Lake County girls basketball notes: Libertyville overcomes injuries to start strong; Mundelein, Wauconda win tourneys

When adversity tried to smack the Libertyville girls basketball team, the Wildcats smiled and showed its collective mouthguard.

Despite a rash of season-ending injuries prior to said 2025-2026 season even starting, the Wildcats are off to a 4-1 start after opening North Suburban Conference play with a win over Lake Forest Tuesday. That 4-1 ledger also includes a big win against Hersey.

Libertyville is off to its hot start despite Sophia Swanson, Grace Rasmussen and Nellie Daijka being out for the year with ACL tears, coach Greg Pedersen noted. Swanson, a returning all-conference point guard, was injured during flag football season, while Rasmussen, a dynamic freshman who Pedersen noted proved in the summer she was worthy of a top six rotation spot, tore her ACL the last day of summer camp. Dajka, another freshman who worked her way into the starting lineup last month, was injured on the first play of the team’s parent day scrimmage.

It gives new meaning to the old “next girl up” saying.

Instead of retreat, Libertyville has done the exact opposite thanks to the contributions of many. Junior standout guard Lily Fisher is her usual self, averaging 20.8 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Junior guard Elle Knight is averaging 7.8 points and 9.7 rebounds, while senior guard Ella Pawelczyk is at 7.3 points. Junior guard KateRyan Castro averages 4.5 points and freshman forward Addie Casey has been a key addition, averaging 2.5 points and 7 rebounds a contest.

“We are sharing the ball,” Pedersen said. “We want all five girls on the floor to be offensive weapons, so we have to be ready to attack or shoot to apply pressure on defenses. Lily is getting her shots off, but we want her teammates to be aggressive as well. The more aggressive we are, the better our shot opportunities become. What’s worked so far is we’ve had a different kid step up to match Lily’s offensive output. Jenna Stowe, Ella and Addie each have had a significant game for us on the offensive end.”

Freshman Casey said team leadership has played a significant factor in the team’s success.

“Our seniors are amazing and have been such a great help,” she said. “They have been a great help, they are great leaders and I look up to them. We were worried (when the three players got hurt) and felt bad for them, but they cheer us on from the bench and are so energetic. They help me when I am on the floor.”

Pedersen has been stressing two key points of emphasis, reduction of fouls committed and holding teams under 40 points a game. “The foul frequency has put us in some bad positions,” he said. “Under 40, we are not there yet (around 43). The two go together. We need to stop taking unnecessary risks on the defensive end, stay available to play without getting forced to the sideline and get stops.”

Defensively, Pedersen said things are coming along. “We’ve mixed up our defenses to show different looks,” he said. “Elle Knight has been a significant factor on the boards. The defense is a work in progress and we need more possessions where we lock down and get stops.”

Fisher agreed teamwork and a determination to move forward has fueled the Cats out of the gates this season.

“We were all definitely set back by all the injuries, but we all realized we have to step up,” she said. “I like our team energy and how positive we are towards each other. We are off to a good start because we have all worked really hard leading up to this season and hope to continue to improve more going forward.”

Antioch update: Heidi Rathmann was named to the Vernon Hills Thanksgiving all-tournament team after averaging 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds in the 5 games there. Coach Jamie D’Andrea also was pleased with sophomore Evie Baronello stepping into her role as one of the team’s ball handlers. In the first 3 games at Vernon Hills, she averaged 4.7 points and 8.3 rebounds (missed the final 2 games due to illness). “We are looking forward to Evie continuing to be an offensive threat,” said D’Andrea, whose team went 1-4 at Vernon Hills.

Carmel Catholic update: Carmel started 4-1, which included a second-place showing at the New Trier-Loyola Academy tournament. The Corsairs beat Fenwick 61-54 in double overtime in a key win there. Senior Josie Hartman (1.5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio) and freshman Liv Johnson (22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.8 steals) were named to the all-tournament team.

Carmel coach Ben Berg said Hartman’s overall floor game on both ends has stood out, as has the energy freshman Johnson brings every possession. Berg also has been impressed with junior Maliyah Mays’ on-ball defense.

Anna Chilcutt is also off to a hot start, Berg noted, shooting 50% from 3. Carmel is forcing an average of 21.4 turnovers per game.

Grant update: The Bulldogs were 2-3 at the Mundelein tournament, finishing fourth. Ryan Kadlec earned all-tournament honors there.

Grant is averaging more than 42 points a game, a 13-point improvement over the same time frame last year, coach Roger Lass noted. Lass added 4 Grant players hit for career-high points in a game, including Sienna Enters, Kadlec, Gabby Saavedra and Sophie Connealy. Lass added in addition to Kadlec, Enters and Saavedra stood out at Mundelein. Enters was one of the team leaders in points, rebounding and blocks, while Saavedra was one of the leaders in assists, steals and points.

Grayslake Central update: Central stood at 2-3 after a Tuesday nonconference win over Zion. The Rams went 1-3 at Buffalo Grove, beating Barrington and losing to Maine South, Hersey in overtime and the hosts. Peyton Hoffmann was all-tournament at Buffalo Grove.

Hoffmann is averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds. She had 10 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks against Barrington. Ava Henne has stepped into a starting role and had scoring games of 15 and 13 and is averaging 8.8 points, while continuing to play excellent defense, coach Steve Ikenn pointed out. Addi Thomas, in her first 5 games as a starter, is at 6.4 points, while Bailey Betts had 10 rebounds in the Barrington win.

Lakes update: The Eagles stood at 2-3 after a nonconference loss to Warren Township to start the week. Ryan Horvath had 12 points, while Gianna Gray had 10 points and Kenzie Knapcik had 7 points. Lakes won 2 games at Maine East during the holiday, knocking off Willowbrook and Plainfield East.

Gray, a freshman, was named to the Maine East all-tournament team. She hit double digits in 3 of the 4 games there, including a career-high 22 points in the Willowbrook win (14.8 points in the tournament). Freshman Natalie Floren is the team’s leading rebounder. She had 8 points and 12 rebounds against Willowbrook.

“We are focusing as a team on reducing the number of turnovers and increasing our field-goal percentage,” coach Grant Murray said. “We believe those are two metrics that will be key to victory. As the week went on (at Maine East), those numbers improved.”

Mundelein update: The Mustangs got off to a 5-0 start, which includes winning their own Thanksgiving tournament (42-40 over St. Viator to win it).

Senior Casey Vyverman, junior Grace Dunigan and senior Anahya Castro were named to the all-tournament team. Vyverman averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in the first 5 games, while Dunigan was at 11 points, 6 rebounds and 1.8 steals and Castro averaged 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2.8 steals. “Casey, Grace and Anahya have shown strong leadership, confidence on both ends of the floor and outright hustle,” Mundelein coach Sarah Teipel said.

Round Lake update: The Panthers went 1-2 over Thanksgiving, earning a win against Elk Grove and playing a close game with Morton.

“The tournament gave us valuable early-season experience and highlighted areas where we are making progress,” Round Lake coach Molly Hennig said. “Team-wise, we have seen encouraging signs in our defensive pressure, rebounding and overall ball movement.”

Senior Kaleigh Skowronski averages 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, highlighted by an 18-point, 7-rebound performance against Elk Grove. Sophomore Emma Franks also is off to a strong start, averaging 10 points, 4 steals, 9 deflections and 2 assists per game. She had 13 points and 5 rebounds against Morton.

“Kaleigh provide consistent scoring and rebounding, along with versatile play on both ends,” Hennig said. “Emma brought energy defensively with steals and deflections while contributing efficiently on offense. Both players have stepped up early and have already shown the ability to play multiple positions.”

Stevenson update: Reese McLelland was named to the al-tournament team at New Trier-Loyola where the Patriots recorded a strong win over Chicago Phillips and closed out the game with a good showing against a talented Fenwick team, coach Regan Carmichael noted. “Our group competed hard and made noticeable strides throughout the week.”

Carmichael said McLelland set the tone for Stevenson “with her consistency, relentlessness and ability to impact both ends of the floor,” she said. “Reese has been impactful. She brings toughness, consistency and high-level effort every day. As one of our key returners, she has helped steady our group and set a strong example for our newcomers.”

Alexa Karcz also is off to a strong start for Stevenson (1-4). “Alexa’s leadership, energy and composure have been critical, especially with a younger roster,” Carmichael said. “She continues to anchor us with her poise and competitiveness.”

Vernon Hills update: The Cougars also got off to a hot Thanksgiving start, going 4-1 in their own tournament. Vernon Hills tied for first with Rockford Guilford, but lost the tiebreaker for the tournament plaque. Vernon Hills defeated Lake Forest Academy in double overtime there.

Emma Jocson and Eve Engler were both all-tournament selections. Madison Mays is averaging 10.6 rebounds a game, while Jocson, Engler and Keira Thomas all are averaging double digits in scoring.

“Madison Mays was outstanding on the boards,” Cougars coach Paul Brettner said. “Keira had a great tournament on both sides of the ball.”

Wauconda update: It’s been a team effort out of the gates thus far for the Bulldogs, who went 3-0 in their own Thanksgiving tournament, beating teams by an average of more than 36 points a game. Wauconda outscored Rockford Jefferson, Belvidere and Woodstock North by a combined 201-91 count.

In the Jefferson win, Alessandra Rodriguez had 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Sarah Palmer had 11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals, while Sophie Giles had 10 points and 6 rebounds, Avery Geoghan had 6 points and 4 assists and Ashley Maxwell had 4 points and 5 rebounds.

Palmer had 22 points (four 3s), 8 steals and 4 rebounds in the Belvidere win, while Rodriguez had 10 points. Kelsey Funkhouser had 6 points and 5 rebounds, while Geoghan has 8 points, 3 assists and 5 steals and Alexia Manalo had 5 assists and 4 steals.

Palmer had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals in the Woodstock North win. Kelsey Piehl had 17 points (five 3s), while Manalo had 8 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals, Rodriguez had 6 points and 5 assists and Geoghan had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.