2017 IHSA Girls BBall Teams to Watch

Posted on December 29, 2017. Filed under: Basketball, Basketball, Girls High School Basketball, High School Basketball | Tags: 2017 IHSA Girls BBall Teams to Watch, Abi Baumgartner, Aireal Dickson, Ally Corcoran, Bloom, Carolyn Waleski, Crete-Monee, Destiny Hall, Erin Foley, Girls Basketball, Grace Hynes, H-F, Homewood-Flossmoor, Kaitlin Lee, Lemont, Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way West, Lydia Howard, Marian Catholic, Marist, Morgan Park, Mother McAuley, Nade'ge Jean, Natalie Stavropoulos, Providence, Rich South, Ryann Ogarek, Sarah Knoepfle, Shamarre Hale, Shannan Mitchell, Tanea White, Tara Hastings, Tara O'Malley |

Who should you watch out for this season?

November 2017

compiled by Prez Ro
follow back at @PrezRo365

1. Homewood-Flossmoor (23-3): Even after losing seven, but there are many leaders in waiting. Keep an eye out for Senior point guard Aireal Dickson, Arianna Garry-Bell, Kaitlin Lee, Zarrea Coleman and sophomore Imani Mitchell bring more backcourt speed. Whew… should be tough!!!!

2. Marist (28-5): Just like H-F, RedHawks graduated a lots of talent, but have an all-conference pick in senior point guard Ally Corcoran as a leader on both ends of the court. Juniors Stef Schied, Abby Callahan and McKenna Kallianis are all proven shooters. Guard Sydney Affolter should be one of the area’s top freshmen.

3. Mother McAuley (22-8): Six players who started games last season including point guard Tara O’Malley has been the leading scorer since her freshman year. Senior Vanessa Gavin is a tough defender. Junior Grace Hynes is the definition of explosive, but can also step back and shoot the three. Senior Kelly Gallagher and juniors Lauren Ramsey and Hannah Swiatek add experience.

4. Lincoln-Way East (19-11): Coach Jim Martin has a lot of experience to work with in his 17th and final season. Senior guard Carolyn Waleski has great instincts, and holds the school record for steals in a game with 11. Senior forward Lauren Hunter is hard to handle under the basket. Senior guard Delani Grayer was the first off the bench last season. Junior guard Katchie Savic was an impact player after Christmas.

5. Argo (22-7): Division I recruit senior Chatori Tyler returns at forward after averaging 22 points. Junior point guard Tadriana Heard is a two-time all-conference player who’s is also being courted by big colleges. Senior forward Shannon Wilbourne is a nice addition after three years at Queen of Peace.

6. Marian Catholic (18-14): The Spartans are young, but experienced, with four girls who have started 20-plus varsity games. Senior guard Carmen Jackson, a Hampton recruit, will have some tall targets underneath in 6-0 junior Shannan Mitchell and 6-1 sophomore Kennedy Harrell. Sophomore guard Kaylen Evans will help fill the backcourt needs.

7. Morgan Park (11-17): The Mustangs, who overcame discipline issues to advance to the Class 3A Elite Eight, will regroup under new coach Joshua Brown. They return speedy junior point guard Destiny Hall and 6-1 shooting guard Jordan Aikens. Back with the program is 6-0 senior guard Kolby Underwood, who sat out last season. A newcomer to watch is junior Charisma Robinson.

8. Crete-Monee (14-12): The defending Southland Athletic champions return four seniors, headed by all-conference center Shamarre Hale. At 6-2, she is a dominator in the middle. Forward Ariel Henry is an aggressive rebounder, while Ceairra Smith runs the point. Guard Arriyon Phillips will be counted on to step up on offense.

9. Lincoln-Way West (24-6): One thing the Warriors lack is height. One thing they have in abundance is long-distance shooting. Junior guard Tara Hastings and sophomore guard Taylor Gugliuzza return after combining for 103 3-pointers. Sophomore Guard Sydney Swanberg is yet a third threat from beyond the arc. Tara Gugliuzza will follow her older sister as a freshman on the varsity.

10. Lemont (19-9): The Indians won the South Suburban Blue title last season, and return two of the key cogs in senior guards Sarah Knoepfle and Emma Bozue. Between them, the duo averaged 17 points. The frontcourt will have senior leadership in Mairead Ruane and Claudia Sikora.

Building Men & Women via Athletics

20 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Abi Baumgartner, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, forward; Ally Corcoran, Marist, senior, guard; Aireal Dickson, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, guard; Erin Foley, St. Laurence, senior, forward; Shamarre Hale, Crete-Monee, senior, center; Destiny Hall, Morgan Park, junior, guard; Tara Hastings, Lincoln-Way West, junior, guard; Tadriana Heard, Argo, junior, guard; Lydia Howard, Oak Forest, senior, guard; Grace Hynes, Mother McAuley, junior, guard/forward; Nade’ge Jean, Rich South, senior, center/forward; Sarah Knoepfle, Lemont, senior, guard; Kaitlin Lee, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, forward; Shannan Mitchell, Marian Catholic, junior, forward; Ryann Ogarek, Providence, junior, forward/guard; Tara O’Malley, Mother McAuley, senior, guard; Natalie Stavropoulos, Sandburg, junior, guard; Chatori Tyler, Argo, senior, forward; Carolyn Waleski, Lincoln-Way East, senior, guard; Tanea White, Bloom, senior, guard.