Scouting West Chicago girls basketball

West Chicago

Coach: Kim Wallner.

Last year: 17-11, 7-7 (fifth) in the DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Trinity 58-39 in the Class 4A Trinity regional final.

Top players: Claire Monroe, sr., G; Allie Tapanes, sr., G; Laura Panicali, jr., G; Emily Warkins, sr., F; Liz Reyes, sr., G; Brenna McDonald, sr., F; Courtney Toman, sr., F; Amanda Gosbeth, jr., G.

Scouting report: The Wildcats will go as far as their guards take them — and Wallner has some good ones. Monroe averaged 12.1 points a game a year ago, hit 61 3-pointers and won the Class 4A 3-point shootout at state. She pairs with Tapanes, who scored 8.1 points a contest, in one of the area’s better backcourts. “If they try to key on Claire,” Wallner said, “Allie will be a presence.” Panicali is a third returning guard with varsity experience. Don’t be surprised to see West Chicago play four guards at times. Because the Wildcats lack a true post, look for them to extend pressure defensively. McDonald, who missed all of last year with a torn ACL and is coming back from a fractured kneecap, could help. Wallner has seven seniors, but four of them have little or no varsity experience. “After those first three they need to prove themselves a little bit,” Wallner said.