:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/POSF43RRPVB73NQ7BHAUUSNETY.jpg)
DeKalb Barbs
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/QKCZA2ROBZEB5DEJONNHEAN7VI.jpg)
Coach: Mark Sykes (12th season)
2020 record: 6-9, 3-7 in DVC
Top returners: Amina Gray, jr., G; Kailey Porter, jr., F/C; Ava Bertrand, sr.
Key newcomers: Lauren Gates, jr.; Makaylynn Newman, jr.; Raven Meeks, jr.
Worth noting: The Barbs have two returning All-Conference players in Gray and Porter, both of whom are juniors. … The Barbs also return seven players from last season’s team, which should give them an advantage with knowing how Sykes wants them to play. … ”We look to use our athleticism to play pressure defense and an up-tempo offense,” Sykes said. “We have high expectations for our kids in the classroom and on the floor. The girls have responded at all levels, and we look forward to getting started here soon to see where we are at and where we need to go.”
Sycamore Spartans
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/5XGRYF22QRBLPEIRIRFK55IB64.jpg)
Coach: Adam Wickness (6th season)
2020 record: 17-2, 11-0 in I-8
Top returners: Faith Feuerbach, sr., F; Ella Shipley sr., G; Evyn Carrier, jr. C
Key newcomers: Monroe McGhee, so.
Worth noting: The Spartans return most of the team that finished undefeated in conference last season, including conference co-MVPs Faith Feuerbach and Ella Shipley. … The Spartans will have a strong inside-out game with sharpshooter Feuerbach and center Carrier, both of whom have been varsity players their entire careers… “We are all on the same page about what our goals are for this season and what it will take to get there,” Wickness said. “The squad and staff are fully invested and eager to show everyone what we are capable of.”
Genoa-Kingston Cogs
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/JRA6XHCSQNDAPIV6DU6AZB63IY.JPG)
Coach: Brendan Royalty (third season)
2020 record: 4-7, 4-6 in Big Northern
Top returners: Emily Gilbert, sr. G; Avery Walters, sr., G, Bryce Boylen, jr., F
Key newcomers: Taylor Rhoads, jr. G; Cortlyn Tetzloff, jr. G; Ally Poegel, fr., G
Worth noting: The Cogs lost their top two scorers from last season, so they will be finding out who the scorers will be early in the season. Emily Gilbert will be the leader on both ends of the court, but the offensive should be balanced. … “This year our strength will be our teamwork,” Royalty said. “If we are playing together on both ends of the floor we will be able to experience success.”
Hiawatha Hawks
Coach: Jason Haack (first season)
2020 record: 0-6, 0-5 in Little 10
Top returners: Brooklyn Rylko, so. F; Crystal Haack, jr., G
Key newcomers: Calli Schell, sr., G; Sophia Ingle, sr., F
Worth noting: The Hawks are young and inexperienced this season with a first-year coach, so there could be some growing pains early in the season. … The calling card for the Hawks will be their speed, so they will be an exciting team on the court. “They are working hard at getting better and have already become a close team,” Haack said. “I’m excited to see what we can do this year.”
Hinckley-Big Rock Royals
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/5K6CETH3ORFV5KXQZDGQHHWWCQ.JPG)
Coach: Doug Brewington (seventh season)
2020 record: 6-11, 3-4 in Little 10
Top returners: Ashleigh Wackerlin, sr. G/F; Morgan King, sr. G; Sydney Razo-Ewan, sr. G
Key newcomers: Alyssa Swanson, jr. G/F; Della Harrod, jr. F
Worth noting: The Royals are entering a new chapter with their top scorer from the past three seasons, Tessa Prellberg, off to college. … The Royals will have a lot of experience with three seniors who have been varsity starters since their sophomore year. … “We’re more rounded than we have been in recent years,” Brewington said. “At times we’ve been a one-trick pony, usually just trying to outrun teams or die trying, but this year we have the ability to beat teams in a variety of ways.”
Indian Creek Timberwolves
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/C4BZIHZQSFFFDLZQDZW7RHPMNU.jpg)
Coach: Paul Muchmore (25th season)
2020 record: 8-8, 5-2 in L10 Conference
Top returners: Geena Sanford, jr., G; Alexa Anderson, jr., G; Anna Cox, sr., G
Key newcomers: Audrey Witte, jr. F; Madison Bogle, jr., G
Worth noting: Just like the other Little 10 team in the south county, the Timberwolves are moving on from a dynamic scorer after last year’s Daily Chronicle Player of the Year Brooke Heiman graduated. … The Timberwolves have a steady hand in Muchmore, who has made deep state runs in the past. … The Timberwolves have some experience, but will be relying mostly on a promising young core led by top returning scorer, junior guard Geena Sanford. ” We are striving every day to be the best team we can be,” Muchmore said. “With the girls hard work we are close to game ready.”
Kaneland Knights
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/HES2XOTQMSWC2ENQTYV6KQCL2I.jpg)
Coach: Kelsey Flanagan (third season)
2020 record: 9-4, 9-4 in I-8
Top returners: McKenzie Schueler, sr., PG; Megan Noel, sr., G/F; Taylor Seaton, sr., G
Key newcomers: Lexi Schueler, so., PG; Kendra Brown, fr., G
Worth noting: The Knights are loaded with seven seniors, so experience shouldn’t be a problem. McKenzie Schueler is coming back from an ACL injury that wiped out her season and is expected to make up for lost time. … “I anticipate our team playing physical on both ends of the floor,” Flanagan said. “We’re a very different team than we were last year with several 3- and 4-year varsity players graduating. They’re a very competitive group that wants to win. They hustle and play hard all the time.”