Daily Southtown 2021-22 Girls Basketball Preview
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Marist (17-1): RedHawks should have one of the quickest and most explosive backcourts in Southland with senior guards Kira Chivers and Le’Lani Harris. Senior forwards Mary Clare Brusek and junior Elise Ward are dependable scorers, while senior center Emily Bojan averaged almost double digits in rebounds.
2. Homewood-Flossmoor (7-3): Alyssa Latham earned a spot on ESPN’s list of the top 100 players in the country. The 6-2 junior forward offers an inside-outside presence and is a shot blocker and rebounder. Ana-Liese Torian, a 6-4 junior forward, was a state champion in track. She averaged double figures as a sophomore. Senior Rachyl Robinson is a top 3-point threat.
3. Thornwood (11-1): Thunderbirds return two double-figure scorers in junior guard Janiya Saverson and senior center Jamarea LaCaze. At 6-2, LaCaze also is a powerhouse on the boards. Kaliyah Wilkins and Janila Ellis are seniors, while sophomore Kayla Johnson leads youth corps.
4. Lincoln-Way West (13-3): Warriors will make a lot of noise when senior forward Evan Pittman returns from a knee injury. In the meantime, they have returning talent in junior guard Ava Gugliuzza and senior forward Allie Wondrasek. Junior guard Natalie Dynia saw extended minutes in the spring, while 6-1 freshman Caroline Smith brings 3-point shooting prowess.
5. Sandburg (11-6): Eagles are loaded with returnees, including the double-figure duo of senior forward Charlotte Trunk and junior guard Josie Canellis. Senior guard Erin O’Connor will again run point along with junior Clarie Callaghan. Watch for 6-foot sophomore Juliana Paddock to make instant impact.
6. Providence (11-6): Three key leaders from the spring should keep Celtics
competitive. Junior guard Annalise Pietrzyk was a leading scorer, while senior point guard Kelly Knight and sophomore guard Gabi Bednar were both all-conference. Senior forward Megan Duzansky (Benedictine) and senior guard Laurelei Thormeyer (St. Francis) are committed to college.
7. Marian Catholic (16-5): Senior forwards Zikora Okonkwo and Anna Kleszynski are both four-year varsity players. Sophomore guard Madison Davis saw a ton of minutes in the spring. Junior Mia Skelton will bring new look at the point.
8. Oak Forest (12-1): Bengals return one of the country’s top juniors in 6-1 guard/forward Janae Kent, who led team to overall title in South Suburban Conference. Junior guard Olivia Baxa should be one of the Southland’s top perimeter shooters, while junior guard Sade Rodriguez is a steady floor leader.
9. Oak Lawn (14-2): Senior guard Mia Kennelly, the defending South Suburban Red Player of the Year, is an excellent outside shooter along with junior forward Kate Dillon. Junior guard Rose Savaglio is the ringleader of the defense.
10. Hillcrest (11-2): Hawks should be contenders in South Suburban Conference behind senior guards Cameron Thomas and Shu’Niya Ross. Between them last season, they averaged more than 30 points a game.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
(in alphabetical order) Laila Barakat, Stagg, senior, guard; Olivia Baxa, Oak Forest, junior, guard; Mary Clare Brusek, Marist, senior, forward; Josie Canellis, Sandburg, junior, guard; Kira Chivers, Marist, senior guard; Isabella Finnegan, Mother McAuley, senior, guard; Apple Guerrero, Argo, junior, forward; Ava Gugliuzza, Lincoln-Way West, junior, guard; Le’Lani Harris, Marist, senior guard; Mia Kennelly, Oak Lawn, senior, guard; Janae Kent, Oak Forest, junior, guard/forward; Anna Kleszynski, Marian Catholic, senior, forward; Kelly Knight, Providence, senior, guard; Jamarea LaCaze, Thornwood, senior, center; Alyssa Latham, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, forward; Azyah Newson-Cole, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, guard; Zikora Okonkwo, Marian Catholic, senior forward; Annalise Pietrzak, Providence, junior, guard; Evan Pittman, Lincoln-Way West, senior, forward; Janiya Saverson, Thornwood, junior, guard; Kaya Stropus, Lemont, senior, guard; Cameron Thomas, Hillcrest, senior, guard; Ana-Liese Torian, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, forward; Charlotte Trunk, Sandburg, senior, forward; Allie Wondrasek, Lincoln-Way West, senior, forward.