More Top Picks Yamaha Yas 109
player ready...Top 5 Teams
1. Waubonsie Valley: Expect another big season for the Warriors, who finished third in Class 3A last year. The lineup features seven college signees: Emma Rigby, Morgan Kemmerling, Tori Christiansen, Maddie Pokora, Erin Morgan, Sarah Laws, and Cici Gazder.
2. Batavia: The Bulldogs went 3-0 in the Tournament of Champions en route to winning six of their last seven before a regional final loss. Nine returning starters mean depth, experience and chemistry.
3. Metea Valley: Veteran assistant Chris Whaley now is the Mustangs’ head coach, assisted by Metea boys coach Josh Robinson. All-sectional and All-Upstate Eight Valley midfielder Alena Sidwell (10 goals, 5 assists) leads solid core.
4. Kaneland: With eight starters back, the Knights should finally break their regional title curse. Kaneland is sharp offensively with all-league picks Madison Jurcenko and Holly Collingbourne, plus Courtney Diddell.
5. Aurora Central Catholic: The Chargers ready to prove 3-11 to 8-6-2 turnaround was no fluke. Unheralded Jordyn Sundberg (16 goals, 4 assists) and goalkeeper Bry Mandarino spearhead much-improved nucleus.
Top 20 Players
Alondra Castro, East Aurora, sr., defender; Courtney Diddell, Kaneland, sr., midfielder; Alison Grimm, Batavia, sr., defender; Madison Jurcenko, Kaneland, sr., midfielder/forward; Quincy Kellett, Rosary, sr., forward; Morgan Kemmerling, Waubonsie Valley, sr., midfielder; Katie Kennedy, Metea Valley, sr., defender/midfielder; Anna Klein, Hinckley-Big Rock, jr., midfielder; Mary Landry, Geneva, sr., midfielder; MacKenzie Lee, Yorkville, sr., goalkeeper; Megan McEachern, Batavia, jr., midfielder; Mikaela Mockenhaupt, Oswego, sr., midfielder; Maddie Pokora, Waubonsie Valley, sr., defender/midfielder; Taylor Peck, Oswego East, so., forward; Emma Rigby, Waubonsie Valley, sr., goalkeeper; Karina Rosales, Batavia, sr., midfielder; Alena Sidwell, Metea Valley, sr., midfielder; Jordyn Sundberg, Aurora Central Catholic, sr., midfielder; Maria Witte, Rosary, sr., defender/midfielder; Mariyah Zeitz, West Aurora, jr., defender.