Scouting Wauconda girls basketball
WAUCONDA
COACH: Jaime Dennis (third season)
LAST SEASON: 21-7, 11-1 in NSC Prairie
LOSSES: G Kate Martino, F Kelsey Mills, C Erinn Hellweg (volleyball)
RETURNEES: Sr. G Tammy Ellis, Sr. G Melanie Prudhomme, Sr. C Roslyn Summerville, Jr. G Diana Enriquez, Sr. F Cara Nance, Sr. F Maggie Sarich
NEWCOMERS: Jr. G Haley Kramer, Jr. G Cara Leoni, Jr. G Melissa Latham, Jr. C Chavez Coombs, Jr. G Mireia Sospedra-Parra, Sr. F Carolyn Klocke
OUTLOOK: Chavez Coombs has arrived from Jamaica, which she might regret when the first blizzard hits. “She's strong,” coach Jaime Dennis said of the 5-11 junior. “She's definitely going to help us inside.” Mireia Sospedra-Parra is a foreign-exchange student from Spain, and, “si,” the guard should help too. “It's definitely made some practices interesting,” Dennis said with a laugh of her two new likable newcomers. “They may talk fast with quite a thick accent, but they can understand. It hasn't been a problem communicating usually.” Here's what's simple to understand: Despite the loss of four-year starter Kate Martino, the defending North Suburban Prairie champs expect to be force again. The Bulldogs are led by senior guard Tammy Ellis, who's been starting since her freshman year. Junior Diana Enriquez, who was usually the first guard off the bench last season, replaces Martino in the starting lineup. Enriquez will play the point, with Ellis moving from point to shooting guard. Ellis made all-area last season and Dennis expects an even bigger year from the veteran this winter.
An outstanding student, Ellis has been offered a scholarship by Olivet Nazarene, Dennis said. “She's been really strong,” Dennis said. “She had a great summer and looks really good.” Melanie Prudhomme, a pesky defensive player, also returns to the starting lineup, as does 5-11 pivot Roslyn Summerville, a three-sport athlete. Erinn Hellweg, who played a lot last season, did not come out after a standout volleyball season in which she helped the Bulldogs win a sectional championship. Dennis believes her team has enough depth to adequately replace the 6-footer's minutes. Cara Nance, another three-sport athlete who also started for the volleyball team, will have a bigger role this season. Dennis loves her versatility, attitude and competitive drive.
Maggie Sarich has also earned herself more playing time, Weber said, after being a reserve last season. The coach calls soccer goalie Cara Leoni “super competitive.” The Bulldogs' biggest challenge might be overcoming the loss of Martino, but Dennis is confident her team is ready. “I feel the returning seniors realize how much they have to pick up for her,” Dennis said. “They worked really hard over the summer on improving their skills and coming together as a group. They've been playing together at the varsity level for so long that things are starting to get more natural, and it's fun to watch. I think we're going to be just as competitive as we were last year.”