Waubonsie Valley looks to build on fourth-place finish in Class 4A, while Kaneland continues rise.
Top 10 Teams
1. Waubonsie Valley (32-5)
Warriors finished fourth in Class 4A behind all-state pick Danyella Mporokoso. The junior guard averaged 19.4 points last winter and has already scored 1,224 points in two seasons. Hannah Laub graduated, but senior forward Lily Newton (Wisconsin-Whitewater) returns along with junior guard Arianna Garcia and sophomore guard Maya Pereda.
2. Kaneland (25-10)
Fresh off a Class 3A Sweet 16 appearance, the Knights return five key players. Leading the way is senior guard Kendra Brown, who was a special mention all-state selection after averaging 13.9 points. Sam Kerry, a guard, and Charlotte Krage, a post, are the Knights’ other seniors.
3. Aurora Central Catholic (23-9)
Chargers look to push past the regional championship game this season behind three seniors who are all committed to play in college. Guard Sofia Corral (NYU) and Forward Riley Cwinski (St. Francis) lead for third straight season. Brooklyn Murphy (Wartburg), a guard/forward, also returns.
4. Batavia (29-6)
The Bulldogs won first-ever sectional title last season, but dynamic scoring guard Brooke Carlson is now at Colorado State. Senior forward Hallie Crane was a breakout player last season. She’s one of three captains for Batavia, joining senior guards Julia Arulandu and Natalie Warner.
5. Yorkville (22-10)
The Foxes return three senior guards as they look to win a regional title and compete for a conference title. Brooke Spychalski (Illinois-Springfield) has already committed to play in college, while Lainey Gussman and Madi Spychalski are looking over their college options.
6. Geneva (23-8)
The Vikings graduated four seniors off a team that lost to rival Batavia in the sectional championship game a year ago. Geneva will look a lot different this season with senior guards Peri Sweeney and Gabby Webb and junior guard Keira McCann as the headliners.
7. St. Charles North (27-5)
North Stars graduated a ton of firepower but have six returnees moving from complementary roles to top spots this season. Bronwyn How, a 6-foot-2 forward and one of five sophomores on the roster, could be one of the area’s breakout talents after a high-level AAU season.
8. St. Charles East (19-13)
A surprise regional champion in first season for Katie Claussner coaching at her alma mater, the Saints are poised for more this time around. Led by Corinne Reed (Akron) and junior guard Addie Schilb, they are in a good spot. Senior guard Sofia O’Sullivan (Milwaukee School of Engineering) and senior post Alyse Price also return.
9. Larkin (17-14)
The Royals are very young but also very experienced as they chase their first conference title since 1979. Junior guard Mia Carter and junior forward Sanaii McPherson, both college prospects, enter third varsity seasons. They’re eager to lead Royals to best season in years.
10. St. Edward (18-14)
Green Wave graduated only one senior, so the rest of the team returns. Exciting sophomore guard Savannah Lynch emerged as one of the area’s top players last season as a freshman. Junior guard Ginger Younger transfers in from Hampshire and joins a veteran group.
Aurora Central Catholic’s Sofia Corral (33) drives the lane against Metea Valley during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
The 25 Players to Watch
- Kendra Brown, Kaneland, senior, guard.
- Danielle Bulson, Yorkville Christian, senior, guard.
- Mia Carter, Larkin, junior, guard.
- Isabel Castro, Elgin, senior, guard.
- Brianna Coffey, Streamwood, junior, forward.
- Sofia Corral, Aurora Central Catholic, senior, guard.
- Hallie Crane, Batavia, senior, forward.
- Riley Cwinski, Aurora Central Catholic, senior, forward.
- Kendall Grant, Oswego, junior, forward.
- Lainey Gussman, Yorkville, senior, forward.
- Anna Herrmann, Hinckley-Big Rock, junior, guard.
- Brooklynn Johnson, West Aurora, senior, guard.
- Audrey LaFleur, Burlington Central, sophomore, guard.
- Aubrey Lamberti, Oswego East, junior, forward.
- Josie Larson, Plano, senior, guard.
- Maggie Lewandowski, Oswego East, senior, guard.
- Savannah Lynch, St. Edward, senior, guard.
- Sanaii McPherson, Larkin, junior, forward.
- Danyella Mporokoso, Waubonsie Valley, junior, guard.
- Lily Newton, Waubonsie Valley, senior, forward.
- Corinne Reed, St. Charles East, senior, guard.
- Brooke Spychalski, Yorkville, senior, guard.
- Peri Sweeney, Geneva, senior, guard.
- Hannah Treptow, Sandwich, senior, guard.
- Chloe Van Horn, Hampshire, senior, guard/forward
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
