1. New Trier
Comment: It’s difficult to dribble a ball in water, but 6-foot-2-inch Allison Stewart will use some of the skills she learned in water polo to help the top-ranked Trevians. “She’s a really good water polo player,” said coach Teri Rodgers, who thinks the passing in the pool has helped Stewart on court. That’s good news for Lauren Lubin and Shana Franklin, who helped this team finish third in Class AA after a 30-8 season. The bad news for the Trevians is starter Nora Quish’s torn ligaments in her right ankle. That injury will bench her until late December. “We’ve got so much depth on this team,” Rodgers said. “Losing her is going to hurt, but some kids will get more playing time.”
2. Hinsdale Central
Comment: It’s scary that seniors Maggie Acuna (Illinois) and Morgan Kasperek (Iowa) “worked harder than they ever have” over the summer, said coach Steve Gross. Acuna averaged 11 points a game last season to go along with 137 steals while Kasperek came through with 14 points and six rebounds a game. “Maggie worked hard on her ability to score, and Morgan worked on ball-handling every day in the summer,” said Gross. Then there’s junior guard Melanie Ploger, who hit an amazing 51 percent of her three-point shots, going 96-of-189 for the 31-1 Red Devils. Michelle Ryndak and Val Fleishman are back, while Kirstin Nelson returns from a knee injury.
3. Fenwick
Comment: Don’t feel too sorry for coach Dave Power. Sure, after winning the Class AA title last season, he lost 6-4 Sarah Kwasinski to Northwestern and Claudette Towers to DePaul. But returning are 6-2 junior Erin Lawless and enough guards for the National Guard. “I think the key for us is if the girls can play the style of ball I’m demanding–full court,” said Power, whose Friars were 36-2. The backcourt includes Kristin Heidloff, who just didn’t seem like a freshman after nailing an overtime shot to win at Marshall, Breanne Smilie and Nicole Rivera. Add to the mix 5-8 freshman Brittany Johnson and 5-4 Traci Pawlak.
4. Hillcrest
Comment: Finding a flaw on this team may be more difficult than finding Waldo. Illinois-bound guard Janelle Hughes averaged 20 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists a game last season for the 28-2 Hawks, who were knocked out of the tournament by Fenwick. The other four starters are back too–Nadia Bibbs (14, 4.8, 5.0), 6-1 Loyola recruit Danielle Lonie (11.9, 7.9 rebounds), 5-11 Regina Logan and 6-2 sophomore center Nikita Odom. Hillcrest is 80-9 with Hughes and is on a 61-game winning streak in the SICA Central. John Maniatis’ bench is loaded with Bremen transfer LaTasha Friday (16.6 scoring average), Renee Clark and 6-2 freshman Alisha Green.
5. Marian Catholic
Comment: Shannon Reidy has so much confidence in junior Missy Mitidiero that the coach doesn’t even think she needs to be in the gym for practice. “I’ve never seen a player make the impact she’s made,” Reidy said. “She’s taken control of the team so quickly.” And the Spartans, 21-8 last season, are expected to take control of the court with 6-4 DePaul recruit Maureen Simon, Providence transfer Mary Basic and 6-2 sophomore Lauren Lacey, the MVP of Doug Bruno’s team camp. But Mitidiero, who averaged 10 points a game last season, is the key.
6. Marshall
Comment: Coach Dorothy Gaters, winner of a state-record seven titles, is sure of one thing: Tiffany Sardin is trying to carry the torch passed on by Cappie Pondexter, the two-time Ms. Basketball winner. “She’s always been a good rebounder, but she’s been more vocal on the floor,” Gaters said of the 6-foot Virginia recruit, who averaged 15.1 points and nine rebounds a game for the 26-5 Commandos. Gaters is depending on Jacquay Holmes, Casmir Patterson and 6-3 Lakesha Smith too. “Cappie’s irreplaceable, but our uniforms still say `Marshall’ and we want to put the best team on the floor,” said Gaters.
7. Regina
Comment: So how good does 6-1 Jenna Markoff look after spending much of the last two seasons learning about ACL surgery instead of basketball? “She looks great,” said coach Bob Goldberg, whose team struggled to 18-12 without her. “She played 40 games over the summer and she’s `braceless.'” Most important, Goldberg said, is Markoff’s leadership–“she’s very dedicated.” Brace yourselves, Regina fans. It could be quite a ride with 6-foot junior Christina Quaye, who averaged 11 points and nine rebounds, 5-11 sophomore transfer Brittany Taylor-James, 5-9 Brittany Becker, Clarise Jones and Ashley Robinson.
8. Mother McAuley
Comment: The Mighty Macs gave Class AA champ Fenwick its closest tournament game, a 52-44 sectional loss, and finished 28-4, but coach Rick Mundo wants more than that in his third season. He said 6-3 Lauren Levine “has been in the weight room religiously since last June. She’s an absolute rock.” Levine, on the varsity since her freshman year, averaged 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds and has committed to DePaul. Also back are Bridget Boyce, who averaged 12 points a game and nailed 66 three-pointers last season, 6-foot Jena Zientek and Amy Harmening. Quincy recruit Tracy Grapenthin will play the point, and freshman Jackie Waller should contribute.
9. Benet
Comment: The Redwings will be tough in the frontcourt with Division I recruits Jordan Wilson (Wisconsin) and Jenny Callan (Lehigh). The 6-1 Wilson, a volleyball standout, averaged 14.1 points and seven rebounds and the 6-foot Callan averaged 13.6 and eight for a team that went 25-6. Wilson twisted her ankle recently, but coach Peter Paul is more worried about “just a tough [East Suburban] conference.” Junior Bridget Lipke and sophomores Chandra Smith, Amy Hunckler and Laura Langert give the conference something to worry about.
10. Buffalo Grove
Comment: The Bison may not be ready to repeat their state championship form of 1999, but they’ll be better than last season’s 14-19. One reason is 5-9 sophomore Ashley Sandstead, who led the team in scoring and assists. Coach Tom Dineen said after Buffalo Grove gave Mother McAuley a scare late last season that Sandstead “took her game to another level. And she had a great spring and summer.” Junior Jennifer Guth, whose sister Allison provided the heroics in overtime for the Class AA champs two years ago, and freshman Jana Lucas are the team’s 6-footers. Dineen likes 5-4 Molly Wendell because she “aggravates people.”
11. Hope
Comment: After last season’s Public League semifinal loss to Washington, Hope coach Jenelle Spearmon said, “We’re lacking experience.” That’s not going to be true in the third season of varsity basketball for the Eagles. All five starters return for Hope, including 6-1 senior Kristin Moore, who is headed for Arkansas and, Spearmon noted, is healthy for the first time since she was a freshman. In the post is 6-foot Lachelle Lyles, and junior point guard Shuntae Roberison is only 5-3 but remains the motor that got this team to a 24-4 mark last season. Akila Harris and Brandy Durham are the other starters.
12. Naperville Central
Comment: Not such great news about Candace Parker for Central’s opponents this season: “Candace has greatly improved. She’s taller (6-3) and stronger,” coach Andy Nussbaum said. Parker averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds a game, did a lot of pushups over the summer and is your basic veteran sophomore for the Redhawks, 24-8 last year after a supersectional loss to Neuqua Valley. Courtney Peters, Susan Lannon, Christina Kowalski and Pam Ficarra return. Nussbaum will also count on sophomore guard Rachel Crissy, who played hockey on the boys team until this year.
13. Neuqua Valley
Comment: Lindsay Wisdom is not going to surprise anyone this season–not after her 18 points and eight rebounds shocked Galesburg in last season’s Class AA semifinals. “Lindsay’s playing just phenomenally,” coach Mike Williams said. The 6-3 sophomore played her best down the stretch, leading the Wildcats (30-6) in scoring in four of her last six games. Williams has another 6-3 soph, Jessica Jones, up on the varsity and 5-7 Karly Chesko–an all-Upstate Eight player from St. Charles East–has transferred to Neuqua. Laura Laurent and Jenna Siljendahl bring Elite Eight experience to this team.
14. Maine South
Comment: After helping the tennis team to a second-place finish in the state, 5-10 senior Liz Bondi will be asked to see what she can do for Mike Deines. Bondi led the Hawks last season in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots–all after the death of her father in early December. “She’s really excited; she’s learning how to handle pressure and responsibility really well,” said Deines, whose team was 23-12. Senior Britt Luxton–there are seven seniors on this team–made 77 three-pointers last season. Seniors Mary Ristau and Anne Forde come off a supersectional volleyball team.
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15. Lake Zurich
Comment: How does coach Carl Krause describe Johanna Solverson? “She’s either a guard with post size–or a post player with guard size.” The 6-1 Iowa recruit can play any of five positions, is the tallest Bear and one of the fastest for a team that returns five starters and was 25-6 last season after falling to Barrington in the tournament by two. The sister of UIC standout Thor Solverson averaged 17 points a game last season. Krause is also counting on 6-1 Patti Hornung, defensive stopper Shannon Kolze and Jessie Miller, all seniors.
16. Trinity
Comment: After the last girls basketball season, Caprice Smith went out to play basketball. And the 6-1 sophomore played nearly 100 games in preparation for this season, which coach Jason Nichols believes will be special for the Blazers. Smith averaged 17.3 points and 11.4 rebounds and, Nichols said, “is one of the strongest kids in the area.” The team, 20-7 last season, is very young, with freshmen Alison Sansone, a 5-2 point guard, and Katie Jarger, a 5-11 forward, expected to make an immediate impact. Ciara Johnson (9.8 points, 10.1 rebounds) and Cristina Crispino (12.4 points) will help immensely.
17. St. Ignatius
Comment: The GCAC champions won 18 of their last 20 games and finished 20-11 but lost 6-foot Katie Frett (Dartmouth)–the seventh player the Wolfpack has sent to the Ivy League. Returning are 5-foot defensive pest Margaret Gilmartin, a three-year starter, and 5-11 senior Beth Wood, who was able to play only eight quarters last season. She was out after the third game with tendinitis and a viral infection. “We’re a little smaller than last year but really quick and deeper,” coach Tom McKenna said. Kerry Dillon–DePaul coach Doug Bruno’s niece–and Erin McGovern are returning junior guards.
18. Sandburg
Comment: New coach Mary Pat Connolly, who was the boys assistant at Marian Catholic last season, may have come to the right school considering the Eagles’ success with boys soccer, football and girls volleyball this fall. Erika Nelson and Lauren Palmer return at guard from a team that finished 23-9. But what will really tell the story of the Eagles’ season will be how three freshman frontcourt players perform–6-foot Melinda Queen, 5-11 Erin Catell and 5-11 Jill Hushka. “Two of them are quick enough to play [small forward],” said Connolly.
19. Prospect
Comment: Mike Nocella is harvesting the crop he planted when seniors Molly May, Rachel Theodore and Alanna Rainville were in 6th grade with a feeder team. As juniors they helped the Knights win the Mid-Suburban East with a 10-0 mark and go 19-11 overall. Prospect lost to only one school–Fremd, twice–after Christmas. Brittani Cottrell is gone, but her sister Gabrielle and Tracy Saillard are sophomores whom Nocella expects to contribute. Theodore and Rainville combined for 184 steals last season, while the 6-1 May had 69 blocks.
20. Glenbrook South
Comment: The Titans, who won the Class AA title in 1994, could be this season’s surprise team. Leading scorer Pam Findlay (12.5), a 5-10 sophomore, returns along with 6-foot junior Danielle Nabolotny. Sophomore Sara Stutz is another 6-footer–she led the freshman team to a 24-0 mark playing the point. “She can play any position on the floor,” said coach Steve Weissenstein, “and create a matchup problem for anyone.” The young frontcourt is aided by senior guards Katie Jablonski and 5-6 Cristina Antonucci.
Best of the rest: Barrington, Maine West, Stevenson, York, Young.
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Players to watch
Guards
Maggie Acuna, 5-9, sr., Hinsdale Central Nadia Bibbs, 5-8, jr., Hillcrest Bridget Boyce, 5-6, sr., Mother McAuley Jen Brown, 5-8, jr., Rolling Meadows Chrissy Dizon, 5-7, sr., Latin Meggie Eck, 5-6, jr., Deerfield Jessica Eenigenburg, 5-10, sr., Illiana Chr. Shante Glenn, 5-5, sr., Lourdes Barbie Heerdt, 5-10, sr., Timothy Christian Kristin Heidloff, 5-6, so., Fenwick Tina Hill, 5-6, sr., Richards Gina Hugelier, 5-8, jr., York Krystal Hugelier, 5-8, jr., York Janelle Hughes, 5-8, sr., Hillcrest Candis Jackson, 5-9, sr., Young Lauren Lubin, 5-8, jr., New Trier Mandy Mennella, 5-6, sr., Hoffman Estates Janecia Minter, 5-7, sr., Rich South Missy Mitidiero, 5-5, jr., Marian Catholic Kanisha Pettis, 5-4, sr., Waukegan Lindsay Richards, 5-8, sr., Barrington Shuntae Roberison, 5-3, sr., Hope Ashley Sandstead, 5-9, so., Buffalo Grove Johanna Solverson, 6-1, sr., Lake Zurich
Forwards
Liz Bondi, 5-10, sr., Maine South Jenny Callan, 6-0, sr., Benet Shana Franklin, 6-0, jr., New Trier Morgan Kasperek, 6-2, sr., Hinsdale C. Erin Lawless, 6-2, jr., Fenwick Danielle Lonie, 6-1, sr., Hillcrest Kristin Moore, 6-1, sr., Hope Erin Murtha, 5-10, jr., Stevenson Candace Parker, 6-3, so., Naperville C. Christina Quaye, 6-0, jr., Regina Tiffany Sardin, 6-0, sr., Marshall Brittany Taylor-James, 5-11, so., Regina Natasha Williams, 6-2, so., Niles North Jordan Wilson, 6-1, sr., Benet Lindsay Wisdom, 6-3, so., Neuqua Valley Heather Wojdyla, 5-10, sr., Willowbrook
Centers
Kari Embree, 6-4, sr., Wheeling Chloe Kerr, 6-3, jr., Bolingbrook Lauren Lacey, 6-2, so., Marian Catholic Lauren Levine, 6-3, sr., Mother McAuley Julie Mantilla, 6-3, jr., Hersey Jenna Markoff, 6-1, sr., Regina Amy Peters, 6-2, jr., Warren Maureen Simon, 6-4, sr., Marian Catholic Caprice Smith, 6-1, so., Trinity Dawn VanderMeer, 6-3, sr., Andrew