Tribune reporter Colleen Kane breaks down the best girls basketball teams and players in the Chicago area.
CITY
TOP TEAMS
Young
30-3 last season
Ashlee Anderson and Porsha Harris are out to make more history after Dolphins’ first state championship in ’08.
Marshall
26-7
Dorothy Gaters has 881 wins and eight state championships–both numbers Adrienne GodBold could help boost this season.
Von Steuben
21-7
Experienced team headed by Kiaherra Powell, LaTerria Taylor trying to move past last season’s regional final exit against Maine South.
Bogan
23-9
With Central Michigan signee Jalisa Olive and Lynette Holmes, this could be the year the Bengals turn heads in the Public League.
Marist
25-10
Haley Stercic, who averaged 12 points last season, needs to lead the team through the rugged East Suburban Catholic.
TOP PLAYERS
Ashlee Anderson, Young, Sr., 5-9, G
Pittsburgh signee led the state champion Dolphins with 11.3 points per game.
Adrienne GodBold, Marshall, Sr., 5-11, F
Illinois signee is the state’s top-ranked player–and No. 36 nationally–in ESPNU HoopGurlz’s Top 100 of 2009.
Porsha Harris, Young, Sr., 6-0, C
Dolphins’ leading rebounder (10.8 per game) totaled 21 points and 19 rebounds in two state finals games.
Lynette Holmes, Bogan, Jr., 6-1, F/C
One of the area’s top-ranked players in the Class of 2010 is being recruited by several Division I programs.
LaTerria Taylor, Von Steuben, Jr., 5-10, G/F
Another ESPN-ranked player (No. 54 for 2010) leads what coach Sha Hopson thinks is her most talented team.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Erica Askew, Morgan Park, Sr., 5-7, G
Ruby Barnes, Hope, Sr., 5-8, G
Ariel Haynes, Bogan, So., 6-1, G/F
Alexis Jenkins, University High, Sr., 5-6, G
Shauneia McPhearson, Holy Trinity, Sr., 5-7, G
Kathleen Molloy, Payton, Sr., 5-9, G
Jen Moriarty, Mother McAuley, Sr., 5-10, G/F
Eileen O’Donoghue, St. Ignatius, Sr., 5-11, F
Kiaherra Powell, Von Steuben, Sr., 6-0, C
Haley Stercic, Marist, Jr., 5-5, G
NORTH
TOP TEAMS
Lake Zurich
22-10
The Bears want a happier ending than last season, when Lydia Bauer separated her shoulder and Wheeling delivered a knockout in the regional final.
Loyola
25-7
Meghan Holy, Audrey Gaughan, Katie Wheeler and Michelle Bilek make the Ramblers GCAC contenders.
New Trier 17-14
Coach Teri Rodgers returns after a one-year hiatus to lead the Central Suburban favorites, who are driven by junior guard Molly Quirke.
Mundelein
23-8
Senior guards Kelsey O’Connor and J.J. Sawchuk lead the rising Mustangs, who upset a senior-laden Grant team in the regional finals.
Maine South
22-13
Seniors Jackie Rieger, Nellie Maher, Kimmy Kohlndorfer and Claire Ristau take over a team that lost to 4A champion Young in the supersectionals.
TOP PLAYERS
Lydia Bauer, Lake Zurich, Sr., 6-0, F
Do-it-all forward continues to gain confidence after an injury-shortened junior year in which she averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Meghan Holy, Loyola, Sr., 5-10, F
All-GCAC Red selection will be counted on to carry the Ramblers during a season of transition under new coach Jeremy Schoenecker.
Lauren Mead, Wauconda, Sr., 6-2, F
Division II Lewis signee averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds for regional champs.
Labrenthia Murdock, Round Lake, Sr., 5-9, G
Fueled the Panthers’ 24-6 season with 12.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Jackie Rieger, Maine South, Sr., 5-11, G
Top returning player from Hawks’ supersectional team averaged 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Olivia Allen, Lake Zurich, Sr., 5-8, G
Collier Clegg, Evanston, Sr., 5-9, F
Claire DiMario, Lake Forest, Jr., 6-1, C
Audrey Gaughan, Loyola, So., 5-4, G
Joree Green, Warren, Sr., 5-6, G
Tiffany Hendrickson, Carmel, Sr., 5-8, G
Jewell Loyd, Niles West, Fr., 5-8, G
Kelsey O’Connor, Mundelein, Sr., 5-9, G
Molly Quirke, New Trier, Jr., 5-9, G
Breannah Ranger, Niles North, Sr., 6-2, C
SOUTH
TOP TEAMS
Marian Catholic
23-6
With Mallory Eggert’s knee injury and two-point sectional loss to Marist in the past, Kaila Turner and crew are looking for a big season.
Thornton Fractional North
26-4
The move up to Class 4A is made easier with transfers Centrese McGee and Dawn Luster.
Hillcrest
24-4
A 14th straight South Suburban Blue championship is just one goal for Uniquah Hampton & Co.
Homewood-Flossmoor
11-15
Young team is gaining strength and confidence, led by sophs Jailyn Norris and Andriana Mickens and 6-3 junior CiCi Shannon.
Oak Forest
19-10
Four starters return from the regional champions, including guards Jen Swanson and Kristyne Smyth and 6-2 center Becky Bylina.
TOP PLAYERS
Uniquah Hampton, Hillcrest, Jr., 5-11, G
DePaul recruit can do it all: 15 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 4.1 steals per game.
Centrese McGee, T.F. North, Jr., 5-8, G
Addition of All-State special-mention pick from Washington a big boost for Meteors.
Jailyn Norris, Homewood-Flossmoor, So., 5-10, G
The Vikings’ leading scorer as a freshman (13 points) is tops on a good, young team.
Juanita Robinson, Hillcrest, So., 5-10, G
Adds 13.7 points and 6 rebounds to Hampton’s output to form one of the area’s more dangerous duos.
Kaila Turner, Marian Catholic, Sr., 5-8, G
Her 13.4 points, 3.8 assists and 3.7 steals attracted the attention of many, including Notre Dame.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Loretta Burton, Crete-Monee, Sr., 5-7, G
Karisma Chapman, T.F. North, Jr., 6-0, F
Mallory Eggert, Marian Catholic, Sr., 6-2, F/C
Joyce Holloway, T.F. South, Sr., 5-7, G
Angela Johnson, Thornridge, Sr., 5-7, G
Dawn Luster, T.F. North, Jr., 5-9, G
Jill Postregna, Oak Lawn, Sr., 5-11, G
Margot Restaino, Stagg, Sr., 5-10, F
Belinda Schaafsma, Bish. McNamara, So., 6-1, F
Jen Swanson, Oak Forest, Sr., 5-7, G
NEAR WEST
TOP TEAMS
Montini
28-6
Before senior Chrissy Fletcher heads to New Mexico State, Michala Johnson and the 3A third-place winners look for big things.
Fenwick
29-6
A 15th straight East Suburban Catholic title and a trip Downstate look promising thanks to the Friars’ stacked lineup, led by Tricia Liston.
Hinsdale Central
31-2
Junior point guard Toni Kokenis runs the show for the Red Devils, who went 12-0 in the West Suburban Silver.
Trinity
26-7
Shakyia Vassar, Taricka Linzy and Divinity Brown join Monica Albano to make Blazers the GCAC favorites.
Driscoll
25-6
Rising 2A power reached last season’s supersectionals; relies on Courtney Lindfors (15 points, 8 rebounds) and GiGi DiGrazia (12 points).
TOP PLAYERS
Monica Albano, Trinity, Sr., 5-8, G
Loyola-bound guard should be in the running for GCAC Red player of the year.
Michala Johnson, Montini, Jr., 6-3, F
All-State forward recovering from a sprained knee but should be at full strength to add to her 18.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.9 blocks.
Toni Kokenis, Hinsdale Central, Jr., 5-9, G
All-State special-mention selection averaged 14.5 points for a two-loss team.
Tricia Liston, Fenwick, Jr., 6-1, F
East Suburban Catholic MVP (21 points, 5.5 rebounds) scored a career-high 37 against Marist last January.
Katlyn Payne, Fenwick, Jr., 5-11, F
Her 15.2 points per game helped Fenwick run to three tournament championships and a supersectional appearance.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Rachel Buccieri, Riverside-Brookfield, Sr., 5-4, G
Ivory Crawford, Proviso East, So., 5-8, G
Caneka Davis, Walther Lutheran, Sr., 5-5, G
Angela Domin, Willowbrook, Sr., 5-10, G
Nicole Hazemi, Trinity, Jr., 6-1, C
Whitney Holloway, Montini, So., 5-4, G
Courtney Lindfors, Driscoll, Jr., 6-4, C
Courtney Owens, York, Sr., 5-9, F
Samantha Rubright, Fenton, Sr., 5-9, G/F
Courtney Thomas, Montini, Jr., 6-1, G/F
NORTHWEST
TOP TEAMS
Wheeling
28-4
Bianca Szafarowicz, Stephanie Kuzmanic and Bridgette Gray back Ashley Wilson, Janelle Cannon and the Mid-Suburban favorites.
Cary-Grove
26-4
The Trojans, 10-0 in the Fox Valley Valley, want more with returnees Meg Straumann, Claire Jakubicek, Tori Sandstrom and Liz Bart.
Crystal Lake South
21-9
Seniors Carly Juliano and Caitlin Mize have the Gators eyeing Cary-Grove and the Fox Valley Valley championship.
Hoffman Estates
21-8
Six of the top eight players, including Megan Fischer, return for this contender in the wide-open Mid-Suburban West.
Buffalo Grove
33-4
New coach Pat Dudle and returning starters Kaitlin Hillner and Heather Nisbet from 4A third-place team have tough job in replacing key losses.
TOP PLAYERS
Janelle Cannon, Wheeling, Jr., 5-9, G
Recovered from end-of-season broken arm, Division I recruit will look to build on her 12.8 points and 4 steals per game.
Ashley Capotosto, Elk Grove, Jr., 6-0, F
One of the top players in the Mid-Suburban League averaged 20.3 points and 8.9 rebounds.
Megan Fischer, Hoffman Estates, Sr., 5-11, G
College of Charleston recruit scored more than 17 points per game for a squad that upset loaded Schaumburg last season.
Mollie Whiting, Woodstock, Sr., 5-6, G
Point guard who averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds should top 1,000 career points early in the season.
Ashley Wilson, Wheeling, Sr., 6-0, F
All-State special-mention selection put up 15.1 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals per game.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Taylor Glassmann, Fremd, Jr., 5-8, G
Chrissy Heine, Hampshire, Jr., 6-0, F
Kaitlin Hillner, Buffalo Grove, Jr., 5-6, G
Emma Loos, Conant, Sr., 5-9, G
Melissa Dixon, Johnsburg, So., 5-8, G
Katie MacFabe, Palatine, Sr., 6-2, C
Carly Juliano, Crystal Lake South, Sr., 5-8, F
Kelly Rogowski, Hersey, Sr., 5-7, G
Megan Rogowski, Hersey, So., 5-9, G
Meg Straumann, Cary-Grove, So., 5-9, G
SOUTHWEST
TOP TEAMS
Bolingbrook
28-4
Division I signees Satavia Taylor (Loyola) and Candace Nevels (Murray State) are just the tip of the iceberg for the loaded Raiders.
Lincoln-Way East
23-6
Kersten Magrum already is a 1,000-point scorer for the Griffins, who lost in the sectional semis to Marian Catholic.
Lemont
22-7
Erin Stahurski and Alex Prasauskas are the veterans on a developing young South Suburban Conference team.
Oswego
16-11
This could be the Panthers’ season in the Southwest Prairie, with Katie Ziemnik (13 points per game) and Samiya Wright (9) a year older.
Providence
19-13
Celtics regain UIC recruit Katie Hannemann (13 points), who missed the last 12 games of the season with a knee injury, and return Nora Gibbons.
TOP PLAYERS
Taylor Foulks, Joliet, Sr., 5-9, G
Will take her averages of 15.3 points and 4 rebounds a game to Illinois-Chicago next season.
Kersten Magrum, Lincoln-Way East, Sr., 6-1, F
Joins Marshall’s Adrienne GodBold in University of Illinois recruiting class ranked No. 2 in nation by ESPN HoopGurlz.
Ariel Massengale, Bolingbrook, So., 5-6, G
As a freshman averaged 13.7 points and 3.4 rebounds to lead the Class 4A runner-up Raiders.
Erin Stahurski, Lemont, Sr., 5-11, C
Four-year starter brings back her 8 points and 5 rebounds a game.
Satavia Taylor, Bolingbrook, Sr., 6-0, G
Most experienced Raider played on the 2006 state championship team and the ’07 and ’08 state runner-up teams.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Sam Akre, Newark, Sr., 6-0, C
Takeya Green, Plainfield North, Sr., 5-8, F
Katie Hannemann, Providence, Sr., 6-1, F
Autum Korosic, Lincoln-Way East, Sr., 5-8, G
Kaitlyn Ray, Lincoln-Way Central, So., 5-7, G
Ivory Russell, Oswego East, Sr., 6-3, C
Ashley Shelby, Lockport, Sr., 5-7, G
Morgan Tuck, Bolingbrook, Fr., 6-2, F
Samiya Wright, Oswego, Jr., 5-7, G
Katie Ziemnik, Oswego, Sr., 5-8, G
FAR WEST
TOP TEAMS
St. Charles North
23-6
Michigan State signee Kelsey Smith–dominant with 16.2 points, 9 rebounds per game and 71 blocked shots–is ready for a big senior year.
Waubonsie Valley
26-3
Rachel Bostick, Jessica Morice and Brittany Upshaw provide balance for a team that lost by two to Bolingbrook in the sectional semis.
Geneva
21-7
Taylor Whitley and the Vikings will have to take down Natalie Tarter and Batavia on their way to a Western Sun title.
Lake Park
22-8
All-State special-mention center Samantha Arnold and Devin Johnston are among seven returnees looking to make noise in the Upstate Eight.
Naperville Central
23-10
Wisconsin-Parkside signee Kelley Hendrick (12.2 points, 4.5 assists) leads the DuPage Valley Conference contenders.
TOP PLAYERS
Samantha Arnold, Lake Park, Sr., 6-3, C
Michigan-bound center averaged 24 points and 9 rebounds per game as a junior.
Rachel Bostick, Waubonsie Valley, Sr., 6-1, C
A member of the Warriors’ two-time defending state champion soccer team, she’s headed to Illinois State for that sport.
Kelsey Smith, St. Charles North, Sr., 6-5, C
Spartans recruit and Samantha Arnold will go from Upstate Eight rivals to Big Ten rivals next season.
Natalie Tarter, Batavia, Sr., 5-8, G
Another two-sport athlete, this scoring leader for Western Sun champions will run track at Wisconsin.
Taylor Whitley, Geneva, Sr., 5-9, G
Four-year starter averaged 18 points; will play at Indiana State next season.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Jacki Gulczynski, Bartlett, So., 6-0, F
Kelley Hendrick, Naperville Central, Sr., 5-6, G
Kathryn Lux, Glenbard West, Sr., 5-11, G/F
Jessica Morice, Waubonsie Valley, Sr., 5-8, G
Brooke Olson, Wheaton North, Sr., 5-9, G
Jordan Rettig, Rosary, Jr., 6-0, C
Alexa Sharkey, Wheaton Academy, Jr., 5-9, G
Bri Tye, West Aurora, Sr., 5-3, G
Lauren Wicinski, Geneva, Jr., 6-1, F
Katie Yohn, St. Edward, Sr., 5-11, G
