Scouting Cook County girls holiday tournaments

Bill Neibch Falcon Classic

When Dec. 19, 21, 22, 23

Where Wheaton North High School

Teams (Top eight in seeding order) Hinsdale Central, Elk Grove, Hersey, Waubonsie Valley, Downers Grove South, Glenbrook South, Jacobs, LyonsTownship, Elgin, Wheaton North, Glenbard South, Willowbrook, West Aurora, Schaumburg, Glenbard North, St. Charles East

Favorite Hinsdale Central

Sleeper Glenbrook South

Outlook Hersey (6-3) has a big test at Wheeling today at 730 p.m. Both teams are 2-0 in the Mid-Suburban East. Less than 16 hours after the game, the Huskies will be back on the court to face Elgin at 9 a.m. in the opening game of this tournament. " I think it's going to be more competitive than ever this year," said Huskies coach Mary Fendley. "If we get by Elgin, we will really have our hands full trying to defend GBS (8-2). They are really playing well, and will be hard to beat." Point guard Julia Fredian suffered a wrist injury last Friday against Buffalo Grove. "We're hopeful that Julia will be ready play," Fendley said. " If not, that will affect our game plans. I think we'll be successful if we are able to find scorers inside and out, regardless of the opponent." The Huskies have won the tournament twice under Fendley and have always finished higher than their seeding. "I'm really proud of how our team always seems to step up for this tournament,"Fendley said. "And, as usual, our goal will be to out-perform our seed." Maine West Tip-Off Classic Co-MVP Megan Rogowski, a high-scoring junior guard (21 ppg), joins Maddie Swan (9.8 ppg), Fredian (8.9 ppg), Kathryn Korff, Eileen Zydek, Andrea Perkins and others in the Huskies' versatile rotation.

Elk Grove, under second-year coach Ryan Kirkorsky, has earned its highest seed in the 16-team tourney. Hersey defeated Elk Grove 49-37 two weeks ago in Arlington Heights. The Grenadiers (8-2), who host Prospect (10-1) today, feature two Division I recruits in 6-foot Ashley Capotosto (St. Bonaventure) and 6-4 Courtney Lindfors (Wisconsin Milwaukee). The Grens face Willowbrook at 130 p.m. today. Hersey defeated Elk Grove 49-37 two weeks ago in Arlington Heights. Rookie coach Ashley Berggren, a former Barrington and University of Illinois basketball standout, makes her first appearance in the tourney with a Saxons team (2-8) that features veteran point guard Taylor Kosla, who has been in double figures the last three games. Sophomore Alyssa Saklak has scored double-digits in the Saxons' last four games, including a season-high 14 points against Lincoln-Way East. The Saxons face No. 5 seed Downers Grove North today at 430 p.m.

Blue Devil Classic

When Dec. 19, 21, 22, 23, 26

Where Warren High School

Teams Gold pool Wheeling, Deerfield, Carmel, Lake Forest; Blue pool Niles North, Palatine, Warren, Grayslake Central

Favorite Wheeling

Sleeper Warren

Outlook Wheeling (8-1, 2-0) has a big test with visiting Hersey (6-3, 2-0) today at 730 p.m. and then starts defense of its Warren tourney championship on Saturday. Coach Shelly Wiegel brings the Wildcat to Gurnee for the fifth straight year. They are looking for a third straight crown and fourth overall. In 2006, they were the runners-up. The two-time defending Mid-Suburban League champs feature three veteran standouts in Janelle Cannon (Minnesota recruit), Bianca Szafarowicz (Truman State University recruit) and Stephanie Kuzmanic, who are trying to win their 20th straight game in the MSL East tonight. The Wildcats open the tourney at 6 p.m. today against Lake Forest, which fell to Elk Grove 50-31 last week. Palatine opens play Saturday at 430 p.m. against Niles North. Coach Leslie Schock's Pirates take a 2-6 record in tonight's game against Barrington. Guard Katie Mnichowicz has produced some high-scoring games, including 23 points against Cary Grove.

Dundee-Crown tournament

When Dec 26, 28, 29, 30

Where Dundee-Crown High School (Carpentersville)

First-round games Prospect vs. Honenegah, 10 a.m.; Mother McAuley vs. St. Charles North, 1130 a.m.; Dundee-Crown vs. Fenwick, 1 p.m.; Evanston vs. Fremd, 230 p.m.; Naperville Central vs. Regina, 4 p.m.; Maine West vs. Johnsburg, 530 p.m.; Bartlett vs. Buffalo Grove, 7 p.m.; New Trier vs. Resurrection, 830 p.m.

Favorite Fenwick

Sleeper Naperville Central

Outlook Maine West coach Derril Kipp has brought his team to the Charger Classic since 1985 and the Warriors have won five titles, second best to Fenwick's eight crowns. West's last title was in 1998. The Warriors (5-6), led by seniors Megan O'Neill, Sam Acosta, Alli Ellwood and Ellen Coogan, open with Johnsburg at 530 p.m. "Johnsburg is fast," Kipp said about the Skyhawks, who fell 69-67 to Wheeling earlier this season. "They like to pressure you, run and they have a couple of good shooting guards," said the Hall of Famer Kipp, who is 5 wins away from 700 for his career. Other local entries are Fremd, Prospect and Buffalo Grove. Coach Dave Yates' Vikings (7-3) open with Evanston at 230 p.m. Seniors Taylor Glassmann and Gianna Abruzzo lead the Mid-Suburban West leaders (2-0) who visit Schaumburg today. That duo combined for 34 points in a win over Lake Zurich. Martha Kelly's Knights started the started the season with nine straight wins and stand at 10-1 after a double overtime win over Stevenson, 50-46, in Mount Prospect Wednesday night. They travel to Elk Grove today, trying to run their record to 3-0 in the MSL East. Senior Lexi Glennon is one of the top defenders in the area and also is a dangerous scorer. Sisters Rachel (6-0 senior) and Sarah Hunt (6-2 junior) provide strong inside play. The Hunts, Glennon, Ashley Wabik, Alyssa Baker and Sarah Winans have all produced double-figure scoring games this season while Marissa Pettenuzzo is also a scoring threat. Pat Dudle's Buffalo Grove Bison will start against Bartlett at 7 p.m. The Bison top scorers are KC Dunne, Heather Nisbet, Andrea DiPrima and Stacy Lialios. Freshman Bailey North has shown promise. Making her first varsity start against New Trier, the 6-foot forward scored 11 points.

Five-time defending champion Fenwick will begin its quest for anther crown in the Daily Herald sponsored event against host Dundee-Crown at 1 p.m. Under legendary coach Dave Power, Fenwick won last year's title 61-53 over New Trier. Back from that team is all-stater Trish Liston, who has committed to Duke. Liston scored 22 points and had 7 rebounds in the title game last year. The 1130 a.m. game will pit Mother McAuley against St. Charles North in a matchup of last year's third-place game teams, a game won by McAuley 49-44. Undefeated Naperville Central (11-0) plays Regina at 4 p.m. Fenwick, New Trier, Naperville Central and Mother McAuley are the top four seeds.

Mundelein tournament

When Dec 19, 21, 22, 23, 26

Where Mundelein High School

Teams Pool A Huntley, Mundelein, Prairie Ridge, Zion-Benton; Pool B Waukegan, Hoffman Estates, Grant, Rockford Auburn; Pool C Conant, Vernon Hills, Glenbrook North, Libertyville; Pool D Belvidere, Cary Grove, Rolling Meadows, Streamwood

Favorite Cary-Grove

Sleeper Hoffman Estates

Outlook In their first appearance in this tournament, coach Mike Nocella's Hawks won the championship with a 5-0 record, defeating Mundelein for the crown last December. Cary-Grove, expected to be a contender for the title this year, was third last season. Two years ago, the Hawks went 5-0 while claiming the championship of the McHenry tournament in Nocella's first season at Hoffman. "We'd like to defend the title," said the former Prospect coach, whose team is 7-3 and 1-1 in the MSL West with a road trip to Conant today. "But if we go 4-1 or better I'll be very happy. All the teams are competitive here. If someone comes to play, they can upset anyone." Senior Megan Bernardoni, junior Jada Stotts and junior Precious Ogunleye have been top scorers for the Hawks while Kelsey Lukowicz and Mary Pettit steer the offense in the backcourt. Hoffman faces Waukegan at 130 p.m. Saturday. Coach Dan Travers' Conant Cougars and Todd Hatfield's Rolling Meadows Mustangs are also representing the Mid-Suburban League in this 16-team event. The Cougars Ashley Lindeman is a senior floor leader. Teammates Kim Davis, Kelsey McMahon, Kelly Lomas and Alyssa Rawleigh have also all enjoyed double-figure scoring games. Conant (3-6) starts the tourney on Saturday at 330 p.m. against Liberyville. Meadows (4-4) has been led by junior guard Madelynn Conlin, who tossed in a career-high 17 points when the Mustangs defeated Mundelein 46-44 earlier this season. Kelly Adair had 15 against Glenbrook North while Ann Marie Lynch popped in 12 in that same 52-29 victory. Meadows, which hosts Buffalo Grove today, begins play in this tourney against Streamwood at 330 p.m. Saturday.

27th annual Snowflake Tournament

When Dec. 19, 21, 22, 23, 26

Where St. Viator High School

Teams Pool A Guerin Prep, Highland Park, Northside College Prep, Elmwood Park; Pool B St. Viator, Fenton, Leyden, Maine East

Favorite St. Viator

Sleeper Highland Park

Outlook The tournament dates back to the early 1980s when former Sacred Heart co-coaches Jeff Jedd and Pete Sauter started it off at the former all-girls school across the street from Rolling Meadows High School. The host Lions are enjoying one of their best starts under coach Paul Bjerkness. They are 3-1 in the East Suburban Conference and 7-4 overall. Bjerkness has guided the Lions to two straight championships in the Snowflake after going third in his first season. "We are hoping to be successful in this tournament again," he said. "The girls have to play good basketball and clean up some mistakes we have been making." The Lions' offense has been balanced. The only player averaging double figures is Ronnie Mack at 11.2 per game. She is shooting 72 percent from the free throw line and has 3 3 -pointers. Mary Calov leads the team with 6 3-pointers.

Suburban Holiday Showcase

When Dec 19, 21, 22, 26, 28

Where Stevenson (19), Lake Zurich (21), Niles West (22), Loyola (26), Trinity (28)

Teams Loyola, Niles West, Lake Zurich, Trinity, Stevenson vs Barrington

Favorite Trinity

Sleeper Barrington

Outlook Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro's Fillies are the only area representatives in this round robin event which is played at five different schools. The Fillies (6-4), who play at Palatine today, are the only team which will not host one of the five rounds in the Suburban Holiday Showcase. Barreiro kicks off the tourney against a familiar face. She will face former BG coach Tom Dineen, who has taken over at Stevenson. The Patriots and Fillies tip off at 3 p.m. at Stevenson High School. Barrington's front line of Emily Harris, Shelby Whigham and Brooke Chandor along with guards Sarah Mass and Sam Maasarani have helped the Fillies get off to a 6-4 start and a second-place finish in the Bison Tip-Off Classic last month. Dineen's Patriots are 7-4. Center Kelsey Simon is headed to play for Miami University in Ohio. Dineen calls Kari Moffat one of the most polished freshman point guards he has coached. This tourney also features one of the state's premier sophomores, Jewell Loyd, of Niles West. The Wolverines are 9-2. Tourney favorite Trinity is 8-2.