Looking Back and Ahead : The Upstate Eight Valley Division

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, top returning records , a season summary and a “Look Ahead”  as to what’s in store for  the 2018-19 season.

Below is the recap is for the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division

Conference Summary 2017-18

Bartlett won the division going undefeated and was chased by West Aurora at 8-2 and South Elgin at 5-5. The division as a whole fared well in the State Tournament and were all eliminated in close competitive games.

Conference Standings 

Bartlett  10-0

West Aurora 8-2

South Elgin 5-5

Aurora East 4-6 

Glenbard 2-8 

West Chicago 2-8

A Look Ahead to 2018-19:

While Bartlett won the division this season and looks the be the favorite again. East Aurora with a young roster took big steps this season to challenging them and the rest of the division for the top spot next season.

Players to Watch in 2018-19

Lexie Sinclair Bartlett 5’5 Sophomore : Sinclair’s transition to the varsity level as a freshman was felt by the entire division as she averaged 11.6 points and 2.5 assists per game this season. She plays with lots of poise for her age and is a scoring threat with her ability to attack the hoop and score from the perimeter .

Tatiana Ocasio East Aurora 5’3 Junior :  Ocasio in a conference full of talented guards is by far one of the quickest players at this position. She is able to put pressure on the Tomcats opponents anywhere on the floor and is fun to watch in the open court with her great vision to make the next pass up the court and ability to make the mid -range jumper on the break .

Keva Thomas West Aurora 5’10 Senior : A strong athletic wing player, Thomas has excellent 3 point range from the wing and a quick first step to attack the closeout defender and score in the mid range.

Megan McClure South Elgin 5’9 Junior : A rising player in the area , McClure is an all around talent who scores and rebounds from the guard position quite well . She has the confidence to want the ball down the stretch to take big shots and will make the extra pass to the open player when needed .

Teagan Noesen Bartlett 5’8 Senior : A tenacious defender Noesen was asked to defend the Hawk’s opponents best player all season . She is good a 3 point shooter and handles the ball well enough to play either guard spot.

Shaliee Patel West Chicago 5’4 Sophomore : Patel was a contributor off the bench for an experienced Wildcats squad this season. She has 3 point range , very good basketball IQ and understands the defensive end of the court very well .

Barakat Adekola East Aurora 5’11 Junior : Adekola anchors the East Aurora defense and rebounds as well as any post player in the western suburbs . She is very athletic and her ability to run the floor in transition and finish at the rim were both strengths of hers this season.  We look for big things from her next season as she continues to expand her scoring ability.

Look for a full 2018 -19 conference preview for the the Upstate Eight Conference Valley to be available this fall.