2021 Northwest Herald girls basketball preview capsules

Fox Valley Conference

Burlington Central

Coach: Collin Kalamatas (second season)

Last season’s record: 29-5 overall, 16-2 FVC (second)

Top returners: Elana Wells, sr., G; Avery Andersen, sr., G; Rylie Duval, jr., G; Becca Carani, jr., G; Lauren Knief, jr., F

Key newcomers: Taylor Charles, jr., F; Lena Kyriazis, jr. G

Worth noting: In their first season as part of the 10-team FVC, the Rockets finished a win behind Dundee-Crown for first but did capture the program’s first regional title since 2016. Burlington’s season ended with a loss to Sycamore in the Class 3A sectional semifinals. … Kat Schmidt, the program’s all-time leader in points (1,697) and rebounds (782), graduated and is at Lewis. … Wells, who is committed to Indianapolis, where she will join McHenry grad Liz Alsot and Marengo grad Marissa Knobloch, led the Rockets in points (17.2), assists (3) and steals (3) a game, along with 76 3-pointers. … Charles, a 6-foot-2 forward, transferred from Montini and helped lead the Broncos to a third-place finish at the Class 3A state tournament. She has scholarship offers from Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Virginia Tech, Purdue and DePaul, among others. … “We’re just excited to be back on the court,” Kalamatas said. “While we won’t get an opportunity to make a postseason run, we’re looking forward to finally getting back and competing together.”

Cary-Grove

Coach: Tony Moretti (second season)

Last season’s record: 11-18 overall, 3-15 FVC (tied for eighth)

Top returners: Emily Lukowski, jr., G-F; Lauren Passaglia, sr., F; Kate Larry, sr., G; Lilliana Kurth, jr., G; Paige Hoscheit, sr., G

Key newcomers: Maddie Scharrenburg, jr., F; Avery Nielsen, jr., G; Payton Seibert, so., F; Alyssa Hamann, so., G

Worth noting: Lukowski led the team in scoring average (13 ppg) and paced the Trojans with 27 3s, adding 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals a game. She was named to the Northwest Herald All-Area second team for the first time. … Passaglia was one of C-G’s better all-around players and was second on the team in rebounds (5.4 rpg). Kurth was second on the Trojans with 23 3-pointers. … Scharrenburg transferred from Crystal Lake South after starting for the Gators. … “I really want our team to go out and enjoy the opportunity,” Moretti said. “There is no pressure on us. I’ve made it clear that things are bigger than basketball this year. We want to enjoy these six weeks together, play loose and have fun.”

Crystal Lake Central

Coach: Derek Crabill (fifth season)

Last season’s record: 5-25 overall, 2-16 FVC (10th)

Top returners: Nora Ryan, sr., F; Paige Keller, jr., G

Key newcomers: Katie Hamill, fr., G

Worth noting: After graduating their top four scorers a year ago, the Tigers went from 17 wins and a regional title in 2018-19 to five wins. This season, however, Central is the only local team that has multiple players returning who averaged 10-plus points a game in Keller (10.9 ppg) and Ryan (10.7 ppg). Keller also averaged 5.9 rebounds a game and sank a team-high 46 3s. Both Keller and Ryan were All-Area honorable mention picks. … “We are really excited to be on the hardwood again,” Crabill said. “This is a season unlike any we have seen before, and therefore our expectations are geared toward the mental, physical and emotional growth of our team. We want to make the most of the time together.”

Crystal Lake South

Coach: Mark Mucha (seventh season)

Last season’s record: 16-17 overall, 8-10 FVC (sixth)

Top returners: Brooke Kuffel, sr., F; Ava Sevcik, sr., G; Emily Rich, sr., G; Kree Nunnally, so., G

Key newcomers: Anna Wiggs, jr., F; Hanna Massie, so. F

Worth noting: The Gators improved by nine wins last season and won four more games in the FVC. … Rich led the team in scoring (8.1 ppg) and had a team-high 37 3s. Nunnally provided a spark as a freshman, averaging 7.2 points. Only Huntley’s Carley Faulkner (8.5 ppg) had a higher scoring average among freshman area players. … Kuffel, a Wisconsin softball commit, led the team in rebounding (6.9 rpg). Sevcik had 31 3s.… “We can’t wait to get back on the court after a long break,” Mucha said. “Excited to see our seniors compete one more time. It should be a sprint of a season in a competitive FVC. We’ll have a good mix of experience and youth.”

Dundee-Crown

Coach: Sarah Teipel (eighth season)

Last season’s record: 29-7 overall, 17-1 FVC (first)

Top returners: Alyssa Crenshaw, sr., F; Gianine Boado, sr., G; Arysia Harris, sr., F

Key newcomers: Katy Raby, jr., G; Dana Cornwell, sr., G; Gabby Bianchi, sr., F

Worth noting: The Chargers set a program-record with 29 wins and were a win away from advancing to state. D-C beat Barrington, 43-37, for its first sectional championship since 2003, before falling to Lake Park, 60-49, in the Class 4A South Elgin Supersectional. D-C graduated eight from last year’s Fox Valley Conference champion, including three starters: Katelyn Skibinski (7.9 ppg), Cassidy Randl (team-high 30 3s) and Payton Schmidt. The Chargers’ FVC outright title was their first since 2004. They shared it with Hampshire, Huntley and C-G in 2017 as part of a four-way tie. … Crenshaw was the Northwest Herald Girls Basketball Player of the Year, averaging 15.2 points, nine rebounds and two steals a game. She led the team in scoring in every postseason game and is committed to St. Xavier. … Boado missed all but seven games as a junior with a torn ACL and will play next year at Morton College. “We’re not taking any moment or day for granted,” Teipel said. “We’re excited to compete this year, demonstrating that passion and togetherness.”

Hampshire

Coach: Eric Samuelson (second season)

Last season’s record: 16-15 overall, 11-7 FVC (tied for fourth)

Top returners: Kelby Bannerman, sr., F; Jessie Dumoulin, sr., G; Ceili Ramirez, so., G; Layla Tiongco, sr., G

Key newcomers: Avery Cartee, fr.; Katie Heine, jr.; Ashley Herzing, fr.; Lexi Kagel, so.; Casey Meyers, sr.; Kaitlyn Milson, so.; Emily Mohr, so.; Alex Montez, so.; Lia Saunders, so.

Worth noting: Bannerman was named to the All-Area first team for the second straight season, averaging 16.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 blocks a game for the Whip-Purs. Bannerman, who is committed to Davidson, was one of three area players with more than 300 rebounds. ... Dumoulin was a big midseason addition after returning from a torn ACL, averaging 7.8 points a game and hitting 21 3s in limited action. … Hampshire’s third-leading scorer, Alyssa Cork (7.4 ppg), who graduated, sank a team-high 58 3s. … “As an entire program, we are looking forward to making the most of our time together, forming stronger relationships on and off the court, staying healthy and getting better as a team each practice,” Samuelson said.

Huntley

Coach: Steve Raethz (22nd season)

Last season’s record: 20-14 overall, 12-6 FVC (third)

Top returners: Kamsi Nwogu, sr., F; Raquel Radermacher, sr., G-F; Ashley Guazzo, sr., G; Sara Rysavy, sr., G; Francesca Romano, sr., F; Kendall Krich, sr., G-F; Riyana Walker, sr., G; Nicole Flaherty, jr., G; Carly Faulkner, so., G-F; Jessie Ozzauto, so., G

Key newcomers: Jori Heard, jr., F; Ally Braaten, jr., F; Sammi Campanelli, so., G

Worth noting: The Red Raiders returned to the postseason spotlight and won their 10th regional title, beating Hononegah, 34-30, before falling to D-C, 49-42, in a Class 4A Huntley Sectional semifinal. The regional championship was Huntley’s first since 2016, when they won four in a row, led by Ali Andrews, McHenry County’s all-time leading scorer. … Nwogu was an All-Area second-team pick, averaging 12.4 points and 5.1 rebounds a game. … Faulkner (8.5 ppg) and Radermacher (8.4 ppg) gave the Raiders three consistent scoring threats. Faulkner got big minutes as a freshman and dominated in stretches. She suffered a torn ACL over the summer but has been cleared to play. Radermacher was an All-Area honorable mention selection. … Nwogu, Radermacher and Guazzo all are four-year varsity players. … “Although this season is very unique, I’m very excited for our players, in particular our seniors, who will now have a chance to play,” Raethz said. “Our players are excited for the chance to compete, and they have a great perspective about their opportunity to play over the next six weeks.”

Jacobs

Coach: Jonny Reibel (third season)

Last season’s record: 7-24 overall, 3-15 FVC (tied for eighth)

Top returners: Mackenzie Leahy, jr.; Brooklyn Krahl, sr.; Haley Schaffer, sr.

Key newcomers: Arianna Corrado, so.; Janae Gillus, so.; Ella Tamburrino, jr.; Janaya Banks, jr.; Leslie Argomaniz, jr.; Addison Gurney, jr.; Bridget Grady, jr.; Jasmine Tanada, sr.; Paige Anderson, sr.

Worth noting: Leahy stood out for the Eagles and was a Northwest Herald All-Area honorable mention selection in her first year starting as a sophomore. She led Jacobs at 11 points a game and shot 74.7% from the free-throw line. … Jacobs’ top 3-point shooters, Liz Schwartz (43 3s) and Courtney Durben (38 3s) both graduated. In all, the Eagles lost nine to graduation. … “This year’s team will possess great senior leadership with [Krahl, Schaffer, Tanada and Anderson],” Reibel said. “Alongside these seniors, the team is full of a strong group of juniors and sophomores that will help this program continue in the right direction this year and in years to come.”

McHenry

Coach: Rob Niemic (seventh season)

Last season’s record: 24-9 overall, 11-7 FVC (tied for fourth)

Top returners: Ashley Wachter, sr., G; Marissa Hanley, sr., G; Gracie Gasmann, sr., G; Mariah Honea, sr., G; Raegan Stinger, sr., G; Nyssa Enriquez, sr., G; Kate Delgadillo, sr., F

Worth noting: The Warriors finished with more than 20 wins for the third straight season and are 73-23 since the start of 2017-18. … McHenry lost both starting guard Ava Interrante and forward Katie Beyer to graduation. Both are at Valparaiso, with Beyer graduating in January to join the Crusaders a semester early. Beyer was third among area players in scoring average (17.4 ppg) and tied for first in rebounding (10.8 rpg). Interrante averaged 13.1 points a game. … Wachter, an All-Area honorable mention selection, trailed only Marengo’s Jennifer Heinberg among area players with 76 3s and is committed to Illinois-Springfield. ... Hanley will play at Benedictine. .. “These seniors are the most ‘ALL IN’ athletes I have coached since taking over the program, and we want to send them off by playing a season and creating more everlasting memories as Warriors,” Niemic said.

Prairie Ridge

Coach: Tim Taege (third season)

Last season’s record: 13-18 overall, 7-11 FVC (seventh)

Top returners: Cora Collins, sr., G; Sam Gablenz, sr., G; Kelly Gende, jr., F; Karsen Karlblom, jr., G; Emma Kay, sr., G-F; Alana Mocchi, sr., F; Elani Nanos, jr., G; Calista Pollack, sr., F

Key newcomers: Breanna Pollack, jr., G; Vanessa Holtz, jr., F

Worth noting: Karlblom, an All-Area second-team selection as a sophomore, was eighth in scoring average at 15.6 points a game. The sharpshooter was fourth in the area with 72 3s, her second straight season with more than 70 3s. … Mocchi led the Wolves at 6.6 rebounds a game. … “This season comes with a myriad of challenges, but despite them all we are so grateful to be in the gym together playing ball,” Taege said. “I feel fortunate to work with these seniors one last time and we hope to surprise some teams along the way.”

Kishwaukee River Conference

Harvard

Coach: Larin Filip (third season)

Last season’s record: 12-18, 1-9 KRC (tied for fifth)

Top returners: Emma Ackland, sr., C; Anahi Escobar, jr., G

Key newcomers: Hayley Shafer, fr., G; Abigail Tittle, jr., F; Lillie Peceniak, jr., G; Elizabeth Navarrete, sr., F; Alexia Posada-Reyes, sr., G; Amairani Sanchez, sr., G

Worth noting: The Hornets had 12 wins after winning only five over the previous four seasons combined. Harvard also enjoyed some conference success, beating Richmond-Burton to earn its first KRC win in program history (the conference formed in 2016). That win also snapped a 62-game conference losing streak, which included four straight winless conference seasons. … Harvard was led by Lauren Shafer, who averaged 9.1 points and six rebounds a game. … The Hornets graduated eight and lost two more to early graduation (Avryl Westphal and Lindsey Shafer). … “I am really excited to see what this current team can accomplish,” Filip said. “They come ready to work hard every practice and have had a lot of information thrown at them, but they are absorbing and pushing through, despite all the obstacles this season has manifested.”

Johnsburg

Coach: Erin Stochl (third season)

Last season’s record: 17-16 overall, 5-5 KRC (tied for third)

Top returners: Molly Wetzel, jr., F; Macy Madsen, jr., G; Saida Blount, sr., F

Key newcomers: Payton Toussaint, so. G

Worth noting: The Skyhawks won their second straight regional title and fourth in the past five seasons, defeating Rockford Lutheran, 44-36, before falling to Winnebago, 51-34, in the Class 2A sectional semifinals. … Johnsburg graduated six, including the team’s top scorer in forward Mackenzie Straulin (10.3 points). ... Wetzel (8.3) and Madsen (7.7) were second and third, respectively, in scoring average. … “We are just grateful to have the opportunity to play this year and are proud of our players for how they have handled adversity,” Stochl said.

Marengo

Coach: Nick Rode (10th season)

Last season’s record: 20-11 overall, 9-1 KRC (tied for first)

Top returners: Jennifer Heinberg, sr., G; Lilly Johnson, sr., G; Alexis Kunde, sr., F; Kierra Morris, sr., F

Key newcomers: Morgan Coffman, jr., F; Courtney Jasinski, jr., G; Michaela Almeida, so., F; Gianna Almeida, so., F; Addie Johnson, so., G

Worth noting: The Indians lost to Marian Central, 48-40, in a Class 2A regional final after winning back-to-back regional championships. Marengo has averaged 22 wins over the past three season, going 66-27. Last year’s KRC co-championship with Woodstock North was the Indians’ second straight KRC title. … Heinberg, an All-Area second-team selection, was fourth in area scoring at 17.3 points a game. She led all area players in 3-pointers (106), setting Marengo’s single-season record, and free-throw percentage (87.1%). … Johnson (7.3 ppg) had some of her biggest performances late in the season. … “I see this as a hungry group, excited to get out there and represent both their school and community,” Rode said. “We will be led by our seniors. They are a special group that sets the tone for us everyday.”

Richmond-Burton

Coach: Stephanie Oslovich (fourth season)

Last season’s record: 6-24 overall, 1-9 KRC (tied for fifth)

Top returners: Rachel Baker, sr., G; Jesse Klicker, sr., G; Hannah Schleibinger, sr., F

Key newcomers: Zoe Hannemann, jr., F; Makenna Donohoe, jr., G; Zoe Packelly, so., G; Lyndsay Regnier, so., G

Worth noting: The Rockets graduated six and had two early graduations. … Peyton Bannon, who now is playing softball at Wisconsin, scored a program-record 663 points in 30 games and became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,266 career points. She led the area in scoring (22.1 ppg) and was KRC Player of the Year, scoring 54% of her team’s points and scored a program-record 43 points in a loss to Marengo. … R-B’s top returning scorer, Baker, averaged 8.9 points and six rebounds a game. … “Our main goal is to be competitive at the varsity level with all our new juniors and sophomores stepping up,” Oslovich said. “We are a brand new team practically. Even though it will be a big change, it is perfect for our program in a shortened season. The three returning seniors [Baker, Klicker and Schleibinger] are great role models and leaders for the younger girls to look up to.”

Woodstock

Coach: Rick Peterson (second season)

Last season’s record: 11-18, 5-5 KRC (tied for third)

Top returners: Theresa Presisto, sr., G; Celia Tafoya, sr., PG

Key newcomers: Jania Legman, fr., F; Reagan Wormley, fr., PG

Worth noting: The Blue Streaks have big shoes to fill after graduating two big dominant forwards in Emma Brand (14.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and Erin Lockwood (13.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg), losing a total of six seniors overall. … Woodstock’s 11 wins were its most in the past five seasons and second most in the past 10, according to Peterson. “We’re trying to pick up where we left off, but now we’re a brand new team again,” Peterson said. “I expect growing pains, but I really like our future. Our girls were very excited to get back on the court. It’s a fun group to work with.”

Woodstock North

Coach: Mike Lewis (12th season)

Last season’s record: 21-10 overall, 9-1 (tied for first)

Top returners: Colette Jones, sr., G; Madison Czischki, sr., G; Allison Goers, sr., F; Lacey Schaffter, jr., PG; Katelynn Ward, jr., F; Avery Crabill, jr., G; Trinity Tillman, jr., F; Kalei Jones, jr., G; Gracie Zankle, so., G

Key newcomers: Sophia Fabian, so., G

Worth noting: The Thunder finished with a program-record 21 wins and became the first KRC basketball champion in school history, boys or girls, sharing the conference title with Marengo. The two teams split their regular-season series for their only losses. … North fell to Chicago Resurrection, 45-42, in the Class 3A Resurrection Regional final, coming up just short of the program’s first postseason title. … The Thunder graduated two of its top scorers in Abby Hartmann (10.1 ppg) and Kaitlyn Ford (8.1 ppg). Schaffter was second on the team in scoring (8.2 ppg) and knocked down 45 3s. Ford led the team with 53 3s … “We are really excited for the opportunity to get to have a season no matter how short it is,” Lewis said. “We have committed to work hard each day to put ourselves in successful positions.”

East Suburban Catholic Conference

Marian Central

Coach: Ephraim Lee (third season)

Last season’s record: 10-22 overall, 0-7 ESCC (eighth)

Top returners: Morgan Laudick, sr., G; Jenna Golembiewski, sr., G; Julia Hogel, sr. G

Key newcomers: Madison Kenyan fr., G; Jordyn Kratochvil so., G; Joy Holian, jr., G

Worth noting: The Hurricanes beat Marengo, 48-40, at the Class 2A Wheaton Academy Regional final to earn their their first postseason title since 2013. … Marian graduated its top player on both offense and defense, Janelle Allen, who averaged 17.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game. Allen, who is coach Lee’s sister and the Hurricanes’ lone senior last year, now is at Holy Cross. … “We have a lot of returning players and new faces, a great team environment, and I’m excited to see them all play together,” Lee said.

Northeastern Athletic Conference

Alden-Hebron

Coach: Marty Hammond (seventh season)

Last season’s record: 16-16, 5-3 NAC (fourth)

Top returners: Kendra Cashmore, sr., F; Abby Wanderer, sr., C; Karly Strand, sr., G; Korhyn Geary jr., F; Corrine Elswick, jr., G

Key newcomers: Jessica Webber, fr., G; Hannah Reiter, fr., G; Adrianna Valdez, fr., C

Worth noting: The Giants graduated two starters, including the area’s second-leading scorer in Rachel Pahl, who averaged 18.4 points and seven rebounds a game for A-H. … Wanderer averaged 7.7 points and 6.7 rebounds a game, while Cashmore, who is the team captain, averaged 6.8 rebounds. … The Giants have not had a losing season since 2011-12, and last season’s 16 wins were third most for the team in the past six seasons. … “This team has a huge opportunity for many players to be instrumental in the success of our team,’ Hammond said. “When this opportunity for a season presented itself, our athletes were excited to prepare for this moment. They are looking forward to what they missed out on for the last 11 months.”