Antioch, Stevenson and Mundelein, all loaded not only with talent but also extensive playoff experience, begin the season with high hopes.
Top 10 teams
1. Antioch (24-14): The five-time defending Northern Lake County Conference champion Sequoits, who are ranked No. 5 in Class 3A in the preseason coaches poll, have nine starters back to contend for the state title again. They include four Division I recruits among seven committed players: senior third baseman Samantha Hillner (UIC), an all-state first-team pick last year; junior outfielder Tegan Schuler (Michigan State), an all-state second-team pick; senior shortstop Claire Schuyler (Minnesota), an all-state third-team pick; and senior catcher Addison Webb (Bradley), an all-state second-team pick.
2. Stevenson (28-4): Senior Ava Potempa, the pitcher of the year in the North Suburban Conference last season, is among the top returnees for the defending conference champion Patriots. Along with Potempa, who went 16-3 with a 1.37 ERA and 155 strikeouts, senior outfielder Alyssa Shimanski and junior infielder Jasmine Lucero form a talented core that could fuel a deep postseason run in Class 4A.
3. Mundelein (21-11): The Mustangs have multiple seniors with have state-level experience and have high expectations after losing in a 4A sectional championship game last season. Senior Shae Johnson, the 2024 pitcher of the year in the NSC, returns to the circle after not pitching last season due to a torn labrum. Senior outfielder Kieley Tomas (St. Thomas) was an all-state second-team pick after hitting .449 with 54 runs last season, and junior shortstop Taylor Pyke (Belmont) was an all-state third-team pick after hitting .477 with 11 home runs and 50 RBIs.
4. Libertyville (24-9): Senior pitcher Taylor Higham (Georgetown), an all-state second-team pick last year who went 12-4 with a 1.70 ERA and batted .424, is the headliner. Senior catcher Maddy Kleemann (St. Ambrose), sophomore pitcher/infielder Mckenna Weaver and sophomore utility Juliana Figurelli are among five returning players. Junior utility Bella Zelenka is healthy after missing the second half of last season.
5. Warren (19-9): The Blue Devils can contend in the top-heavy NSC behind senior pitcher Camryn Guldberg (Wisconsin-Eau Claire), who went 11-7 and hit .398 last season, and senior outfielder Annalise Stitch, who batted .395 with five home runs.
6. Carmel (20-10): Senior catcher Grace King (Louisville), an all-state first-team pick last year after hitting .558 with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs, is one of the top players in Illinois. She is among six returning starters, including junior outfielder Kate Buckingham, who batted .404.
7. Grayslake North (17-12): With eight returning starters and a group of promising freshmen, the Knights aim to contend in the NLCC this season. A potent lineup includes six players who batted over .360. Sophomore utility Brena Dalton, who hit .495, and sophomore pitcher Riley O’Brien headline the returnees.
8. Grayslake Central (15-15): Catcher Kate Davies (Loyola), an all-state third-team pick last year, leads a solid group of seniors after hitting .409 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs. The Rams also have talented freshmen and sophomores slated to take on significant roles.
9. Wauconda (10-25): Junior catcher Maddie May, an all-state third-team pick last year after hitting .459 with four home runs and 37 RBIs, leads the way for the Bulldogs. An emerging group of freshmen aim to make an impact.
10. Zion-Benton (8-14-1): Seven returnees, including four seniors, give the Zee-Bees optimism for a strong season. The lineup has pop, beginning with senior shortstop Sam White (St. Francis), who hit .373 last season. Four freshmen are expected to contribute.
25 players to watch
• Piper Berry, Round Lake, sophomore, pitcher
• Zoey Christian, Lakes, junior, catcher/shortstop
• Kate Davies, Grayslake Central, senior, first baseman/catcher
• Lily Freedman, Deerfield/Highland Park, sophomore, pitcher
• Camryn Guldberg, Warren, senior, pitcher
• Taylor Higham, Libertyville, senior, pitcher
• Samantha Hillner, Antioch, senior, third baseman
• Kendall Hull, Lake Zurich, junior, second baseman/shortstop
• Shae Johnson, Mundelein, senior, pitcher/first baseman
• Grace King, Carmel, senior, catcher
• Maddy Kleemann, Libertyville, senior, catcher
• Alyna Matarieh, Antioch, junior, utility
• Maddie May, Wauconda, junior, catcher
• Riley O’Brien, Grayslake North, sophomore, pitcher
• Riley O’Grady, Grant, junior, infielder
• Ava Potempa, Stevenson, senior, pitcher
• Taylor Pyke, Mundelein, junior, shortstop
• Tegan Schuler, Antioch, junior, outfielder
• Claire Schuyler, Antioch, senior, shortstop
• Alyssa Shimanski, Stevenson, senior, outfielder
• Annalise Stich, Warren, senior, outfielder
• Olivia Tautges, Lakes, senior, shortstop/catcher
• Kieley Tomas, Mundelein, senior, outfielder
• Addison Webb, Antioch, senior, catcher
• Sam White, Zion-Benton, senior, shortstop
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
