Fox girls basketball notes: Elgin duo making history

Elgin junior Izzie Castro has put herself into the IHSA and National Federation of High School record books, while teammate Jocelyn Bardesi has done something nobody else has in the last 125 years.

Castro broke the IHSA state record for most 3-point field goal attempts in season. To start the week she had attempted 385 threes, breaking former Waubonsie Valley standout and longtime Elgin foe Ashley Luke’s old record. Elgin coach Dr. Nick Bumbales noted Castro broke the record against Fenton, a team known for its affinity for launching shots from beyond 19 feet, 9 inches. The Bison hold the record for most 3-pointers attempted in a season with more than 1,900.

Castro is currently fifth all-time in the nation (NFHS) for 3-point field goal attempts.

Bardesi recently was honored for being the first athlete, male or female, to be a four-year varsity captain in the 125-year history of Elgin High athletics, Bumables noted.

Other Elgin recent remarkables include junior Mahitha Ratakonda scoring 22 points and snaring 10 rebounds and junior Kelly Taruc scoring 12 against Fenton.

Burlington Central update: Central started the week 13-13 overall and 9-7 and in fifth place in the Fox Valley Conference. Senior Emma Payton averages 11.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and is shooting .842 from the foul line. Senior Emersyn Fry is averaging 10 points and is one of the Rockets’ top defenders with 61 steals and 58 deflections. Freshman Audrey LaFleur averages 6.8 points and also has 63 steals and 50 deflections on the defensive side.

Dundee-Crown update: Monica Sierzputowski is averaging around 14 points a contest for the Chargers (6-19, 7th Fox Valley).

Geneva update: Coach Sarah Meadows has been thrilled with the recent play of Leah Palmer, Caroline Madden and Kinsey Gracey. The Vikings (19-8 overall, 12-2 in DuKane play) beat St. Charles North on Tuesday for sole possession of second.

Jacobs update: Senior Cam Cook averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds during a recent 4-game stretch for Jacobs (7-17 overall 4-11 Fox Valley to start the week).

Kaneland update: A midweek battle against Sycamore was for the Interstate Eight title. Both teams were 8-1 heading into that matchup. The Knights were 21-8 overall to start the week and on a 7-game winning streak.

Kendra Brown, a junior, had 26 points, 11 steals and 8 rebounds, nearly pulling off an odd triple-double against Rochelle. Lexi Schueler had 27 points against Morris and rattled off a career-high 28 points against Geneseo. Coach Brian Claesson labels Emily Kunzer as the team’s best all-around defender and leading rebounder. Brown is 17 points shy of 1,000 for her career with a year-plus to play.

Larkin update: One of the hotter girls basketball teams heading into this week has been Larkin. The Royals had won 8 of their last 10 and stood at 16-12 overall and in fourth place in the Upstate Eight Conference at 10-6. Larkin is led by the likes of Mia Carter (12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals), Sanaii McPherson (12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals) and Gabby Ploche (10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals).

“Mia, Sanaii and Gaby have been the bulk of our team for the scoring load,” coach Steve Knapp explained. “They play a ton of minutes and have helped with our win streak lately.”

Knapp also likes how Yesi and McKenzie Wemkem have played recently. “Yesi and McKenzie have been hitting many 3s for us as well and help open up the floor,” he said. McKenzie Wemken, in her first start against Fenton recently, hit 6 threes and scored a career-high 20 points.

Rosary update: Seniors Megan Molenhouse and Erin Murray lead the Royals (8-19, 0-7 GCAC) at around 8 points and 6 rebounds each per game. Junior Maddie Stumm leads the team in scoring at 10 points a game and also averages 5 rebounds and 3 steals.

St. Edward update: The Green Wave finished third in the first Chicagoland Christian Conference tournament with a recent win over Wheaton Academy. St. Edward (15-12) went 4-2 in CCC regular-season action.

Coach Michelle Dawson has been thrilled with her team’s improvement — St. Edward is 7-3 since Christmas and brought a 3-game winning streak into this week. Freshman Savannah Lynch averages 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds, while sophomore Jordin Sauls is at 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Junior Maggie Jarzemsky averages 5.2 points and 6.9 rebounds.

South Elgin update: Molly Stahl has stepped things up for the Storm (7-21 overall, 5-11 UEC) of late. “Molly has taken on some big shoes lately for a sophomore because our point guard has been injured,” coach Emily Driessen explained. “She is finding a way to set things up and be a key contributor on the offensive end for us.” Taleah Banner also has been consistent, averaging 9.2 points over a recent 5-game span.

St. Charles North update: The North Stars sat at 24-3 overall to start the week, winners of 5 in a row and 12 of their last 13.

Defense is a key talking point for coach Mike Tomczak’s squad. The Stars limited opponents to an average of 32 points during a recent 5-game spell, while Reagan Sipla, Laney Stark and Lelani Posada have been exceptional for North recently. Stark broke her own school record for steals in a season and steals in a single game last week.

“Reagan continues to lead us offensively,” Tomczak said. “She has been attacking the basket and crashing the glass. Laney has been outstanding on both sides of the floor, but her defense has been remarkable. Lelani has been giving us a huge lift off the bench over the past few weeks. She has been handling pressure and knocking down shots down the stretch.”

Notable Fox Valley Postseason Sectional Seeds

Class 4A: Batavia (1), St. Charles North (2), Huntley (2), Geneva (3), St. Charles East (4)

Class 3A: Cary-Grove (2), Kaneland (2), Burlington Central (4)

Class 2A: ACC (4)

Class 1A: St. Edward (2), Harvest Christian (3)