Balanced Marist starts in top spot, but keep an eye on Mother McAuley, Bloom and Providence.
Top 10 Teams
1. Marist (26-9)
Nine players, including four starters, return from team that improved upon 10-22 finish in 2023-24. Cousins Olivia and Lucy Cosme are back along with Lily Porter and Grace Harmon for balanced RedHawks who reached Class 4A supersectional last season.
2. Mother McAuley (18-13)
Quinn Arundel enters her fourth and final season as the Mighty Macs’ point guard, with several talented players to feed in Taji Alexa, Delia Sullivan and Emma Kenney. Freshman forward Ava Little could make a big impact.
3. Bloom (22-9)
Trojans already have firepower in Kamryn Turner, Jayla Tyler and Shania Jackson, but getting H-F transfer Jenesis Moore and Romeoville transfers Kazaria and Kamaria Smith could put them over top. Coach Sherman White also touts senior guard/forward Evonna Blades as “vastly improved.”
4. Providence (23-12)
Celtics look like state power in Class 3A with boost from Pepperdine-bound senior forward Landrie Callahan and her junior sister, Layken, transferring in from Morris. Taylor Healy and Kennady Kotowski add muscle inside. Development of sophomore point guard Nina Herron could be a key.
5. Sandburg (25-9)
Here’s an interesting wrinkle for three seniors. Zoe Trunk is 350 points away from 1,000 for her career, twin sister Olivia is 380 away and Ellie Driscoll is 450 from the milestone. The Eagles’ goals, however, include winning a third straight regional and playing for a sectional title.
6. Homewood-Flossmoor (23-10)
Getting 6-foot-3 senior forward Ihuoma Ozoh back from a season-ending volleyball injury last season will be a boon to Vikings, who already have talent in Aunyai Deere and Laila Williams. Rich Township transfer Ziko Okolo could be a difference-maker.
7. Lincoln-Way West (23-8)
Small and young Warriors will rely on defense, 3-pointers and speed to compensate. Valparaiso softball recruit Molly Finn, Mackenzie Roesner, Ava Tisch and Reagan McCracken offer experience for three freshmen in twin guards Lucy and Kacie Sheriff and forward Hailey Trench.
8. Lockport (28-5)
Porters turned things around in big way with best record in 29 years after ending up only 12-19 in 2023-24. Returning players in Laura Arstikaitis, Katie Peetz and Addison Way will be counted on to keep those winning ways going. Freshman Kassidy De Jager could make impact right away.
9. T.F. South (23-10)
Coach Eric Bryce predicts that all seven of his seniors could receive college offers before the season is over. Gigi Dillon is a strong rebounder who could pass 1,000 points for her career this winter. Brie Hawthorne is looking to set program records for assists and free throws made.
10. Lincoln-Way East (20-13)
Coach Jim Nair is retiring and hopes for big sendoff from returnees Emerson Nilsson and Kennedy Johnson. First impressions may not be great as senior guard Madison Zaremba and freshman guard Logan Lyons are nursing injuries, but the Griffins will be strong when fully healthy.
The 25 Players to Watch
- Taji Alexa, Mother McAuley, junior, guard.
- Quinn Arundel, Mother McAuley, senior, guard.
- Landrie Callahan, Providence, senior, guard/forward.
- Ana Cisek, Andrew, senior, guard.
- Aunyai Deere, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, guard.
- Gigi Dillon, T.F. South, senior, forward.
- Molly Finn, Lincoln-Way West, senior, guard.
- Bianca Fleitas, Oak Lawn, senior, guard/forward.
- Aaliyah Flores, St. Laurence, junior, forward.
- Carly Flutman, Chicago Christian, junior, guard.
- Tatum Harris, Evergreen Park, senior, guard.
- Abbey Hobart, Stagg, senior, guard.
- Ty Jackson, Marian Catholic, senior, guard/forward.
- Lauryn Jackson, T.F. North, senior, guard/forward.
- Da’Jha Johnson, Hillcrest, senior, guard.
- Brooke Katzmann, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, guard.
- Jessica Manley, Shepard, senior, forward.
- Maddie Martinez, Oak Forest, senior, guard.
- Emerson Nilsson, Lincoln-Way East, junior, guard.
- Lily Porter, Marist, junior, forward.
- Katie Peetz, Lockport, junior, forward.
- Zoe Trunk, Sandburg, senior, guard.
- Kamryn Turner, Bloom, senior, guard.
- Jayla Tyler, Bloom, senior, guard.
- Tiara Williams, Morgan Park Academy, junior, guard.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
