Girls Basketball Scouting Report

Below are scouting reports for schools in the area, sorted by conference.

FOX VALLEY VALLEY DIVISION

Cary-Grove

About coach Rod Saffert: 13-15 in one season at Cary-Grove.

Last season’s record: 13-15 overall, 5-5 FVC Valley.

Returning starters: Danielle Smith, Sr., G; Jamie Kuhl, Sr., F.

Insider information: Smith, a third-year starter, was a second-team Northwest Herald All-Area selection last season ... Smith averaged a team-best 14.5 ppg. in 2006-07, but Saffert said her scoring could fall in 2007-08. “We’ve got more weapons this year. [Smith’s] numbers could be down simply because we have so many scorers,” Saffert said. ... Four underclassmen – sophomores Liz Bart and Laura Chianakas, freshmen Meg Straumann and Claire Jakubicek – will see significant minutes. Straumann could be the Trojans’ starting point guard ... C-G will go 10 to 12 deep ... Forner C-G boys coach Dave Otto will assist Saffert this year. “[Otto] brings a whole new defensive philosophy,” Saffert said. “We’re going to run a high-pressure scheme.”

Crystal Lake South

About coach Kyle McCaughn: 79-92 in six seasons, all at Crystal Lake South.

Last season’s record: 22-7 overall, 8-2 FVC Valley.

Returning starters: Caitlin Mize, Jr., C; Carly Juliano, Jr., G; Katie Burton, Soph., G.

Insider information: The two-time defending conference champion Gators will be young – again. “Last year we carried four freshmen and four sophomores,” McCaughn said. “We’re pretty much set with what we have.” ... South has one senior on its roster ... Laura Knutson, a focal point during the Gators’ championship runs, graduated. “This year is going to have to be a team effort,” McCaughn said. “Unlike the last couple of years, when Laura carried us at times, this year we know we’re going to have to rely on every kid on the floor.” ... Mize was an All-FVC selection last season ... Junior guards Jessica Taldone and Kaitlin Hardie should see extended minutes this season, as should sophomores Michelle Gaede, Jenny Hanrahan and Molly Benoit. “A couple of those girls are going to have to step right into our startng lineup,” McCaughn said.

Dundee-Crown

About coach Joe Komaromy: 439-253 in 25 seasons, all at Dundee-Crown.

Last season’s record: 11-17 overall, 4-6 FVC Valley.

Returning starter: Kathleen Collingbourne, Sr., G.

Insider information: Senior forward Robyn Staudenmaier, the Chargers’ leading scorer in 2005-06, missed most of last season with an ACL injury. If healthy, Staudenmaier has to be considered one of the FVC’s top players. “She’s coming along,” Komaromy said. “She’s worked real hard, but it could take her some time to get back into the swing of things.” ... Junior Melissa Summaria, who Komaromy said “came on strong” last winter, will probably be D-C’s point guard ... Komaromy thinks the Chargers will be very competitive. “We had a very good summer ... without Robyn,” Komaromy said. “We like what we see. It should be an interesting season.” ... Other players to watch include sophomore Sierra Dunnar and seniors Rachel Wilhelmi and Kate Pilson.

Jacobs

About coach Ed Haugens: 79-35 in four seasons, all at Jacobs.

Last season’s record: 15-12 overall, 7-3 FVC Valley.

Returning starter: Markie Rahn, Sr., F.

Insider information: The Golden Eagles took an off-season hit when point guard Jalisa Olive (9.2 ppg., 115 steals) moved out of the area. Olive might have been the FVC’s fastest player ... Jacobs also graduated three key seniors – Cassie Prigge, Emily Vierneisel and Alison Andrews ... Rahn was an All-FVC selection last season ... Haugens said the Eagles, young last year, would be young again. “We only have two seniors,” Haugens said ... Juniors KC Roller and Keri Bultman should see increased time, as should sophomore Hailey Cnota ... Haugens said he was high on a number of players, including sophomores Maria Tamburrino and Katy Cook, and juniors Amy Ritzke, Catie Quitschua, Rebecca Yonker, Chelsea Camp and Sam Vojtsek. “We’ve got a lot of potential,” he noted.

McHenry

About coach Scott Morris: 6-22 in one season at McHenry.

Last season’s record: 6-22 overall, 0-10 FVC Valley.

Returning starters: Lauren Knaack, Sr., G; Katlyn Halstead, Jr., C.

Insider information: Morris is looking for improvement. “We took our lumps last year. This year we’re hoping for a big, big turnaround,” Morris said. “Our goals are .500 in the FVC, .500 overall. The girls are very hungry. We’re expecting good things.” ... Look for Halstead, the Warriors’ lone All-FVC selection in 2006-07, and Knaack, a third-year starter, to guide McHenry’s young roster ... Ashley Conway, a 5-foot-10 freshman, will be in the Warriors’ rotation. “She’s impressed a lot of people,” Morris said ... Senior Ashley Lutz, junior Lacey McAuliffe and sophomore Alyssa Harre are others expected to make an impact ... Morris said the Warriors should be a much tougher opponent. “This year we’re coming to compete,” he said. “We’re coming to win, not to get blown out.”

Woodstock

About coach Marty Hammond: First season at Woodstock.

Last season’s record: 18-11 overall, 6-4 FVC Valley.

Returning starter: Mollie Whiting, Jr., G.

Insider information: Hammond, an assistant under Kim Ziltner last season, has high expectations for 2007-08. “I think we’ll be very competitive,” he said. “I expect 20 wins.” ... The Blue Streaks will be without All-FVC forward Becky Stoltz (9.8 ppg., 190 rebounds), who opted not to play this year ... Freshman guard Chrissy Velasquez will see significant minutes. “She’ll be a starter somewhere down the road,” Hammond said ... Woodstock does not want to be a one-dimensional team, but the offense will likely run through Whiting. Hammond called Whiting “one of the better guards in the entire FVC.” ... Senior Gina May and juniors Ariel Penza and Bailey Brown could see increased playing time.

FOX VALLEY DIVISION FOX

Crystal Lake Central

About coach Mendy Benson: 4-21 in one season at Crystal Lake Central.

Last season’s records: 4-21 overall, 1-9 in FVC Fox.

Returning starters: Sam Johnson, Jr., C; Alissa Walkner, Sr., G; Melissa Nolte, Sr., G.

Inside information: The Tigers breaking through with four victories might not seem like progress, but it was. They went 3-81 the previous three seasons combined. ... The incalculable loss of Jenna Gleixner still is felt. Her 10 points a game possibly could be replaced, but her character was much more precious. Gleixner and Johnsburg’s Sarah Kelly were killed in a car wreck this past April. Jackie Gleixner, Jenna’s mom, is an assistant coach for Benson. “Jenna was the heart and soul of our team last year. Replacing that, when she should have been here, is definitely one of the biggest challenges that we face,” Benson said. ... Johnson is one of the area’s top post players. She averaged double figures in points and rebounds. ... Nolte is a key role player and leader. ... Top newcomers include Jenae Taylor and Hannah Holzrichter, both junior guards. ... “The biggest difference in practice so far is, we do everything a step quicker. Everything is a little bit smoother. The light bulb has gone on,” Benson said.

Grayslake Central

About coach Roger Lass: In his first season at Grayslake Central.

Last season's records: 16-13 overall, 8-2 in FVC Fox.

Returning starter: Rachel Culp, Sr., G.

Inside information: The Rams lost five key contributors from last season, including Kara Ming, but Lass expects the returners to go from being role players to more prominent contributors. ... Brianna Anderson, Erin Claxton, Haley Glynn and Lacy Norton – all seniors – give the Rams plenty of height along the front line. ... Megan Lebaron and Katelynn Putkonen provide depth in the back court. ... Kathryn Dickson and Alex Scarboro made the team as freshmen. ... Lass had been the sophomore coach for eight seasons. .. “They’ve always played good defense, but I wanted them to improve their shooting range. I wanted the girls who can hit 15-footers to move out to the three-point line. I don’t think we have anybody who's going to average 10 a game, but we have seven or eight who can average six, seven points a game. we’ll be balanced,” Lass said.

Grayslake North

About coach Jim Sarver: 3-25 in second season at Grayslake North.

Last season’s record: 3-25 overall, 1-9 FVC Fox.

Returning starters: Elizabeth Phillips, Sr., G; Hilary Kuhl, Sr., F; Alex Lowry, Sr., C; Amanda Leon, Sr., F.

Inside information: The returning starters compiled about 24 points a game this past season. ... Sarver is encouraged by a transfer student from Florida – Lauren Erikson, a 5-9 sophomore guard – who probably will be the fifth starter. She started on her varsity team a season ago. ... Sarver, who thought North’s defense was on par with most opponents a season ago, expects the scoring to be improved. Lowry, who stands 6-1, worked on her moves in the off-season and could be one of the better posts in the area. ... “Nobody plays harder than we do, but we just had a hard time scoring last year,” Sarver said. “If we can score, I think we’re going to be pretty good. I think we have some nice size. We’re going to look to pound the ball inside a little bit. Everybody but us in the division graduated a lot of quality players. Our kids really blended well with each other last year, and if that stays the case this year, I think we’re going to have a pretty successful season.”

Huntley

About coach Steve Raethz: 107-117 in eight seasons.

Last season’s record: 25-6 overall, 7-3 in FVC Fox.

Returning starters: Daisy Jara, Sr., F; Katie Bergquist, Sr., F.

Inside information: Record-setting season ended in loss at sectionals. Meaghan Staley-Gamble, Danielle Burry and Heidi Reeves have graduated, leaving big shoes to fill, but Raethz thinks the Red Raiders have the players top do it. ... Jara (7 ppg, 7 rpg) has improved her post moves and is expected to be a more polished scorer in her senior season. ... Bergquist was second in scoring and led the team in three-point shooting, and is poised to be even better this time. Both she and Jara have started the past two seasons. ... Coryn Marzejon, Shannon Callahan and Samantha Rawson give the Raiders plenty of senior depth in the backcourt. ... Megan Martinez and 6-0 Allyson Stellmach are juniors, and Hillary Johnson is up from the sophomores. ... Stephanie Aroworade, a 5-11 forward who also played volleyball, transferred in from Hoffman Estates. ... “We’re losing three starters from last year’s team, but we’re returning a really nice mix of perimeters and posts. Kids who contributed to our success last season. We have a good combination of speed and size.”

Johnsburg

About coach Mike Toussaint: 149-55 in seven seasons at Johnsburg.

Last season’s record: 28-5 overall, 9-1 in FVC Fox.

Returning starters: Michelle McDonald, Sr., F; Megan Lopez, Soph., G.

Insider information: The Paige Fiedorowicz/Jenny Turpel/Mallory Scharf years are over, but guard Rebecca Staveteig and 5-11 forward Anne Hinley also return from a regional champ. McDonald might be the area’s top player. ... “This group really learned well from the last group. It is eager to learn. These girls will run through a wall and are really energetic in practice. They improve every day.” ... Toussaint is especially high on a couple of newcomers, including sophomore Danielle Slivka and freshman Melissa Dixon. ... Toussaint compares Slivka to Turpel and says Dixon – who grew up with a full basketball court in her backyard – is a complete package already. “She plays really good defense. She can shoot, and has great offensive skills,” Toussaint said. ... Much of Johnsburg’s height graduated, but the Hawks remain quick and athletic. Toussaint is happy with the improvement of junior Courtney Bielis. “I never looked at her much as an offensive threat, but she’s improved so much – she can play any position on the floor,” he said.

Prairie Ridge

About coach Steve Rick: 32-55 in three seasons at Prairie Ridge.

Last season’s records: 14-15 overall, 4-6 in FVC Fox.

Returning starters: Shannon Hennelly, Jr., G; Anna Patras, Soph., F, Meghan Gregus, Sr., F.

Inside information: Hennelly averaged 12 points to lead the Wolves, and Patras added about seven a game as a freshman. ... Senior guard Emily Murphy also returns, but the effects of a car accident remain, and Rick is uncertain when she will be able to contribute fully. ... The junior class excites Rick and includes Jackie and Julie Schwartz, who had a great tennis season. “They should get a lot of minutes on the basketball court as well,” Rick said. ... Depth, top-to-bottom, should be a strength. The Wolves expect to play aggressively at both ends of the court and be able to utilize their bench. ... Hennelly is in her third varsity season. She is probably the Wolves’ best shooter and ballhandler, and will be relied upon to be more of a leader. ... Patras could have a breakout year and, Rick says, is a force against whom opponents will need to game plan.

BIG NORTH CONFERENCE EAST

Hampshire

About coach Sue Ellett: 79-38 in four seasons at Hampshire.

Last season’s record: 17-11 overall, 8-2 in BNC East.

Returning starters: Jackie Clai, Sr., G; Chrissy Heine, So.; Mallory Koster, Sr., F.

Inside information: Cassie Dumoulin, a sophomore guard, and Christine Schumacher, a junior guard, also played significant varsity minutes a season ago. Schumacher, though, still is recovering from ACL surgery. She had surgery in July after injuring her knee at the state soccer tournament. Ellett hopes she can return in January. ... Ellett is psyched about freshman Gianina Estocado, a 5-2 point guard who can score, and “distributes the ball about as well as anybody. She sets up other people well. You have to guard her, but if you don’t, she’ll knock down shots as well. She’s got a nice touch from the outside.” ... Clai averaged 13 points, Heine averaged 10, and Mallory Koster finished at 8. Ellett expects all of those numbers to improve. “I think we’ll be as tough as anybody out there in the BNC. Barring injuries and illnesses, we should be someone to contend with. We have balanced scoring. In years past, they could shut down a kid or two and it really slowed down our offense. If they try to stop Jackie this year, another kid will be able to toss in a bunch of points. And vice-versa,” Ellett said.

Harvard

About coach Casey Seyller: 21-38 in two-plus seasons at Harvard.

Last season’s records: 10-18 overall, 2-8 in the BNC East.

Returning starters: Kelsey Martin, Sr., C; Taryn Stricker, Jr., G.

Inside information: Martin averaged about 9 points and 6 rebounds; Stricker, who scored about 4 points per game, probably will be relied upon for more this season. “Taryn has improved a lot, from the end of last season, through summer and so far in practice,” Seyller said. ... Seyller, who took over for an injured Curtis Price at the end of the 2005 season, again will coach his younger sister, Courtney Seyller. She is among three returning seniors – Meg Nolen and Ashley Grosinski are the others – who can expect to get a lot of playing time. ... New varsity players, such as sophomore center Emily Scott, should bring an infusion of offense as the season goes along. Freshman Rachael Thompson is another newcomer who probably will help the varsity toward the middle of the season. ... “We need to not turn the ball over too much. That killed us. How good we’ll be is a mystery. I don’t know yet. It’s a huge unknown. I’d like to see us win a few more than 10 games. We lost so many girls from last year, we’ll see how these girls play together,” Seyller said.

Marengo

About coach Joel Danzl-Tauer: 147-143 in 10 seasons at Marengo.

Last season’s record: 14-13 overall, 4-6 in BNC east.

Returning starters: Brooke Martin, Sr. G; Marissa Haskins, Jr. F.

Inside information: Seniors Ellen Borhart, Kateri Tonyan and Ginny Turner also return, as do juniors Hallisey Kunde and Jenna Overlee. Tonyan is the only player on the roster as tall as 5-9. ... Lyndsey Thompson, Megan Weinhandl and Sarah Knutson all graduated and are playing ball in college. ... Martin, who stands 5-6, shot about 35 percent from three-point range and averaged 9 points. Kunde and Haskins also ought to provide scoring. ... Juniors Melanie DiPuma and Amanda Knutson will be new to varsity. ... “We’re not the greatest shooting team. We’ll have to attack the basket a little bit more in order to score – especially against zones. We did a little bit too much standing around trying to pass the ball around. Our team speed is much-improved. Defense is probably going to be our strong suit again. Last year, we held teams to 40 points a game,” Danzl-Tauer said.

Richmond-Burton

About coach Carol Plodzien: This is her first season at R-B.

Last season's record: 17-10 overall, 6-4 in the BNC East.

Returning starters: Shyla Letizia, Sr., F; Sam Mountford, Sr., F; Hailey Schleibinger, Jr., F.

Inside information: Plodzien, who was an assistant, takes over for Bill Probst. ... The Rockets lost a ton of talent, including second-team all-area and unanimous all-conference pick Lisa Beyer. Nicole Manuel and Tatum Sexton, who were also all-BNC, provided much of the scoring. ... The 6-1 Schleibinger, who had 12 points in the Rockets’ finale – an IHSA playoff loss to Johnsburg, looks to be an even bigger presence with a varsity season under her belt. ... Bree Roberts, who had 10 points in the Rockets’ playoff win against Antioch, also is expected back for her sophomore season.

INDIAN TRAILS CONFERENCE

Alden-Hebron

About coach Todd Mathis: 43-30 in four seasons at Alden-Hebron.

Last season’s record: 13-13, 9-2 in ITC.

Returning starters: Heather Skelton, Sr., F; Rachel Appner, Sr., G; Shawna Sabo, Sr., G; Annelise Hanson, Sr. G.

Inside information: The Giants, who won the ITC a season ago, return Appner’s 12.2 points a game, along with Skelton’s 7.5 rebounds and 70 percent free-throw shooting. Hanson also averaged 3.5 steals. ... Madelyn Walters, Shelly Draudt and Kylee Pearson come from the sophomore class, and five freshmen can expect to play on the varsity squad. Amanda Appner, Nora VanderPal, Sammi Helland, Lacy Beck and Hayli Lagerhausen “all have played basketball in junior high and spent summers with me doing junior programs, the McHenry Junior Warriors,” Mathis said. ... The Giants have a good range of height, which should help give them balance up front and in the backcourt. ... The squad has no juniors.

SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Marian Central

About coach Vickie Hamill: 13-17 in second season at Marian.

Last season’s record: 13-17 overall, 4-10 in the SCC.

Returning starters: Katie Sharp, Sr., G; Courtney Johnson, Sr. F; Sara Shirman, Sr., F.

Inside information: Hamill was a co-head coach three seasons ago with Bob Kies and has seen Sharp develop her skills. Sharp averaged 16.8 points, four rebounds and three steals a game. She shot 68 percent on free throws and 40 percent from the field – including 24 percent from three-point range. “We knew Katie could score. The biggest jump that Katie has made over the years is she’s become a complete player. She rebounds and steals well because she plays good position defense. She’s in the right position, and she makes people around her better,” Hamill said. ... Johnson was voted the team’s most-improved player. She can be utilized inside and out, even beyond the three-point line. Aggressive on defense, at 5-10, she is the tallest Hurricanes player. ... Hamill brought up sophomore Devon Mdina to play the point. Sam Sherwood, Jackie Ott and Brittney Wensch give the ’Canes a group of quick and aggressive guards. “We’re not going to be really tall, so we’ll need to push the ball and play tough defense on the perimeter. We’ve got to use our quickness,” Hamill said.