Conference Overview: Peek into the Southwest Prairie Conference

As we continue our Conference Previews ahead of the 2018-2019 Girls Basketball Season, we take a closer look here at the Southwest Prairie Conference. Last season, the SPC was extremely competitive, and you can expect much of the same this year. With a good mixture of returning players and newcomers, I really look forward to seeing who steps up and takes home the title this year!     Joliet Central Steelwomen Head Coach – Laura Brumfiel   Last season Conference record: 4-10 Last Season Overall Record: 12-15 Key returning players: Sophomore, Jalysa Stokes, 5'6" Point Guard. Senior, Shawnton Brown, 5'9" Forward. Teams strengths: Speed and transition game. Teams weaknesses: Keeping everyone healthy all season. One thing we should know about your team: This year's girls love to play the game of basketball together. They are relentless.   Joliet West Tigers Head Coach– John Placher   Last season Conference record: 10-4 Last Season Overall Record: 17-12 Key returning players: Junior, Jazzpher Evans, 5’6’’ Guard. Sophomore, Kiana Smith, 5’5’’ Guard. Senior, Adriana Lindsey, 5’7’’ Forward Teams strengths: Quickness Teams weaknesses: Size   Minooka Indians Head Coach – Jeff Easthon   Last season Conference record: 11-2 Last Season Overall Record: 23-9 Key returning players: Senior, Cierra Bachmann, Point Guard Junior, Sofie Darden, Forward Senior, Savannah Johnson, Center   Oswego East Wolves Head Coach – Abe Carretto   Last season Conference record: 7-7 Last Season Overall Record: 14-14 Key returning players: Senior, Chelsea McCullum, 5’7’’, Guard Senior, Chyna Scott, 6’1’’, Forward/Guard Senior, Kaili Chval, 5’8’’, Guard Senior, Abby Ford, 5’8’’, Guard Senior, Melia Perry, 5’8’’ Guard Senior, Stefanie Shea, 5’10’’, Forward Junior, Christine Corpuz, 5’4’’, Point Guard Junior, Carly Engelhardt, 5’11’’ Forward Key new players: Freshman, Katie Jorgensen, 5’8’’, Point Guard/Guard Teams strengths: Speed, shooting, and defensive pressure Teams weaknesses: Height and possibly rebounding One thing we should know about your team: We are going to push the ball up the floor, shoot more Field Goals, especially 3's.   Oswego H.S. Panthers Head Coach – John Carlson   Last season Conference record: 2-12 Last Season Overall Record: 3-23 Key returning players: Senior, Samara Bossman, 5’5’’, Guard Junior, Angelina Schlinger, 5’5’’, Point Guard Junior, Julia Henrikson, 5’7’’, Guard Key new players: Junior, Janelle Rogers, 6’0’’, Forward/Center Teams strengths: Depth, good man-to-man defense Teams weaknesses: Lack of Seniors/Varsity experience One thing we should know about your team: We can score inside and out.   Plainfield Central Wildcats Head Coach – Armond Frazier   Last season Conference record: 7-7 Last Season Overall Record: 14-14 Key returning players: Senior, Katie Kearney, 5’4’’, Guard Junior, Kachae Donald, 5’8’’, Combo Guard Sophomore, Annaliese Griffin, 6’1’’, Forward Teams strengths: Size and shooting Teams weaknesses: Youth and inexperience One thing we should know about your team: Our team works hard day in and day out on every level to improve. From the coaches to the players, everyone is committed to making Plainfield Central girls basketball a respected program in the area.     Plainfield East Bengels Last season Conference record: 13-1 Last Season Overall Record: 22-7   Plainfield North Tigers Head Coach – Reggie Lemon   Last season Conference record: 8-4 Last Season Overall Record: 18-12 Key returning players: Senior, Olivia Cantu, 5’10’’, Forward Junior, Marissa Mussatto, 5’7’’, Guard Sophomore, Lexie Hernandez, 5’4’’, Guard Key new players: Junior, Natalie Bearbower, 5’8’’, Guard Sophomore, Beatrice Atienza, 5’4’’, Guard Sophomore, Brooke Knox, 5’6’’, Guard Junior, Katelyn Sparlin, 5’5’’, Guard Teams strengths: Speed and good shooters Teams weaknesses: Size and inexperience One thing we should know about your team: We only have one Senior and are an overall very young team.   Plainfield South Cougars Head Coach – Lincoln DePaula   Last season Conference record: 3-11 Last Season Overall Record: 11-17 Key returning players: Senior, Shannon Smith, 5’6’’, Guard Senior, Miranda Cadwell, 6’0’’, Center Junior, Phoebe Hillery, 5’11’’, Guard/Forward Sophomore, Aniya Mabry, 5’6’’, Guard Sophomore, Leia James, 5’9’’, Guard/Forward Key new players: Sophomore, Fatimah Olagunju, 6’1’’, Center Sophomore, Fatima Syeda, 5’3’’, Guard Freshman, Grace Harris, 5’8’’, Point Guard Teams strengths: Guard play, height, defensive pressure, confidence Teams weaknesses: Inexperience and outside shooting One thing we should know about your team: Our 11-17 record last year was the 2nd most school wins in school history (12 is the most). Our Playoff win vs Romeoville was only the 4th win ever. The girls are well aware of the history (or lack of) in our program and have challenged themselves to raise the bar this year. This is one of the most talented groups ever at South and if they stay the course over the next few years, they will lift the program to new heights.   Romeoville H.S. Spartans Head Coach – Julio Carrasco   Last season Conference record: 2-12 Last Season Overall Record: 6-20 Key returning players: Senior, Monique Bradshaw, 5’9’’, Center Junior, Karina Ortiz, 5’5’’, Guard Sophomore, Josey Ocampo, 5’9’’, Forward Sophomore, Payton Reese, 5’10’’, Forward/Guard Sophomore, Lindsay Novak, 5’6’’, Guard Key new players: Junior, Naomi Harris, 5’9’’, Forward Freshman, Tykara Harrison, 5’6’’, Guard Teams strengths: Transition game and defensive quickness Teams weaknesses: Height and outside shooting One thing we should know about your team: Last year was a rebuild as we had 1 Senior last year. We will have 1 Senior this year, but we ended the season last year with a starting line-up of 2 Frosh, 2 Soph and 1 Junior. Our young girls had a taste last year of varsity and they understand the Varsity game. There are no more excuses this season and our girls are hungry to win.   Later this week, tune in as I take a closer look at the key players in the Southwest Prairie Conference, and who is poised to have breakout seasons!