GIRLS BASKETBALL | 2009-10 SEASON PREVIEW

Beecher Ladycats

Last season: 17-11 (4-1 River Valley Conference).

Coach: Ken Akerman.

Assistants: Don Berg, Ashley Mosley.

Key losses: Jenna Wehling (14.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.9 apg); Kimberly Wilkoz (19.9 ppg, 76 percent FT, 56 3-pt FGs); Carissa Boekeloo (3.0 spg, 3.0 apg).

Players to watch: Amari Griffin, 6-0, So., C (12.4 rpg, 8.1 ppg, 2.1 spg); Ashlyn Snuckel, 5-6, Sr., G (2.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Emily Ratliff, 5-11, Sr., F (1.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg).

Outlook: It may be somewhat of a rebuilding year mixed with some reloading after losing a solid group of seniors. Griffin may be the best player in the River Valley Conference; nobody can stop her underneath. Snuckel and Ratliff have varsity experience and know what it takes to be successful. This is a good group with a good mix of seniors and underclassmen. The team plays together, and that accounts for a lot.

Quote: "Although we will have several new faces on the roster, we look to pick up where we left off last year. We believe we will be more than capable of competing with anyone we face. We do realize that some teams will be better than others and will require excellence in execution. This is what we stress daily and expect come game time. It's going to be a fun and exciting season with many benefits to look back on come March." -- Akerman

Bloom Twp. Blazing Trojans

Last season: 18-8 (8-2 SICA South).

Coach: Marc Lopez.

Assistants: Jasmine Daniels, Robert Joyce.

Key losses: Crystal Daniels (14.6 ppg, 5 rpg); Marketta Bentley (10.3 ppg, 5 rpg).

Players to watch: Becca Dill, 5-7, Sr., G (8.6 ppg, 2 spg); Dominique Edwards, 5-10, Sr., G/F (7.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg); Tempestt Reynolds, 5-7, Sr., G (4.6 ppg); Raven Phillips, 5-10, Sr., F (3 ppg, 3.4 rpg).

Outlook: Lopez takes over for Shawn Bean, who last season guided the Blazing Trojans to one of their best finishes in recent years. This is a senior-dominated team, as the Blazing Trojans move to the Southland Athletic Conference. Dill is a great outside shooter, and Edwards should dominate on the boards. Reynolds and Phillips are expected to be a part of the team. The key will be for the juniors to step up, and if the seniors have the year they are capable of having, the Blazing Trojans could be the best in the Southland.

Quote: "I am very lucky that I inherited such a great team. I believe that this team can be very successful and set the tone for the program." -- Lopez

Crete-Monee Warriors

Last season: 6-19 (3-7 SICA South).

Coach: Shelly Martin

Assistants: Lauren Weslowski.

Key loss: Loretta Burton (12.5 ppg, 4.2 apg).

Players to watch: Brittany Frey, 5-8, So., G/F; Camille Pittman, 5-8, Sr., C; Angelique Young, 5-10, So., F; Breanna Young, 5-7, So., G.

Outlook: Martin takes over for Mike Pope, but has coached several of the players at the elementary school level. There is talent, but the Warriors are very young. Frey may be one of the best in the Southland Athletic Conference, and Angelique Young is a great leaper who could be a force on the boards. This team will need time to develop and will have to show patience.

Quote: "We're playing as a family this year. We have a young team. We have time to develop as we have a lot of sophomores playing." -- Martin

Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings

Last season: 18-9 (8-2 SouthWest Suburban Red).

Coach: Ryan Sheriff.

Assistant: Dana Noble.

Key loss: Simone Matthews (6.0 ppg).

Players to watch: Jailyn Norris, 5-10, Jr., G (12.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg); Charnelle Reed, 5-10, So., G (7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Cici Shannon, 6-3, Sr., C (7.0 ppg, 9.6 rpg).

Outlook: The Vikings, who moved to the SouthWest Suburban Blue, return their top six players. Once again, H-F will play a challenging schedule, but can be one of the best in the SWSC Blue if everyone plays their roles. Shannon could have a great year, as could Norris, and that may be the key as well as Reed coming trough.

Quote: "We have very high expectations this year due to all of the experienced players returning to our team this year." -- Sheriff

Illiana Christian Vikings

Last season: 18-10 (6-2 Private School League).

Coach: Dave Bosman.

Assistants: Jill Johnson, Tom Knapper, Ashley Groen.

Key loss: Libby Mantel (6.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg).

Players to watch: Jessica Wiltjer, 6-0, Sr., F (10.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg); Erinn Behn, 5-10, Jr., G (8.7 ppg, 3.0 spg, 2.5 apg); Dana Poortenga, 5-9, Sr., G (8.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 spg); Megan Huizenga, 5-10, Sr., G/F (6.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg); Mariel Knot, 5-10, Sr., F (4.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg); Jaclene Bonnema, 6-0, So., F.

Outlook: The Vikings move to the Metro Suburban Conference and return seven of 11 players from last season's squad, including the top four scorers and three of the top four rebounders. Illiana should be able to dominate on the boards, and that would give the Vikes a chance at winning the conference. Wiltjer, Poortenga and Behn are each three-year varsity players. This is a very well-rounded team with talent, experience and court sense. With strong returning leaders and a deep bench, the Vikings could go far in the Class 3A tournament.

Quote: "The girls returning are one of the most talented groups of players we have had at Illiana. With their leadership and the addition of five new players, we hope to have a successful season." -- Bosman

Illinois Lutheran Chargers

Last season: 3-18 (0-7 River Valley Conference).

Coach: John Dorn.

Assistant: Matt Heyn.

Key losses: Ellen Burkmeier; Nicole Kisich.

Players to watch: Alex Hackel, 5-8, Sr., G (12.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg); Amy Most, 5-10, Sr., F (12.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg).

Outlook: The Chargers return seven regulars. Hackel and Most are four-year starters and will be the leaders. The Chargers need a few more players to step up if they are to have a .500 season or better, but they certainly have the tools to be competitive in the RVC.

Quote: "I'm looking forward to seeing Alex and Amy play this year. They've worked hard to be as good as they are, and I'm sure that hard work will pay off for them." -- Dorn

Luther East Eagles

Last season: 4-17.

Coach: Warren Callahan.

Key losses: None.

Players to watch: Jody Guthrie, 5-5, Sr., G/F (18.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Eboni Johnson, 5-5, Sr., G/F (6.0 ppg, 2.0 spg); Lisa Fluga, 5-8, Sr., C/F (6.0 rpg); Victoria Hole, 5-7, Sr., G (3.0 spg).

Outlook: Guthrie, Johnson, Fluga and Hole lead a group that is blessed with a decent amount of speed and experience. Fluga gives the Eagles an inside game. This could be the year the Eagles reach double figures in the win column.

Quote: "I think we're gonna exceed the number of wins from the prior year." -- Callahan

Marian Catholic Spartans

Last season: 30-5 (9-1 East Suburban Catholic Conference).

Coach: Annie Basic.

Key losses: Kaila Turner (10.8 ppg, 3.6 apg, 1.9 spg, 1.8 rpg); Mallory Eggert (8.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 23 blocks).

Players to watch: Emily Kobel, 6-0, Sr., G/F (6.8 ppg); Valerie Finnin, 5-9, Sr., G (6.0 ppg); Jasmine Matthews, 5-11, Jr., F (7.4 ppg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 rpg, 1.1 spg); Simone Law, 6-0, Jr., F (10.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg).

Outlook: The Spartans lost Turner (Notre Dame) and Eggert (St. Louis) from a team that lost in double overtime to Whitney Young at the Class 4A St. Xavier Supersectional. Marian returns a very talented group. Matthews and Law are receiving a lot of interest from Division I schools and should give Marian strength down low. Kobel, an Illinois-Chicago recruit, and Finnin, who's headed to SIU-Edwardsville after this season, will provide the senior leadership. The Spartans have another tough schedule and don't play a home game until mid-December. It's a minor inconvenience for a team that will be one of the best in 4A.

Quote: "We have a great group of kids this year. Our returning players have shown good leadership, and everyone is working hard. These student-athletes are willing to work for what they want and will be challenged all season long with our schedule. We want to be prepared for postseason and enjoy the opportunities to play such good teams throughout the year." -- Basic

St. Francis deSales Pioneers

Last season: 3-27 (1-5 GCAC White).

Coach: Terrence Streater.

Assistant: Janice Crawford, Jermaine Lacy, Antonio Henderson.

Key losses: Ruby Goggins, Rachel Borum.

Players to watch: Tyler Brown, 5-9, Fr., F; Taelor O'Bannon, 5-8, Fr., F; Isis Nance, 5-11, Fr., C; Whitney Williams, 5-9, Fr., F; Karla Cunningham, 5-7, Fr., G; Brianta McMoore, 5-7, Fr., G; Francessha Gill, 5-8, Fr., G.

Outlook: The Pioneers are rebuilding, but they have a good chance to be one of the better small schools in the area. The team lacked numbers last year, but a big freshman class has brought an influx of talent to the East Side school. Though the group is young and unproven at the high school level, there is a lot of talent that may lay a good blueprint for the future on Ewing Avenue. It may take a few games for the freshmen to get used to varsity play, but they will get it together.

Quote: "We should be a .500 team. We are a young team, a small team, but these young ladies are ready to play." -- Streater

Seton Academy Sting

Last season: 16-16 (4-2 GCAC White).

Coach: Jerome Thurmon.

Key losses: Anisha Johnson.

Players to watch: Justina Baker, 5-6, Sr., G; Quiana Woods, 5-11, Sr., C/F; Morgen Brooks, 5-4, Sr., G; Breanna Wellere, 5-9, Jr., G; Deanna Wellere, 5-9, Jr., F; Diamond Townsend, 5-10, Sr., F.

Outlook: Several regulars are back, including Baker, who may be one of the top players in the GCAC White. She and Brooks give Seton a good backcourt while Breanna and Deanna Wellere will be big contributors as well. Woods and Townsend give the Sting some size and strength on the boards. Seton may make a run at the conference title and might make a deep postseason run if everything comes together.

Quote: "We are looking to achieve a lot of our team goals, such as compete for the conference title and state title. With five seniors, we have a real good chance of having some success this season." -- Thurmon

Thornridge Falcons

Last season: 8-17 (1-7 SICA East).

Coach: Ed Tarleton.

Key loss: Angela Johnson (18.6 ppg, 6.0,, 1,9 spg).

Player to watch: Melody Cokes, 6-1, Sr., G/F.

Outlook: The Falcons will need to develop depth if they are to compete in the SouthWest Suburban Red. Cokes has the experience, but will need some help. There is a good group of sophomores, who need to get some playing time. If things fall into place, it could be a good year in Dolton. If not, a very long season is in waiting.

Thornton Wildcats

Last season: 11-16 (3-5 SICA East).

Coach: Sam Kenan.

Assistant: Erin Wright.

Key loss: Moriah Myles.

Players to watch: Ashley Sneed, 5-8, Sr., G; Ashley Stacey, 5-9, Sr., F; Jazjuan Wallace-Sipp, 5-10, Jr., F.

Outlook: Sneed is back after missing most of the last season with a knee injury. She will be the floor leader, while Stacey and Wallace-Sipp give the Wildcats some strength inside. The Wildcats move to the SouthWest Suburban Blue. The key will be having everybody on the same page, as there is some talent and some experience.

Quote: "We should be very competitive. We got some size and speed. For us to be successful, everything has to come together on the defensive end." -- Kenan

T.F. North Meteors

Last season: 28-3 (8-0 SICA East).

Coach: Tim Zasada.

Assistants: Mychael Webb, Julie Heintz.

Key losses: Bayeena Abdul-Rahim (6.8 ppg, 2.6 spg); Nafi Abdulai (5.2 rpg).

Players to watch: Centrese McGee, 5-9, Sr., G (1.31 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 spg, 2.4 apg); Jeanise Randolph, 6-1, Sr., C (13.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg); Dawn Luster, 5-9, Sr., G (6.2 ppg, 3.2 apg, 1.6 rpg); Karisma Chapman, 5-11, Sr., F (13.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.5 spg, 2.2 apg); Nikaya Anderson, 5-9, Jr., G/F; China Cordova, 5-7, Jr., G.

Outlook: The Meteors move down to Class 3A, and many people believe they will make the trip to Normal. They have size and speed, and they play tough defense and rebound. Division I recruits abound with McGee (Illinois), Randolph (Cincinnati), Luster (IUPUI) and Chapman (Alabama-Birmingham). They will be tough to stop, plus the Meteors have a strong bench. The Meteors have been among the better teams in the south suburbs the past four years. This may be the year they finally prove they are among the best in the state.

Quote: "We are not happy about a couple of games last year and are working very hard to be competitive against big-time schools. We have a big-time schedule and hope to stay healthy down the stretch." -- Zasada

T.F. South Rebels

Last season: 21-5 (6-2 SICA East).

Coach: Steve Breshock.

Assistants: Kathy Komorowski, Curt Hatfield.

Key losses: Joyce Holloway (12.3 ppg); Taeko Holland (8.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg); Jessica Pritchett (6.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Ashley Douglas (2.0 apg, 2.3 spg).

Players to watch: Ashley Stevenson, 5-7, Sr., G (8.1 ppg, 2.1 spg); Megan Majors, 5-8, Jr., G (2.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg); Kaila Doby, 5-6, Jr., G (2.4 ppg); Dominique Brooks, 6-0, So., C (6.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg).

Outlook: The Rebels lost most of their scoring, including Holloway, The Times Female Athlete of the Year for 2008-09, but a good group returns. Stevenson is the only returning starter, but she is ready to lead the Rebels in their first year in the South Suburban Blue conference. Majors, Brooks and Doby all saw plenty of playing time and will be a big part of the team's success. The program has proven it could win during the past four years, but may struggle at the beginning until some of the younger players come along.

Quote: "I hope we can win more games than we lose." -- Breshock

Thornwood Thunderbirds

Last season: 10-16 (2-6 SICA East).

Coach: Danielle Jania.

Assistant: Lora Alexander-Flaherty.

Key loss: Tiffany Stewart (16.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg).

Players to watch: Celestra Warren, Sr., G/F (4.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Sierra Porch, Sr., F (transfer from Crete-Monee); Brianna Turner Sr., G; Dorthy Taylor, Jr., C; Arielle Miree, Fr., G.

Outlook: The Thunderbirds seem to be headed in the right direction after a few down seasons. They move to the SouthWest Suburban Red. Warren and Turner will have to take control. Turner missed last season due to an injury while Taylor had a good season on the sophomore team. This is not the powerful Thunderbirds squad of a few years ago, but Thornwood has a chance to get its program back on the winning track. Porch brings speed, as she was also a track star at Crete-Monee.

Quote: "We have a strong group of girls both in the classroom and out on the floor. As coaches we know these girls are going to step up and accept the challenge that has been put in front of them." -- Jania

Washington Minutewomen

Last season: 4-20 (0-8 Windy City South).

Coach: Bryan Kearney.

Key losses: None.

Players to watch: Victoria Bradley, 5-10, Jr., F (12.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg); Angelique Patterson, 5-10, Jr., G/F (9.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.5 apg).

Outlook: First-year coach Bryan Kearney tries to get the East Side school back on track as it moves from the Windy City South to the Windy City Blue. Patterson and Bradley are proven players and could make an impact. The Minutewomen need some role players to chip in.

Quote: "I have a young team with lots of heart and a desire to work hard. This season will be under the radar and we hope to take advantage of that. I hope to bring the team above .500." -- Kearney

-- Compiled by Times Illinois Sports Coordinator Mike Nieto