Looking back and ahead : Big Northern Conference

Throughout the summer we will be providing a season recap of the girls high school conferences in Northern Illinois. The 2017-18 season recap will include team records , all conference selections, a season summary and a "Sneak Peek" as to what to look for in the 2018-19 season. This recap is for the Big Northern Conference <strong>Season Summary :</strong> Byron (2A) and Dixon (3A) tied for conference title in what is considered one of the best small school girls basketball conferences in the entire state of Illinois. However it was Rockford Lutheran that advanced the farthest in the State Tournament making all the way to the Sectionals before bowing out to Glenbard South. Rock Falls picked my many to win the conference lost a tough regional final to Marengo another Sectional Qualifier. <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Conference Records/Standings</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">Byron 9-1</p> <p style="text-align: center">Dixon 9-1</p> <p style="text-align: center">Rockford Lutheran  8-2</p> <p style="text-align: center">Rock Falls 7-3</p> <p style="text-align: center">Mendota 5-5</p> <p style="text-align: center">Genoa Kingston 5-5</p> <p style="text-align: center">Stillman Valley 4-6</p> <p style="text-align: center">Winnebago 4-6</p> <p style="text-align: center">Oregon 3-7</p> <p style="text-align: center">North Boone 1-9</p> <p style="text-align: center">Rockford Christian 0-10</p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Returning All Conference Selections for the 2018-19 Season</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Rockford Lutheran -</strong> <strong>Ambrannette Storr/Sophomore </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Dixon -</strong> Zoe Carr/ Senior  Kira Goral/Senior</p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Mendota -</strong> <strong>Ameila Bromenschenkel/Sophomore</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Rock Falls -</strong> Elise Moeller/Junior</p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Winnebago -</strong> Alyssa Thompson/Senior</p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Bolded players</strong> are listed in the Prep Girls Hoops Top 100 rankings for their respective classes.</p> <p style="text-align: left"><strong>2018-19 Season Sneek Peek  :</strong></p> Their will be a youth movement coming to the Big Northern during the 2018-19 season, but don't let that keep you from thinking that the level of basketball will be a step down from the usual competitive and high scoring games we have seen in past seasons. Rockford Lutheran and Dixon appear to be favorites but the lower levels at Byron , North Boone and Mendota are all very talented and they will look to compete for the conference championship starting in November. <strong>2018-19 Stock Risers : </strong> <strong>Noelle Lavery Rockford Christian:</strong>  Lavery is a 5'10 Junior Guard who averaged 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. She has great feel for the game and will look to lead the Royal Lions into contention in the conference. <strong>Simarra Endecott North Boone</strong>: A 2 year starter at for the VIkings, Endecott a senior true "Point Guard " should be among the conference leaders in points and assists which should help her North Boone squad be more competitive this season. <strong>Georgia Ballard Stillman Valley :</strong> A freshman starter  this past season Ballard averaged 10.6 points and 6.7 rebounds . She is very skilled and will look to take on a bigger role as a sophomore due to the graduation of key players on from her Cardinal team. Look for a Conference Preview and Coaches Interview for the Big Northern  Conference to be published in early October. &nbsp; &nbsp;