Experienced Maine South eyes encore

Maine South girls basketball coach Mark Smith knows all too well how the challenges in front of his Hawks.

After his 2005-06 Maine South club finished fourth at the state tournament, the Hawks won a regional title the following season before bowing out.

This past season’s team arguably was the best in program history after taking third at the state tournament. Even though the Hawks return all five starters from that 28-9 team, Smith isn’t ready to book hotel rooms in Bloomington.

Smith understands the signs are there for more success, but the coach looks forward to the journey as much as the destination.

“They now know how hard you need to work in the summer to make things special in the winter,” he said.

But it’s hard not to write in Maine South as one of the top teams in the Chicago area for the 2011-2012 season. In addition to getting every starter back, the Hawks seems to be improved.

On a trip to Notre Dame, Maine South went 7-0 with its first team and 5-2 with its second team.

“We had a really nice camp,” said Smith, known for his understatements.

While most people know the starters who will wear the uniform this upcoming season — such as point guard Michelle Maher and center Jacqui Grant — two players Smith is excited about are senior Katy Lohens and junior Regan Carmichael.

Carmichael got some big minutes last season, including 24 in two games at the state tournament, Lohens is an unknown to most. The 5-foot-9 forward played on the varsity for the first time last season, but she wasn’t among the options off the bench.

That’s about to change.

Smith sees Lohens as one of the first players off the bench this winter, a player who will make contributions that will help the Hawks win games.

“She has good instincts, a knack for getting rebounds,” Smith said. “That’s something you can’t teach. She’s athletic, and she’s understanding the system.

“We are not looking for her to score, but we will need her to rebound.”

Carmichael could find herself in an even more increased role this season as Smith contemplates the idea of going to a four-guard lineup.

“She will have to get some serious minutes because she’s playing well this summer,” the coach said. “We might have to go with four guards more frequently.”

Another surprise this summer is Olivia Pappalardo. The senior was on the floor in the fourth quarter when the Hawks beat top-seeded New Trier to win a regional championship in 2009, but she chose to not play basketball last season and concentrate on soccer.

“She was our starting point guard two years ago, but she’s in a dogfight for minutes this summer with as deep as we are,” Smith said. “That speaks volumes to where we are now.”

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