Scouting DuPage County women's basketball teams
Top area teams: Benedictine, College of DuPage, Wheaton.
Top area players: Benedictine: C Tamika Curtis, sr.; G Megan Walczak, sr.; College of DuPage: G Bonnie Nge, so.; G Shanara Jones (Naperville North), so.; F Amanda Smith (Willowbrook), so.; Elmhurst: C Brittany Bobruk (Downers Grove South), jr.; F Lyndsie Long, so.; G Candice Sutton, sr.; Wheaton: G Kathleen Fidelia, jr.; F Claire Glass, sr.; G Katie Heddell, sr.; North Central; F Brianna Parra, jr.; C Kate Schmidt, jr.; G Gia Navarra, jr.
Scouting report: The wonderful Curtis, an All-America who has averaged a double-double for her career, is back for her final season at Benedictine. She's hoping to lead the Eagles in their quest to move from second place to the top spot in the Northern Athletics Conference after the team's first 20-victory season in the school's history. "It's nice to have a player with Tamika's ability to build around," said Eagles coach Paul Nelson. "As good as she is scoring and rebounding, she makes other players better." With Walczak back from a knee injury that kept her out for most of last season, support from veterans like Tiffany Hardy and Monika Krozel and some very good newcomers, the Eagles have a good chance for the gold. "I think we have the potential to achieve some great things as a team," Nelson said. "If teams make the mistake of keying on Tamika, we can go to other options."
College of DuPage has a new coach, Chris Cotton, and a handful of players back from last year's 25-8 team that went to the semifinals of the national tournament. The Chaps were ranked No. 11 in the NJCAA preseason poll. Nge, Smith and transfer Jones are the veterans on a young but scrappy club. LaChelle Williams (Addison Trail) is a newcomer who can make a difference. "I am very optimistic about this season," Cotton said.
In the CCIW Wheaton loses three of the players who have made the Thunder a dominant force in recent years: Jill Trenz, Brittany Cooper and Elizabeth Fox. However, Fidelia is a returning all-conference player and many of the supporting crew who played significant minutes last year will move up to starring roles. The X-factor is Beth Baker, one of the most successful women's coaches in Division III college hoops, who will always have the Thunder prepared.
North Central has a mix of veterans and newcomers, led by high scorer and rebounder Parra, who garnered all-conference second-team honors, and Schmidt, who could have a breakout season in the post.
In preseason polls the pundits picked Elmhurst to finish sixth, but the Bluejays could surprise under first-year coach Tethnie Forbes. Sutton, who averaged more than 11 points a game last year, gives the team stability from the point. High scorers Bobruk and Long and rebounder Maggie McTeague are dynamic players up front, and transfer Danielle Ferrell will take over the shooting guard spot. "I certainly have high hopes for our squad this season," Forbes said. "We have a solid group of returning players, including four starters and talented recruits who should contribute immediately."
-- Neil Shalin