DuPage County girls basketball outlook
Addison Trail
Coach: Cory Little (fifth season).
Last season’s record: 8-21 overall, 2-10 in the West Suburban Gold.
Top returners: Emma Caniglia, sr., G; Katelyn Ford, sr., G/F; Maria Hernandez, sr., F.
Key newcomers: Arianna Hendrick, soph., G; Erin Parker, sr., G/F; Aisha Elahi, sr., F.
Worth noting: The Blazers look to rebound this season following an 8-win campaign in 2023-2024. Caniglia, Ford, and Hernandez offer valuable experience for former Addison Trail/UIC basketball standout Cory Little’s squad. Addison Trail begins its season at the Hinsdale Central Invite on Nov. 19, 23, and 27, before opening WSC Gold action at Leyden on Dec. 3. The Blazers’ home opener will be on Dec. 10 against district rival Willowbrook.
Benet Academy
Coach: Joe Kilbride (11th season).
Last season’s record: 24-7 overall, 10-2 in the ESCC (2nd place).
Top returners: Lindsay Harzich, sr., G; Aria Mazza, sr., G; Emma Briggs, jr., F; Bridget Rifenburg, jr., F; Ava Mersinger, soph., G.
Key newcomers: Audrey Panoushis, sr., F; Ava Thomas, jr., G; Sailer Jones, jr., G; Macy Menendez, jr., G; Keelyn Gallagher, sr., F.
Worth noting: Benet returns 12 players from last year’s 24-win squad, including starters Harzich, Mazza, Rifenburg, and Briggs, and reserve Mersinger, who will join the starting lineup this season. Together, those 5 players accounted for 36 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists, and 7 steals per game last season. The 5-foot-11 Harzich, an all-DuPage Valley Conference and all-state special mention selection as a junior, has committed to Brown University. Mazza earned all-area honorable mention status as a junior and has narrowed her college choices to high academic schools. Briggs, who played for Great Britain’s U16 National Team that placed third at the FIBA U16 Women’s EuroBasket 2024 in Turkey this past summer, is drawing Division 1 interest from Big East, WCC, MVC, Ivy League, Horizon, and Patriot League schools. Rifenburg also has multiple Division 1 offers from schools in the A-10, Patriot League, MVC, MAC, OVC, WCC, A-Sun, and Summit Leagues. Jones and Menendez have moved up from an undefeated sophomore squad, while Gallagher has recovered from an ACL injury and expects to contribute. Kilbride enters the season with a 269-47 record, having won Class 4A regional titles and advanced to the sectional championship in every state tourney since his arrival. During that time, the Redwings have made 5 Final Four appearances, winning the 4A state championship in 2015 and 2016. Last season, Benet lost a 63-61 decision to Waubonsie Valley in the sectional title clash. The Redwings, who will host an Alumni Celebration Day on Jan. 4 to recognize the program becoming the 10th school in Illinois girls basketball history to record 1,000 wins and to honor the 10-year anniversary of their back-to-back state titles, open their season against Lyons on Nov. 19.
Downers Grove North
Coach: Stephan Bolt
Last season’s record: 30-4 overall, 11-1 West Suburban Silver (first place), lost to Waubonsie Valley in sectional semifinal.
Top returning players: Campbell Thulin, so., G; Abby Gross, sr., G; Ady Fanta, jr., G; Lizzy Murphy, jr., F.
Top new players: Urja Shah, sr., F; Gianna Goodwin, jr., G.
Worth noting: The Trojans last season won a program-record 30 games and conference and regional titles. Three starters graduated, but Downers Grove North has a hard-working group of skilled and versatile players with some good depth led by returning starters Thulin and Gross. Thulin, all-conference as a freshman, has a chance to be an elite-level player. Gross, coming off a successful volleyball season, is the last of three Gross sisters that Bolt has coached since the 2016-2017 season.
“Initially, we will lack some in-game experience due to graduating a great senior class last year,” Bolt said, “but throughout the course of the season I believe our returners and team will experience tremendous growth. We will be a solid defensive team and hope to be at our best come end of the season.”
Downers Grove South
Coach: Lyndsie Long
Last season’s record: 18-14 overall, 10-2 West Suburban Gold (first place), lost to Waubonsie Valley in regional final.
Top returning players: Hayven Harden, sr., F; Jakaylah Thomas, jr., G; Kamryn Gillespie, sr., G; Kayla Meyer, sr., G; Katelyn Konieczka, sr., F.
Top new players: Ionna Griffin, so., G; Alexa Bulla, fr., G; Mia Order, so., F; Mila Kosanovic-Cruise, jr., F.
Worth noting: Downers Grove South is coming off back-to-back West Suburban Gold championships. The young Mustangs will look to get out and run with four new starters. Harden is the lone returning starter after averaging 11 points and seven rebounds as a junior. A tough nonconference schedule tips off with the York Thanksgiving Tournament.
Fenton
Coach: David Mello (eighth season).
Last season’s record: 12-21 overall, 2-16 in the Upstate Eight Conference (9th place).
Top returners: Lauren Koch, sr., G; Kamila Piekarczyk, sr., F; Natalia Staszel, sr., G; Elizabeth Delgado, sr., G; Olivia Michalczak, soph., C; Brittany Poskus, sr., G; Nicole Staszel, sr., G; Keira McGowan, sr., G; Sylvianna Mendoza, soph., G.
Key newcomers: Kendall Mitchell, sr., F; Emma Siekierski, soph., C.
Worth noting: Mello has high expectations for a team that returns plenty of togetherness. “These girls have great chemistry,” said the coach. “Eight of them are also key contributors for our softball team. Because of that and the fact that we had a very good offseason, we have been able to hit the ground running.” The group includes 5-foot-10 Oakton signee Piekarczyk and Delgado, a Triton softball recruit. Fenton opens its season against Bremen, Intrinsic Charter, and Senn on Nov. 18-21 in Bensenville. “We are very excited for this season, and the seniors are determined to finish their high school basketball careers on a high note,” said Mello.
Glenbard East
Coach: Nicole Miller (28th season).
Last season’s record: 22-9 overall, 17-1 in the Upstate Eight (tied for 1st with Glenbard South).
Top returners: Veronica Witt, sr., F; Erin Brown, sr., F; Teagan Murphy, soph., G; Lilly Carver, soph., G; Taylour Hodges, sr., G.
Key newcomers: Olivia Nee, frosh., G; Nora Opila, jr., G; Haley Greenfield, jr., G.
Worth noting: Glenbard East enjoyed a solid season a year ago, winning 20-plus games for the second consecutive season before being eliminated by Wheaton Warrenville South (56-35) in the Class 4A regional semifinals. The Rams own a 42-41 mark the last 2 seasons. Witt and Brown are both 5-foot-10 frontcourt players, while Murphy, Carver, and Hodges play in the backcourt. Opila, a defensive specialist for the volleyball team, will add depth at the guard spot along with Nee and Greenfield. The Rams begin their season at Wheaton Academy on Nov. 18. They will host Glenbard North, Glenbard West, and Glenbard South in the Rachel Bach/District 87 Tournament Nov. 23, 25-26.
Glenbard North
Coach: Pamela Decheva
Top returners: Sophia Pedraza, sr., PG; Angel Ha, sr., F; Alexis Frcek, sr., F/C
Key newcomers: Chloe Banish, so., G; Gabriella McGinn, fr., F/C; Danica White, so., G
Worth noting: White is working back from an injury and will join the rotation when she’s healthy. The Panthers won three games a year ago as they battle in a DuKane Conference with no easy opponents. “You are going to see us play hard every single game,” Decheva said. “I think we are going to be an opponent that most teams will not look forward to playing. We have a great group of girls that are gonna to work hard and get better every single game.”
Glenbard South
Coach: Eric Daca (fourth season).
Last season’s record: 24-8 overall, 17-1 in the Upstate Eight (tied for 1st with Glenbard East).
Top returners: Brooklynn Moore, sr., C; Rheayanna Ferguson, jr., G; Jamie Mizwicki, jr., F; Callie Hardtke, jr., F.
Key newcomer: Kaitlin Erickson, soph., G.
Worth noting: The Raiders return 8 players from last season’s team that captured the Class 3A regional title (51-31 over Payton) before losing to Trinity (39-31) in the sectional semifinals. The list is headed by 6-foot post standout Moore, 5-6 guard Ferguson, and 5-11 frontcourt player Mizwicki – all of which earned all-UEC recognition last season. Moore, a 3-year starter, has been a unanimous all-conference selection the past 3 seasons. Glenbard South owns an impressive 49-14 record the last 2 years. The Raiders begin their season at home against DePaul College Prep on Nov. 19, and will compete against Glenbard West, Glenbard North, and host Glenbard East at the District 87 Tournament Nov. 23, 25-26.
Glenbard West
Coach: Kristi Faulkner (eighth season).
Last season’s record: 26-7 overall, 9-3 (2nd place) in West Suburban Silver, advanced to regional final.
Top returning players: Lauren Escalante, sr., G; Julia Benjamin, sr., G; Makenna Yeager, sr., G/F; Mya Austin, jr., G/F; Hannah Roberts, sr., G; Ellie Noble, so., F; Lily Hubbuch, so., G.
Top new players: Katie Meehan, so., G.
Worth noting: A ton of talent returns for a Hilltoppers’ team that won 26 games and finished second in the Silver last year. Benjamin, 5-foot-8, started every game as a freshman, sophomore and junior, and is a returning all-conference player who has scored over 1,000 points in her career. Quicky, scrappy point guard Escalante, a three-year varsity player who can get to the rim and create for teammates, led the Hilltoppers in assists and steals last year. The 6-foot Yeager, another three-year varsity player and all-conference pick, is a long, athletic guard/forward tough and versatile that can run the floor, score and rebound. Austin is a two-year varsity player who can shoot the three and score in the paint, and Roberts a four-year varsity player that is one of the team’s top defenders with a high basketball IQ. The 6-foot Noble is a strong, tough player who can defend and rebound and Hubbuch a scrappy, athletic guard who can defend and score.
“We are really excited for the season,” Faulkner said. “We have versatility, young talent, great leadership, and a lot of heart on this year’s team.”
Hinsdale Central
Coach: Brett Moore
Last season’s record: 11-20 overall, 4-8 West Suburban Silver
Top returning players: Grace Dolan, sr., G; Katherine Skinner, jr., G; Maya Gin, sr., G; Julia Sherpitis, sr., G;
Top new players: Sophie Darwish, fr.; Katie Coffey, so.
Worth noting: Moore, previously the varsity boys basketball coach at Hinsdale South, takes over the Hinsdale Central girls program. He inherits a Red Devils’ club with four returning starters. Dolan averaged 11 points last season, Skinner 8, Sherpitis 7 and Gin 6.
“It’s a group that is dedicated to working hard and together to raise the expectations of Hinsdale Central girls basketball,” Moore said. “A good mix of players with varsity experience and young players. This group had a great offseason and building confidence every day.”
Hinsdale South
Coach: Goran Nikolic (first year).
Last season’s record: 26-12, 10-2 West Suburban Gold, finished fourth in Class 3A.
Top returning players: Maeve Savage, jr., G/F; Hailey Goins, jr.; Brynn Diedrich, so., G.
Worth noting: The Hornets are coming off a historic season. Hinsdale South last season made the program’s first state tournament appearance since 1977, taking fourth in Class 3A. Graduated from that team are four-year starters Amerie Flowers and Amelia Lavorato, who accounted for 60% plus of Hinsdale South’s offense. The Hornets do, though, return three starters in Savage, Goins and Diedrich. Scott Tanaka, girls coach last year, has moved over to coach the Hinsdale South boys program. Taking over the girls program is Nikolic, who holds 281 varsity wins in Wisconsin and coached the JV last year at York, posting a 27-3 record.
“New coach, new offense/defense, will take a while to adapt,” Nikolic said. Should be able to compete for the upper part of the conference. Good pieces coming back but lack the scoring experience.”
IC Catholic Prep
Coach: Todd Fisher
Last season’s record: 25-10 overall, lost to Phillips in sectional final
Top returning players: Graziella Narcisi, sr., G; Maura Grogan, sr., F; Mary Kate Hilgart, jr., F; Lizzie Cook, sr
Worth noting: The Knights, senior-heavy last year, return four players – three of them seniors – from a team that reached a sectional final and lost to Phillips by three. Hilgart, IBCA Class 2A honorable mention All-State and GCAC all-conference after averaging 10.1 points and 5 rebounds, leads the returning starters. Narcisi (six points, three rebounds, two steals per game last year) and Grogan (five points, three rebounds) are the other two returning starters and three-sport athletes. Added to the mix are eight new players from the JV team. “Obviously a key early this year is determining the rotation with significant new players to varsity,” Fisher said.
Lake Park
Coach: Robert Reibel
Last season’s record: 10-21
Top returning players: Tatum Kelly-Quintero, jr., G; Allie Gogola, jr., G/F; Maggie Frank, jr., G; Alex Kiefer, jr., F
Worth noting: The Lancers return four starters, though Kelly-Quintero is currently out with an injury but hopes to be back before the season ends. Gogola enters the year with 759 points.
Lisle
Coach: Nick Balaban (12th season).
Last season’s record: 21-12 overall, 9-5 in the Illinois Central Eight (3rd place).
Top returners: Ally Doering, sr., G; Ally Russell, jr., F; Ireland Weaver, soph., G.
Key newcomers: Aminah Muhammad, soph., G; Brooke Russell, soph., F/G; Sarah Manukonda, jr., F; Erin Bradley, jr., G/F.
Worth noting: Balaban guided the Lions to their first Class 2A regional championship since 2020 last season – a 50-29 victory over Julian. His teams have captured 4 regional titles in 11 seasons, and last year’s squad eclipsed the 20-win mark for the fourth time in Balaban’s tenure. Doering, a 3-year varsity player, started 32 of 33 games a year ago, and will be the captain this season. “Ally will be expected to carry a good portion of the load offensively as she has the ability to knock down the 3,” said Balaban. Russell, who came on strong last season as a sophomore, can knock down perimeter shots and provide a defensive presence on the interior, while Weaver will play point guard. “She is a complete player who will share the ball and defend while providing overall stability,” said the coach. Muhammad will be relied upon as a premier defender, while Brooke Russell lends versatility at all positions. “While we’re young with only one senior, three juniors, and six sophomores on the roster, our goals and expectations are to contend for the top spot in the Illinois Central Eight,” added the coach. Lisle opens its season at home against Tinley Park on Nov. 18 before participating at the Ridgewood Invite Nov. 20-21, 23, and 27.
Metea Valley
Coach: Nate Gehrt (first season).
Last season’s record: 5-20 overall, 0-10 in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Top returners: Arainna Hammons, sr., G; Sreehi Duggirala, sr., F; Kelly Clish, sr., F; Annie Burk, jr., G; Sydney Quival, sr., G.
Key newcomers: Payton Giannone, frosh., G; Jailyn Cutts, frosh., G.
Worth noting: Gehrt, who spent the past 5 seasons coaching in the boys’ program at the sophomore level, takes over as varsity girls basketball head coach. He was an assistant girls basketball coach at Waubonsie Valley for several years when Kris Kalivas was the head coach. Now, Kalivas is an assistant for Gehrt at Metea Valley. Gehrt is excited for his two freshmen – Giannone and Cutts. “They’re very talented,” said the coach. “Payton, who will be starting, is going to be fun to watch.” The Mustangs suffered a key injury to senior guard Skyler Fleury this past week. “Skyler was going to be a key contributor for us this year,” said Gehrt. “She suffered a knee injury that will sideline her for the season.” Metea Valley opens its season against Addison Trail on Nov. 19 at the Hinsdale Central/Brenda Whitesell Tournament.
Montini
Coach: Shannon Spanos
Last season’s record: 30-8 overall, 5-2 GCAC (second place), third in Class 3A.
Top returning players: Nikki Kerstein, sr., G; Natalie Gartlan, sr., G; Audrey Kinney, sr., F; Lily Spanos, sr., G; Peyton Farrell, sr., G/F; Lauren Mellish, sr., F.
Worth noting: Victoria Matulevicius has graduated, but Montini has six seniors back from last year’s team that finished third in Class 3A. Leading the way is Kerstein, a Missouri recruit and one of the top point guards in the state. Kerstein, first team IBCA All-State and honorable mention AP All-State as a junior, averaged 14.6 points and 4.2 assists last season and has scored 1,516 points in her high school career. She’s joined by Gartlan, a senior guard committed to Millikin. Also back is Kinney, who averaged 3.3 points last season, and 3-point shooter Spanos, who averaged 4.1 points. Farrell came back from an injury at midseason to average 3.3 points and four rebounds. Mellish will shore up the middle of the defense off the bench.
A challenging schedule will include a trip to Indiana with the Montini boys team to play at the Hoosier gym, and a trip to Detroit to play the highly-rated Detroit Country Day program.
Naperville Central
Coach: Andy Nussbaum (37th season).
Last season’s record: 12-20 overall, 4-6 in the DuPage Valley (5th place).
Top returners: Erin Hackett, jr., G; Tessa Williams, sr., G; Annebelle Kritzer, soph., C; Emily Moran, sr., G; Allison Opalka, sr., F; Colette McInerney, jr., G; Abigail Gadomski, sr., F/C; Rosie Whitaker, sr., G.
Key newcomers: Alayna Anwar, soph., G/F; Madeline Brown, jr., G/F.
Worth noting: The Redhawks return 3 starters from a year ago, including 5-foot-7 shooting guard Hackett, who has scored 800-plus points in her first 2 years on varsity. “Erin is our main cog,” said Nussbaum, the dean of area coaches who has guided the Huskies to 17 regional titles and a pair of Class AA state championships (2003 and 2004). Williams is expected to be one of the team’s top defenders, while the 6-3 ½ Kritzer is “still growing” according to Nussbaum. “Annabelle can play inside and outside,” said the coach. Naperville Central once again will face a rugged schedule that includes Loyola, St. Charles North, Lake Park, Waubonsie Valley, Vernon Hills (at Lake Zurich Exam Jam), and appearances in the Naperville Central/Benet Tip Off Tournament and Dundee-Crown Holiday Tournament. “I’m cautiously optimistic,” said Nussbaum. “We’ll have to rebound the ball better, and the team needs to make its open shots. I’m not sure we’ll be able to pressure teams, but I’m not sure teams will be able to pressure us, either.” Nussbaum, who ranks 8th all-time among IHSA girls basketball coaches with 733 wins, has learned one important thing over the years. “It’s so much about matchups at the high school level,” he said.
Naperville North
Coach: Aly Miller (second season).
Last season’s record: 15-16 overall, 4-6 in the DuPage Valley (3rd place).
Top returners: Anna Richards, sr., G; Natalie Frempong, jr., G; Ava Podkasik, soph., F.
Key newcomers: Sam Kelly, jr., G; Ema Gilvydis, jr., G; Sydney Smith, frosh., G.
Worth noting: The list of Huskies’ returnees is headed by 5-foot-7 backcourt standout Frempong, who earned unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference honors last season. Richards (5-8) and Podkasik (5-7) were named as all-DVC honorable mention picks a year ago and will bring talent and experience to the mix. Podkasik is one of 10 sophomores on the varsity roster. A year ago, the Huskies defeated Plainfield South (52-47) in the Class 4A regional semifinals before falling to Benet (60-31) in the regional finals. Naperville North, which won the regional title in 2022, opens its season against Lincoln-Way East on Nov. 19 at the Hinsdale South/Brenda Whitesell Thanksgiving Tournament.
Neuqua Valley
Coach: Mike Williams (28th season).
Last season’s record: 19-11 overall, 8-2 in DuPage Valley (2nd place).
Top returners: Nalia Clifford, jr., G; Michayla Stone, jr., C; Quinn Sigal, soph., G; Taylor Dobry, jr., G.
Key newcomers: Emmerson McManis, soph., G; Olivia Beaman, soph., G/F.
Worth noting: Can the Wildcats get over the proverbial hump in down-to-the-wire games this season? A year ago, Neuqua Valley finished with a 2-9 mark in games decided by 6 points or less, including 1- and 2-point losses to rival Waubonsie Valley, and 2- and 3-point losses to Benet Academy – the latter coming in the Class 4A regional finals (47-44). Williams welcomes back plenty of talent, led by 5-foot-8 guard Clifford, who scored 10 points against Benet in the regional championship, and 6-2 post player Stone. McManis and Beaman figure to add depth to the backcourt. Williams has guided the Wildcats to 12 regional titles and 3 sectional crowns, highlighted by Neuqua’s 2nd-place state finish in 2001 and 3rd-place showing in 2002. Neuqua opens its season at Trinity on Nov. 19.
St. Francis
Coach: Jeff Gerdeman (11th season).
Last season’s record: 17-16 overall, 6-0 in the GCAC White (1st place).
Top returners: Riley Austin, sr., G; Marianna Golden, sr., F; Arianna Naples, sr., G; Tea Rubino, sr., G; Mia Quaranta, jr., G; Ashley Powell, jr., F.
Key newcomers: Agata Romero, jr., F; Shania Smith, jr., F; Hannah Grivetti, soph., F; Alyssa Freeman, frosh., G; Talia Engesser, frosh., F.
Worth noting: The Spartans lost 3 starters and their top bench player from last year’s squad that captured their first Class 3A regional title since 2016 with a 43-33 win over Westinghouse. The Spartans’ postseason run ended in a 52-38 sectional semifinal loss to eventual 3rd-place state finisher Montini. However, they return 3-year varsity players Austin and Rubino, their top two scorers from a year ago. The 5-foot-10 Austin received multiple awards last season, including All-Area, and is drawing interest from numerous schools. Gerdeman expects Golden, Naples, Quaranta, and Powell to take over key roles after having complementary duties last season. Naples is also drawing interest from multiple colleges. The Spartans begin their season on Nov. 19 at the Brenda Whitesell/Hinsdale South Thanksgiving Tournament.
Timothy Christian
Coach: Jill Groenewold (sixth season).
Last season’s record: 13-17 overall, 1-5 in the Chicagoland Christian (5th place).
Top returners: Sami Drye, sr., G; Allison Dishman, sr., G.
Key newcomers: Els Vanden Berg, soph., F/C.
Worth noting: The Trojans will compete for their second year in the Chicagoland Christian, hoping to improve on last season’s finish. A young team last year, Timothy looks to build and mature as a team. Drye, a 5-foot-4 shooting guard, and 5-5 Dishman are the Trojans’ lone seniors. Groenewold expects Drye, entering her 4th varsity season, to bring a wealth of experience to the group. Vanden Berg enjoyed a great summer in the paint, according to the coach, and has added new skills. Juniors Maria Pozol-Niego (G), Sienna Azzarino (G), Laney Romano (F), and Emily White (F) figure to lend speed and sound defense, along with a core of 4 sophomores – Annika Lemkuil (G), Mia Schilf (G), Brooklynn Hanchett (F), and Vanden Berg, who saw a lot of playing time as freshmen last season. Timothy Christian, which has captured 3 Class 2A regional titles in the past 4 seasons, opens against Christian Liberty on Nov. 18.
Waubonsie Valley
Coach: Brett Love (eighth season).
Last season’s record: 32-5 overall, 10-0 in the DuPage Valley Conference (1st place), 4th-place Class 4A state finish.
Top returners: Danyella Mporokoso, jr., G; Lily Newton, sr., F; Arie Garcia, jr., G; Maya Pereda, soph., G.
Key newcomers: No newcomers.
Worth noting: The Warriors enjoyed their best-ever season a year ago, recording a school-record 32 victories on the way to a 4th-place Class 4A state showing. Along the way, Waubonsie won its share of down-to-the-wire games in the postseason, highlighted by its 63-61 sectional championship win over Benet Academy and 55-53 supersectional triumph over top-seeded Alton. Mporokoso, a 5-8 guard, has unlimited shooting range, while the 5-11 Newton helps in unlimited ways. Garcia and Pereda offer backcourt experience. Waubonsie earned a pair of holiday tourney titles, winning at York during Thanksgiving before capturing the Wheaton North Falcon Classic last December. The Warriors open their season against St. Charles East on Nov. 18 at the York tournament. Love needs 14 victories to become the winningest girls basketball coach in school history.
West Chicago
Coach: Mark Fitzgerald
Last season’s record: 23-8, third place in Upstate Eight
Top returners: Jasmyn Trigueros, sr., G; Elina Velasco, sr., G
Key newcomers: Alexis Leszczewicz, jr., G; Giselle Barriera, so., G
Worth noting: Trigueros enters her senior season with 1,543 points taking aim for 2,000 in her career. Fitzgerald calls her an outstanding leader and student-athlete, the best he has ever coached. Last year’s 23 wins were the second best in school history. Fitzgerald expects this year’s Wildcats to be, “a young, quick and exciting team that will play an aggressive and fast-paced style of play.”
Westmont
Coach: Thomas White (fourth season).
Last season’s record: 16-17 overall, 2-4 in the Metro Suburban (3rd place).
Top returners: Payeton Pickens, sr., G; Danielle Hoover, sr., G/F; Dasha Savchuck, sr., F; Sadie Scales, jr., C.
Key newcomers: Gwyn Jindra, frosh., G; Z’nijay Threat, frosh., C; Aaliyah Harris, frosh., F.
Worth noting: The Sentinels earned their first Class 2A regional championship since 2016 with a 50-32 victory over a 15-1 Carver team last season before falling to Phillips (63-31) in the sectional semifinals. Pickens, a 5-foot-6 guard, returns as the floor leader. The 4-year starter is approaching the 1,000-point career milestone. Westmont will field its share of height with Hoover (5-9), Scales (5-11), Threat (5-10), and Harris (5-9) on the roster. “This is the first time in five years that Westmont has a varsity roster made up of seniors and juniors,” said White. “Additionally, more than 10 players have been playing together since middle school, creating a strong bond that should serve them well on the court.” Westmont opens its season on Nov. 21 against Latin at the Chicago Christian Thanksgiving Tournament.
Wheaton Academy
Coach: Kurt Vahle (first season).
Last season’s record: 17-10 overall, 10-4 in the Chicagoland Christian Conference.
Top returners: Abby Schroeder, sr., C; Katelyn Kulesza, sr., G; Calla Brust, jr., F.
Key newcomers: Ava Biagini, frosh, G; Halle Van Zee, soph., G/F.
Worth noting: Vahle takes over at the helm for Erin Carwell after serving as an assist last season. The Warriors enjoyed a solid 2023-24 campaign that ended with a 43-29 first-round Class 3A regional loss to St. Viator. Wheaton Academy begins its season against Glenbard East on Nov. 18 before hosting Yorkville Christian, Amundsen, and East Moline United in their own Thanksgiving tournament Nov. 20-22.
Wheaton North
Coach: Tyler Bantz
Last season’s record: 19-13, 5-9 DuKane Conference, lost in regional championship in 2OT.
Top returning players: Sara Abdul, sr., G; Anna Leicht, sr., G/F; Brigitte Noyes, sr., F; Addie Sutton, so., G; Leah Roe, sr., F.
Top new players: Brea Moore, fr., G; Maya Merrifield, fr., G.
Worth noting: The Falcons lost four key contributors from last year’s team, but has some experience returning with players expected to jump into bigger roles. Abdul, who averaged 17.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists last year, is a three-year all-conference player who can score from anywhere on the floor. Leicht, who averaged 2.2 points, is a two-year starter who can shoot from deep and Noyes, who also averaged 2.2 points, had a great first half of the season last year until an injury. Sutton has made huge strides in her game including becoming a legitimate deep threat, and Roe will be a strong leadership presences while contributing on both ends of the floor. Freshman guards Moore and Merrifield are talented and are expected to play key minutes right away.
Wheaton Warrenville South
Coach: Kasey Alderman
Last season’s record: 17-16 overall, 6-8 DuKane Conference, lost to Batavia in regional final.
Top returning players: Emily Troia, sr., G; Brooke Ittersagen, sr., G; Marley Carbonaro, jr., F; Abby Keighron, jr., G; McKenna Bloodworth, so., F; Lucy Jethani, jr., G.
Top new players: Shea Carver, sr., G.
Worth noting: The Tigers are returning a good dose of experience, two starters that have started together for three years now. If Troia, committed to play at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, is able to return from a torn ACL that adds another player with that experience. Troia is a player who sees the floor well, is quick and a good defender. Ittersagen, committed to play soccer at Wheaton College, is a tough-nosed kid, Carbonaro a lengthy forward with versatility and Keighron a solid shooter. Carver, a transfer from Montini committed to the University of St. Francis, is a good distributor and versatile.
”Last year was my first year as head coach and they had quite a few changes to offense and defense. Now in year two they have more experience with the system and what we are running,” Alderman said. “Overall this group has good chemistry that I expect will translate to the court.”
Willowbrook
Coach: Daniel Bannon
Last season’s record: 13-18 overall, 8-4 (third) West Suburban Gold.
Top returning players: Ayanni Gusman, sr., G; Loralai McIntyre, sr., F; Kendall Medinger, sr., G; Kristin Woods, sr., F; Joely Maciewski, jr., F/G.
Top new players: Jada Langston, so., G/F.
Worth noting: The Warriors look for improvement and to contend for a conference title with two returning starters and four seniors in an experienced starting lineup. Gusman is a returning all-conference guard who started every game at point guard for Willowbrook last season and led the team in minutes played, bringing athleticism, a strong skill set and high basketball IQ. McIntyre, another returning starter, is a reliable and stabilizing force in the post with an improved outside shot that could be a consistent double-double player. Medinger was the first guard off the bench last year transitioning to a full-time starter and a good 3-point shooter with a high basketball IQ. Woods is a high-energy player whose skill set Bannon said has improved dramatically. Maciewski is another high-energy, athletic player with the ability to play inside and outside. Langston is yet another athletic, high-energy player with potential that can play multiple positions on offense with the ability to defend all five positions.
York
Coach: Brandon Collings
Last season’s record: 16-14 overall, 8-4 (third) West Suburban Silver.
Top returning players: Anna Filosa, sr., G; Olivia Silkaitis, jr., F; Ellie Kehoe, jr., G; Kayla Callahan, jr., G; Avery Larma, so., G; Cate Carter, so., G; Amelie van Heukelum, jr., F; Gabby Sutter, sr., G.
Top new players: Briley O’Brien, so., G; Maggie Mikucki, so., F; Paige Byrne, jr., G.
Worth noting: Filosa, a four-year varsity player and the Dukes’ leading scorer last season is one of two returning starters for a young, but athletic and quick York team. Filosa, a 5-foot-9 guard, averaged 13.5 points as a junior. Silkaitis, a 5-foot-10 forward, started every game for York as a sophomore last season and averaged 5.0 points and a team-high 4.5 rebounds. Kehoe, Callahan, Larma, Carter and van Heukelum all came off the bench last season. O’Brien will take over as the Dukes’ point guard and Collings believes will be one of the best point guards in the area this year as a sophomore.
“Our athleticism will allow us to push the tempo both offensively and defensively, which should make us a tough team to beat this year,” Collings said.
– Joshua Welge from Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview