Girls basketball: Scouting DuPage County and Fox Valley postseason

Girls basketball postseason tournament time begins next week at a gymnasium near you.

Here is a look at the path local teams are taking in the four respective classes.

Class 4A

Call it the gauntlet.

That is the best way in describing the task at hand for teams participating in the East Aurora sectional.

Four of the best teams in the state — top-ranked Benet Academy (23-4), Waubonsie Valley (28-2), Naperville Central (24-6), and Bolingbrook (22-4) occupy the top 4 spots. Together, they own a combined record of 95-15.

“Our sectional is always a tough one,” said Waubonsie coach Brett Love. “Last year, it was Bolingbrook, Downers Grove North, Benet, and us.

“This year, you still can’t overlook Lockport and Oswego East — who just beat Naperville Central — Naperville North, and Neuqua Valley, who has played tough of late. For us, we must focus on what we do well. I believe if we trust each other, rely on our senior leadership and lean on all the hard work we put in, we can do something extraordinary.”

The Redhawks carry a momentum burst into the tourney following Tuesday’s 68-65 road win against Waubonsie Valley. The Warriors’ two losses came against Naperville Central.

“It’s a completely loaded sectional,” said Redhawks coach Andy Nussbaum. “It’s really unfortunate that only one team can win.”

Benet appears to be getting healthy at the right time.

“For us, the key is getting our three injured starters back,” said Benet coach Joe Kilbride. “Lucy Tierney returned last Sunday. We are planning for Ava Thomas to return Friday and Avs Mersinger this weekend.”

The sectional includes some of the state’s best players, particularly Waubonsie senior guard Danyella Mporokoso (2,819 career points), and Naperville Central’s Trinity Jones and Erin Hackett (2,004 career points).

The sectional includes No. 6 Naperville North, No. 9 Neuqua Valley, No. 14 Metea Valley, and No. 15 West Aurora.

If the top seeds prevail, sectional semifinal matchups will pit Benet vs. Bolingbrook, and a third meeting between Waubonsie Valley and Naperville Central on Feb. 24.

Downers Grove North (27-2), led by junior Campbell Thulin, is the second seed behind Nazareth (27-3) at Hinsdale Central. Other area teams include No. 6 Hinsdale Central (19-10), and No. 10 Downers Grove South.

“The sectional is as tough as there is in the state with three teams in the state’s AP top 10,” said Trojans coach Stephan Bolt. “It’s the kind of sectional where you know every game will demand your best for four quarters.

“To advance, it’s going to take confidence, defensive discipline, execution, and composure. At this time of year, possessions matter more, games get tighter, and we’ll have to able to execute late.”

The top 4 seeds in the Bartlett sectional — Glenbard West (25-4), Lake Park (26-5), St. Charles East (18-11), and St. Charles North (20-7) — are all hosting regionals next week.

“I think it is going to be a battle,” said Lancers coach Robert Reidel, whose team features Allie Gogola and Maggie Frank. “It will take discipline and execution. It will take all five girls on the floor doing their jobs and making plays when they have the opportunity.”

Glenbard West, led by junior Ellie Noble, owns wins against both St. Charles schools.

The Saints feature the Schilb sisters — senior Addie, sophomore Brooklyn, and sophomore Kathlyn Bainbridge, while the North Stars’ lineup includes senior Sydney Johnson, junior Lelanie Posada, and sophomore Bronwyn How.

“Having been a part of the DuKane from its inception in 2018, every year the team that makes it out of this conference gives themselves a good shot at a postseason run,” said North Stars coach Grant Oler. “Lake Park and Geneva made state trips, Batavia and St. Charles East made it to the supersectional, and on more than one occasion, the sectional included four DuKane teams.”

The sectional field also includes York, Batavia, Wheaton North, Wheaton Warrenville South, Montini, Glenbard East, Glenbard North, West Chicago, Willowbrook, Bartlett, and Addison Trail.

At Rockford Guilford, sub-sectional B includes No. 2 seed Huntley (20-9), No. 4 Hampshire, No. 7 Jacobs, and No. 9 Dundee-Crown.

Huntley begins postseason play against Jacobs on Feb. 17 at the Harlem regional.

The Schaumburg sectional includes No. 10 seed Larkin (18-11), No. 13 South Elgin (17-14), and No. 18 Elgin.

The Upstate Eight Conference West champion Storm open their own regional against No. 4 seed Lake Zurich on Feb. 17, while Larkin faces No. 7 Buffalo Grove at Hersey on Feb. 16.

Class 3A

A funny thing happened on the way to the tournament for Geneva.

Instead of competing in Class 4A, where coach Sarah Meadows’ Vikings captured back-to-back state championships in 2017 and 2018, and placed third in 2023, they find themselves in Class 3A for the first time.

“There was talk of that happening,” said Meadows. “We knew our enrollment numbers were down. When the volleyball and soccer seeds came out in the fall, we found out we had moved down to 3A. Honestly, it is pretty crazy.

“It is really different. I don’t know the 3A world at all.”

Led by senior Keira McCann and 6-foot sophomore Emma Peterson, the Vikings have won 9 of their last 14 games after a 4-10 start.

Geneva (13-14), the No. 5 seed in sub-sectional B, begins postseason play against third-seeded Kaneland (18-12) on Feb. 16 at the Dixon regional. Dixon (27-3) is the top seed.

The Vikings have played a predominant 4A schedule, including games against Mother McAuley, Downers Grove North, Fremd, Lake Zurich, Naperville North, Evanston, York, Neuqua Valley, and DeKalb, in addition to their rugged DuKane slate.

“Our strength of schedule is the second toughest in 3A behind Washington,” said Meadows. “It will only help us for sure.”

The Dixon regional champion will advance to the Crystal Lake Central sectional Feb. 24 and 26.

“It’s do or die time,” said Meadows. “We are at our best when we are aggressive on both ends of the court. I’m very excited to see what our team can do.”

Burlington Central (20-8), sparked by juniors Julia Scheuer and Audrey LaFleur, is the No. 2 seed, and could face No. 4 Sycamore in the Sycamore regional finals on Feb. 19. Burlington opened the season with a 55-51 win over Sycamore in November.

“I think it is a strong sectional with a lot of talented athletes, and with teams that play different styles of basketball,” said Rockets coach Michael Carani.

“Postseason experience at this level is significant. Everything gets tighter and the girls know what they are competing for. The key is to maintain composure, manage emotions, and have a next play mentality.”

Sub-sectional A includes top-seeded Crystal Lake South (21-6) and third-seeded Cary-Grove (19-8). The Gators feature the LePage sisters — Laken and Gracey — and sophomore Gaby Dzik, who scored a career-best 31 points in a recent win over Prairie Ridge, while senior guards Kennedy Manning and Aria Stanton lead the Trojans.

“To win the sectional, you are going to have to beat one of the best 3A teams in the state — Dixon or (Rockford) Boylan,” said Gators coach Mark Mucha. “Not a walk in the park.”

Upstate Eight East champion Glenbard South (25-4) drew the top seed in the DeLaSalle sectional, while Aurora Central Catholic (19-10), Hinsdale South (17-9), and St. Francis hold second through fourth seeds, respectively.

Glenbard South, ACC, and Hinsdale South will serve as regional hosts next week.

“The sectional seems to have a good mix of quality teams,” said Raiders coach Eric Daca, whose team features 7 seniors, 4 of whom have been on varsity all four years — Rheayanna Ferguson, Callie Hardtke, Jamie Mizwicki, and Kate Bruhl.

“To get through the regional and sectional, it will take good execution on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, as well as staying healthy. We have a lot of experience. Relying on their maturity to stay poised during games will be a big factor.”

Streamwood (19-10), led by Ayumi Ishikawa and Bri Coffey, is seeded seventh at the Grayslake Central sectional, opening against Deerfield at the Wauconda regional on Feb. 16.

Class 2A

St. Edward (22-7), a fourth-place finisher in 1A a year ago, bumps up to 2A this time around, and is seeded second at the Johnsburg sectional.

Led by junior guard Savannah Lynch, the Green Wave could face No. 3 Marengo in the regional finals on Feb. 19. Marengo defeated St. Edward, 52-46, on Feb. 5.

“Our experience last season combined with our tough schedule helps us in knowing what it takes to win big games,” said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson.

Top seed Johnsburg (30-0) could await in the sectional finals on Feb. 26.

“We are at our best when we are playing as a team in all aspects of the game,” added Dawson. “Challenging each other in practice, communication on the court, team defense, and playing unselfish offense are all keys to our success.”

The sectional includes Wheaton Academy and Harvest-Westminster.

At Timothy Christian, the host Trojans (20-3) are the second seed and could face No. 3 Lisle in the regional finals on Feb. 19. Led by junior center Elisabeth Van Dan Berg, Timothy defeated Lisle, 52-37, in December.

No. 4 Westmont (16-10) hosts No. 5 IC Catholic Prep (13-13) in the regional semifinals on Feb. 17.

Rosary is seeded seventh at Timothy.

Class 1A

Aurora Christian drew the No. 2 seed in the South Beloit regional — part of the Indian Creek sectional.

Led by sophomore guards Evelyn Klimek (11 ppg), Jada Vizcaya (5 ppg), and seniors Grace Knight (5 rpg), and Makenzie Jensen, the Eagles open tourney action against the Hiawatha/Alden-Hebron winner on Feb. 16.

With a victory, Aurora Christian will likely face third-seeded Indian Creek in the regional finals on Feb. 19. The Eagles defeated Indian Creek, 49-39, on Nov. 24.

Rockford Christian is the top seed at Indian Creek.

Sectional semifinal and final games are scheduled for Feb. 24 and Feb. 26.

All supersectional games will be played on Monday, March 2, with the state semifinals and championship games scheduled for Thursday-Saturday, March 5-7, at the CEFCU Arena in Normal.