Defending conference champions Antioch and Mundelein are back for more this season, but challengers abound.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Antioch (29-6): The four-time defending Northern Lake County Conference champion Sequoits, who were the Class 3A state runners-up for the second straight season, are aiming for their fourth consecutive trip to the state semifinals. But the road back to Peoria will be quite different without Jacey Schuler, a freshman at Michigan State. Junior shortstop Claire Schuyler (Minnesota), junior catcher Addison Webb (Bradley), junior utility player Samantha Hillner, junior outfielder Kailyn Bockwoldt and senior third baseman Taylor Clark headline a potent lineup.
2. Mundelein (36-3): The defending North Suburban Conference champion Mustangs are loaded with talent — and motivation — with 10 players back after taking fourth place in Class 4A last year. Junior Shae Johnson won’t be available to pitch due to a shoulder injury, but she’ll remain in the lineup along with senior first baseman Claire Connelly (Indiana State) and junior center fielder Kieley Tomas (St. Thomas). Even without Johnson pitching, Mundelein has senior Sophia Zepeda, who went 11-0 last season.
3. Libertyville (15-17): The Wildcats will try to win the NSC with nine returnees, including senior shortstop Zoe Kinsella (College of Lake County), junior pitcher Taylor Higham, versatile junior Maddy Kleemann and senior third baseman Emily Psyhogios (Lake Forest College).
4. Warren (22-8): After the graduation of star shortstop Hannah Conger, a freshman at Wisconsin, several talented young players join four returning starters for the Blue Devils. Senior catcher Katie Monroe (Wisconsin-Stout) is a proven hitter, and junior pitcher Camryn Guldberg is a competitor. A tough schedule should prepare Warren for the playoffs.
5. Wauconda (20-11): Six players who helped lead the Bulldogs to a 3A regional title last season are back for another run. Senior shortstop and leadoff hitter Alyssa Threde, senior outfielder Ellary Nick and sophomore catcher Madison May lead the way.
6. Carmel (14-17): Senior shortstop/catcher Grace Brown (St. Joseph’s) and junior third baseman/catcher Grace King (Louisville), both formidable hitters, return to the lineup after missing last season with injuries. The Corsairs have eight starters back in all.
7. Grayslake Central (17-14): Seven starters return for the Rams, who will try to go further after reaching the 3A sectional semifinals last season. Senior shortstop Emma Andrews (College of Lake County) and junior third baseman/catcher Kate Davies (Loyola) are big bats in the lineup.
8. Lake Zurich (15-12): The Bears have six starters back, led by senior shortstop Kelly Selzer (Wisconsin-Oshkosh). Senior third baseman Brianna Rubicz (Southeastern Community College) is a two-way standout, and junior third baseman/catcher Claire Kohlman is another key returnee.
9. Lakes (19-5): Senior pitcher Ella Kempf (Morton) and senior infielder Emily Ovaska (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) anchor a strong defense for the Eagles, who finished second in the NLCC and reached the 3A sectional finals last season.
10. Grant (11-19): The Bulldogs are one of the most experienced teams in the NLCC. Senior outfielder Kaylin Worley, senior outfielder Bri Lopez, senior third baseman Taylor Glover, junior pitcher McKenzie Zamora and sophomore outfielder Kahrsten Geary are key players.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Emma Andrews, Grayslake Central, senior, shortstop
Grace Brown, Carmel, senior, shortstop/catcher
Claire Connelly, Mundelein, senior, first baseman
Kate Davies, Grayslake Central, junior, first baseman/catcher
Camryn Guldberg, Warren, junior, pitcher
Taylor Higham, Libertyville, junior, pitcher
Samantha Hillner, Antioch, junior, third baseman
Shae Johnson, Mundelein, junior, pitcher
Grace King, Carmel, junior, third baseman/catcher
Zoe Kinsella, Libertyville, senior, shortstop
Izzy Loiben, Vernon Hills, senior, first baseman
Jasmine Lucero, Stevenson, sophomore, shortstop
Madison May, Wauconda, sophomore, catcher
Katie Monroe, Warren, senior, catcher
Ellary Nick, Wauconda, senior, outfielder
Emily Ovaska, Lakes, senior, infielder
Jane Pritchard, Grayslake North, junior, infielder
Emily Psyhogios, Libertyville, senior, third baseman
Claire Schuyler, Antioch, junior, shortstop
Kelly Selzer, Lake Zurich, senior, shortstop
Alyssa Shimanski, Stevenson, junior, outfielder
Alyssa Threde, Wauconda, senior, shortstop
Kieley Tomas, Mundelein, junior, outfielder
Addison Webb, Antioch, junior, catcher
Sophia Zepeda, Mundelein, senior, pitcher/outfielder
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
