Andrews, Huntley thinking big
Fox Valley Conference
Cary-Grove Trojans
Coach: Rod Saffert (10th year, 189-78)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2014-15 record: 13-16, 7-3
Top returning players: Jen Pilut (Sr., 5-7, G-F), Jenny Rice (Sr., 5-9, G-F), Olivia Miller (Sr., 5-8, PG), Katie Demert (Jr., 5-6, G), Becca Kendeigh (Jr., 5-8, G), Katie Sowa (So., 6-0, G-F)
Top newcomers: Maddie Gorz (So., 5-6, G), Ally Raupp (So., 5-9, F), Melissa Josefowicz (So., 5-8, G), Vanessa Morris (So., 5-4, G), Nicollette Richardi (So., 5-3, G), Bailey Steinkamp (Fr., 5-5, G)
Season outlook: Sowa, one of the captains of the team with Rice, returns with her strong all-around game. She's a player who can hit the outside shot as well as post up. Pilut has been on the varsity three years and provides outside shooting and floor leadership. Miller uses her quickness to drive to the basket and break down opposing defenses. Saffert labels Demert “tough with a high basketball IQ.” Kendeigh returns after missing last season due to injury. Rice is another player Saffert cites for having a high basketball acumen. The Trojans will welcome a large batch of underclassmen to the varsity. “The newcomers work well with the returning girls, making us a very cohesive team,” said Saffert. “The expectations are high, but there is a lot to learn. We will work very hard to achieve our goals. We look forward to the possibilities and we are striving daily to get better. We like our chances this season.” Saffert said Huntley is the team to beat in the Valley. “Huntley is the team to beat in this area and the state for that matter,” he said. “The FVC should be interesting in our final year of two divisions.”
Crystal Lake South Gators
Coach: Mark Mucha (2nd year, 22-9)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2014-15 record: 22-9, 8-2
Top returning players: Chanel Fanter (Sr., 5-9, G), Annika Sevcik (Jr., 6-0, F), Taylor Jozefowicz (Jr., 5-5, G)
Top newcomers: Taylor Keegan (Jr., 6-0, F), Kelly Gaede (Jr., 5-8, G), Annalisa Toniolo (Jr., 5-9, G), Lauren Schoen (So., 5-8, 160)
Season outlook: South is coming off a 2014-2015 season where it broke the 20-win barrier and won a Class 4A regional title. Mucha welcomes back Fanter, one of the top players in the area. “We lost nine seniors from last year's team, but we get Chanel back,” said Mucha. Fanter averaged 17 points a game last season. “Chanel always has been a great scorer and an unselfish team player, but has really improved her defense, basketball smarts and leadership over the past year,” the coach said. “As a senior she is one of those kids you wish you could have an entire team of. She is such a smart basketball player that she has the ability to adjust her game depending on who the other four kids are on the floor with her.” Sevcik averaged 5 points a game last year. With that large of a graduating class, South has a plethora of new varsity players. “We are looking for our newcomers to step up in order to compete in the very competitive Fox Valley Conference,” said Mucha, who sees Huntley as the favorite in the Valley but added teams such as Jacobs, Dundee-Crown and Cary-Grove also will be competitive.
Dundee-Crown Chargers
Coach: Sarah Miller (3rd year, 27-38)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2014-15 record: 17-16, 4-6
Top returning players: Melissa Barker (Sr., 5-8, G), Paige Gieske (Jr., 6-0, G), Allison Michalski (Jr., 5-11, C).
Top newcomers: Kendall Schmidt (So, 5-4, G), Kennedy White (So., 5-6, G), Victoria Koniewicz (So., 5-4, G), Anna Kieltyka (So., 5-7, G), Lucy Atherton (Jr., 5-10, C), Mikayla Hrinowich (So., 5-4, G), Madilyn Tripp (So, 6-2 C).
Season outlook: Young and generally inexperienced will be the Chargers' theme early on but Miller, coming off a regional championship, doesn't intend to use that as a crutch. “We've been focusing on not taking half a season to peak and figuring out things right now,” she said. “Then we'll work on the key things during the season. It's year three, so things are more established in terms of expectations.” One key for D-C is the return of Michalski (9.4 ppg, 5 5pg, 1.3 spg), who missed much of last season with a torn ACL but has returned ahead of schedule. Also back is Barker, who averaged 6.2 ppg and made 46 3-pointers, and Gieske (2.6 ppg, 3./4 rpg), who will provide some muscle in the paint. “Paige has really improved,” Miller said. “She's worked very hard in the offseason to get better. We're pretty thin on experience but it's a really hard working group that is eager to learn. I know we'll compete, we're just trying to establish consistency. It's a very coachable group and the goal is to compete against our touch schedule and always battle to the end.”
Grayslake Central
Coach: Steve Ikenn (sixth season)
Last season: 8-20, 4-8 in FVC Fox, lost to Barrington in Class 4A regional play-in
Key losses: G Lauren Spalding. G Juliana Frusolone, F Connor Eschrich, F Kayley Larson
Returning players: Jr. G/F Amanda Larson (5-9), Jr. F Lindsay Brust (5-8), Sr. G Quin Garbett (5-5), Sr. G Kelly Moroney (5-7), So. F/G Ania Barnes (6-0)
Newcomers: Jr. G/F Aly Hamrick (5-7), Jr. F Kailee Guerrieri (5-7), Jr. G Bitsy Erker (5-6), Jr. G Erynn Schroeder (5-5), Jr. F Evy Tomaszewski (5-10), So. G/F Jordyn Gosell, Fr. G Rosie Drevline (5-7)
Outlook: One win shy of 20 two seasons ago, the Rams slumped to just 8 victories last season. Which was a low-water mark for coach Steve Ikenn in his five seasons. “It was a frustrating year,” Ikenn acknowledged. “We were close in a lot of games but couldn't quite pull through. ... I knew we'd struggle some, but the pieces never quite fit together. It wasn't because of a lack of effort on anybody's part or anything.” Senior guard Kelly Moroney is the Rams' lone returning starter. This will be her third year in the starting lineup. Senior Quin Garbett, who was up as a sophomore, started some games before being utilized off the bench late in the season. Lindsay Brust flashed potential as a sophomore last winter. Sophomore Ania Barnes is recovering from a minor concussion, Ikenn said, but could be ready to play by the weekend. Barnes was up on varsity all last season but played only sparingly. “She got a lot of experience practicing every day against the varsity, and that was huge,” Ikenn said. “She plays AAU, and she's been working on her game a lot.” Junior guard/forward Amanda Larson got a lot of minutes coming off the bench last season. Junior newcomer Kailee Guerrieri should play lots of minutes, while juniors Bitsy Erker and Aly Hamrick are also in the mix for playing time. Sophomore Jordynn Gosell and freshman Rosie Drevline also made the varsity. “We'll be a little young and inexperienced,” Ikenn said. “But I think there are a lot of different pieces that complement each other well.”
Grayslake North
Coach: Rob Nicoletti (second season)
Last season: 17-14, 8-4 in FVC Fox
Key losses: G Maggie Fish, G Sammie Villwock
Returning players: Jr. G Sidney Lovitsch (5-9), So. G Brandi Thibeaux (5-6), Sr. F Abbey Stinner (5-11), Sr. F Abby Rice (5-8), Sr. F Kelley O'Brien (5-8), Sr. G Alyssa Gunn (5-7)
Newcomers: Jr. G Morgan Lyon (5-4), Jr. G Sydney Paez (5-7), Sr. G/F Kendall Buchman (5-8), Jr. G Emma Indlecoffer (5-7), Jr. F Abby Fish (5-10), Jr. F Lily Swanson (5-9), Jr. F Jordan Queen (5-9)
Outlook: Under first-year head coach Rob Nicoletti, the Knights picked up where they left off, posting their fourth winning season in a row. Expect more success this season with the return of all-area guard Sidney Lovitsch (12.4 ppg) and exciting sophomore guard Brandi Thibeaux. The junior Lovitsch has started since her freshman year, and the Knights will continue to look to her for points as well as leadership. Thibeaux, who can shoot the 3 and penetrate for points as well, scored a game-high 20 points in the Knights' season-opening win over Grant at Mundelein on Monday. “With a year of varsity basketball under her belt, we're challenging her to take the next step,” Nicoletti said. “We're putting a lot of trust in her. She's doing a very good job so far. She's not a vocal leader, but she really sets the tone with her energy and her work in practice.” Lovitsch, Thibeaux and 5-11 Abbey Stinner give the Knights three returning starters. Nicoletti has tweaked the offense. “We're trying to accentuate the strength of our players,” he said. “We're just trying to put our girls in the best position to have success.” Veterans Abby Rice and Kelley O'Brien also got starts Opening Night. The roster includes five seniors, including volleyball star Kendall Buchman, who's new, and seven juniors. “We're excited,” Nicoletti said. “We're an athletic group, and the kids work really hard. I look forward to practice every day just to be around this group.”
Hampshire Whip-Purs
Coach: Mike Featherly (3rd year, 33-23)
Conference: Fox Valley (Fox)
2014-15 record: 21-8, 10-2
Top returning players: Seniors Nikki Dumoulin (Sr., 5-9, G), Emma Benoit (Sr., 6-1, F), Miah Thompson (Sr., 5-4, G), Allie Peters (Sr., 5-8, G-F), Grace Gustitus (Sr., 5-11, F), Rachel Dumoulin (Jr., 5-9, G-F), Meagan Heine (Jr., 5-7, F)
Top newcomers: Maggie Goad (Jr., 5-6, G), Kiera Guerrero-Gay (Jr., 5-6, G), Erin Doyle (Jr., 5-6, G), Katie Swichtenberg (Jr., 5-7, F), Hunter Penrod (Jr., 6-1, F)
Season outlook: Featherly likes the mix of players he has on the roster, starting with Benoit, a Northern Michigan recruit who averaged 13.8 points per game and 8 rebounds last season, and Nikki Dumoulin (6.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg). “We are excited about the season,” he said. “There is a tremendous amount of returning talent from last year's team with the addition of eager younger players. We have seen the level of competitiveness in practice greatly increase. The girls have been pushing each other day in and day out to improve. With that type of atmosphere each girl is improving individually and we're improving as a team. Another improvement we have seen is better recognition of the game. We have a lot of experience coming back and it shows in their reading of the game and situations.” Featherly feels the team's attitude also has contributed to the optimism in the program. “The thing I like best about our group is their collective attitude,” he said. “It is a team-first mentality with a desire to get better. When you have a good group of seniors leading the way the expectations are higher and the attitude tends to be team-first. We feel we can compete at a high level this season.” Featherly feels Woodstock and Prairie Ridge are a pair of teams to keep an eye on in the FVC Fox.
Huntley Red Raiders
Coach: Steve Raethz (17th year, 274-194)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2014-15 record: 28-5, 10-0
Top returning players: Ali Andrews (Sr., 6-2, F), Kayla Barreto (Sr., 5-4, G), Paige Renkosik (Sr., 5-8, G/F), Morgan Clausen (Jr., 6-1, F), Abbey Brown (Jr., 5-7, G), Maddy Moffett (Jr., 5-8, G/F), Lexi Lowitzki (Sr., 5-5, G), Dani Nichols (Sr., 5-7, F), Tergan Papka (Sr., 5-11, F).
Top newcomers: Mallory Moffett (So, 5-8, G), Grace Gajewski (Jr., 5-8, G), Kaylee Andrea (Jr., 5-4, G), CJ Hagn (Jr., 5-7, F), Ashlyn Schlapia (Jr., 5-8, G).
Season outlook: Coming off a perfect FVC Valley season and then a run to a Class 4A supersectional, the Red Raiders have plenty of firepower returning to make another deep run in the postseason. It all starts with Andrews, the Illinois signee and returning All-Area co-captain who enters the season with 1,805 career points. She averaged 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.2 steals and 2.1 blocks per game last season as well as hitting 37 3-pointers and shooting 89 percent from the free-throw line. Also back is experienced all-area point guard Barreto (9.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg, team-high 52 3-pointers) as well as Renkosik (4.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Clausen (6.1 ppg., 5.3 rpg), who each played in 31 games last season. “We are very excited for the season to begin,” said Raethz. “We return four starters from last year and we have multiple players who saw significant minutes off the bench. Our players have been working extremely hard to build cohesiveness and chemistry and we are looking forward to the challenge of contending for our third straight conference title and making a strong postseason run. We are playing a very competitive schedule this season but we have a solid group of returning players who have multiple years of varsity experience to complement our newcomers.
Jacobs Golden Eagles
Coach: Joe Benoit (4th year, 23-61)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2014-15 record: 12-17, 3-7
Top returning players: Talia Surges (Sr., 5-3, G), Teaghan Richman (Sr., 5-9, F), Carly Sidor (Jr., 5-8, F), Maggie Grady (Jr., 5-10, F)
Top newcomers: Mahogany Smith (Sr., 5-8, F), Nicole Durben (Jr., 5-3, G), Grace O'Malley (Jr., 5-6, G), Heather Hoffmann (Jr., 5-8, F)
Season outlook: The quartet of Surges, Richman, Sidor and Grady are entering their third seasons on the varsity. “We feel confident with four players entering their third varsity seasons that experience will help us a great amount this year,” said Benoit. “Replacing the scoring we lost should not be an issue. Several girls are ready to take on much larger roles.” Leadership also is in abundance. “I love the leadership within this group,” the coach stated. “They work really hard and truly enjoy being together off the court. This is a group that is very hungry to prove they belong among the top teams in the area and our conference. Benoit is looking for an uptick on the defensive front. “Defensively we will be better in the half court and our depth should help us with that,” he said. “The girls are excited to get rolling. We had a lot of motivation going into the offseason after falling just short of a (regional) championship a year ago. The girls feel like they have something to prove and are eager to show that. Expectations at Jacobs are back, but we realize nothing will be easy.” Jacobs advanced to a regional final last year — marking the team's most successful season since the 2009-2010 campaign.