Tribune girls basketball reporter Alan Sutton breaks down the best teams and players in each region. (Last season’s record in parentheses.)
CITY
TOP TEAMS
Young (29-4)
D’Frantz Smart may be only 5 feet, but Rice recruit has a motor that makes the Dolphins go.
Marshall (26-5)
Sarah Rogers is a 5-8 senior who does so much for the perennial Public League power.
Hope (23-7)
Penn State recruit Zhaque’ Gray, a 5-8 senior guard, was on 2005 team that reached Class A final.
Marist (32-3)
A 6-foot point guard? That’s the role for Lauren Niemiera, who barely missed qualifying for state golf.
Resurrection (25-7)
Getting to state finals for first time would be a treat for Deanna Ortiz, DePaul’s stellar recruit.
TOP PLAYERS
Adrienne GodBold, Marshall, Sr., 5-11, F
The Commandos need her leaping ability to stay with the taller teams.
Zhaque’ Gray, Hope, Sr., 5-8, G
Averaged 20 points per game as junior while overcoming stress fractures.
Deanna Ortiz, Resurrection, Sr., 5-10, F
Already a 1,000-point scorer, DePaul recruit will play almost any position for Bandits.
Maureen Mulchrone, Marist, Sr., 5-11, F
RedHawks need victim of torn ACL, who is expected to return by December.
D’Frantz Smart, Young, Sr., 5-0, G
Carries a 3.6 GPA, and Dolphins need those smarts against a difficult schedule.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Ashlee Anderson, Young, Jr., 5-9, G/F
Ashley Brown, Hope, Sr., 6-0, C
Larrita Gipson, Simeon, Sr., 5-7, G
Hannah Hartman, Resurrection, Sr., 5-9, G
Lynette Holmes, Bogan, So., 6-0, F/C
Centrese McGee, Washington, So., 5-7, G
Ce’Monay Newell, Hyde Park, Sr., 6-0, F
Lauren Niemiera, Marist, Sr., 6-0, G
Kiaherra Powell, Von Steuben, Jr., 6-0, C
Terranika Reynolds, Marshall, Sr., 5-7, G
Sarah Rogers, Marshall, Sr., 5-8, G
Haley Stercic, Marist, So., 5-6, G
LaTerria Taylor, Von Steuben, So., 5-10, G/F
Brittany Williams, Morgan Park, Sr., 6-1, sr., C
Tenisha Wilson, Bogan, Sr., 5-8, G
NORTHWEST
TOP TEAMS
Buffalo Grove (34-2)
Watch out when this team–especially Allison Mocchi–gets completely healthy.
Wheeling (23-7)
With Lana Rukavina and Ashley Wilson, too much talent to repeat last season’s early playoff exit.
Schaumburg (21-13)
Came on at end of season as Kylie Castans scored 32 to knock out Maine South.
Johnsburg (28-5)
Skyhawks still have 6-foot senior Michelle McDonald for Fox Valley Fox wars.
Cary-Grove (13-15)
Return of Danielle Smith and Jamie Kuhl has Trojans optimistic for this season.
TOP PLAYERS
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(alphabetical)
Michelle McDonald, Johnsburg, Sr., 6-0, F
With Marquette’s Paige Fiedorowicz, Winona State recruit helped build Skyhawks program.
Maggie Mocchi, Buffalo Grove, Sr., 5-10, G
Averaged 13.4 points as junior, but Northwestern recruit does so much more for Bison.
Allison Mocchi, Buffalo Grove, Sr., 5-10, G
Will join sister at NU; almost fully recovered from dislocated knee so she can harass opponents.
Lana Rukavina, Wheeling, Sr., 6-3, C
A key recruit for the Illini, who hope to rebuild under new coach Jolette Law.
Ashley Wilson, Wheeling, So., 6-0, F
After talking with coaches, one gets the idea she might be one of state’s toughest players.
OTHERS TO WATCH
(alphabetical)
Ellen Ayoub, Buffalo Grove, Sr., 6-0, F
Katie Bergquist, Huntley, Sr., 5-11, F
Gabby Blackwell, Schaumburg, Sr., 5-11, F
Janelle Cannon, Wheeling, So., 5-9, G
Kylie Castans, Schaumburg, Sr., 5-11, G
Jackie Clai, Hampshire, Sr., 5-9, sr., G
Megan Fischer, Hoffman Estates, Jr., 5-10, G
Shannon Hennelly, Prairie Ridge, Jr., 5-7, G
Megan Lopez, Johnsburg, So., 5-5, G
Caitlin Mize, Crystal Lake South, Jr., 6-1, C
Drewann Pancratz, Schaumburg, Sr., 5-10, G
Natasha Robinson, Wheeling, Sr., 6-0, G
Kelly Rogowski, Hersey, Jr., 5-7, G
Danielle Smith, Cary-Grove, Sr., 6-0, G
Robyn Staudenmaier, Dundee-Crown, Sr., 6-1, F
NORTH
TOP TEAMS
Loyola (14-15)
Junior Meghan Holy and a healthy Ashley Thomas should carry the Ramblers far.
Maine West (26-9)
The key for the Warriors is getting a healthy 5-11 Brittany Begrowicz back soon.
Maine South (27-7)
The Hawks don’t look imposing–they just play imposing, with players like Jackie Rieger.
Grant (26-6)
Jamie Swanson, Bailey Wagner, Autumn Gaylor among the keys for push to playoffs.
Warren (28-4)
Sarah Boothe, the 6-5 center, is back–and that may be more than enough.
TOP PLAYERS
Lydia Bauer, Lake Zurich, Sr., 6-0, F
Helped Bears win 7 of last 9 last season, including an upset of Wheeling in playoffs.
Brittany Begrowicz, Maine West, Sr., 5-11, F
Torn ACL will delay season’s start for Warriors’ leader, who is a ferocious rebounder.
Sarah Boothe, Warren, Sr., 6-5, C
Ranked among top 25 players nationally in the Class of 2008, she’s headed for Stanford.
Bianca Jarrett, Waukegan, Sr., 5-4, G
A terrific addition for Bulldogs after transfer from Zion-Benton; committed to Indiana State.
Ashley Thomas, Loyola, Sr., 6-1, F
Assuming she’s recovered from torn ACL, she’ll mesh with group of talented teammates.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Lem Atanga-McCormick, Loyola, Sr., 6-1, C
Kim Davis, Evanston, Sr., 5-10, F
Meghan Holy, Loyola, Jr., 5-10, G
Mary Kusner, Maine West, Sr., 6-1, C
Lauren Mead, Wauconda, Jr., 6-0, F
Tatiana Moore, Highland Park, Sr., 5-8, G
Labrenthia Murdock, Round Lake, Jr., 5-9, G
Megan Napoli, New Trier, Sr., 5-11, G
Breannah Rangers, Niles North, Jr., 6-2, C
Danielle Ripkey, Deerfield, Sr., 5-9, G
Brittany Simmons, Zion-Benton, Sr., 6-1, F
Karen Solari, Maine South, Sr., 5-9, G/F
Jamie Swanson, Grant, Sr., 5-9, G
Michelle Tourtillott, Maine South, Sr., 5-9, G
Bailey Wagner, Grant, Sr., 6-1, F
NEAR WEST
TOP TEAMS
Montini (21-8)
A 5-4 freshman, Whitney Holloway, could be the key for the young Broncos in 3A.
Fenwick (36-2)
State champions last season, the Friars are reloading behind super-soph Tricia Liston.
Trinity (26-7)
Seems like junior Monica Albano has been playing forever–and Blazers need a lot of her.
Hinsdale Central (28-3)
Molly Kinsella, whose dad (John) was an Olympic gold-medalist swimmer, needs a special year.
Proviso East (27-3)
Twins Miame and Robin Giden, both headed to Western Michigan, give the Pirates a chance.
TOP PLAYERS
Monica Albano, Trinity, Jr., 5-8, G
As a sophomore, this do-it-all guard averaged 15 points, 4 assists per game.
Miame Giden, Proviso East, Sr., 5-11, F
She, twin sister Robin and Walther’s Jazzmyn Harvey headed to Western Michigan.
Michala Johnson, Montini, So., 6-3, C
Among top five sophomores in the nation, averaged a double-double as a freshman.
Toni Kokenis, Hinsdale Central, So., 5-9, G
An outstanding soccer player, she’s focused on basketball and being more aggressive.
Tricia Liston, Fenwick, So., 6-1, F
Collected 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals in helping Friars win Class AA title game.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Annie Bradshaw, Downers Grove South, Sr., 5-8, G
Rachel Buccieri, Riverside-Brookfield, Jr., 5-3, G
Tricia Chimas, Fenton, Sr., 5-5, G
Angela Domin, Willowbrook, Jr., 5-9, G
Chrissy Fletcher, Montini, Jr., 6-1, F
Robin Giden, Proviso East, Sr., 6-0, F
Chloe Harris, Hinsdale South, Sr., 5-10, F
Jazzmyn Harvey, Walther Lutheran, Sr., 5-8, G
Cootie Leeberg, Montini, Sr., 5-6, G
Molly Kinsella, Hinsdale Central, Sr., 6-2, C
Amanda Macchione, 5-9, Sr., Trinity, F
Courtney Owens, York, Jr., 5-10, F
Katlyn Payne, Fenwick, So., 5-11, F
Allison Seberger, Montini, Jr., 6-1, F
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Dominique White, Walther Lutheran, Jr., 5-6, G
FAR WEST
TOP TEAMS
Waubonsie Valley (22-7)
Junior guard Rachel Bostick helped soccer team win Class AA state title last spring.
Geneva (26-3)
Lost in 2007 regionals, but Vikings have a 51-7 mark over the last two seasons.
St. Charles North (23-7)
Will try to get it going behind 6-4 Kelsey Smith and Nika Sircher, the former Montini guard.
Naperville Central (15-17)
Won’t make fans forget about the Candace years but should win the DuPage Valley.
Lake Park (22-10)
Eliminated last season by Maine West, Lancers will go as far as Samantha Arnold takes them.
TOP PLAYERS
Victoria Alvarez, Rosary, Sr., 5-8, G
First-team all-conference pick averaged 11.4 points, 5.3 assists, 6.8 rebounds and 5.5 steals.
Jessica Carter, Naperville Central, Sr., 5-11, F
Sister of Erica Carter, who played on ’03 and ’04 state champs, will attend Eastern Illinois.
Samantha Arnold, Lake Park, Jr., 6-3, C
One of the area’s best outside shooters ranks in the top 1 percent of her class.
Kelsey Smith, St. Charles North, Jr., 6-4, C
Averaged 15 points, 8.5 rebounds as a sophomore for the North Stars.
Taylor Whitley, Geneva, Jr., 5-8, G
Reigning Western Sun Conference player of year averaged almost 20 points as a soph.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Rachel Bostick, Waubonsie Valley, Jr., 6-0, C
Allie Cerone, Wheaton North, Sr., 5-7, G
Anna Gault, Waubonsie Valley, Sr., 5-6, G
Kelley Hendrick, Naperville Central, Jr., 5-6, G
Sarah Langlas, Wheaton Warrenville South, Sr., 5-8, F
Lisa Lawrence, Naperville Central, Sr., 6-2, C
Jessica Morice, Waubonsie Valley, Jr., 5-8, G
Taylor Nieling, Wheaton Warrenville South, Sr., 5-2, G
Danielle Pipal, Glenbard South, Sr., 5-7, G
Michelle Scandora, Wheaton North, Sr., 6-1, C
Alexa Sharkey, Wheaton Academy, So., 5-9, G
Nika Sircher, St. Charles North, Sr., 5-7, G
Natalie Tarter, Batavia, Jr., 5-8, G
Kyra Watson, West Aurora, Sr., 5-9, G
Katie Yohn, St. Edward, Jr., 5-11, G
SOUTH
TOP TEAMS
Marian Catholic (29-4)
Spartans will depend on Kaila Turner, 6-2 Mallory Eggert and depth.
Hillcrest (23-7)
Hawks won 12th straight conference title and played Marian tough in sectional final.
Bishop McNamara (19-11)
The schedule-toughened Irish, now in 2A, reached the big schools’ Elite Eight in 2006.
Sandburg (15-17)
The Eagles have sweet-shooting Madeline Kish–and so will Eastern Illinois.
Oak Forest (19-9)
Bengals, led by then-sophomore Aubrey Sparrey, went 10-1 in conference to tie for title.
TOP PLAYERS
Uniquah Hampton, Hillcrest, So., 5-11, G
As a freshman, she averaged 10 points per game and collected 157 steals.
Brittany Hasselbring, Bishop McNamara, Sr., 5-9, G
Started as a sophomore and played all 32 minutes in Elite Eight loss to Young.
Madeline Kish, Sandburg, Sr., 5-10, F
Her three-point talent was good enough to win IHSA’s “Queen of the Hill” title.
Candace Sykes, Momence, Sr., 5-10, G
Alabama recruit’s 30 vs. Chicago Christian helped notch school’s first sectional title.
Kaila Turner, Marian Catholic, Jr., 5-8, G
Averaged 9.5 points and led the third-place Class AA team in assists as sophomore.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Micahlena Ashford, Rich South, Sr., 6-0, G
Candace Berryhill, Richards, Sr., 5-11, C
Brandi Branka, Bishop McNamara, Sr., 5-9, G
Lynne DeYoung, Illiana Christian, Sr., 5-9, F
Kayla Green, Stagg, Sr., 5-6, G
Patricia Hoffman, Sandburg, Jr., 6-0, C
Brittany Jones, Andrew, Sr., 6-0, C
Cora Jones, Bloom, Sr., 5-8, G
Mallory Eggert, Marian Catholic, Jr., 6-2, C
Andrea Mendoza, Oak Lawn, Sr., 5-10, F
Jailyn Norris, Homewood-Flossmoor, Fr., 5-10, G
Ariel Rouse, Hillcrest, Jr., 6-0, C
Aubrey Sparrey, Oak Forest, Jr., 5-9, G
Alli Stoub, Chicago Christian, Sr., 5-6, G
Carla Uhlarik, Queen of Peace, Jr., 5-7, G
SOUTHWEST
TOP TEAMS
Bolingbrook (32-2)
Raiders won state in ’06, were second last season but have lost a lot of seniors.
Oswego (18-9)
Lots back, including sophomore guard Samiya Wright and junior Katie Ziemnik.
Lemont (22-7)
Erin Stahurski, Anna Jozefiak return from team that lost regional final to Hinsdale Central.
Lincoln-Way Central (23-6)
Rachel Larson, a 5-11 senior, is one of top players in SouthWest Suburban Red.
Lincoln-Way East (17-10)
Kersten Magrum, as a sophomore, was MVP of East’s holiday tournament last December.
TOP PLAYERS
Janisha Gearlds, Bolingbrook, Sr., 5-6, G
St. Louis U.-bound guard will help run the show for Raiders this season.
Rachel Larson, Lincoln-Way Central, Sr., 5-11, F
She’ll give Knights a shot at winning the SouthWest Suburban Red title.
Kersten Magrum, Lincoln-Way East, Jr., 6-0, F
Had 21 points, 8 rebounds in regional semifinal victory over Illiana Christian.
Erin Stahurski, Lemont, Jr., 5-11, C
A center in basketball, she plays goalkeeper for Lemont’s soccer team.
Miranda Tate, Bolingbrook, Sr., 5-11, G
Came off the bench to lead ’06 state champions in scoring; headed for Temple.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Taylor Foulks, Joliet, Jr., 5-7, G
Cass Gunderson, Lincoln-Way Central, Sr., 5-7, F
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Kate Hickey, Joliet Catholic, Jr., 5-8, F
Anna Jozefiak, Lemont, Sr., 5-7, G
Nellie Kosola, Lincoln-Way East, Jr., 5-7, G
Jenna Kroll, Lockport, Sr. , 5-11, C
Catherine Languido, Lemont, Sr., 5-8, G
Kristen Lutz, Morris, Sr., 5-10, F
Tiana Nobles, Joliet, Sr., 5-6, G
Katie Novak, Lockport, Sr., 5-8, G
Kaitlyn Ray, Lincoln-Way Central, Fr., 5-6, G
Satavia Taylor, Bolingbrook, Jr., 6-0, G
Theresa Tynski, Lincoln-Way East, So., 5-6, G
Samiya Wright, Oswego, So., 5-7, G
Katie Ziemnik, Oswego, Jr., 5-8, G