High school girls basketball: Previewing teams from around the Suburban Life area

The girls basketball season tips off this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Benet

Coach: Joe Kilbride (seventh season).

Last year’s record: 29-3, 7-0 East Suburban Catholic Conference, first place.

Top returners: Kendall Moriarty, sr., G, 6-0; Morgan Demos, jr., P, 6-2; Lenee Beaumont, so., G, 5-11; Olympia Kokkines, jr., G, 5-10; Margaret Temple, jr., G, 5-10.

Key newcomers: Emma Webb, jr., G, 5-10; Samantha Trimberger, so., P, 6-0; Emilia Sularski, fr., G, 5-10; Maggie Sularski, fr., G, 5-10.

Worth noting: The Redwings graduated six seniors now playing college basketball from the team that won the ESCC for the third consecutive year and reached a sectional final before an upset loss to Bolingbrook, with Suburban Life Player of the Year Kendall Holmes now at DePaul and Brooke Schramek at Wisconsin ... Molly Sheehan graduated early, and is now at Valparaiso ... Moriarty, a Nebraska recruit, and Demos, who has D1 offers, are the lone returning starters that Benet will build around ... Kilbride is expecting big things from Beaumont, who has multiple D1 offers and got significant time on varsity as a freshman. Webb is a transfer from Lisle.

“Without a summer to assess where we are at, many unknowns, but we’re hoping to compete in a very tough ESCC this year,” Kilbride said.

Downers Grove North

Coach: Stephan Bolt (ninth season).

Last year’s record: 28-7, 9-3 West Suburban Silver, tied for second place.

Top returners: Ryann Wendt, jr., G, 5-10; Kate Gross, jr., G/F, 5-10; Ella Sebek, jr., G, 5-6; Eleanor Harris, jr., F, 6-0; Vanesa Linge, jr., F, 6-0; Maggie Fleming, so., G/F, 5-9.

Key newcomers: Violet Mitchell, so., G, 5-8.

Worth noting: The Trojans are coming off a banner season, a program record 28 wins and postseason run to a sectional final ... The graduation of guard Ellie Gross leaves a big void, but several players return who saw significant minutes last year ... Wendt averaged 7 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists as a sophomore, and Kate Gross 6 points and 4 rebounds, and shot 36% from the 3-point line ... Harris averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds and Fleming 4 points and 3 rebounds.

“I believe we were poised for another great season,” Bolt said. “We are excited to be able to compete again with a team that could be very special next season.”

Downers Grove South

Coach: Lyndsie Long (eighth season).

Last year’s record: 11-16, 8-5 West Suburban Gold, third place.

Top returners: Meghan Stapleton, sr.; G/F, 5-9; Jordin Grant, sr., G/F, 5-7; Ashley Lang, sr., F/C, 6-0.

Key newcomers: Emily Petring, so., G; Allison Jarvis, fr., G.

Worth noting: Stapleton, a Loras College commit, has played on the varsity team since she was a freshman ... Stapleton is a lights-out shooter and strong defender, and is among five seniors who will lead the Mustangs ... Grant, entering her third varsity season, is a physical player who can take it to the basket and finish ... Lang, also entering her third varsity season, is a post player who can play both inside and outside and provides a defensive presence ... “With the players we have, we can be very successful offensively,” Long said. “We need to focus our attention on the defensive end and get the girls playing and communication with each other.”

Fenwick

Coach: Dave Power (29th season).

Last year’s record: 27-9, 4-3 GCAC, third place.

Top returners: Elise Heneghan, jr., F, 6-0; Audrey Henrichs, jr., F, 6-1; Lauren Hall, sr., G, 5-11; Mira Schwanke, jr., G, 5-10; Mia Caccitolo, jr., G, 5-8; Amanda Hansen, jr., F, 6-2.

Key newcomers: Campbell Brusca, so., Raina Ford; Allie Heyer; Kailyn McHugh; Grace O’Brien; Olivia Polston; Lorritzia Richards; Joidann Watson, Grace Kapsch, fr.

Worth noting: The Friars have a ton of experience back from a team that won the program’s first sectional title since 2010, losing to eventual Class 3A champion Simeon in the supersectional ... Power, in his 44th year of coaching, is closing in on career win 1,000 (he’s at 991) ... Hall, who averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds as a junior, is a three-year starter, lockdown defender and returning GCAC all-conference pick ... Henrichs, who averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds, is another strong defender, two-year starter and GCAC all-conference selection ... Heneghan, who averaged 14 points and 5 rebounds, is a two-year starter and another all-conference pick ... Caccitolo and Schwanke, who led the team in 3-pointers at a 43% rate last season, are both returning starters and Hansen is a two-year varsity player.

“This team hopes to be in contention for the conference title in the GCAC,” Power said. “With all the things these student-athletes have been through, we are just happy to playing.”

Glenbard East

Coach: Nicole Miller (third season).

Last year’s record: 18-14, 12-6 Upstate Eight Conference.

Top returners: Lauren Huber, sr., G, 5-9; Emily Ryan, sr., F, 5-11; Kendall Crackel, sr., G, 5-8; Katie Mulatz, sr., G, 5-5; Denise Navar, sr., F, 6-2; Brooke Hernandez, sr., G, 5-8; Madison Ziemer, sr., G, 5-7; Aubrey Wendorff, sr., F, 6-2.

Key newcomers: Maddie Weltin, sr., F, 5-10; Catey Carney, fr., G, 5-7; Ciara Johnson, fr., G, 5-7.

Worth noting: The Rams made a remarkable improvement last year, going from 8-25 to 18-14 – the program’s most wins since the 2003-2004 season and two wins shy of the program record ... with the starting lineup from the past two years, and three players off the bench back, the arrow is pointed up ... Huber has been the Rams’ star point guard for three seasons ... the honorable mention All-Stater and All-Area guard averaged 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3 assists as a junior, and is 76 points away from 1,000 for her career ... Ryan’s emergence last season took the pressure off Huber, as the two-year starter averaged 9 points and 8 rebounds for a team that won eight of their last 11 regular-season games ... Crackel and Mulatz are both two-year varsity starters, Crackel a top defender ... Weltin came out for her senior year after not playing since the eighth grade ... “Excited to be playing, and we have a lot of experience with all starters returning,” said Miller, entering her 13th year as a varsity coach, 27th year all totaled in coaching.

Glenbard South

Coach: Morgan Eufrasio (sixth season).

Last year’s record: 23-6, 13-3 Upstate Eight Conference, second place.

Top returners: Lauren Cohen, sr., G, 5-9; Alex Wilharm, sr., F, 5-10; Iman Sellars, sr., F, 5-8; Gianna Coluzzi, jr., F, 5-8.

Key newcomers: Sophia Alcala, fr., 5-9.

Worth noting: The Raiders have been a model of consistency, topping 20 wins in four straight seasons and seven of the last eight years ... Eufrasio is 121-34 in her first five seasons. All-Area guard Cohen, an Illinois State recruit, makes Glenbard South go ... She averaged 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3 assists as a junior and is an exceptional defender ...The Raiders have a ton of experience back ... Wilharm averaged 3.1 point and 3.7 rebounds last year, Sellars 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds and Clouzzi 2.9 points and 4.5 rebounds ... Eufrasio called Alcala “an athletic kid who can finish around the rim and has great court awareness.”

“In shocking news we will play man-to-man defense,” Eufrasio said. “We should be a decent defensive team. Offensively we will have to let our defense lead to our offense.”

Glenbard West

Coach: Kristi Faulkner (fourth season).

Last year’s record: 19-11, 8-4 West Suburban Silver.

Top returners: Renee Seaney, sr., G, 5-9; Emmie Roberts, jr., G, 5-3; Kendall Walch, jr., G/F, 5-10; Sophia Brown, so., G, 5-8, Mackenzie Cater, so., G/F, 5-10.

Key newcomers: Kennedy Brandt, jr., G/F; Anastasia Adrianopoulos, so. G/F; Tess Farnum, jr., G; Emily Miranda, jr., G; Allie Murphy, fr., G; Sydney Nimakont, fr., G; Carina Cudzilo, fr., F.

Worth noting: The graduations of Taylor Huff, now at New York University, and Maggie Stutelberg, who graduated early to enroll early at Western Michigan, leaves a huge void ... Huff and Stutelberg did the lion’s share of Glenbard West’s scoring last year, combining for 30.3 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. ... Roberts started most of last season, and Seaney is a three-year varsity player.

“Our team is young, but work hard and are excited to grow,” Faulkner said.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Karen Persinger (fourth season).

Last year’s record: 10-18, 4-8 West Suburban Silver, fifth place.

Top returners: Maria Rivera, sr., P, 5-9; Maddie Ward, sr., G, 5-3; Eleanor Monyek, jr., F, 5-11; Lanie Randle, jr., G, 5-6; Nina Sarros, jr., F, 5-11; Tessa Howe jr., G, 5-6; Angie Conley so., G, 5-3; Amelia McLaughlin so., G, 5-9.

Worth noting: The core of last year’s team returns and looks to build on the progress made at the end of last season, as the Red Devils won four of their last six games ... Leading scorer Monyek, who averaged 10.7 points, returns, as does leading rebounder Sarros, who averaged 6.8 boards ... “We will look to strong leadership on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor from our junior class,” Persinger said.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Scott Tanaka (third season).

Last year’s record: 4-20, 2-10 West Suburban Gold, seventh place.

Top returners: Mary Lavorato, sr., 5-6, G/F; Ellie Urbanski, sr., F, 5-6.

Key newcomers: Madeline Gamboa, jr.; Jenny Pantoni, jr.; Molly Savage, jr.; Gabby Baranauskas jr.; Natalia Vasilevski jr.; Makena Camden so.; Amelia Lavorato fr.; Amerie Flowers fr.

Worth noting: The Hornets struggled last season with injuries and sickness ... Mary Lavorato and Urbanski are both three-year returning varsity players to build around .... “We have two amazing seniors leaders back and a great group of juniors and underclassmen that have a wonderful attitude,” Tanaka said. “We look forward to competing every day.”

IC Catholic Prep

Coach: Todd Fisher (second season).

Last year’s record: 19-13, 9-3 Metro Suburban, second place.

Top returners: Claire Wagner, jr., F, 5-11; Alia Johnson, sr., F, 5-10; Gia Gaudio, sr., F, 5-9

Key newcomers: Frances Cook, jr.; Caterina Calabria, jr.; Liliana LoCascio, jr.; Vincenza LoCascio, jr.

Worth noting: The Knights return their three leading scorers – Wagner, Johnson and Gaudio – from a team that reached a Class 2A regional final ... this is Fisher’s 22nd season coaching overall ... Wagner, an all-conference selection last year, averaged 10.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals ... Johnson, also an all-conference pick, averaged 11.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 steals ... Gaudio averaged 7.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.

Lemont

Coach: Tracy Rainey (fifth season).

Last year’s record: 13-13, 8-5 South Suburban Conference.

Top returners: Bella Kedryna, so., G, 5-9; Kaya Stropus, jr., G, 5-8 ; Nora Grubisic, sr., F, 5-9; Maya Abdo, sr., G, 5-8; Sami Hinkle, jr., G, 5-10.

Key newcomers: Jakie Wencl, jr., G, 5-8; Nina Pavlica, jr., G, 5-9; Peyton Kelby, jr., G, 5-8; Emmy Horn, jr., G/F, 5-9; Alyssa Gronski, jr., G, 5-6; Brooke Panush, so., F, 5-10; Jess Beasley, so., F, 5-8.

Worth nothing: Kedryna, Lemont’s leading scorer as a freshman, leads a good combination of returning varsity players complemented by a group of sophomores and juniors ... Kedryna averaged 12.2 points as a freshman ... Stropus averaged 6.2 points and Grubisic 4.5 points.

Lyons Township

Coach: Meghan Hutchens (eighth season).

Last year’s record: 19-10, 9-3 West Suburban Silver, tied for second.

Top returners: Lindsey Hahn, sr., G, 5-8; Elli Kosanovich, sr., G, 5-7; Hailey Markworth, jr., G, 5-10.

Key newcomers: Olivia Mezan, jr., G, 5-7.

Worth noting: Winona State recruit Hahn leads six seniors returning from a team that reached a regional final last year ... Hahn made 68 3-pointers at a 39.3% clip as a junior ... the Lions will have to make up for the production of Lily Courier, now at Lewis, who topped 1,000 points for her career and was an honorable mention All-Stater last year ... Kosanovich, scrappy and the Lions’ toughest defender, shot 35% from the 3-point line last year ... Hutchens called Markworth a rising star – “She is confident leading our team as the point this season. She has elevated her game and can score from anywhere on the court.” ... Mezan, a transfer from Montini who came off the bench for the Lady Broncos’ state team last year, brings another element to the Lions’ offense with her explosiveness to the basket and as a 3-point threat.

Montini

Coach: Shannon Herold Spanos (first season).

Last year’s record: 33-5, 5-0 GCAC Conference, first place.

Top returners: Shannon Blacher, so., G, 5-9; Sawyer White, jr., G, 5-8; Samantha Mogilinski, jr., G, 5-8.

Key newcomers: Alyssa Epps, fr., F, 5-9; Victoria Matulevicius, fr., G, 5-9; Riley White, fr., G, 5-7; Maren Hoovel, so., G, 5-7.

Worth noting: Things will look a lot different in Lombard this year, with Jason Nichols moving on to Morton College after winning four state titles and 10 state trophies in 17 seasons ... The Lady Broncos graduated just two seniors off the team that took third place in Class 3A last year, but a number of talented underclassmen transferred to public schools ... It leaves Montini with zero returning starters for first-year coach Spanos, a 1999 Montini graduate who previously was the sophomore coach at Glenbard West ... Blacher and Sawyer White are the lone returners with varsity experience ... Hoovel, a transfer from Glenbard West, will see significant floor time at guard ... A strong freshman class led by Epps, Matulevicius and Riley White should help.

Morton

Coach: Kristeen Anthonsen (second season).

Last year’s record: 7-21, 4-8 West Suburban Gold, fifth place.

Top returners: Laura Valdez, sr., PG, 5-4.

Key newcomers: Alondra Reyes, so., G; Saniyah Richardson, jr., G.

Worth noting: The Mustangs, who return just one starter, are young, with eight juniors and three sophomores ... Valdez, who averaged 7 points and 4.2 assists last year, is the program’s leader. “She can handle the ball well and will have even more opportunities to score this year,” Anthonsen said ... Reyes and Richardson are both transfers who could make an impact right away ... “We will be a very young and new team this year,” Anthonsen said. “We will look to establish an identity and continue to build our program.”

Nazareth

Coach: Ed Stritzel (fifth season).

Last year’s record: 21-13, 3-4 East Suburban Catholic Conference, tied for fourth place.

Top returners: Caroline Workman, jr., F, 5-11; Grace Carstensen, so., G, 5-8; Mackenzie Hylund, so., F, 5-11; Melisa Hadzic, so., G/F, 5-11; Sarah Brongiel, sr., F, 5-9.

Key newcomers: Amalia Dray, fr., G, 5-8; Dannie Scully, fr., F, 6-0; Olivia Austin, fr., F, 6-0; Mary Bridget Wilson, fr., PG.

Worth noting: The Roadrunners won 21 games and a regional title last year in their first season in Class 4A, a nifty accomplishment given injuries and youth ... Workman missed all of last season with a torn labrum in her hip, and should provide scoring and defense while playing multiple positions ... Carstensen, a strong shooter, started every game for Nazareth as a freshman and Hylund also gained experience as a freshman ... Hadzic, who hit the game-winner in last year’s regional final win over Lyons, can play multiple positions.

Added to that group is a freshman class that Stritzel believes is the best and deepest in the Chicago area ... Wilson will play point guard for the Roadrunners, Austin is their best pure athlete, Scully can shoot the 3 or score inside and Dray will provide scoring and athleticism at shooting guard.

“We feel we can compete with anyone this year and our future is so bright and we should be able to contend for state for the 2021-2022 season,” Stritzel said.

Riverside-Brookfield

Coach: Dallas Till (10th season).

Last year’s record: 30-4, 12-0 Metro Suburban Blue, first place.

Top returners: Brenna Loftus, sr., F, 5-8.

Worth noting: Loftus, committed to Washington University, is already R-B’s all-time leading scorer with over 2,000 points for her career ... She scored over 1,000 points last year alone ...The Bulldogs graduated a number of key players from last year’s Metro Suburban Blue champs, but Till is hopeful they can compete with the upper-echelon teams.

“It’s hard to say what our outlook is because we have a number of new faces that will be asked to step into key roles and play big minutes,” Till said.

St. Francis

Coach: Jeff Gerdeman (first season).

Last year’s record: 17-15, 9-4 Metro Suburban, fifth place.

Top returners: Kate Chaparro, sr., PG, 5-4; Maggie Culver, sr., SG, 5-7; Katie Anne De Craene, jr., F, 5-10.

Key newcomers: Lauren Bruce, jr., G/F, 5-7; Katherine Lilly, so., F, 5-10; Dolly Smith, fr., G, 5-5.

Worth noting: Gerdeman, assistant coach for the last two seasons, is back for his third stint as St. Francis head coach ... The 1987 St. Francis graduate previously coached the Spartans’ program from 1998-2002 and 2009-2011, and won three straight regional championships from 1999-2002 ... The Spartans return three starters and has a deeper bench which should allow them to play a more up-tempo style. ...Chaparro, a four-year varsity player, averaged 11 points and led the team in steals and assists last year ... Culver, also an all-conference pick, averaged 14 points and led St. Francis in rebounding ... Reserve Katherine Lemke, in her first season of high school basketball, is a Creighton recruit for golf who will graduate first in her class academically.

Timothy Christian

Coach: Jill Groenewold (second season).

Last year’s record: 23-7, 12-2 Metro Suburban Conference Red.

Top returners: Hannah Schuringa, sr., F, 6-0; Sureya Alex, sr, G, 5-4; Sarah Carstensen, sr., F, 6-0; Grace Roland, so., C, 6-2; Maddie Drye, so., G, 5-8; Christina Swiech, sr., F, 5-10; Greta Hoogstra, sr., C, 6-2.

Worth noting: The Trojans return their entire starting lineup, centered around Schuringa ... The MVP of the Metro Suburban Red last year averaged 16.7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals, and became the fifth Timothy Christian player to reach 1,000 career points ... Carstensen was a finalist in the 3-point shootout at state ... The Trojans are adding three new juniors who Groenewold expects to bring speed and experience.”

“We expect to be a solid team that builds on what we accomplished last year, taking advantage of our height and quickness,” Groenewold said.

Westmont

Coach: Ryan Pattison (first season).

Last year’s record: 2-27.

Top returners: Diellza Dalipi, so., F; Jordan Karesh, jr.

Key newcomers: Aleksa Sekularac, sr., G.

Worth noting: Pattison, previously the head coach at Guerin Prep, takes over with the Sentinels ... Westmont will be young, with four freshmen and two sophomores playing for a varsity team that returns two starters ... Sekularac is back after missing all of last season with an injury ... Dalipi started as a freshman ... “[Sekularac and Dalipi] bring leadership and both do a nice job scoring in multiple ways,” Pattison said. “We will be young and looking to grow throughout the season.”

Wheaton North

Coach: Dave Eaton (17th season).

Last year’s record: 23-7, 10-4 DuKane Conference, second place.

Top returners: Claire Hyde, jr., G 5-5; Julia Simon, sr., G, 5-6; Ellie Hubbard, sr., G, 5-9; Caroline Gaither, jr., G, 5-9; Ella Kocher, sr., G, 5-10; Courtney Craig, sr., F, 5-10; Eden Pearson, so., G, 5-6; Lindsey Shanahan, jr.; Kayla Shebar, sr., G, 5-2; Allie Whitmer, jr., G, 5-9.

Worth noting: The Falcons bring back everybody from a team that took second place in the DuKane Conference and reached a sectional semifinal ... Hyde, entering her third varsity season, is one of the area’s best point guards ... she averaged a team-high 15 points, made 60 3-pointers and led the Falcons in minutes played as a sophomore ... Simon averaged nearly 5 steals a game and led Wheaton North in assists ... Hubbard is committed to play softball collegiately at Wisconsin.

“We are just excited to get a chance to play together,” Eaton said. “This season is going to look very different, but the important part is that we get a chance to play. There is going to be a lot of games in a short period of time and we are glad we get a chance to go compete in a very very strong conference.”

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Rob Kroehnke (20th season).

Last year’s record: 6-21, 2-12 DuKane Conference.

Top returners: Lily Huntzinger, jr., G, F-10; Mia McCoyd, sr., G, 5-8; Katie Kroehnke, sr., G/F, 5-10.

Worth noting: Last year was a rebuilding season for the Tigers, who have otherwise been a model of consistency under veteran coach Kroehnke ... WW South has won 20 or more games 11 times in his 19 seasons, with nine regional titles, and he’s at 361 career wins ... Last year was only WW South’s second losing season since 2009 ... Huntzinger was an all-Dukane pick last year, averaging 9 points ... Also back is McCoyd, who averaged 6 points and Kroenke, who averaged 4 points.

“We will have a little more experience, and some young players who might fill some roles,” Kroehnke said.

Willowbrook

Coach: Terry Harrell (12th season).

Last year’s record: 15-13, 9-3 West Suburban Gold, second place.

Top returners: Stephanie Dasbach, sr., F, 6-1; Gracie Tumilty, sr., G, 5-6.

Key newcomers: Taris Thornton, sr., F, 6-1; Sophie Sullivan, jr., G, 5-7; Calli Kenny, fr., G, 5-9.

Worth noting: The Warriors graduated their top defender K’aliyha Herron, but return leading scorer and rebounder Dasbach to a roster strengthened by the addition of two significant transfers ... Dasbach, a Winona State recruit, averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds as a junior and is a tremendous rebounder ... She’ll be helped out in the paint by the presence of Thornton, a transfer from Montini and Eastern Illinois recruit who led the Lady Broncon in rebounding and that adds toughness and scoring ... also coming aboard from Montini is All-Area guard Sullivan, who was third on the Lady Broncos in scoring and led them in 3-point shooting ... Tumilty led the Warriors in assists as an all-conference sophomore and is back after missing last season with a knee injury ... Spada, a returning starter, is a dependable shooter.

“With having little practice at this time I can only say that we will be talented on the perimeter,” Harrell said. “The backcourt will feature a group of talented seniors and a couple of newcomers that should be difference-makers this year.”

York

Coach: Brandon Collings (fourth season).

Last year’s record: 26-8, 10-2 West Suburban Silver, first place.

Top returners: Amaya Rufus, sr., G, 5-9; Sydney Molis, sr., G/F, 6-0; Kaitlyn Kjome, sr., G/F, 6-0; Megan Juneman, sr., F, 6-0; Emma Kluth, sr., G, 5-3; Sophie Schoonveld, sr., G, 5-8.

Key newcomers: Mariann Blass, so., G, 5-8; Lizzy Baldridge, so., G, 5-9.

Worth noting: Four starters – Kjome, Juneman, Molis and Rufus – return from a Dukes’ team that won the program’s first regional championship since 2009, and had York’s most wins since 2003 ... York does have to fill the shoes of All-Area point guard Sara Krissinger ... All-Area forward Kjome was third on York in scoring at 7.2 points per game and averaged a team-high 5.8 rebounds, a strong and athletic player who can dominate down low, step out and hit the open shot and attack the basket ... Rufus, recently signed with Indiana University-South Bend, led York in assists and minutes last year, is perhaps the area’s best on-ball defender and will be the Dukes’ catalyst ...

Molis, long and athletic, averaged 7.8 points last year, second on the Dukes ... Juneman got a late start to last season because of a bad ankle but had a great second half as a dominant low-post force, averaging 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds ... Collings said Baldridge will allow the Dukes to play at a faster pace this season with her passing and ball handling ... he projects that fellow sophomore Blass will be one of the better 3-point shooters and even scorers in the area.