Northwest Herald girls basketball preview: 5 to watch in 2024-25

Huntley's Anna Campanelli brings the ball up the court against Burlington Central's Kenzie Andersen during a Fox Valley Conference girls basketball game on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at Burlington Central High School. — Huntley's Anna Campanelli brings the ball up the court against Burlington Central's Kenzie Andersen last season at Burlington Central High School. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver )

Anna Campanelli, Huntley, sr., G

Campanelli (5-foot-10) was among the area’s top scorers last season at 14.1 points a game for the Red Raiders, who captured their third straight Fox Valley Conference title. Campanelli, who is committed to Division-I Kent State, made 34 3-pointers and averaged 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.5 steals a game. She earned Northwest Herald All-Area first-team honors last year.

Marian Central’s Juliette Huff takes an outside shot against Rockford Guilford in varsity girls basketball Saturday at Landers Pavilion on the campus of Marian Central High School in Woodstock. — Marian Central’s Juliette Huff takes a shot against Rockford Guilford last season at Marian Central High School in Woodstock. (Patrick Kunzer for Shaw Local/Patrick Kunzer for Shaw Local)

Juliette Huff, Marian Central, sr., G

Huff (5-9) returns for the Hurricanes after a breakout junior campaign that saw her average 12.6 points a game and 42 3s. She was key in leading Marian to a program-record 27 wins, back-to-back Class 2A regional titles and the Chicagoland Christian Conference Tournament crown. Huff, an All-Area second-team pick last year, is committed D-III Carroll University.

Cary-Grove's Ellie Mjaanes (center) and Sam Skerl (right) guard St. Viator's Mia Bergstrom during an IHSA Class 3A Antioch Sectional semifinal girls basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at Antioch High School. — Cary-Grove's Ellie Mjaanes (center) and Sam Skerl (right) guard St. Viator's Mia Bergstrom last season at Antioch High School. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver )

Ellie Mjaanes, Cary-Grove, sr., F

Mjaanes (6-2), an All-Area second-team pick last year, returns for her final season after averaging a team-best 12.8 points and 6.4 rebounds a game for the Trojans. Mjaanes, who is committed to D-I Lehigh, was a disruptive force on the defensive end with 40 blocks and helped C-G to its first regional title since 2018.

Crystal Lake South's Laken LePage shoots the ball over McHenry's Emerson Gasmann during a Fox Valley Conference girls basketball game Tuesday Jan. 10, 2023, at Crystal Lake South High School. — Crystal Lake South's Laken LePage shoots the ball over McHenry's Emerson Gasmann during the 2022-23 season at Crystal Lake South High School. (Gregory Shaver — gshaver@shawmedia.com/Gregory Shaver for Shaw Media )

Laken LePage, Crystal Lake South, jr., G

LePage (5-7) missed her sophomore season with a torn ACL after an impressive freshman campaign that saw her average 11.1 points a game to earn All-Area honorable mention. LePage will provide a big boost to the Gators, who struggled last season to a 3-25 record.

Crystal Lake Central's Leah Spychala goes up for a shot in front of Dixon’s Hallie Williamson during their Class 3A sectional semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at Sycamore High School. — Crystal Lake Central's Leah Spychala goes up for a shot in front of Dixon’s Hallie Williamson last season at Sycamore High School. (Mark Busch)

Leah Spychala, Crystal Lake Central, sr., F

Spychala (6-1) will be looked at to lead the Tigers after the graduation of Katie Hamill, the 2024 Northwest Herald Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Spychala earned All-Area honorable mention honors last season, averaging 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds a game with 47 blocks and 88 steals. Central won its first regional title since 2019.