Here are five players around the Kane County Chronicle coverage area to watch for, listed in alphabetical order.

Taylor Charles, Burlington Central, junior, guard/forward

This is a selection based off sky-high potential for Charles, as she joins Burlington Central after transferring from basketball powerhouse Montini. Charles will be an excellent complement to Wells in several areas, perhaps most prominently on defense. Charles, who can also score from many spots on the floor, has some impressive offers already including Illinois, DePaul and Purdue. She will likely add more interest as the season progresses.

Emma Ludwig, St. Charles North, junior, guard

Ludwig is returning from a torn ACL that cost her all of last season. If her freshman season was any indication, Ludwig will remind the DuKane Conference soon that she is fully healthy and ready to make up for lost time. Ludwig will mesh with an experienced North Stars group that will be a difficult team to put away down the stretch and is looking forward to see her talent blossom.

Kate Palmer, Geneva, senior, guard

Palmer complemented former Chronicle Player of the Year Lindsay Blackmore for the last few years. This season Palmer figures to maintain her strong all-around game as a leading option for the Vikings. Palmer averaged 14.3 points per game last season, but her game involves so much more than that. Palmer sees the floor very well and has a nice quick step taking defenders on in the half court. The Vikings will again be a top force in the DuKane Conference with Palmer leading the way.

Tessa Towers, Batavia, senior, forward

There’s not many defensive matchups that Towers can’t overcome in the paint and we expect that to continue. Towers is coming off of a 2019-2020 season in which she was an all-DuKane Conference selection and averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Early word out of Batavia is high on incoming freshman point guard Brooke Carlson and that bodes well for Towers, who had great chemistry with graduated senior Erin Golden.

Elana Wells, Burlington Central, senior, guard

If not for Kat Schmidt last season, Wells was arguably the best player in the area last season. Her stat line of 17 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals speaks for itself, but Wells is also a fierce competitor and a true force on the court. Wells has excellent shooting touch and a mean bounce pass. Already committed to the University of Indianapolis, Wells will lead the Rockets in this shortened season.