Scouting Waubonsie Valley girls basketball

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Kim Connell.

Last year: 24-5 overall, 9-3 (second) in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division; lost to Benet 56-52 in the Class 4A Romeoville sectional semifinal.

Top players: Becky Williford, sr., G; Tami Morice, sr., G; Rachael Ross, sr., F; Erica Jordan, sr., G; Gratia Brooks, jr., F; Ryaen Johnson, so., F; Shannon Hohman, fr., G; Maddie Pokora, fr., G; Taylor Ameri, fr., G.

Scouting report: Waubonsie's 50-8 record the last two years would be the envy of most coaches. Connell wants more, and why not? The Warriors feature four seniors who have played varsity since Day 1 freshman year. "We want them to finish at their best, to not regret anything," Connell said, "and kind of lay it all there." Williford, who tore her ACL in the first summer game last June, is expected back by December and returns 9 points and 5.9 assists a game. Without her Morice and Jordan will shoulder most of the ballhandling. Ross, 6-foot-3, a 9.4-point-a-game scorer committed to Radford, and Brooks give the Warriors a physical presence inside. It was a difficult summer minus Williford; a much better winter is expected. A rematch with Benet at the McDonald's Shootout in January could provide an early playoff preview. Key to Connell is Waubonsie's defense, which she felt took a step back last year. "For us inexperience shouldn't be an issue," she said. "If anybody's going to beat us, it's going to be ourselves."