Fremd already has won an overtime thriller against an out-of-state power and lost to a conference rival in its first seven games. In a six-game span, Benet went from unknown to being considered a dark horse to go downstate.
Stevenson and Marist have produced surprising fast starts, while Rich South nudged its way into the Tribune’s Top 10.
And then there’s defending Class 4A state champion Young.
The Dolphins have yet to play a game, electing to concentrate on improving in practices. The No. 1 Dolphins open the season Saturday against No. 3 Montini at the Mac Irvin Diabetes Classic at Larkin.
“I like to start the season after Thanksgiving,” Young coach Corry Irvin said. “I think we’ve started only three times before Thanksgiving. One of the times we lost in a tournament in Memphis. I decided then we needed the extra time to practice. I like it better, and so do the players.”
As long as the Dolphins are one of the last teams playing at the end of the season, Irvin’s methods won’t be questioned. The Dolphins’ 2014-15 squad will resemble Irvin’s guard-oriented teams from her earlier years. The Dolphins mostly were a post-dominated team with 6-foot-5 Khaalia Hillsman (Texas A&M), 5-11 Taylor Brame (SMU) and 6-0 Maya McKee last season.
“It was different last year,” Irvin said. “I think it took us a long time to get adjusted to playing so much half-court and running plays and controlling where the ball went. It took us a good part of the season for the players to get used to that.”
The Dolphins return to their roots with a surplus of talented Division I guards. Madinah Muhmmad (Mississippi), Katrina Beck (Illinois State) and Tanita Allen (DePaul) are back, along with junior sensation Kiara Lewis.
“We’ll be faster up and down the court this year,” Irvin said. “We have more team speed because we don’t have the three big seniors. We should be more versatile, and like our teams in the past by being deep in the guard spot and pushing the pace more.”
Lewis had a breakout game in last season’s opener against Rolling Meadows. Irvin said the 5-8 Lewis “can play pretty much anywhere she wants” in college. Lewis showed in last season’s two state tournament games that she’s much more than just a scorer.
“She’s one of the best point guards in the country,” Irvin said. “She’s different than the other point guards that I’ve had. She’s bigger, but still quick and can rebound. She’s more versatile than the others.”
