Lake County girls basketball outlook
Antioch Sequoits
Coach: Jamie D’Andrea (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 17-11, 9-5, third Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Enza Nawrocki, sr., Heidi Rathmann, jr., Addie Webb, jr.
Key newcomers: Scarlett Carroll, G-F, soph.
Worth noting: Antioch has 3 starters back, including Rathmann, who averaged 17.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3 steals per contest on her way to all-NLCC honors and the team’s offensive player of the year award. Webb averaged 3.5 points, 6.5 boards and 2 steals and earned team defensive player of the year, while Nawrocki was the recipient of the Sequoit Award for team leadership. “We have several players who are scoring threats because they can shoot and create offense, and we have some quickness on the defensive end that will hopefully translate into steals,” D’Andrea said. Also keep an eye on sophomore newcomer Carroll. “Heidi, Addie and Scarlett are stellar players in their own right, and when they are all on the court at the same time, I think our team will be hard to beat,” D’Andrea said. D’Andrea said defending NLCC champion Grayslake Central will contend once again. “I’d like to think we’ll be able to match their talent, and I’m hopeful we’ll finish in the top half of the NLCC,” she said.
Carmel Catholic Corsairs
Coach: Ben Berg (10th season)
Last season’s record: 16-16, 5-7, tie fourth East Suburban Catholic
Top returning players: Maia Cordova, sr., 5-5, PG, Josie Hartman, jr., 5-9, CG, Maron Bowes, jr., 5-10
Key newcomers: Maliyah Mays, soph., 5-6, SG, Grace Booher, soph., 5-7, SG, Anna Chilcutt, soph., 5-7, SG, Lucy Lamberti, soph., 6-0, C
Worth noting: Hartman (8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2 steals) and Cordova (3.5 points, 3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 2 steals) both started last year, while Bowes averaged 3 points and 3.5 rebounds off the bench. “The strengths of our team will be our overall quickness and speed,” Berg said. “Offensively, we will look to run in transition and spread the floor with guards. Defensively, we will look to pressure and create offense from our defense.” Berg said the 4 sophomore newcomers will all contribute for the Corsairs. As far as the ESCC, Berg said favorites include Benet Academy and Nazareth. “We will hopefully compete and put our best foot forward,” he said.
Grant Bulldogs
Coach: Andrea Weaver (4th season)
Last season’s record:11-17, 7-7 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Lily Capulong, sr., 5-3, PG, Madelyn Dunskis, sr., 5-7, SG, Ryan Kadlec, jr., 5-11, C
Key newcomer: Sienna Enters, fresh., 5-11, PF
Outlook: Grant has 3 starters back and will put to use strong communication and a good read of the floor, Weaver noted. “We are a very fast-paced team that likes to push the ball and keep the game moving quickly,” she said. “We have a very versatile offensive team with strong shooters, strong rebounders and quick speed. Our defense is scrappy and intense with good communication and ball pressure.” Capulong is in her fourth season, while Dunskis is starting her third. “Lily is a strong leader with a great read on the floor,” Weaver said. “Madelyn has a sharp shot and plays strong defense. She pressures the ball with intensity that seems to throw players off.” Weaver said Grayslake Central is the team to beat in the conference. “With that being said, I think our team this year has so much chemistry already,” she said. “They work incredibly hard and have so much heart and hustle. We had a great summer run and I would not be surprised to see that run continue into the season.”
Grayslake Central Rams
Coach: Steve Ikenn (14th season)
Last year’s record: 27-7, 14-0, Northern Lake County champions, 3A sectional champion
Top returning players: Madison Hofmann, sr., 6-1, F-G, Annie Wolff, sr., 5-7, G, Peyton Hoffmann, soph., 6-1, G-F, Katelyn Marcelain, sr., 5-11, F, Mosey Drevline, jr., 5-6, G
Key newcomers: Autumn Aliff, soph., 5-5, G
Worth noting: The defending Northern Lake County champions bring a ton of firepower back — as in its entire starting lineup — with the likes of 2023-2024 NLCC player of the year and IBCA Class 3A all-state second-team pick Hoffmann (16.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.5 steals), Wolff (11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3A all-state honorable mention), Hoffmann (8.2 points, 5.5 rebounds as a 9th grader), Marcelain (6.3 points, 6 rebounds) and Drevline (4.3 points, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals). All five were Daily Herald All-Area selections a year ago. Hoffmann, who crashed the 1,000 career point mark last year and is a four-year starter and three-year captain, is signed with Division I Wisconsin-Green Bay. Central has a total of 10 players back from last year’s 3A supersectional team. “Our chemistry, experience and depth can be strengths for us,” Ikenn noted. “Having the core group playing together for a few years now has allowed them to go through numerous challenges in terms of tough competition and big games. Those experiences will hopefully help us get through the ups and downs of a long season with a tough schedule. We also are a versatile team with some size and speed.” Ikenn said Grant, Antioch and Wauconda should be notable in the league. “If we stay healthy, I would hope we would be in the mix, too,” he said.
Grayslake North Knights
Coach: Maggie Mahar (1st season)
Last season’s record: 8-23, 4-10 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Lucy Roscoe, jr., 5-7, G, Jane Pritchard, jr., 5-4, G, Mikayla Gumapas, sr., 5-6, G, Ashlynn Stoneham, soph., 5-8, G
Key newcomers: Chloe Strebel, fresh., 5-10, F, Mia Gumapas, fresh., 5-4, G
Worth noting: Roscoe was an all-NLCC pick last year, leading North in scoring and assists. Mikayla Gumapas led the team in rebounds, while Stoneham was the team leader in steals and one of North’s top scorers. First-year North head coach Mahar has 4 starters back. “This team is full of girls who are ready to learn and work together,” she said. “The girls receive feedback and criticism really well and use the input to make adjustments to their game. That is a huge component of a strong team. They have done a great job encouraging and supporting one another through these first 2 weeks of practices. We’re excited to see the ways they grow together.” Ball movement continues to improve for the Knights on the offensive end, while defensive principles are starting to sink in, Mahar noted. “We have some great competition in our conference and are looking to compete with everyone,” she said. “We had 4 wins in conference last year so we are hoping to improve from there.”
Lakes Eagles
Coach: Grant Murray (2nd season)
Last year’s record: 11-18, 7-7, fourth Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Kaylee Anderson, sr., 5-9, F, Emily Ovaska, sr., 6-0, F, Adey Martin, sr., 5-9, G-F, Kaylie Schneider, sr., 5-6, G, Caitlin Bloom, sr., 5-10, F
Key newcomers: Brynn Skinner, fresh., 5-9, G, Ryan Horvath, fresh., 5-7, G, Sydney Schneider, soph., 5-7, G
Worth noting: Anderson set the school rebounding mark a year ago (204), was an all-NLCC academic pick and won the team’s Phelan heart and hustle honor, while Ovaska hit the 100-point, 100-rebound mark and Martin had 121 rebounds and 24 steals. Anderson was also all-NLCC in tennis, while Ovaska was all-state in flag football and all-NLCC in softball and Martin was all-conference in volleyball this fall. Schneider and Bloom are back after battling injuries last season. “We are going to be a gritty, defensive team,” said Murray, who has two starters back. “We have some length, which should help. We are strong under the basket. Emily is our top returning scorer and we are looking for Kaylee to take on more of a scoring role.” Murray said Martin’s on- and off-ball defense “is some of the best around,” he said. “We have a high basketball IQ, which allows us to play multiple defenses.” Murray, who listed Grayslake Central as the conference favorite, also is watching the progress of Schneider. “if Kaylie can stay healthy, she has potential to break out in a big way.”
Lake Zurich Bears
Coach: Chris Bennett (21st season)
Last season’s record: 19-14, 10-4, third North Suburban, 4A regional champion
Top returning players: Avery Cooper, sr., 6-2, G-F, Molly Friesen, sr., 6-0, G, Alex Nowak-Tice, jr., 6-3, F, Leah Gilbertson, jr., 6-2, G, Layne Nordstrom, jr., 5-8, PG, Addie Leonard, soph., 5-8, G, Kate Wahlund, soph., 6-0, F, Ramona Foreman, sr., 5-9, G
Key newcomer: Ava Grey, jr., 6-0, F
Worth noting: Four starters and 8 of the Top 9 return from a 19-victory team that also won a 4A regional. Cooper (10 points, 8 rebuonds, 2 assists) was honorable mention all-state and is headed to Creighton, while Friesen (9 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds) is headed to Wash U in St. Louis. Nowak-Tice (6 points, 5 rebounds) and Gilbertson (7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) are also getting college interest with Gilbertson in possession of 4 Division I-II offers, Bennett noted. Nordstrom (5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) started the second half of last season. Bennett reported Cooper is at full strength after a sophomore knee injury. “She was never more than 60% last year,” he pointed out. Extrapolated out, in the Bears’ Top 8 sits 19 seasons of varsity basketball. “We have experience,” Bennett said. “As always, we play a brutal schedule. By the time the big games roll around in late January/February, we will be tough and battle-tested.” Bennett noted Lake Zurich will be big and fast on offense. “We have many weapons,” he said. “There will be no way to focus on any one kid.” The Bears will utilize man-to-man defense. “We have lots of height and speed and should be able to cause lots of problems for opposing teams,” Bennett added. The coach said Gilbertson and Nowak-Tice are stronger and more confident, Nordstrom will be the team’s table setter and Leonard will be a key sixth girl in the rotation. “Addie would be a star on any other team,” Bennett said. “This year for us she will be a valuable sixth man.”
Libertyville Wildcats
Coach: Greg Pedersen (13 th season)
Last year’s record: 30-6, 12-2, second North Suburban, Class 4A sectional champion
Top returning players: Lily Fisher, soph., 6-1, G, Madison Sears, sr., 6-2, C, Elinor Lindal, sr., 5-9, G, Sophia Cesnovar, sr., 5-4, G, Sophia Swanson, jr., 5-4, G
Key newcomer: Ella Pawelczyk, jr., 5-5, G
Worth noting: Fisher and Sears are returning starters from a Wildcats team that won a 4A sectional crown a year ago. Sears averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds and earned Daily Herald All-Area honors, while Fisher averaged 7.4 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Lindal, Cesnovar and Swanson averaged a combined 11 points and shot an aggregate 44 percent from the floor. “We have good inside-outside balance,” Pedersen said. “Madison provides size and strength inside while Lily and our team of guards should be able to play fast and with a lot of athleticism. We hope that shooting — 3s and free throws — will be a strength and we could utilize a lineup of four point guards at once, which is exciting.” Pedersen said Fisher’s perimeter and attacking game have developed quite well, while Sears “is a wise senior who does a nice job of giving us an inside scoring punch and has a smooth 15-footer,” he noted. Pedersen also is high on Lindal’s ability to attack the basket. Defense, the coach cautions, will continue to develop as the season wears on after the graduate of standouts Kate and Rachel Rule and Maddy Kopala. “We will have to work hard at the defensive end and play together — whatever defense we are in,” Pedersen said. “We are going to have to be good at the basics to have success, boxing out, guarding your hard, knowing your job. If we take care of basics, we’ll be alright.” Swanson begins her third year on varsity. “Sophia looks very comfortable on the floor and she’s put a lot of time in on her shot,” Pedersen said. Pedersen said Lake Zurich, Stevenson and Mundelein are teams to keep an eye on in the North Suburban. “We hope to be in the mix and playing our best basketball in January and February.”
Mundelein Mustangs
Coach: Sarah Teipel (3rd season)
Last season’s record: 15-17, 5-9, fifth North Suburban
Top returning players: Casey Vyverman, jr., PG-G, Madelyn Gardner, jr., Audrey Smith, sr., Adrianna Lesniak, sr., Lucy Heikes, sr., Sophia Zepeda, Noelle Dadian
Key newcomers: Grace Dunigan, soph., 5-8, PG-G
Worth noting: Vyverman has caught the eye of multiple North Suburban coaches and for good reason. Teipel noted she has current Division I offers from Northern Illinois and New Jersey Institute of Technology. “Case is a workhorse,” she said. “She is versatile with her strengths and a lights-out shooter, driver and defender.” Teipel said Gardner brings constant defensive pressure and energy, while seniors Smith, Lesniak, Heikes, Zepeda and Dadian bring senior leadership and toughness. Sophomore Dunigan “put in a ton of time in the offseason and has made huge strides,” Teipel said. Teipel added the Mustangs’ focus this season is grit. “The girls have been pushing themselves daily and showing that toughness and strong work ethic,” she said. “I am excited to see us compete this year and show our togetherness and grit. We believe can achieve great things this year, but are focused on daily progress. The goal is competing at a high level this season in a great conference and seeing success.”
Round Lake Panthers
Coach: Molly Hennig (7th season)
Last season’s record: 9-19, 3-11, seventh Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Lisette Herrera, sr., 5-3, G, Evelyn Vazquez, sr., 5-4, G, Kaleigh Skowronski, jr., 5-10, G-F
Key newcomers: Emma Franks, fresh., 5-9, F, Piper Berry, fresh., 5-5, G
Worth noting: Round Lake has 3 starters returning and Hennig is excited she has 10 players on the varsity that all can contribute in their own way from game to game. “Our speed, energy and depth that we have will be our strengths,” she said. “Offensively, what I really appreciate about our team is our resilience and ability to focus on what we do well. We’re a hard working group that’s great at moving the ball and creating open looks near the basket. Our focus is on attacking the rim and generating high-percentage shots. On defense, our athleticism should allow us to generate more steals and turnovers than we have been able to in past years.” Herrera is a 4-year varsity player whose experience and leadership will help set the tone,” Hennig said. Skowronski has improved in all facets, the coach added, “and proves to be able to score consistently at the varsity level,” Hennig said. Franks, a freshman, brings basketball experience and can play and defend multiple positions, Hennig added.
Stevenson Patriots
Coach: Regan Carmichael (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 29-4, 14-0, North Suburban champions, 4A sectional finalist
Top returning players: Nisha Musunuri, 5-9, G, Sydney Rosland, 5-8, G
Key newcomers: Reese McLelland, 6-1, fresh., F, Alexa Karcz, 6-0, F, Nora Maloney, 5-8, G
Worth noting: The North Suburban Conference is filled with notable players once again, one of them being Musunuri, who averaged 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists and earned Daily Herald All-Area honors. One area coach tabbed Musunuri, who is approaching 1,000 career points, one of the best players in the county. Rosland averaged 8.2 points and 3.1 assists last season. Carmichael said Maloney will play a bigger role this season. “We have high expectations for this season,” Carmichael said. “We are aiming to compete for a conference championship and make a deep run in the playoffs. We know it will be a challenge, but we are confident in our ability to achieve our goals. As we head into the season, our focus is on building relationships, fostering growth and learning how to respond to every challenge we encounter. Each player is bringing a unique strength to the table and together they are creating a foundation of trust and unity that will drive us forward, Victory, for us, will come not only in wins, but in how we respond to setbacks, show up for one another, keep pushing forward together, and are fully present in the process of what goes into winning.” Quick ball movement and different looks and adjustments will be strengths on offense, while giving teams different looks with experienced guards and an emphasis on rebounding and limiting teams to 1 shot a possession are keys on the defensive end, Carmichael noted. Carmichael said keep an eye on Lake Zurich and Libertyville in a tough North Suburban. “The conference is very competitive this year with several strong teams,” she said. “We are hoping to be in the mix for winning the conference, but it is a tall task to get past Lake Zurich and Libertyville. They have great players and both are very well coached.”
Vernon Hills Cougars
Coach: Paul Brettner (25th season)
Last season’s record: 10-21, 6-4, second Central Suburban North
Top returning players: Emma Jocson, 5-3, PG, Keira Thomas, 5-9, G, Anahya Castro
Key newcomer: Madison Mays, 5-9, F
Worth noting: Thomas is one of 3 starters back after averaging 9.8 points and 5.8 rebounds on her way to all-conference accolades. Jocson averaged 6.6 points, 2.1 steals, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Castro, who came off the bench as a freshman, is back after being injured last season. Brettner said speed will be a plus with this year’s group. “We should be able to play with pace in transition and half court,” he said. “We should have several kids who can score, and we should also be solid with offensive rebounding. We are athletic on defense and when that translates into a good identity, we should be tough defensively.” Brettner said Mays, up from the JV, has adapted quickly to the varsity game. In terms of the CSL North, Brettner noted Niles West returns everyone and looks to be the front-runner, while Maine East has a potential player of the year candidate.
Warren Blue Devils
Coach: Jen Swanson (1st season)
Last season’s record: 17-13, 7-7 North Suburban
Top returning players: Jelly Amezquita, 5-4, PG, Kiki Wright, 5-8, PF
Key newcomers: Asia Short, 5-5, SG, Kamaria Anderson, 5-7, G, Faith Ohlsen, 5-4 G
Worth noting: Swanson takes over a team that has no returning starters or returning players who played significant minutes last season. “We are scrappy and extremely hard working,” Swanson said. “We have a team full of girls who come in every day ready to work hard and get better.” Swanson noted Warren is very unselfish and moves the ball well on offensively. “Everyone is comfortable in their roles,” she said, “and follow through with those roles to the best of their ability.” Defensively, Swanson said the Blue Devils will give opponents multiple looks. Amezquita, a senior, is one of Warren’s floor leaders and brings defensive intensity and a willingness to take charges, Swanson explained, while Wright worked hard in the offseason to improve her inside game, which the coach noted is now a major strength. “Kiki does a great job being physical in the post and getting us buckets when we need them,” she said. Short is a junior transfer from Carmel and brings strong 3-point shooting and physical play in the paint to the team, Swanson added.
Wauconda Bulldogs
Coach: Jaime Dennis (16th season)
Last season’s record: 19-9, 12-2, second Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Grace Parker, 5-9, G-F, Emma Wisniewski, 5-9, F, Sarah Palmer, 5-8, G, Alexia Manalo, 5-1, G, Kelsey Piehl, 6-1, C, Alessandra Rodriguez, 5-11, F, Avery Geoghan, 5-2, G
Key newcomer: Ashley Maxwell, 5-10, F
Worth noting: Wauconda is in good shape when it comes to returning talent with four players who saw notable starting time returning. Parker leads that list coming off a 2023-2024 season where she averaged 11 points and earned all-conference honors. Wisniewski (5.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 steals), Palmer (6.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2 steals) and Manalo (6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 2.2 assists) give Wauconda four players who averaged 6 or more points a year ago. “With only losing 2 seniors, we have a lot of experience coming back,” Dennis said. “We are still young and yet to see the true potential of several of our key players.” Dennis pointed out any of the Bulldogs’ starters are capable of hitting shots and having a big night, while sold, dependable veteran defenders will anchor the other side of the court. Geoghan and Rodriguez are returning sophomores that earned more minutes as last season went on. “They are returning with more knowledge and more experience,” Dennis said. Dennis expects a competitive Northern Lake County Conference. “Several teams bring back some experience this year and will be tough competition,” she said. “With our returning experience, we will look to battle for the top spot.”