Scouting Hoffman Estates girls basketball

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Mike Nocella (fifth season)

Last year: 19-9, 5-5

Graduated players: Colleen Thomas, Tanya Skworch, Malanie McGinn, Kelsey Pellus, Precious Ogunleye

Returning players: Mary Pettit (5-7 Sr. G), Tifanny Pitter (5-6 Jr. G), Sara Burns (5-6 Sr. G), Becca Stoczynski (6-1 Jr. F), Destinée Young (6-1 Jr. F),

Newcomers: Shante Hill (5-9 Jr. G), Erin Pilling (5-7 Jr. F), Andrea Wolinski (5-7 So. G), Heather Doonan (5-9 Jr. F), Selena Martinez (5-7 Jr. G), Brittany Otto (5-8 Jr. G), Sandy Mousheh (5-8 Jr. G), Rachel Mirabile (5-9 Jr. F), Audreanna Luna (5-8 Jr. F)

Scouting report: As he begins his fifth season at Hoffman, coach Mike Nocella is joined by new assistant coach Jay Colloton. They will welcome back four starters, including all-area selection Young (15 ppg, 10 rebounds). She will join Stoczynski on the front line. "I think they (Young and Stoczynski) are the best pair of forwards in the conference," Nocella said. "They bring scoring, size, agility and brains. They are two of the best players I've coached and I've had some good ones." Young is being recruited heavily by schools across the country. Pettit has been in the backcourt for two seasons and was the floor leader a year ago. "Mary is a coach on the floor," Nocella said. "She provides us with a lot of leadership and I think she will score even more points this season. We have worked hard on her shot." Burns, Pitter and Wolinski will all see time in the backcourt with Pettit. "I think we will be a better outside shooting team." The Hawks have no less than six players who can shoot from 3-point range. Combined with a strong inside presence, they should be hard to defend. Nocella would have had more depth but three varsity players moved out of the state. "If we have no injuries or illness, we should be competive," Nocella said. "The conference will be tough. You will have to be ready to play every game."