Lake Zurich starts the season at the top, but North Suburban Conference rival Libertyville could make a push.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Lake Zurich (24-8): The Bears begin the season with a typically challenging early schedule but have plenty of experience for it. Senior forward Alex Nowak-Tice (Winona State), senior guard Leah Gilbertson (Ferris State) and senior guard Layne Nordstrom, all varsity veterans, lead the way for the North Suburban Conference contender.
2. Libertyville (28-6): Junior guard Lily Fisher, a major Division I prospect, is the headline returnee in Lake County after averaging 12.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.9 steals for the NSC champion Wildcats last season. Senior guard Ella Pawelczyk, senior forward Caitlyn Griffith, junior guard KateRyan Castro and junior forward Elle Knight also are key players.
3. Carmel (15-17): Senior guard Josie Hartman, senior forward Maron Bowes, junior guard Maliyah Mays and junior forward Grace Booher are back for the Corsairs. A major addition is 6-foot-1 freshman guard/forward Liv Johnson, a major Division I prospect who is the daughter of former Illinois player Lucas Johnson.
4. Stevenson (20-12): The Patriots, who tied Lake Zurich for second place in the NSC last season, lost a lot of talent to graduation but welcome back senior center Alexa Karcz and sophomore forward Reese McLelland. Junior guard Laila Nunez and sophomore guard Isabella Do are newcomers expected to contribute.
5. Grayslake Central (28-6): Junior guard/forward Peyton Hoffmann, a Division I prospect, and senior guard Mosey Drevline are the only starters back for the three-time defending Northern Lake County Conference champion Rams, who also won a Class 3A sectional title last season. Senior guard Ava Henne also returns.
6. Mundelein (19-13): Senior guard Casey Vyverman, a Western Michigan recruit, averaged 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals for the Mustangs last season. Junior guard Grace Dunigan and senior guard Madalyn Gardner round out a talented backcourt.
7. Vernon Hills (20-12): The Cougars have plenty of experience with senior guard Keira Thomas, senior forward Emily Ochieng and junior guard Emma Jocson. Adding even more is sophomore guard Eve Engler, a transfer from Deerfield, where she made a splash last season.
8. Highland Park (20-9): The defending Central Suburban North champion Giants bring back a strong nucleus, including senior guard Reese Crosby and junior guard Kourtnie Halperin. Sophomore guard Emily Calub is another key player.
9. Wauconda (24-4): Senior guard Sarah Palmer, senior guard Alexia Manalo and senior center Kelsey Piehl, all returning starters, give the Bulldogs a chance to compete for the NLCC title.
10. Warren (18-6): Junior guards Kamaria Anderson and Jackie Amezquita can cause havoc for the Blue Devils’ opponents. Sophomore guards Jasmine Molinaro and Ella Volante are among the younger players who could make an impact.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Kamaria Anderson, Warren, junior, guard
- Charlie Axus, Lake Forest, senior, guard
- Hadassah Brown, Waukegan, senior, guard/forward
- Alliaya Cade, Waukegan, junior, guard
- Reese Crosby, Highland Park, senior, guard
- Mosey Drevline, Grayslake Central, senior, guard
- Eve Engler, Vernon Hills, sophomore, guard
- Lily Fisher, Libertyville, junior, guard
- Emma Franks, Round Lake, sophomore, forward
- Leah Gilbertson, Lake Zurich, senior, guard
- Josie Hartman, Carmel, senior, guard
- Peyton Hoffmann, Grayslake Central, junior, guard/forward
- Ryan Horvath, Lakes, sophomore, guard
- Ja’Harmony Johnson, North Chicago, senior, center
- Liv Johnson, Carmel, freshman, guard/forward
- Alexa Karcz, Stevenson, senior, center
- Maliyah Mays, Carmel, junior, guard
- Reese McLelland, Stevenson, sophomore, forward
- Alex Nowak-Tice, Lake Zurich, senior, forward
- Sarah Palmer, Wauconda, senior, guard
- Ella Pawelczyk, Libertyville, senior, guard
- Heidi Rathmann, Antioch, senior, guard/forward
- Lucy Roscoe, Grayslake North, senior, guard
- Keira Thomas, Vernon Hills, senior, guard
- Casey Vyverman, Mundelein, senior, guard
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
