TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Homewood-Flossmoor (19-9): Vikings return one of the state’s top players in Syracuse recruit Alyssa Latham. Senior forward works well with Jaeda Murphy, a junior point guard and potential big scorer. Jordyn Miller, a 6-foot-2 forward, has size and skill to be force under the basket.
2. Providence (27-7): Hillsdale recruit Annalise Pietrzyk is a four-year starter at guard. She’s just 49 points shy of 1,000 for her career. Junior guard Gabi Bednar is a double-digit scorer?, while senior guard/forward Madison Swanson offers effectiveness at both ends of the court.
3. Thornwood (21-3): What Thunderbirds lack in height, they make up for with a three-guard, double-figure scoring threat among senior Janiyah Saverson and juniors Trinity Chears and Kayla Johnson. There is some height inside with 6-2 Jabrea LaCaze.
4. Lincoln-Way East (17-13): Griffins are strong on veterans, inside and out. Hayven Smith, a 6-5 junior center, led team in rebounds and was second in scoring. Junior guard Lana Kerley put up 13 points a game, while guard Maddie Yacobozzi is a steal machine.
5. Lincoln-Way Central (22-9): Senior guard and IUPUI recruit Azyah Newson-Cole is top returnee who led the Knights to first conference title in 15 seasons. Senior guard Keira Hunt was the MVP of the Sandburg Tournament. Junior guard Gracen Gehrke should score well and start, while junior guard Gianna Amadio is a lockdown defender.
6. Marian Catholic (27-9): Junior Madison Davis, a 5-11 guard, was the Spartans’ leading scorer last season. She’s getting Division I looks. Senior Khamille Jackson, a 6-1 center, will also keep offense productive under the basket. Senior Mya Bradley and sophomore Alainna Poisson are two newcomers to watch.
7. Oak Forest (19-11): Bengals should contend for all-around honors in South Suburban Conference with LSU recruit Janae Kent, the reigning Daily Southtown’s player of the year. Senior guard Olivia Baxa is another returning big-time scorer, while senior Sade Rodriguez is back after a year’s absence to run the point. Senior forward Keira Clancy can score both inside and out.
8. Mother McAuley (19-10): Curtis Lewis, who takes over as the Mighty Macs’ coach, has solid returning group of starters. Junior guard Grace Gambotz fills the stat sheet and can get hot from 3-point range, hitting five against St. Ignatius. Junior Morgan Feil plays both wing and post, while senior Cailyn McLean fills the middle and junior Maeve Egan is a shooter.
9. Marist (23-10): New coach Renee Chimino has a pretty big rebuild after four starters graduated. She has one building block, however, in 5-11 senior forward Elise Ward. Seniors Katie Tracy, Maggie Farritor and Isabelle Harmon are all in line for major playing time.
10. Sandburg (20-11): Josie Canellis, the state’s Queen of the Hill last season, is back as one of program’s best 3-point shooters. Senior guard Claire Callaghan is a four-year starter, while 6-0 junior forward Juliana Paddock will step up from sixth-man role.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Clare Allison, St. Laurence, junior, guard; Olivia Baxa, Oak Forest, senior, guard; Gabi Bednar, Providence, junior, guard; Josie Canellis, Sandburg, senior, guard; Madison Davis, Marian Catholic, junior, guard; Grace Gambotz, Mother McAuley, junior, guard; Apple Guerrero, Argo, senior, forward; Ava Gugliuzza, Lincoln-Way West, senior, guard; Keira Hunt, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, guard; Khamille Jackson, Marian Catholic, senior, center; Kayla Johnson, Thornwood, junior, guard; Bella Kedryna, Lemont, senior, guard; Janae Kent, Oak Forest, senior, guard/forward; Lana Kerley, Lincoln-Way East, junior, guard; Alyssa Latham, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, forward; Isabel Lopez, Reavis, junior, forward; Jaeda Murphy, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, guard; Annalise Pietrzyk, Providence, senior, guard; Azyah Newson-Cole, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, guard; Ameli Sanchez, Stagg, junior, guard; Rose Savaglio, Oak Lawn, senior, guard; Janiyah Saverson, Thornwood, senior, guard; Hayven Smith, Lincoln-Way East, junior, center; Elise Ward, Marist, senior, forward; Tariya Wright, T.F. South, sophomore, guard.