Lake County girls basketball notes
Lake County Girls Basketball Talking Points
***Since Thanksgiving, red-hot Lake Zurich is limiting teams to 31 points per game.
***Grayslake Central has been bolstered by point guard Mosey Dreveline, who is averaging 8 points, 3.6 assists and 3 steals over her last 5 games. Also, each of Central’s five starters has hit double digits in scoring at least once so far this season.
***In her first start of the season, Lakes’ Madison Twarling scored 16 points against Round Lake.
***Mundelein, 9-3 in its first 12, continues to be powered by the 1-2 punch of Rylan Foster (17 points, 6 boards) and Casey Vyverman (15 points, 3 assists, 2 steals).
***Beyond the Rule sisters (Rachel and Kate), 8-3 Libertyville also benefits from the play of Madison Sears (9 points, 5.5 boards) and freshman Lily Fisher (7.3 points, 4 assists).
***Wauconda (6-2 and 4-0 in Northern Lake County play) has racked up impressive rebounding totals from Helen Macey (7.8 per game), Emma Wisniewski (5.9) and Grace Parker (5.3).
****Carmel is shooting 35 percent from 3 as a team.
The Lake Zurich girls basketball team has righted its ship in a hurry.
After an 0-4 start, the Bears were 5-1 during a recent six-game stretch to move to 5-5 overall and a strong 3-1 in North Suburban Conference action.
The Bears’ only loss came by 3 points to Stevenson (30-27), and they recorded recent wins over Zion-Benton and Barrington (44-32).
Since Thanksgiving, Lake Zurich has held teams to an average of 31 points a contest.
“We have 5 freshmen and sophomores in our Top 9,” Lake Zurich coach Chris Bennett explained. “We are gaining confidence and game experience. Our turnover numbers are decreasing and our assist numbers are going up.”
Leah Gilbertson leads the team in scoring at 9.1 points per game, while Anna Gilbertson is at 9.0 points. Alex Nowak-Tice leads the way in rebounding (6.9 per game), while Anna Gilbertson averages 6.7 rebounds and a team-best 3.2 assists. Layne Nordstrom averages 2.9 assists.
Carmel update: Ashley Schlabowske leads the Corsairs in scoring (16.8 points per game), rebounding (2.4) and assists (2.4), while Josie Hartman is tops in steals at 3.2 per game. Carmel started the week 5-4 overall and 1-1 in East Suburban Catholic action. Carmel beat Chicago Marist 56-45 and lost by 4 points (28-24) to Benet Academy.
“We are continuing to improve on our attention to detail,” Carmel coach Ben Berg said.
In addition to Schlabowske, a senior, classmate Keira Ackerson also continues to play a vital role for the Corsairs.
“Ashley and Keira are shooting the ball and scoring at a fairly high pace,” Berg said.
As a team, Carmel is shooting 35 percent from 3 and creates an average of 18 turnovers per contest.
Grayslake Central update: The Rams were tied atop the Northern Lake County Conference in the loss column at 3-0 earlier this week and stood at 7-4 overall, the beneficiary of a recent 4-1 run that included wins over Prairie Ridge, Grayslake North, Grant and Antioch (loss to Rolling Meadows).
Madison Hoffmann leads Central in scoring at 14.3 points and in rebounding at 6.8 per game. Mosey Drevline averages 3.5 assists and Katelyn Marcelain averages 2.5 steals.
Over the last 5 games, Dreveline, the team’s point guard, is averaging 8 points, 3.6 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds.
“We are playing together and playing through tough situations,” Central coach Steve Ikenn said. “Our roster is made up of 4 juniors, 4 sophomores and 3 freshmen, so we are young and still learning to play together. The more we practice and the more games we play, the better we play together. For some players, these are not only their first varsity minutes, but the first high school minutes they have played. We are also doing a great job balancing out the scoring in games. Every player in the starting five has hit double figures in scoring in at least one game so far this season, and we have had great contributions off the bench.”
Ikenn likes the way Hoffmann and junior classmate Annie Wolff have set the tone for the team early-on.
“They have been on varsity since Day 1 of their freshman year and have both grown and players and leaders,” he said. “They are leading us in scoring (Hoffmann at 14.3 and Wolff at 12.5 points per game), and they both are tough defenders who also rebound well and distribute the ball. Both can play wing, post of even point guard, if needed. They are vocal leaders that help keep the team focused and motivated on and off the court, and they lead by example during practices and games.”
Grayslake North update: The Knights lost recent contests to Vernon Hills, Wauconda (NLCC) and Grant (NLCC). North stood at 1-11 overall and 0-3 in NLCC play to start the week.
As an undersized team, we knew rebounding would be a challenge for us this year,” Knights coach Brian Frericks said. “We have been working on getting stronger and swarming rebounds as a team. We also continue to learn how to play defense at the varsity level.”
Lucy Roscoe was leading North in scoring at 8.7 points per game followed by Ashlyn Stoneham (6.7 points. Mikayla Gumapas was averaging 4.5 rebounds and Jada Kemp was at 4.3 rebounds. Roscoe was the team leader in steals to start the week (2.2 per game), while Stoneham was at 1 steal per game.
Roscoe and Gisele Medina are the team’s top 3-point shooters. “Lucy and Gisele are two sophomores getting more and more confidence from behind the line every game,” Frericks said. “Lucy continues to be the spark plug of the team. She rarely leaves the court and continues to step up in leadership roles as a sophomore. Lately, she has been asked to handle the ball more and guard the other teams’ best wing.”
Kemp has made an impact after missing the first few games of the season with an injury. “Since she has come back, Jada has done a lot for our team,” Frericks said. “She is physical and works extremely hard defensively.”
Lakes update: The Eagles went 2-1 in a trio of recent Northern Lake County games, defeating Round Lake (39-30) and North Chicago (48-11) and losing to Wauconda (44-26). Lakes was 5-5 overall and 2-2 in NLCC play through the earlier part of the week.
“The NLCC is going to be competitive all season,” Lakes coach Grant Murray said. “Antioch and Wauconda are two quality teams, and Round Lake has a gritty team that will continue to challenge opponents all season.”
Individually through the first 9 games, Janae Pullen is averaging 7.2 points and 1.7 steals, while Jes Ross is at 6.1 points. Kaylee Anderson averages a team-best 8.9 rebounds to go with 1.2 steals, while Inclarity Turney is at 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Pullen had 11 against North Chicago, while Turney had 9 points and 5 steals.
“We have put an emphasis on playing sound defense,” Murray said. “Right now, we are hanging our hat on that as the offense and shooting continue to improve.”
Also of mote, Madison Twarling scored 16 points in her first start of the season against Round Lake, while Anderson had an 11-rebound night against Round Lake.
Libertyville update: Coach Greg Pedersen’s squad was off to an 8-3 start overall, which included a 3-1 mark in North Suburban action.
The Wildcats recorded recent wins NSC wins over Lake Forest (56-26) and Warren (57-29).
“We are working on sharing the ball and moving it until we find the right shot for the team,” Pedersen said.
Rachel Rule (11.5 points) and sister Kate Rule (11.0 points) were leading the team in scoring to start the week, while Madison Sears was averaging 9 points and Lily Fisher 7.3 points.
Pedersen pointed out Fisher, a freshman, is averaging more than 4 assists per game. “Lily has excellent court vision and basketball intelligence, which allows her to set up her teammates in positions to succeed,” he said.
Sears, a junior, is the team’s leading rebounder at 5.5 per contest, and also scored in double figures in both the Lake Forest and Warren games.
Pedersen added Libertyville is hard at work improving on ball security out of its guards and forwards. “We’re gearing up for shootout and tournament season and we’re going to face some pressure-packed defenses,” he said. “Ball security, court vision and passing away from the defense are our focal points moving forward.”
Mundelein update: The Mustangs continue to excel, checking in at 9-3 overall and 3-1 in North Suburban action. In recent play, Mundelein downed Waukegan (59-37) in a conference game and lost to Glenbrook North 43-38.
Rylan Foster and Casey Vyverman continue to play well for coach Sarah Teipel’s squad. Foster averages 17 points and 6 rebounds, while Vyverman is at 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per contest. Erin Frank also has been key, averaging 7 points and 5 rebounds.
“We have improved our grit and leadership,” Teipel said. “The girls have been working hard every day to become tougher. We have been reflecting on ‘grit’ examples daily, and they are becoming more player-led.”
Teipel added Foster and Vyverman “are both showing great leadership, confidence and toughness every game,” she said.
Vernon Hills update: The Cougars beat Grayslake North 55-30 recently and were on the losing end of two extremely close games against Highland Park (39-35) and Warren (42-40). Vernon Hills was 3-7 overall and 1-2 in Central Suburban North play as of this writing.
“We have improved our defense,” Cougars coach Paul Brettner noted. “With so many kids playing together for the first time, they are starting to play in a more cohesive fashion.”
Keira Thomas averages 10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 steals, while Emily Ochieng is at 6.8 rebounds per game.
“Keira has been our best scorer,” Brettner said. “She has put a lot of time into her skill and shooting and it shows.”
Brettner also praised the work of freshman Emma Jocson. “Emma has done a tremendous job as a freshman starting point guard,” he said. “Her speed is a big reason, but she plays unselfish basketball.”
Wauconda update: The Bulldogs also were off to a 4-0 start in Northern Lake County Conference action (6-2 overall). Wauconda downed Lakes 44-26 on the road in a recent conference game and went over to Fox Lake and downed Grant 52-48.
Through the team’s first 7 games, Grace Parker leads the Bulldogs in scoring at 13 points per game, while averaging 5.3 rebounds. Coach Jaime Dennis also has received key contributions from Emma Wisniewski (7.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals) and Helen Macey (5.8 points, 7.8 rebounds).
“Grace has been our steady point leader every game, but has also started to up her defensive contributions,” Dennis said. “Emma is doing everything for us on both ends. She has such active hands and good instincts on defense. It’s hard to take her off the floor.”
Dennis said Wauconda is making strides with sharing the ball “and playing as a team,” she said. “Defensively, they have stepped up their game with better ball pressure and having weak-side help.”
In that Grant win, Alexia Manalo led the Bulldogs with 15 points. Ella Franck added 10 points and 5 rebounds, while Wisniewski had 11 points and 7 rebounds and Parker had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, putting Dennis’ team-first words into action.
Stevenson update: The Patriots were off to a fine start at 7-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in North Suburban action through midweek. Stevenson downed Lake Zurich 30-27 and Warren 41-25 in a pair of NSC games.
Through 8 games, Stevenson is holding opponents to only 31 points a game.
Emory Klatt averages a double-double at 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Kendell Williams is averaging 3 assists and 3 steals per contest. Williams also leads the team in deflections.
“Our offensive execution continues to improve,” Stevenson coach Regan Carmichael said. “It is challenging to come in with a new coaching staff and change things up, but they are buying in and committing themselves to learning every practice.”
Carmichael also lauded the recent play of Nisha Musunuri, who “had a breakout game against Libertyville,” the coach noted.
Antioch update: Coach Jamie D’Andrea’s team was 8-3 overall and 4-1 in Northern Lake County play through midweek.
The Sequoits lost to Grayslake Central 57-48 after being down double digits in the first half. Antioch cut the lead to a bucket in the second half. Antioch also defeated Grayslake North 44-27 in a recent game.
Heidi Rathmann leads Antioch with 127 points and 26 steals, while sophomore Addie Webb has 65 rebounds and junior point guard Enza Nawrocki leads the team in assists with 18.
“Obviously, Heidi’s scoring is a high point for us,” D’Andrea said. “She can score effortlessly in the flow of our offense and her moves to the basket ae fun to watch. I am also really proud of Addie. She has been an integral addition to our lineup (played a handful of varsity games last year) and her hard work shows up, especially on the boards.”
D’Andrea said Antioch is improving the execution of its offense “and looking for shots in the flow of the offense,” she said. “Those are the ones that tend to drop and it’s put us in a position to be successful multiple times.”
Macie Volkmar has been a defensive asset for Antioch in the first 11 games. This is her first year on varsity. “She might be small, but she’s definitely mighty with her speed and her fast hands on defense,” D’Andrea said.