Homewood-Flossmoor starts out in the top spot, but emerging St. Laurence is right there.
Top 10 Teams
1. Homewood-Flossmoor (23-8)
Losing 6-foot-3 Ihuoma Ozoh to a volleyball injury will hurt, but the powerful Vikings have plenty of potent weapons, including junior guards Jenesis Moore and Aunyai Deere. Joining the Hillcrest Holiday Classic will spice up that tournament quite a bit.
2. St. Laurence (22-12)
Sophomore forward Aaliyah Flores, one of the top players in the state in her class, led Vikings to the sectional final as a freshman. There’s another good young player on the way in 6-1 freshman forward Marlee-Michelle Coleman, who already has an offer from Chicago State. Junior guard/forward Elle Rice is getting noticed by ranking services.
3. Marian Catholic (28-8)
With graduation of Madison Davis, player of the year for East Suburban Catholic Conference and Daily Southtown, Spartans look elsewhere for leadership and scoring. Senior guard Taylor Bolton could take role, while Alainna Poisson and Gracie Jensen are three-year starters. Spartans also play at Hillcrest and head Jan. 3-4 to Florida for Miami Invite.
4. Mother McAuley (24-8)
There’s just one senior on Mighty Macs’ roster, but junior guard Quinn Arundel had successful summer after picking up plenty of notice as an all-state honorable mention pick by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Keep eye on freshman guard Harmony Cooper.
5. Bloom (21-9)
Blazing Trojans had no seniors but pulled off successful yet topsy-turvy season, winning a game 82-17 and losing a game 68-19. Bevy of returning mainstays include Kamryn Turner, a junior guard who averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 assists and 4.7 steals. Watch out for junior guard Jayla Tyler and freshman guard Sinaee Price.
6. T.F. South (19-12)
Junior forward Gigi Dillon has been a double-double machine the past two seasons for Red Wolves. Sophomore guards Brie Hawthorne and Asia Haynes and junior guard G’Yah Capers will also make some noise. Crete-Monee transfer Sharmaine Averhart, a 6-0 center, could be an impact player.
7. Sandburg (19-15)
Ellie Driscoll showed explosiveness last season as a sophomore by making 65 3-pointers. Junior guards Olivia and Zoe Trunk, twin sisters, are in third varsity seasons. Makaleigh Terry, who played for Palos South and was the Southwest Interscholastic Conference Tournament’s player of the year last season, could make an difference as a freshman.
8. Lincoln-Way West (14-14)
Senior forward Caroline Smith and junior guard Molly Finn will provide scoring punch and leadership. Warriors have three sophomores and two freshmen on the roster and will be tested right away at the WJOL Tournament.
9. Providence (18-16)
Finished regular season with big win over St. Laurence and won fourth straight regional title, booosted by Molly Knight running the show as a junior. Knight returns, while sophomore center Taylor Healy was battle-tested as a freshman and could turn into a force for Celtics.
10. Thornton (20-8)
Wildcats won first regional title since 2005 and will rely upon senior forward Amayah Jones and senior guards Kamiyah Boone and Sajda Tyehimba to stay on the upswing.
The 25 Players to Watch
- Ambriel Anderson, Oak Forest, senior, guard.
- Quinn Arundel, Mother McAuley, junior, guard.
- Taylor Bolton, Marian Catholic, junior, guard.
- Aunyai Deere, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, guard.
- Danielle Dempsey, Oak Lawn, senior, guard.
- Elle Driscoll, Sandburg, junior, guard.
- Gigi Dillon, T.F. South, junior, forward.
- Sherrie Emmons, Rich Township, senior, guard.
- Aaliyah Flores, St. Laurence, sophomore, guard.
- Bianca Fleitas, Oak Lawn, junior, guard.
- Abbey Hobart, Stagg, junior, guard/forward.
- Da’Jha Johnson, Hillcrest, junior, guard.
- Amayah Jones, Thornton, senior, forward.
- Molly Knight, Providence, senior, guard.
- Jessica Manley, Shepard, junior, forward.
- Jenesis Moore, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, guard.
- Kiya Newson-Cole, Lincoln-Way Central, guard.
- Alainna Poisson, Marian Catholic, senior, guard.
- Lily Porter, Marist, sophomore, forward.
- Lexi Reyna, Lemont, senior, guard.
- Elle Rice, St. Laurence, junior, guard/forward.
- Caroline Smith, Lincoln-Way West, senior, forward.
- Kamryn Turner, Bloom, junior, guard.
- Jayla Tyler, Bloom, junior, guard.
- Tiara Williams, Morgan Park Academy, sophomore guard.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
