Beacon-News girls basketball preview capsules

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:04PM

Rosary Royals

Coach: Dave Beebe

Last season: 21-7

Postseason advancement: Lost in regional final.

Key losses: Jordan Rettig, Lane Richmond.

Key returners: Breann Maryanski (Sr.), Brittney Hutchinson (Sr.), Brenda Rocha (Sr.), Rachel Rivera (Sr.), Courtney Bila (Jr.), Madison Richmond (So.), Taylor Gibson (So.)

Top newcomers: Mary Wentworth (So.), Karly Tate (So.).

Season outlook: Rosary will have a very different look this season as several three- and four-year starters have graduated. How quickly this team can come together will be something to watch.

Aurora Central Catholic Chargers

Coach: Mark Fitzgerald

Last year: 13-14

Postseason advancement: Lost in regional final.

Key losses: Blythe Nelson, Vivian Fitzgerald.

Key returners: Jacqueline Cardona (Jr.), Ashley Wilk (Jr.), Katilyn Rosa (Jr.)

Top newcomers: Alex DeCraene (So.), Rachel Rahn (So.).

Coach says: "This year's team is the strongest I have had since I arrived in ‘08. We are returning all three leading scorers and rebounders (Cardona, Wilk, Rosa) from last year's team, which had the second best record in school history. Our senior class led by captains Natalie Steinwart, F/C, Katherine Chandler, G, and Alexia Goblet, G, will provide a tremendous amount of leadership and drive to our team."

Illinois Math and Science Academy Titans

Coach: Keith McIntosh

Last season: 6-15

Postseason: Lost in regional opener.

Key losses: Isolina Rossi.

Key returners: Alexandra Smick (Sr.), Michaela Edgers (Jr.), Kam Bond (Jr.), Jeannine Schulz (Jr.).

Top newcomers: Linsey Conley (So.), Seneca Hutson (So.), Hannah Schwerbrock (So.).

Coach says: "We'll have more depth this season. The hope is that our younger players will develop quickly and aid us in competing for conference and reaching secondary goal of 10 wins."

Oswego Panthers

Coach: Chad Pohlmann

Last season: 29-5

Postseason advancement: Fourth place in Class 3A.

Key losses: Samiya Wright, Brittany Collier, Colleen Purcell, Megan Rembold and Lauren Rembold. Guard Taylor Paisley out for the season with injury.

Key returners: Paige Harmon (Jr.), Alexis McClain (Sr.), Rosie Gambino (Sr.) Alex Tiffany (Sr.).

Top newcomers: Arecli Munouz (Sr.), Amenia Green (Fr.), Kelsey Nelson (Fr.), Abby Illingworth (Jr.), Shianne Williams (Jr.).

Coach says: "We return two starters and several key reserves from our 29-4 team. We are looking to be competitive in our area. Our season goals, as they are every year, is to win the conference championship and have the opportunity to compete for a regional title."

Sandwich Indians

Coach: Randy Malloy

Last year: 6-23

Key losses: None.

Key returners: Jessica Miller (Sr.), Emma Darby (Sr.), Jordan Flowers (Sr.), Jordan Johnson (Sr.), Lexi Lawrence (Sr.).

Top newcomers: Hannah Prusha (Jr.), Morgan Murphy (Jr.), Kayla Phillips (Jr.).

Coach says: "We expect to be faster, more aggressive and confident with our play. Like all teams we need to cut back on turnovers and giving up easy shots. We have a lot of senior leadership and we will be ready to compete with any team we play."

Kaneland Knights

Coach: Ernie Colombe

Last year: 5-23

Postseason advancement: Lost in regional opener.

Key Losses: Mallory Carlson.

Key Returners: Emily Heimerdinger (Sr.), Andie Strang (Sr.), Nicki Ott (Sr.), Kelly Evers (Jr.). McKinzie Mangers (Jr.), Tesa Alderman (Jr.), Emma Bradford (So.).

Top newcomer: Cori Flowers (Jr.).

Coach says: "The girls have worked hard this summer and fall to prepare for the season. Last season the Knights struggled with injuries throughout the season. We should be able to compete night in and out this season. We feel like we can be a much improved team. Our seniors led by Emily Heimerdinger and Andie Strang have really stepped up into leadership roles."

Yorkville Foxes

Coach: Luke Engelhardt

Last season: 10-17

Postseason advancement: Lost in regional semifinals.

Key losses: Claire Bush, Katrina Donarski, Madison Hester.

Key returners: Jordan Dhuse (Jr.), Alicyn Hester (Jr.), Jenny Taptich (Sr.), Devin Turner (Sr.), Elizabeth Swe (Sr.) Michelle Fabricino (Sr.), Heather Young (Sr.).

Top newcomers: Cara Schlichting (Jr.), Nikki Hills (Jr.).

Coach says: "We should have a balanced team with a mix of experienced juniors and seniors. We compete at the Hoops Happening Tournament at IMSA to start the season and hope to contend there and then begin play in the new Northern Illinois Big 12 conference. We have high expectations for this team and feel that if we play strong defense, limit our turnovers on offense and play together as a team that we will be a very tough team to beat."

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.