With the season now moving forward , I will start previewing conferences in the Northern Illinois area. In addition to the previews I will be creating articles that will highlight players from that conference. I will begin with the MSL…
With the season now moving forward , I will start previewing conferences in the Northern Illinois area. In addition to the previews I will be creating articles that will highlight players from that conference. I will begin with the MSL Conference’s East division.
2017-18 Season Conference Standings
Hersey 8-2
Rolling Meadows 8-2
Prospect 7-3
Wheeling 3-7
Elk Grove 3-7
Buffalo Grove 1-9
2018-19 Division Outlook/Team Capsules
In the MSL East there are 6 very balanced teams which will make for a wide open race and very competitive season. Each team returns talented players along with newcomers who will make an impact for their team. Good Luck and Play Hard !
Buffalo Grove Bison
Head Coach: Steve Kolodziej
Last Season Overall Team Record : 5-25
Last Season Conference Team Record: 1-9
Key Returning Players :
Jackie Bickhaus 5’6″ G SR
Sydney Fortman 5’9″ F SR
Heide Schmit 5’9″ G SR
Hannah Young 5’6″ G SR
Jackie Lavigne 5’9″ F SR
Kendra Lee 5’11” G/F Jr
Alyssa Ramos 5’8″ G Jr
Macy Floro 5’7″ G Jr
Zori Angelova 6’0″ F Jr
Megan Fontanetta 5’5 Jr
Coaches Comments /Team Overview
Team Strengths this season
These girls have had 2 years of Varsity experience and are ready to make the leap. We will be very athletic, long and strong. We will have lots of leadership and a central focus on what it takes to win in this conference.
Team Weaknesses this season
Consistent scoring from a balanced attack.
One thing that we should know about your team :
We’ve got some serious potential to upset some teams this year if we can get off to a good start. Kendra Lee is a returning All-Conference and All-Area player that is getting some serious traction on the recruiting trails now that she has decided to play college basketball. She’s got a huge ceiling.
Elk Grove Grenadiers
Head Coach : Jennifer Buxton
Last Season Overall Team Record : 15-15
Last Season Conference Team Record: 3-7
Key Returning Players (please include players name , height , position and class)
Rachel Kandefer 6’0’’ Forward Senior
Megan Murray 5’5’’ Point Guard Junior
Isabella Tierney 5’8’’ Guard Sophomore
Alyssa Trausch 5’9’’ Forward Sophomore
Coaches Comments / Team Overview
Team Strengths this season :Last year we had a lot of youth that had made great strides forward. We have 4 out of 5 starters returning. Many returning players with a solid year of time and experience will help us this season. We continue to have quickness and girls who love to cause havoc on defense.
Team Weakness this season : We want to become more efficient on offense and increase our shooting percentage overall
One thing that we should know about your team : We want to build upon the solid ending in playoffs we had last year. We are tough competitors that are willing to put in the time to getting better each year
Hersey Huskies
Coach (season): Mary Fendley 21st Season
Last year’s Record: 15-13
Last Year Conference: 8-2 1st MSL East, MSL Champs
Returning Players:
Mary Kate Fahey Soph (All Conf, All-Area,)- Only returning starter.
Emily Collins, Sr
Janine Boyan, Jr
Sydney Hemenway, Jr
Marlena Kot Sr.
Maddie Jacobsen Sr.
Chelsea Manoj Sr.
Emily Born Sr.
Newcomers:
Mary McGrath Soph
Aya El-Fiky Soph
Jordan Carlquist Jr
Jessie Carlquist Jr
Coaches Comments/Team Overview
I don’t think many people would have thought we could win the MSL again after losing 4 starters last year, but we did. Fast forward to this year, and we lost 4 starters again. We will try to battle against 5 other MSL East teams who all have a legitimate chance to win the division. There will be no nights off for any of us. Our schedule is stacked. We play some of the top teams in the state, including Maine West, New Trier, McAuley + the Montini Christmas tournament.
Prospect Knghts
Head Coach : Marie Miller
Last Season Overall Team Record : 16-10
Last Season Conference Team Record:7-3
Key Returning Players :
Ashley Adams 4/5 Sr
Kayla Byrne 3/4 Sr
Abbey Danciu 3/4 Sr
Jessica Kowalczyk 1/2/3 Sr
Stephanie Kowalczyk 1/2/3 Sr
Tia Sadlon 5 Sr
Helen Siavelis 1/2/3 Sr
Key Newcomers to the Varsity :
Eliot Dojutrek 1/2 Soph
Mia Gusloff 4/5 Soph
Sarah Skaggs 2/3 Jr
Coaches Comments/ Team Overview
Team Strengths this season : Many returning players with strong senior leadership.
Team Weakness this season : Adjusting to new roles with a changing program and learning a new offensive system and defensive discipline.
Rolling Meadows Mustangs
Head Coach: Ryan Kirkorsky
Last Season Overall Team Record : 24-7
Last Season Conference Team Record:8-2
Key Returning Players :
Mallory Brand, 6′, F, Senior
Alexa Davis, 5’7, PG, Senior
Kristin Dillon, 5’6, G, Senior
Lily Greifenstein, 5’6, PG/G, Senior
Kathleen Maltese, 5’8, G, Senior
Elise Kowalski, 5’11, F ,Senior
Susannah Holifield, 5’10, F/G, Junior
Bridget Rolla, 5’7, PG/G, Junior (injured)
Key Newcomers to the Varsity :
Kelsie Campbell, 5’7, G, Junior
Sam Elenz, 5’7, G, Sophomore
Moira Hickey, 5’6, G, Freshman
Alison Sellergren, 5’7, G, Freshman
Coaches Comments/ Team Overview
Team Strengths this season : Balanced scoring, pace of play, depth
Team Weakness this season : Emphasis on rebounding on both ends. We lost junior Bridget Rolla to ACL injury. She was one of our leading scorers and rebounders from last season.
One thing that we should know about your team : We want to play a unique style of basketball on both ends of the floor.
Wheeling Wildcats
Head Coach : Matthew Weber
Last Season Overall Team Record : 15-14
Last Season Conference Team Record: 3-7
Key Returning Players :
Nosa Igiehon (6’0, C/F, Sr)
Morgan Collar (5’11, F, Jr)
Chloe Drozdz (5’3, G, Jr),
Tommy Helms (5’7, G/F, Sr)
Sophia Stanke (5’8, G/F, Jr)
Lauryn Webb (5’10, C/F, Jr)
Karina Gomez (5’6, G, Sr)
Key Newcomers to the Varsity :
Sam Janulis (5’9, G/F, Fr),
Naomi Metellus (5’4, G, Jr),
Dani Moser (5’9, G/F, Fr),
Nicole Niznik (5’5, G, Fr),
Stephanie Peterson (5’9, G/F, Jr),
Ashley Yasak (5’9, F, Fr)
Coaches Comments /Team Overview
Team Strengths this season : Returning 3 Starters from last year and 5 players with a lot of varsity experience.
Team Weakness this season : Depth. Need freshman to grow up fast.
One thing that we should know about your team : A lot of multi sport athletes.