DuPage girls basketball notes: Benet’s coming on strong heading into postseason

2024 has treated the Benet Academy girls basketball team well.

The Redwings are 9-1 since the start of the new year. Coach Joe Kilbride’s squad was 19-6 overall and tied for second in the East Suburban Catholic at 9-2 to start the week.

To demonstrate, Kilbride threw out this 2024 beauty: In Benet’s last 10 games dating back to the start of the new year, its points per possession improved from 0.92 to 1.12. Leadership from seniors Emilia Sularski, Magdalena Sularski and Shannon Earley also has been a big plus, Kilbride noted.

Glenbard East update: The Rams (20-8 overall), like Glenbard South, need to win their final two games of the regular season to share the UEC title with the Raiders. East is looking for its first conference title in 30 years and is also chasing the best team record over that same span of time, coach Nicole Miller noted. Senior Catey Carney continues to lead the way, while Gabby Walton and Ciara Johnson also have been keys for the Rams.

Glenbard West update: The Hilltoppers (24-6) came to rest in second place behind champion Downers Grove North in the West Suburban Silver at 9-3. Coach Kristi Faulkner likes the recent play of 3-year varsity starter and junior captain Julia Benjamin, junior captain Lauren Escalante and junior Makenna Yeager. Benjamin, the team’s leading scorer, recently eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark, while Escalante, the team’s point guard, leads in steals and assists and has logged some recent double-digit rebound games. Yeager is the team’s second-leading scorer.

Glenbard South update: The Raiders started the week 20-7 overall and 15-1 in Upstate Eight action, tied with Glenbard East for the top spot with two conference games to play). South has won 7 in a row and 11 of 12, the only setback a 1-point loss to East that was later avenged.

During a recent 4-game stretch, Brooklynn Moore has averaged 13 points, Jamie Mizwicki 11 points and Rheayanna Ferguson 10 points. Consistent contributions from Allie Mizwicki (9 points) and Sofia Alcala (6 point, 5 rebounds) during that span have also helped. South has averaged 60 points and allowed 24 points during the 7-game winning streak.

Lisle update: The Lions have third place locked down in the Illinois Central Eight at 9-4. Lisle has won 8 of its last 11, turning 11-7 into a conversation-starting 19-10 ledger to start the week.

Recipes for success for coach Nick Balaban’s roster include defensive superiority to the tune of 13.8 steals and 14.9 deflections per game, while forcing opponents into a poverty 24.2 turnover-per-game average.

Individually, Crystal McHugh leads the team in scoring at 20.3 points per game, rebounding (8.1), steals (5.1) and 3s made while shooting 49 percent from 2. McKenna Kane leads the team in assists (4.1) and is the all-time leader in that category for the Lions (more than 300). She’s also hitting 65.4 percent of her free throws. On the glass, Kiley Ebert is averaging 9.5 boards over her last seven, including a pair of 12s, which are career highs. She’s second on the team in rebounding (5.8) and is second in assists operating out of the high and low post.

Metea Valley update: The Mustangs (5-18, 0-9 DVC) have received quite a spark of late from Reese Valha, who averaged 10 points during a recent 4-game run with a high of 14 points against Oswego and 13 points against Neuqua Valley. She recently nailed a game-winning last-second layup against Bartlett after stealing the ball and driving the ball the length of the court, coach Keith McIntosh explained. Valha also hit a three-quarter-court shot against Oswego. “She’s been on quite a run,” McIntosh added. Arainna Hammons has made at least one 3 in each of the last 8 games, including 4 against Neuqua Valley.

Naperville North update: Natalie Frempong (14.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists), Kendall Johnson (8.6 points, 4.8 rebounds) and Ava Podkasik (7.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 steals) lead the way for the Huskies (14-14, 4-5 and third DVC), who have won their last three games.

West Chicago update: At 22-7 to start the week (riding a 4-game winning streak), the Wildcats have the third-best record of any girls basketball team in the program’s 49-year history. One more win will put it in a tie for second best all-time. The Cats also have third place in the Upstate Eight sewn up at 13-4.

Jasmyn Trigueros leads the team in scoring (18 a game), steals, assists, blocks and rebounds, while Miranda Enochs and Elina Velasco also have been notable.

Waubonsie Valley update: The Warriors already have the DuPage Valley Conference title wrapped up at 9-0 (26-2 overall to start the week). Waubonsie is on a 7-game winning streak and fueled by the likes of Danyella Mporokoso, who had 30 points and hit a last-second, game-winning shot against Neuqua Valley, Arie Garcia and Hannah Laub, who scored her 1,000th career point recently.

Willowbrook update: Ella Bruschuk recently scored her 1,000th career point. She sits at 1,059 career points, 850 rebounds, 313 assists and 197 steals. “Elle has some pretty impressive career stats,” coach Dan Bannon noted. Bruschuk is at 12.7 points, 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.2 steals this season, while Ayannin Gusman averages 9.5 points and Lillian Vish averages 6 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Warriors (13-17, 8-4 and third West Suburban Gold).

Wheaton North update: Sara Abdul leads the Falcons (18-11, 5-8 tied for fifth DuKane) in scoring at 16.7 points per game, while Zoey Bohmer is at 10.7 points and 6.4 points. Freshman Adeline Sutton also continues to improve for North, 10-3 over its last 13 games.

Notable DuPage County Postseason Sectional Seeds

Class 4A: Waubonsie Valley (2), Downers Grove North (3), Benet Academy (4), Neuqua Valley (5), Wheaton North (5), Glenbard West (6)

Class 3A: Montini (1), Hinsdale South (2), Glenbard South (3), Wheaton Academy (5), St. Francis (6)

Class 2A: IC Catholic Prep (1), Lisle (3), Timothy Christian (5)