These 25 simply super

Bolingbrook and Young could be headed on a collision course all season, with the ultimate destination being a rematch of the Class 4A state championship game at Normal's Redbird Arena.

Young beat Bolingbrook for the title last season, and the Dolphins get the nod as the preseason No. 1 team because the returning starters have already proven they can win a state title.

''We haven't really talked about [the 2008 title],'' Young forward Porsha Harris said. ''Yeah, we won, but we look forward to winning another one. We want to press [defensively] and bring more pressure to opponents.''

Here's a closer look at the preseason Super 25:

1. YOUNG: Is sophomore guard Chanise Jenkins better than former Dolphin star and two-time Sun-Times All-Area guard D'Frantz Smart? Coach Corry Irvin thinks so, and a healthy Jenkins -- she played 15 games last season because of a broken foot -- means the defending Class 4A state champions have a strong chance of getting Downstate and maybe repeating. ''Last year we had D'Frantz, and that's a huge loss, but [Jenkins] is a very good guard,'' Harris said. ''We're all on the same page. We're all defending something.'' Harris returns with starters Ashlee Anderson and Kara Smith.

2. BOLINGBROOK: Last season's Class 4A runner-up adds depth with 6-2 freshman Morgan Tuck, who can play all five positions for coach Anthony Smith. Tuck joins her older sister, Taylor, and newcomers Marissa Taylor and Mercedes Griffin. Taylor is a 6-4 junior post whom Smith refers to as ''The Enforcer.'' She moved from Lansing, Mich. Griffin, a 5-9 junior wing player, is a move-in from Joliet. Returning starters are sophomore Ariel Massengale, junior Nicosia Henry and seniors Satavia Taylor (Loyola) and Candace Nevels (Murray State). ''This is probably the best team I've ever had at Bolingbrook because we are so deep,'' Smith said. The Raiders have been Downstate for four years, placing fourth (2005), second (2007, '08) and first (2006).

3. FENWICK: The Friars are gunning for their 15th consecutive East Suburban Catholic title. A season after qualifying for the Elite Eight, where it lost to Bolingbrook and finished 29-6, Fenwick returns leading scorers Tricia Liston (20.7 points per game) and Katlyn Payne (15.2), both juniors. Also returning are seniors Colleen Forkin, Serafina Nuzzo and Grace Frank, juniors Molly McKenna and Mia Mastrangeli, and sophomores Sarah Williams and Kathleen Roche.

4. MONTINI: The 2008 Class 3A third-place finisher returns a big-time prospect in 6-3 junior center Michala Johnson, who is ranked No. 16 in the nation by ESPN.com. Among the eight returners are 6-1 Chrissy Fletcher (New Mexico), guards Alison Seberger, Kiki Wilson, Mallory Sosnovich and Whitney Holloway; and forwards Whitney Adams and Jill Sullivan. Junior Courtney Thomas transferred from Loyola and has committed to Marquette.

5. T.F. NORTH: Junior transfers Dawn Luster (Hope) and Centrese McGee (Washington) look to lead the Meteors to an even better season after going 26-4 in 2007-08. But T.F. North faces a difficult schedule with matchups against Mother McAuley, Hillcrest and an appearance at the City-Suburban Shootout. The Meteors play only five home games. Key returners are seniors Nafi Abdulai, Bayeena Abdul and junior Karisma Chapman.

6. WHEELING: Three full-time starters return in Purdue recruit Ashley Wilson (15.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and juniors Janelle Cannon (12.8 ppg) and Bianca Szafarowicz. Junior spot starter Stephanie Kuzmanic also returns. Senior Bridgette Gray saw significant minutes last season and will contend for a starting spot. The Wildcats look to repeat as Mid-Suburban East conference champions after winning conference for the first time last season. Reserve Tiffany Meier will begin the season rehabbing a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Wilson starts the season with 1,287 points and 682 career rebounds.

7. MARSHALL: Illinois recruit Adrienne GodBold will have to carry the Commandos in their quest to repeat as 3A state champions, since three starters graduated. Returners include Jasmine Poteete, Cierra Morris and Raven Gary; juniors Marion Thompson and Anquinnete Holley, and sophomore Shantiera Miller. ''It remains to be seen about Adrienne [taking a significant leadership role],'' coach Dorothy Gaters said. ''It all starts in practice, and she will be a coach on the floor.''

8. MARIAN CATHOLIC: Mallory Eggert, the Spartans' 6-2 senior center, is healthy after suffering an ACL/MCL tear of her knee last December. Joining Saint Louis recruit Eggert are Notre Dame recruit Kaila Turner and a strong group of guards in Jasmine Matthews, Emily Kobel and Amber Simonton, and forwards Simone Law and Jasmine Williams. Newcomers include junior guard Valerie Finnin and Aubrey Sparrey, a transfer from Oak Forest.

9. LAKE ZURICH: Two Division I signees -- forward Lydia Bauer (Wisconsin-Green Bay) and guard Oliva Allen (Bradley) -- return for the Bears along with 6-0 junior Audrey Bauer and junior Gabby Chapa, all of whom are starters. ''Olivia and Lydia have both made themselves into very good players,'' coach Chris Bennett said. ''On any given night, one or both of them could score 25. And the best part is they are excellent defenders.''

10. GENEVA: Four-year starting guard Taylor Whitley (Indiana State) is among seven returners for the Vikings, along with 6-1 juniors Lauren Wicinski and Kelsey Augustine. Also watch sophomore guard Kat Yelle. ''We will count on Taylor Whitley to lead us, but she has a talented and balanced group around her this season,'' coach Gina Nolan said.

11. VON STEUBEN: An experienced team of junior forwards LaTerria Taylor and Shonte Clay, and seniors Kiaherra Powell and Devyn Baker, make the Panthers one of the better Public League teams. Von Steuben has height in the 6-3 Clay at forward/center and the 6-0 Powell at center, which makes the Panthers strong inside.

12. BOGAN: In the six years since coach Gary Bell has been at Bogan, this could be his deepest and best team. Bell said at least eight of his players are being recruited by Division I schools, including 6-1 junior forward Lynette Holmes. Four starters return -- Holmes, 6-0 sophomore Ariel Haynes, 6-0 junior Brittany Cochran and 5-6 senior Jalisa Olive -- and 13 players overall come back, including a key reserve in 5-5 sophomore guard Jaleesa Armstrong. ''People are saying that us and Young are the two best teams in the city,'' Bell said.

13. HINSDALE CENTRAL: The undefeated West Suburban Silver champions return All-State and All-Area junior point guard Toni Kokenis. Also returning for the Red Devils are seniors Katie Delaney at forward and guard Madison Whitley. Newcomers include two 5-10 players, senior guard Kat Leach and junior forward Adabelle Ekechukwu. Sophomore guard Maggie Brennan is another player to watch.

14. ST. CHARLES NORTH: Headed by 6-5 center Kelsey Smith (Michigan State), the North Stars return guards Kiley Hackbarth and Anna Conrad from last year's Elite Eight qualifier. Watch for sophomore Syndey Russell and junior Dana Sibley. ''I'm very happy with the way our practices are going right now,'' coach Katie Sauber said. ''We are looking strong and confident.''

15. TRINITY: Senior guard Monica Albano (Loyola), who averaged 19 ppg, heads a returning cast that includes sophomores Taricka Linzy and Divinity Brown and senior Shakyia Vassar. Coach Ed Strizel looks for freshmen Gracie Sanchez and Megan Podkowa to contribute immediately. Junior Nicole Hazemi, a transfer from Glenbard West, will make an impact.

16. HILLCREST: A strong core returns, including nine players that provided 82 percent of Hillcrest's scoring and 78 percent of its rebounding from a season ago. Key returners include guards Uniquah Hampton (15 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Juanita Robinson (13.7 ppg, 6 rpg). Seniors Ariel Rouse, Jamie Nelson and Ashley Sloss will provide valuable experience. Also watch for juniors Kristin Marshall and Autris Coleman. The Hawks have won 13 consecutive conference titles.

17. LOYOLA: Jeremy Schoenecker takes over for coach Tanya Johnson and inherits a good group of players in returning starters junior Audrey Gaughan and seniors Meghan Holy, Michelle Bilek and Katie Wheeler. The Ramblers added a solid move-in with junior Meghan McKeown, whose father, Joe, was named Northwestern's women's coach in June.

18. LINCOLN-WAY EAST: The Griffins strengthened their schedule in hopes of a long postseason run by adding the Sweet 16 tournament and an appearance in January's McDonald's Shootout. Illinois recruit Kersten Magrum, a 6-0 senior forward, leads four returners from last season's 23-5 team. Also back are senior guards Autum Korosic and Nellie Kosola and junior guard Theresa Tynski. At 6-2, sophomore center Amanda West will strengthen the post.

19. MOTHER MCAULEY: Eight seniors return from a team that finished 22-10 and lost to Young in the sectional final. Heading the list of returners are guards Sarah Garcia, MaryCait Stasaitis and Chelsea Owens and forward Jen Moriarty. Newcomers include junior forwards Bridget Balsam and Caitlin Cody.

20. CARY-GROVE: Out of four key returners for the Trojans, only one is a senior, forward Tori Sandstrom. A young group comprised of sophomores Claire Jakubicek and Meg Straumann join junior Liz Bart in helping the Trojans try to repeat an undefeated Fox Valley Valley season and a 26-4 overall mark.

21. MARIST: Six players have graduated from the 2008 RedHawks team that placed fourth in Class 4A, bringing home the first state trophy in a girls sport for the school that went co-ed in 2002. But junior guard Haley Stercic, who has started every game since her freshman year, returns along with seniors Cailee Corcoran, Erin Kelly and Jena Gust, who sat out last season with a torn Achilles tendon.

22. WAUBONSIE VALLEY: The defending Upstate Eight champions return starting guard Jessica Morice and 6-2 center Rachel Bostick. The Warriors also return a strong crew that came off the bench in junior forward Brittany Upshaw and senior forward Catherine McClellan. Those four will provide leadership for a crop of young newcomers that include two freshmen and two sophomores.

23. BATAVIA: The Bulldogs hope to repeat as Western Sun champions and look to senior guard Natalie Tarter, who is headed to Wisconsin on a track scholarship and won a state title in the 300-meter low hurdles last spring. Junior Sara Fruendt and senior Kelsey Oswald will contribute.

24. LEMONT: Senior center Erin Stahurski and junior point guard Alex Prasauskas are the two returners from last year's squad that finished 22-7. Sophomores Amy Skowronski and Annie Forzl will have to step up along with junior Natalija Vaznelis.

25. DRISCOLL: After advancing to the 2A supersectional a year ago, the Highlanders expect to go far in the small-school tournament. Driscoll has height up front in 6-4 junior center Courtney Lindfors, and speed in 5-3 senior guard Gigi DiGrazia, who won the Class A state golf title in the fall. Also returning is 5-9 junior forward Taylor Reaber.