Area girls basketball preview capsules
Last year: 19-12 overall, 7-3 for third place in East Suburban Catholic Conference
Top players: Nikki Bell, f, sr.; Ashley Veselik, f, jr.; Danielle Canulli, g, jr.; Gintare Sankauskaite, c, so.; Katie Ernsting, g, jr.; Mary Kate Veselik, g, sr.; Katie Haemmerle, c, sr.; Sidney Prasse, g, so.; Nicky Valentine, g so.
Outlook: The versatile Bell, a four-year starter who averaged 13 points per game last year, is one of the top players in the area and the centerpiece of this year's Redwings. She's the one who takes the shots in the clutch and she can go after the ball on the boards. This is a young team that will score points, and the players are working on improving a defense that gave up too many points a year ago.
"We're not a really big team," Paul said. "But we have a lot of a fire-power and we should get more balanced scoring." Haemmerle, a transfer from Florida, should be a big help inside. The Redwings will be toughened by a brutal nonconference schedule and strong conference competition.
Last year: 20-12 overall, 12-2 for co-championship of DuPage Valley Conference
Top players: Emma Ondik, g, jr.; Claire Fleming, f, sr.; Emma Donahue, c, so.; Catherine Tanck, f/c sr.; Erin Antony, g, sr.; Jill D'Amico, g, so.; D.D. Buttgereit, f, sr.
Outlook: The Redhawks will have to make some adjustments to life after the graduation of the multi-talented Kelley Hendrick, but almost everyone else is back from the team that overcame a shaky start to finish 12-3 and tie for the DVC title.
Ondik takes over as the floor leader and Fleming is a sharp-shooting forward with two years as a starter. Donahue and Tanck give the Redhawks size and experience inside. Their improvement last year had a lot to do with the late-season run.
"I'm excited about the potential of this team," Nussbaum said. "We have all the components you need to be a good team, but this year we'd like to break out of the pack early."
Last year: 5-23, overall, 3-11 for eighth in the DuPage Valley Conference
Top players: Colleen Warren, g/f, sr.; Ashley Wiezeorick, g, sr.; Bria Walker, g, fr.; Zoe Swift, g, fr.; Caitlin Knoll, f, jr.; Emily Koch, c, jr.; Shannon Bushman, g, so.; Emily Carpenter, g, jr.
Outlook: Forget last year's less-than-wonderful record. Discipio likes this team. There are some good athletes, led by the veteran Warren, who scored in double figures last year. Everyone worked hard in the offseason and came to the first practice in good shape, with improved skills and with a greater energy than last year's Huskies.
"Our level of play has definitely improved," Discipio said. "Our defense is better, quicker and faster and it will create a lot more offense for us. And we'll be pushing the ball up the floor."
Freshmen guards Walker, who's quick and can shoot and Swift, a natural point guard, will contribute immediately.
Last year: 14-15 overall, 5-5 for sixth in Upstate Eight Conference
Top players: McKenzie Hughes, c, jr.; Jenna Marsalli, g, sr.; Megan Doody, g, so.; Taylor Francesconi, g, jr.; Jackie Geffinger, g, sr.; Shannon Larson, f, sr.; Ashley Jones, f, sr.; Amber Smith, f, so.; Alexa Wilde, f/g, jr.
Outlook: Hughes inside and Marsalli outside give the Wildcats a veteran nucleus to build on. Point guard Doody came on strong at the end of last season. The defense, with the 6-foot-2-inch Hughes in the middle, will hold the key. She's a leader, she understands the game and will also be a force in the post on offense.
The loss of three experienced sophomores, now at Waubonsie Valley, leaves a void.
"We're a young team working on fundamentals, being basic and sound," Williams said. "I can't tell you what to expect, but the kids have labeled themselves 'under construction.'"
Last year: 18-9 overall
Top players: Keiera Ray, g, so.; Tami Morice, g, so.; Becky Williford, g, so.; Erica Jordan, f, so.; Rachael Ross, f, so.; Tanysha Walls, f, jr.; Jordan Myers, f, jr.; Tia Brooks, f, fr.
Outlook: This year's Warriors could be flying high with a little help from their foes. The resetting of the District 204 boundaries brings Williford, Jordan and Ross over from arch-rival Neuqua Valley. All three are experienced and can play.
Add them to last year's freshman stars Ray and Morice and you've got the makings of what could be a very good team, even though there isn't a senior in the projected playing mix.
"We're very talented and we could compete for the conference title," Connell said. "We should be strong for the next two or three years." The Warriors will be a fast, transition team whose goal is to get down the court quickly on offense and to hold the opposition to under 40 points.
