Girls basketball season preview 2021: Team-by-team previews

DeKalb Barbs

Coach: Mark Sykes, first season

Last season: 17-16, lost to Auburn in the Class 4A Harlem Regional final

Top returners: Amina Gray, soph., G; Kailey Porter, soph., G

Key newcomers: Natalie Rosenow, jr.,G/F; Ava Bertrand, jr.,F; Ariana Smith, soph., G

Worth noting: Sykes returns to the program after Tyler Bantz left – taking the team from five wins to a winning record. It’s going to be a rebuild for the Barbs, who have no seniors on the roster. “It’s an uphill battle,” Sykes said. “It’s not going to be easy for anybody. But we have to accept it because it’s where we are at.”

Sycamore Spartans

Coach: Adam Wickness, fifth season

Last season: 27-7, lost to Montini in the Class 3A Hampshire Sectional title game.

Top returners: Faith Klemm, sr., PG; Faith Feuerbach, jr., W; Ella Shipley, jr., G; JaKaya Thompson, jr., G; Evyn Carrier, soph., C; Ari Galto, sr., F; Reese Hill, jr., F

Key newcomers: Lexi Carlsen, fresh., G; Mallory Armstrong, soph., G; Andrea Foulk, jr., F; Kylie VonSchnase, jr., F

Worth noting: The Spartans return nearly their entire rotation from last year, although one of the missing pieces in Kylie Feuerbach, a three-time Daily Chronicle Girls Basketball Player of the Year and current starter at Iowa State. “Obviously we’ve lost a big piece but everyone else returns and everyone else is a year better. We’re excited to get out and play games. The girls have been chomping at the bit for a long time.” … Faith Feuerbach stretches the floor for the Spartans with size and outside shooting, while Shipley returns as a sharpshooter for the team. Faith Klemm has been the point guard on the team for four years, and the 6-4 Carrier is back for her second year.

Kaneland Knights

Coach: Kelsey Flanagan, second season

Last season: 19-13, lost to Sandwich in the semifinals of the Class 3A IMSA Regional

Top returners: Kylie Holubecki, sr., F; Kelsey Modaff, sr., G; Chloe Conley, sr., G; Mackenzie Schuler, sr., PG; Nora Crimmins, sr., C; Katharine Marshall, soph., G; Megan Noel, jr., G/F; Sarah Elliott, sr., F

Key newcomers: Ally Plank, jr., PG; Olivia Rohlman, jr., F; Taylor Seaton, jr., G; Olivia Sheehan, jr., F; Maddie Kozlowski, jr., G

Worth noting: It took until Wednesday, but the health region in which Kaneland sits moved to Phase 4, meaning the Knights will be able to join the other teams in the Interstate 8 in a hoops season, however abbreviated. “As a staff we’re just kind of planning as if we have our first game scheduled for Feb. 9,” Flanagan said on Monday. “We’re trying to be as prepared as we would be in a normal world under normal circumstances.” … The Knights return a lot from last year, including Holubecki, who provided a strong presence down low for the team and the Knights in scoring. They also add Conley, who missed most of last year with an ACL injury. The team lost just three seniors from last year.

Genoa-Kingston Cogs

Coach: Brendan Royalty, second season

Last season: 10-18, lost to Rosary in a Class 2A Genoa-Kingston Regional play-in game

Top returners: Lily McPherson, sr., G; Bridget Babb, sr., G; Delaney Hemann, sr., G; Morgan Ferrara, sr., F; Sam Winker, sr., F; Emily Gilbert, jr., G; Avery Walters, jr., G; Emily Tetzloff, sr., G; Grace Strader, sr., F

Key newcomers: None

Worth noting: All five starters from last year return for the Cogs. Babb and McPherson both averaged just shy of 10 points per game, while McPherson pulled down 6.6 boards per contest. “We’re doing all right,” Royalty said. “We’re trying to build off last year. We’ve got room for improvement and we’re looking to build throughout the year and grow as a team and be competitive in most games.”

Indian Creek Timberwolves

Coach: Paul Muchmore, 25th year

Last season: 14-18, lost to Aurora Christian in the Class 1A Harvest Christian Academy Regional title game.

Top returners: Brooke Heiman, sr., G; Geena Sanford, soph., SG; Madisyn Standard, sr., SG

Key newcomers: Jolee Larsen, soph., G; Alexa Anderson, soph., G; Zoey Beeh, soph., G; Caroline Bend, soph. G; Rachel McCormick, soph., G

Worth noting: The only starter back for the Timberwolves is Heimann, who led the county with 21.9 points per game last year. “We’re going to have to get creative with our depth and creative with our subbing,” Muchmore said. “We’ve got to stay rested.” … Muchmore said Sanford is shaping up to be the second scoring option behind Heimann.

Hinckley-Big Rock Royals

Coach: Doug Brewington, sixth year

Last season: 21-12, lost to Indian Creek in the semifinals of the Harvest Christian Academy Regional

Top returners: Tessa Prellberg, sr., G/F; Ashleigh Wackerlin, jr., G; Avery Zabel, sr., C; Morgan King, jr., PG; Sydney Razo-Ewan, jr., G; Payton Barry, sr., G

Key newcomers: Devin Warner, soph., C

Worth noting: Prellberg averaged around 20 points per game last year as the Royals enjoyed a turnaround after four straight losing seasons. “It’s funny, we had high hopes of adding on to our record from last year,” Brewington said. “With this shortened season and knowing we don’t have a postseason, we’re looking to have fun. There’s no number as far as our goal, just enjoyment.” … Brewington said Prellberg had her best offseason and has put in more work than she ever has.