Girls basketball: Young gets nod over familiar foe

Updated: November 14, 2011 11:57AM

Can Young‘s young guns stun almost everybody else’s No. 1?

That’s the plan, said Young coach Corry Irvin.

“Our goal is to win state,” she said. “That’s not going to change.”

Only one thing has stood in Young’s way each of the last three seasons – Bolingbrook. Three years ago, it was an ugly 53-29 title-game debacle. Two years ago, the Dolphins fell to the Raiders 60-50 in the state championship game. Last year, it was a 50-49 semifinal loss.

Bolingbrook’s eight Division I players and everybody’s All-American Morgan Tuck notwithstanding, Irvin believes her team has the combination of speed and size to take down the finest assembly of talent this side of UConn.

The speed starts with the backcourt tandem of 5-foot-8 junior Linnae Harper and 5-6 Kentucky-bound senior guard Janee Thompson. Harper had a season-high 25 points in an 80-52 win over Marshall last season and Thompson had a 28-point outburst against Raby.

“I believe we have the best backcourt in the state,” Irvin said. “I think Linnae is the best player in the state in her class and probably the best all-around player in the city.”

Young teams of the recent past have not wanted for quick, good-shooting guards. But since felling the Raiders in the 2008 title bout, they have lacked the size to match up with Bolingbrook’s endless array of big bodies. The Dolphins are a little different mammal this year.

“We are taller than is past years, and I look forward to having our front court playing off our guards,” Irvin said.

Expect to see a lot of 6-foot-5 sophomore Khaalia Hillsman, who will provide an inside defensive presence that the Dolphins have not had of late. Fans will also see a lot of 5-10 sophomore Taylor Brame, 5-11 senior forward Tessa Haldes and 5-9 senior Alexis Lloyd.

“We are bigger, but I don’t think that will slow us up,” Irvin said. “Our girls are accustomed to playing up and down the court. Our key players just have to stay healthy, stay focused and produce in key situations.”

Here is a look at the rest of the top 10 teams in the Chicago area with last season’s final ranking and record:

2. Bolingbrook (1) 29-2: The Raiders have size, speed and depth. They have arguably the best finisher in the state in Connecticut-bound 6-foot-2 senior forward Morgan Tuck. They have eight Division I recruits, including 6-1 Cabriana Capers (Auburn), 6-3 senior Nia Moore (Illinois), 6-2 senior Annaya Moore (Alabama-Birmingham), and 5-9 senior guard Kierra Ray (Penn). But it’s not what Bolingbrook has, it’s what it doesn’t have – 2011 Gatorade Player of the Year Ariel Massengale. The Tennessee freshman was the engine that drove Bolingbrook to three state titles. Who will fill her shoes?

3. Hillcrest (9) 29-3: The heat is on. “There is no other way to look at this group,” said coach John Maniatis. “There is no hiding from the expectations. We have high aspirations and expectations for a team featuring four starters and the top four reserves in the rotation back from last year’s 29-3 squad that went to the state title game.” Senior guards Shannise Heady and Samirah Ali are among the best in the state, and Jasmine Sanders and 6-2 Jahmia Phillips provide tons of experience. Maniatis said 6-3 junior Lorielle Little was the most improved player over the summer.

4. Maine South (4) 28-9: The Hawks return all five starters from last year’s third-place Class 4A finisher, including 6-3 junior forward/center Jacqui Grant, who has offers from DePaul and South Florida among others. Also back are point guard Western Illinois University recruit Michelle Maher, forward Nina Duric, senior guard Kaitlyn Mullarkey and junior guard Mackenzie Duffy. Junior Regan Carmichael and senior Katy Lohens came on over the summer and add support and depth. “We believe that we can be a pre-season top five team in the state,” coach Mark Smith said.

5. Trinity (8) 28-5: Eddie Stritzel has got all the fixings of a state champion, including 6-1 DePaul recruit Megan Podkowa. Podkowa averaged 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game as a junior, and is more than capably supported by 5-8 junior guard Taylor Nazon, 6-0 senior Alyssa Dengler, 5-10 junior Shannon McGinnis and 6-1 senior Vickie Harris. But what makes Trinity an even greater threat is the emergence of 5-8 sophomore point guard Lauren Prochaska and the return from a knee injury of 5-7 junior Mikayla Leyden.

6. Marist (10) 27-6: Another team that will have a decidedly familiar look, the RedHawks’ five returning starters include Colgate-bound point guard Randyll Butler, Memphis recruit and post player Asianna Bey, and juniors JeTaun Rouse, Leah Bolton and Claire Ryan. “This year’s team is pretty special, very quick and fun to watch,” coach Mary Pat Connolly said. “If all the girls stay healthy, accept their roles on the team and continue to work hard on the defensive end of the floor, we will have a very good year and our goal of a state championship is very attainable.”

7. Waubonsie Valley (NR) 25-4: Senior guard Becky Williford, who suffered an ACL injury during the summer, is expected back sometime in December. Meanwhile, senior guard Tami Morice (12.7 ppg last year), junior guard Gratia Brooks, senior center Rachael Ross and senior guard Erica Jordan, who was limited last year with while recovering from an ACL, will share the load with help from some talented youngsters. “Our biggest obstacle right now is ourselves,” coach Kim Connell said. “This group needs to learn discipline, responsibility and accountability, not only for themselves, but for each other.”

8. Montini (2) 36-1: Poor Jason Nichols. Even after graduating three Division I players and a fourth starter, he has so much talent he doesn’t know what to do. Back are 6-foot senior Tianna Brown, an SIU-Edwardsville recruit, and sixth man Nikia Edom, a 5-6 junior. You want size? How about 6-4 Diamond Thompson and 6-4 Malayna Johnson. Keep an eye on 5-11 guard Jasmine Lumpkin, 6-1 Kelly Karlis, 6-0 Kateri Stone and 5-10 Sara Ross, all sophomores, and freshmen Kelsey Bogdani, a 5-10 point guard, and 6-0 Rainey Kuykendall. “Patience for me is the key,” Nichols said.

9, Morgan Park (17) 27-5: Three seniors are back from a team that lost to Hillcrest twice and to Young in the city championship game, including 5-9 guard/forward Kendyl Nunn, 6-1 forward/center Gabrielle Richmond and 5-3 point guard Debra Jenkins. “We will go as far as our seniors take us,” said coach TJ Johnson. “All three have been with me three years and Kendyl was with me as a freshman. We think it’s our time.” Morgan Park will get help from 5-6 sophomore guard Shami Goodman, 6-0 freshman Marsha Howard and members of last year’s sophomore city championship team.

10. St. Joseph (25) 21-12: Four starters and six of nine players overall return from last year’s team that lost to Marshall in the supersectional, and the Chargers also get 5-7 guard Arriel Anderson back. Anderson led St. Joseph to a 10-0 record in 2010 prior to injuring her knee at Christmas. Other veterans are Briya Wilborn (13.5 ppg), who led St. Joseph in scoring last year, senior forward Donna Koerber (11 ppg, 6 rpg), 5-5 sophomore Deja Horn and 5-9 senior Leah Banda. Size and rebounding will come from 5-9 sophomore Chanel Brown, 6-1 junior Shakera Jones and 5-11 senior Jailissa Seymore.

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