It was hard leaving Neuqua," said sophomore Becky Williford.
Family reasons brought Nicole Hazemi back to Glenbard West after a year at Trinity. And Ashley Santos landed at Geneva, after being ruled ineligible by the IHSA in March at Bartlett.
The paths that brought the girls to new homes are varied, but the results are consistent. And good.
Geneva is undefeated, and the other four schools have lost just once.
It helps to have friends close by. Courtney Lindfors played with many of her Elk Grove teammates in junior high. The bond between the Reabers and DiVito is even closer.
"I know where Taylor and Allie are going to be at all times," Kasey Reaber said. "I'm starting to get the feel of where my new teammates are going to be."
Adding a new piece to the puzzle can be like trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. Lindfors has had to adjust to having another talented post player on the floor with her in Ashley Capotosto. The offensive-minded Santos must find her niche with a returning core at Geneva, without rocking the boat.
But I doubt if any of their coaches are complaining.
Immaculate Conception could win its first sectional title in 30 years and is a legit contender to advance to the Class 2A state semifinals. Waubonsie Valley has an obstacle named Bolingbrook standing in its way in sectionals but should be a force in the Upstate Eight Conference for years to come with its three new sophomores.
This season there really is no place like home. A new home, that is.
McDonald's Shootout pairings: The schedule for the 20th McDonald's Shootout, to be held Jan. 15-18 at Willowbrook High School, was released this week. Highlighting the event is a matchup between Montini and defending 4A champion Bolinbrook at 6 p.m. Jan. 18. Among other DuPage County teams, Willowbrook will play Regina at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 15, Wheaton North will face St. Ignatius at 10 a.m. Jan. 16 and Hinsdale Central will meet Marian Catholic for the second straight year, this time at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18.
jwelge@dailyherald.com