West Aurora primed for a bounce-back season

The 2010-11 season wasn't the easiest one for West Aurora's girls basketball team.

The Blackhawks finished 6-18. They got off to a rough start, losing their first 11 games, before going on a 5-1 streak that included the consolation championship at Wheaton North's Falcon Classic.

While the record stung, the good news for Connie Siljendahl's squad is that it was a mostly young lineup last year. With a year of experience at the varsity level, West Aurora looks to take a step forward this winter.

"We are physically stronger with better basketball skills and understand the game better," Siljendahl said.

Leading the returners is senior guard Alexis Nelson. She averaged 10 points a game last year and made the DuPage Valley All-Conference team.

Dazmine Cheney is another senior returning to West Aurora's backcourt. The Jacobsen sisters, Taylor and Erin, played varsity basketball as freshmen and return for their sophomore seasons.

As a freshman, Liz Skaggs stepped right it and held her own in the paint. She finished with a 6-point scoring average while pulling down 8.3 rebounds a game.

Abriya Zietz is a fifth sophomore for West Aurora who played up last year. The Blackhawks again will have a freshman this year on the varsity in Alexis Wiggins.

Besides Wiggins, other newcomers to watch are junior Shelby Zima, junior Molly Jordan, junior C.C. Colleman and senior Deandrea Stewart.

With so many players returning and expecting her newcomers to contribute, Siljendahl will try to wear down her opponents.

"We will be running and pressing," Siljendahl said. "Our focus is on defense."

Siljendahl was encouraged by what she saw this summer at tournaments at Neuqua Valley, Morris, the University of Wisconsin and the Vaughan League.

"The team had a good summer," Siljendahl said.