Conference Overview: Peek into the Southwest Prairie Conference
As we continue our Conference Previews ahead of the 2018-2019 Girls Basketball Season, we take a closer look here at the Southwest Prairie Conference. Last season, the SPC was extremely competitive, and you can expect much of the same this…
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Continue ReadingAs we continue our Conference Previews ahead of the 2018-2019 Girls Basketball Season, we take a closer look here at the Southwest Prairie Conference. Last season, the SPC was extremely competitive, and you can expect much of the same this year. With a good mixture of returning players and newcomers, I really look forward to seeing who steps up and takes home the title this year!
Joliet Central Steelwomen
Head Coach – Laura Brumfiel
Last season Conference record: 4-10
Last Season Overall Record: 12-15
Key returning players:
Sophomore, Jalysa Stokes, 5’6″ Point Guard.
Senior, Shawnton Brown, 5’9″ Forward.
Teams strengths: Speed and transition game.
Teams weaknesses: Keeping everyone healthy all season.
One thing we should know about your team: This year’s girls love to play the game of basketball together. They are relentless.
Joliet West Tigers
Head Coach– John Placher
Last season Conference record: 10-4
Last Season Overall Record: 17-12
Key returning players:
Junior, Jazzpher Evans, 5’6’’ Guard.
Sophomore, Kiana Smith, 5’5’’ Guard.
Senior, Adriana Lindsey, 5’7’’ Forward
Teams strengths: Quickness
Teams weaknesses: Size
Minooka Indians
Head Coach – Jeff Easthon
Last season Conference record: 11-2
Last Season Overall Record: 23-9
Key returning players:
Senior, Cierra Bachmann, Point Guard
Junior, Sofie Darden, Forward
Senior, Savannah Johnson, Center
Oswego East Wolves
Head Coach – Abe Carretto
Last season Conference record: 7-7
Last Season Overall Record: 14-14
Key returning players:
Senior, Chelsea McCullum, 5’7’’, Guard
Senior, Chyna Scott, 6’1’’, Forward/Guard
Senior, Kaili Chval, 5’8’’, Guard
Senior, Abby Ford, 5’8’’, Guard
Senior, Melia Perry, 5’8’’ Guard
Senior, Stefanie Shea, 5’10’’, Forward
Junior, Christine Corpuz, 5’4’’, Point Guard
Junior, Carly Engelhardt, 5’11’’ Forward
Key new players:
Freshman, Katie Jorgensen, 5’8’’, Point Guard/Guard
Teams strengths: Speed, shooting, and defensive pressure
Teams weaknesses: Height and possibly rebounding
One thing we should know about your team: We are going to push the ball up the floor, shoot more Field Goals, especially 3’s.
Oswego H.S. Panthers
Head Coach – John Carlson
Last season Conference record: 2-12
Last Season Overall Record: 3-23
Key returning players:
Senior, Samara Bossman, 5’5’’, Guard
Junior, Angelina Schlinger, 5’5’’, Point Guard
Junior, Julia Henrikson, 5’7’’, Guard
Key new players:
Junior, Janelle Rogers, 6’0’’, Forward/Center
Teams strengths: Depth, good man-to-man defense
Teams weaknesses: Lack of Seniors/Varsity experience
One thing we should know about your team: We can score inside and out.
Plainfield Central Wildcats
Head Coach – Armond Frazier
Last season Conference record: 7-7
Last Season Overall Record: 14-14
Key returning players:
Senior, Katie Kearney, 5’4’’, Guard
Junior, Kachae Donald, 5’8’’, Combo Guard
Sophomore, Annaliese Griffin, 6’1’’, Forward
Teams strengths: Size and shooting
Teams weaknesses: Youth and inexperience
One thing we should know about your team: Our team works hard day in and day out on every level to improve. From the coaches to the players, everyone is committed to making Plainfield Central girls basketball a respected program in the area.
Plainfield East Bengels
Last season Conference record: 13-1
Last Season Overall Record: 22-7
Plainfield North Tigers
Head Coach – Reggie Lemon
Last season Conference record: 8-4
Last Season Overall Record: 18-12
Key returning players:
Senior, Olivia Cantu, 5’10’’, Forward
Junior, Marissa Mussatto, 5’7’’, Guard
Sophomore, Lexie Hernandez, 5’4’’, Guard
Key new players:
Junior, Natalie Bearbower, 5’8’’, Guard
Sophomore, Beatrice Atienza, 5’4’’, Guard
Sophomore, Brooke Knox, 5’6’’, Guard
Junior, Katelyn Sparlin, 5’5’’, Guard
Teams strengths: Speed and good shooters
Teams weaknesses: Size and inexperience
One thing we should know about your team: We only have one Senior and are an overall very young team.
Plainfield South Cougars
Head Coach – Lincoln DePaula
Last season Conference record: 3-11
Last Season Overall Record: 11-17
Key returning players:
Senior, Shannon Smith, 5’6’’, Guard
Senior, Miranda Cadwell, 6’0’’, Center
Junior, Phoebe Hillery, 5’11’’, Guard/Forward
Sophomore, Aniya Mabry, 5’6’’, Guard
Sophomore, Leia James, 5’9’’, Guard/Forward
Key new players:
Sophomore, Fatimah Olagunju, 6’1’’, Center
Sophomore, Fatima Syeda, 5’3’’, Guard
Freshman, Grace Harris, 5’8’’, Point Guard
Teams strengths: Guard play, height, defensive pressure, confidence
Teams weaknesses: Inexperience and outside shooting
One thing we should know about your team: Our 11-17 record last year was the 2nd most school wins in school history (12 is the most). Our Playoff win vs Romeoville was only the 4th win ever. The girls are well aware of the history (or lack of) in our program and have challenged themselves to raise the bar this year. This is one of the most talented groups ever at South and if they stay the course over the next few years, they will lift the program to new heights.
Romeoville H.S. Spartans
Head Coach – Julio Carrasco
Last season Conference record: 2-12
Last Season Overall Record: 6-20
Key returning players:
Senior, Monique Bradshaw, 5’9’’, Center
Junior, Karina Ortiz, 5’5’’, Guard
Sophomore, Josey Ocampo, 5’9’’, Forward
Sophomore, Payton Reese, 5’10’’, Forward/Guard
Sophomore, Lindsay Novak, 5’6’’, Guard
Key new players:
Junior, Naomi Harris, 5’9’’, Forward
Freshman, Tykara Harrison, 5’6’’, Guard
Teams strengths: Transition game and defensive quickness
Teams weaknesses: Height and outside shooting
One thing we should know about your team: Last year was a rebuild as we had 1 Senior last year. We will have 1 Senior this year, but we ended the season last year with a starting line-up of 2 Frosh, 2 Soph and 1 Junior. Our young girls had a taste last year of varsity and they understand the Varsity game. There are no more excuses this season and our girls are hungry to win.
Later this week, tune in as I take a closer look at the key players in the Southwest Prairie Conference, and who is poised to have breakout seasons!