Girls basketball notes: Defense keys Mundelein’s 10-0 start; Vernon Hills perfect in conference play

A lot of things are going right for the Mundelein girls basketball team these days.

The Mustangs, who have burst out to a 10-0 start, including a 4-0 beginning in North Suburban Conference play, have been bolstered by the key defensive efforts of senior Anahya Castro (8 rebounds, 4.6 deflections, 2.8 steals, 2 blocks), senior standout Casey Vyverman (5.6 rebounds, 3 deflections, 2 steals) and senior Madelyn Gardner (3 deflections, 2 steals).

“Anahya’s outright hustle and intensity has raised our level of play on defense,” Mundelein coach Sarah Teipel said. “Casey is helping us with her aggression and consistent leadership and Madelyn provides constant pressure, tenacity and leadership.”

In addition to her defensive prowess, Vyverman is averaging 17.5 points and is shooting at a 90% clip from the foul line. The NCAA Division I Western Michigan University commit shot 93% (95-for-102) from the free-throw line a year ago. Junior Grace Dunigan is at 11.4 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, while Castro averages 9 points.

Antioch update: In December, Addie Webb is averaging almost 7 points, while leading the team in defensive rebounds (4.2 and 5.8 rebounds overall), while also leading in deflections (3.2), steals (2.4) and blocks (1.8).

“Addie is someone we can always count on when it comes to defense,” Antioch coach Jamie D’Andrea said. “She has great instincts and is not afraid to jump into the thick of it to get the ball.”

Scarlett Carroll is averaging 8.4 points in December, while also leading the team in assists (3.2), and defensively averages 2.2 deflections and 2 steals per game. “Scarlett is also someone we’ve looked to for both offensive and defensive energy,” D’Andrea said.

Heidi Rathmann is averaging 20 points per game in December for the Sequoits (3-7, 2-1 Northern Lake County) and in an 8-day span had a pair of season-high 31-point efforts against DePaul Prep and Grant.

Carmel Catholic update: Freshman Liv Johnson is averaging 19.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game for the Corsairs (7-3, 3-0 East Suburban Catholic to start the week). Carmel had a 6-game winning streak snapped after a recent 48-41 overtime loss to Glenbrook South.

Coach Ben Berg noted seniors Maron Bowes and Josie Hartman “are getting it done on the defensive end,” he said.

Bowes is averaging 7.5 rebounds during a recent 4-game stretch (3.5 on the offensive end). “Maron is getting us extra possessions,” Berg said.

Grant update: Roll the unusual stat line graphic, please. Grant’s Aubrey Lehner scored 16 points in a recent Northern Lake County tilt against Antioch, doing so via a no field-goal, 16-for-20 foul-line effort.

Lehner and Gabby Saavedra have been leading the way on the defensive end for the Bulldogs (5-7, 2-1 Northern Lake County “with aggressive pressure defense on the perimeter,” coach Roger Lass noted. “They have disrupted other team’s offenses with their constant pressure.”

Grayslake Central update: Coach Steve Ikenn’s squad started the week winners of 5 of it last 6 games to move to 5-4 overall and a strong 3-0 in Northern Lake County.

Ikenn has been impressed with the complete game starting point guard Mosey Drevline rolls out each night.

“In addition to running our offense, Mosey does a great job holding our opponents’ point guard in check,” he said. “She is a great on-ball defender with quick hands and feet and a high basketball IQ.”

Ikenn added Autumn Aliff has done a “fantastic job” coming off the bench at a guard spot “and not only providing solid offense, but also outstanding defense,” he said. “She is not only our fastest player, but she also has a motor that never stops. She harasses the opponents’ guards and takes them out of their rhythm.”

During a recent 3-game stretch, Aliff averaged 3.3 steals per game. Also of note, during a recent 5-game span, Central had 4 different players lead the way in scoring, plus the Rams have averaged 13.8 assists per game as a team, “which shows our offense is getting more consistent and people are getting more comfortable in their new roles,” Ikenn said. “We are playing better team basketball and doing a nice job distributing the ball.”

Grayslake North update: After a tough loss to Wauconda recently (51-45), the Knights bounced back with wins against McHenry and Marian Central Catholic to move to 4-9 overall.

“We are getting better each game,” Knights coach Sean Crary said. “They are adjusting to the new style of play and system. Team-wise, I like how we are weathering the storm of poor shooting nights by consistently winning the turnover battle. We have had very few games with more than 12 turnovers.”

Anisah Lawrence and Mia Gumapas have grown on the defensive side, Crary noted. “Both have excelled and are getting after it,” said Creary, who noted Lawrence and Gumapas each had career highs in scoring this past Saturday.

Crary added the Knights are looking forward to carrying the recent momentum into the break “and continuing to compete with the best in the area as we look to up our shooting percentage and finish some of these closer games,” he said.

Lakes update: Lakes’ defense is forcing opponents to turn the ball over on 28.2% of possessions, coach Grant Murray pointed out. “This is a number that has contributed to us playing some close games this season,” he said.

Freshman Gianna Gray and sophomore Ryan Horvath lead the Eagles (4-6, 1-2 Northern Lake County) in steals with Gray at more than 3 a game and Horvath at just under 3 steals. “Both play a relentless style of pressure defense and read the flight of the ball well,” Murray noted. “It’s part of Ryan’s skill set. She led the Northern Lake County Conference-champion Lakes flag football team in interceptions.”

Speaking of Gray, she hit for a career-high 28 points and sank six 3s in a 52-27 nonconference win against Prairie Ridge Monday in a game that saw Horvath add 9 and Natalie Foren chip in 8 points.

Lake Zurich update: The Bears started the week 5-5 overall and 3-1 in North Suburban action. Lake Zurich lost to St. Charles North 38-37 at the Exam Jamm, beat Waukegan 56-44 and lost to Libertyville 38-33 in recent action.

Senior Layne Nordstrom is off to a notable start. In the last 2 weeks, coach Chris Bennett pointed out she was player of the game in the Yates Chicagoland Showcase against Marist and was player of the game in the LZ-hosted Exam Jamm against St. Charles North. Nordstrom had a season-high 17 points against Waukegan and averages 7.2 points to go with 4.2 assists.

Also off to a hot start is senior Alex Nowak-Tice, who averages a double-double with 10.1 points and 10.1 rebounds. Nowak-Tice and Leah Gilbertson were all-tournament picks over Thanksgiving.

Lake Zurich is off to new adventures over the Christmas holiday, playing in the new Fox River Holiday Classic hosted by Batavia and Geneva.

Libertyville update: All sorts of goodies going on with the Wildcats (8-2, 4-0 North Suburban) lately.

The Wildcats’ defense is forcing an average of 21 turnovers per game and the team came up big in a pair of recent NSC wins at Stevenson (44-21) and at home against Lake Zurich (38-33).

“Those are big,” Libertyville coach Greg Pedersen said. “We have been challenging the team to improve defensively. We had a hard time getting stops in our first 6 or 7 games and now we have seen marked improvement. We’re holding teams under 40, forcing turnovers, pressuring the ball, closing out shooters and boxing out to rebound. Those are the markers that will determine if we become a good team.”

Senior Caitlyn Griffith has been a defensive stalwart off the bench, averaging 4 rebounds, 2 deflections and a steal a game. “Caitlyn is an undersized post who plays with terrific energy. She held her own in the paint against Lake Zurich’s size. She has a motor that never stops. Caitlyn has been amazing at keeping possessions alive with tips and offensive rebounds. She’s a hustle player through and through.”

Pedersen went on to explain junior guard Charlotte Harrison is earning her playing time with constant second and third efforts on defense. “Charlotte sprints to spots, takes away drives and challenges shooters,” he said. “She gets on the floor for loose balls faster than anyone we’ve had in a long time. It’s all effort and hustle. We can’t play our zone as effectively as we have without that kind of motor.”

Offensive star Lily Fisher is also in on the defensive jamboree, averaging 5 deflections and 3 steals per game.

“It’s all about our D right now,” Pedersen said.

One more stat, Libertyville had only 3 turnovers against Lake Zurich. “That’s pretty impressive considering we have so many new-to-varsity contributors,” said Pedersen, who noted Fisher is the team’s only returning starter.

And for those wondering when the Cats face start-of-the-week unbeaten Mundelein? That North Suburban tussle happens Friday at Mundelein and — borrowing from our weekly Lake County football preview staple this fall — is the Lake County Blue Plate Special of the Week.

Stevenson update: The Patriots (2-7, 1-3 North Suburban) are improving on defense as evidenced by them averaging 4 steals per game and scoring 10 points a game off forced turnovers, “a sign of improved activity and aggressiveness on the defensive end,” coach Regan Carmichael said.

On the defensive end, Carmichael noted Reese McLelland and Grace Harper have consistently set the tone. “Both delivered standout defensive performances against Mundelein (Mundelein won 47-36 in Lincolnshire),” she said. “Reese took the challenge of guarding a potential conference player of the year (the above-mentioned Vyverman) and more than held her own, showing discipline, toughness and a willingness to compete possession by possession. Grace complemented that effort with strong on-ball pressure, great anticipation and relentless energy, making life difficult for opposing guards and helping disrupt offensive rhythm. Together, their effort and buy-in have been a major positive for our defensive identity.”

McLelland recently had a career night, scoring a career-best 24 points, while shooting 60% from 3, “showcasing her efficiency and confidence,” Carmichael said.

Vernon Hills update: Percentages are up all over the place for the Cougars, also off to a hot start at 8-2 overall and 3-0 in Central Suburban North action to start the week. Vernon Hills heads to Des Plaines Thursday to face fellow 3-0 league foe Maine West. The Cougars beat defending North champion Highland Park 63-31 in another recent contest.

Coach Paul Brettner noted Vernon Hills’ 2-point shooting percentage is up from a year ago, “which is a credit to our defense creating transition baskets,” he said. The Cougars’ 3-point shooting also is up, led by Eve Engler, who is shooting 39% from 3. Madison Mays has increased her foul shooting by 23% from a year ago.

Speaking of Mays, she also averages 5.6 defensive rebounds per game. “Madison uses her basketball IQ to know where the rebound will end up and her strength to win the ball,” Brettner said.

Emma Jocson also is creating defensive chaos, “making it difficult for the other team’s primary ball handler,” Brettner said. “She plays the top of our zone and sets the defensive tone when picking up the ball.”

Wauconda update: Why are the Bulldogs off to a torrid 9-0 start (3-0 in Northern Lake County play)?

Coach Jaime Dennis pointed to a number of statistics, including Wauconda averaging 12 assists per game along with 12 steals per game. The Bulldogs have 5 girls averaging 7 or more points with Sarah Palmer leading the way at 12.2 points.

“We have several people who can score,” she said.

Dennis labeled Alexia Manalo as the team’s No. 1 defensive stopper assigned to all opposing point guards. “Alexia often gives up several inches but is tough as nails and doesn’t let that stop her,” she said.

Kelsey Funkhouser comes off the bench, but due to injuries and foul trouble in a few games, has been heavily relied upon to fill in on defense against some tough opponents, Dennis noted. “Kelsey is fast and a soccer player,” she said. “She reads things very well and uses that experience on the basketball court.”