Scouting Maine West girls basketball

Maine West

Coach: Derril Kipp (30th season)

Last year's record: 13-18, 8-2

Graduated players: Alli Ellwood, Amanda Ollerer, Sam Acosta, Ellen Coogan, Megan O'Neill, Courtney Insolia

Returning players: Amanda Hoye (5-5 Jr. G), Toni Dumitriu (5-8 Sr. G), Katherine Kusner (5-9 Sr. F), Kayla Kennelly (5-10 Sr. F), Carly Martin (5-7 Sr. G), Krystina Cook (5-6 Sr. G), Stephanie O'Neill (6-0 Sr. F), Nicole Burkhardt (5-11 Sr. F)

Newcomers: Megan John (5-8 Jr. G), Libby Krcik (5-8 Jr. F), Brittany Collins (6-0 Fr. F), Ashley Collins (5-11 So. F), Sara Stepanoivich (5-7 Jr. G)

Outlook: The Warriors graduate four starters from last year's team that went 8-2 in the CSL North and finished second behind Highland Park. "This is probably the biggest rebuilding season I've had in 30 years," said Kipp, who has 708 career wins. "Even though we have five seniors, they didn't play much." Two of them were sidelined nearly all season. Kusner (dislocated pelvis) and Kennelly (broken ankle) didn't return until the final weeks of the season. All-area graduated guard Acosta missed four games with a wrist injury and Kipp said her classmate Coogan struggled with knee problems almost all season.

The 2009-10 season was only the third time the Warriors did not win 20 games under Kipp. They have averaged 24.4 victories per season under the coach's tenure. The Warriors have won 23 conference titles under Kipp but this will be a rare season when his Warriors may not be considered the top team in the CSL North. Highland Park and Niles North each have four starters back. "Those are teams we'll have to compete against that have a lot of experience," he said. Three-year varsity performer Hoye is the only returning starter. "We are counting on Amanda to run the offense and control the tempo of the game," Kipp said. "She got experience last year so we'll see how she's improved."

Kipp said the scoring roles are up in the air. "Because we don't have a lot of experience we haven't really had a person who has scored a lot in varsity games," he said. Sisters Brittany (freshman) and Ashley (sophomore) Collins are expected to make impacts as varsity rookies. "I'm looking for Kusner and Kennelly for senior leadership. And Carly Martin also has a little playing experience from last season." O'Neill has looked good in the preseason and John is expected to provide perimeter scoring. "We have a brutal schedule to start the season but that should help our younger kids improve," Kipp added.