Chicagoland Invitational Showcase: Key Takeaways
This past Saturday was the season’s first installment of the Chicagoland Invitational Showcase, hosted by Fremd High School. The event displayed eleven games featuring several of Illinois’ top teams, in addition to top teams from Wisconsin (Beaver Dam) and Indiana…
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Continue ReadingThis past Saturday was the season’s first installment of the Chicagoland Invitational Showcase, hosted by Fremd High School. The event displayed eleven games featuring several of Illinois’ top teams, in addition to top teams from Wisconsin (Beaver Dam) and Indiana (Crown Point). With these great teams, came dozens of high-level and intriguing players. Here are a few of my biggest takeaways from the day:
Everyone knows about Marist’s standout Guard Sydney Affolter, and for good reason. She’s a dynamic Guard who can do a lot of things at a high level and is a top player in her class. What people will soon know, though, is how good the Point Guard duo of Jenna Ryan and Kira Chivers is for this Marist team. Ryan is a 5’6” Senior that handles the ball well with speed and makes plays happen in the lane, both passing and scoring. Chivers, a 5’2” Sophomore, is also quick with the ball and excels in transition. She finishes well at the hoop and can step outside and knock down shots at a consistent rate.
When Nazareth Academy lost All-Stater Annie Stritzel to graduation last year, I was curious to know who would step up and help out Loyola commit Kaylen Evans. It appears that a couple of underclassmen are already filling that void nicely. Sophomore Janeth Resendez is a 5’6” Combo Guard that shoots the ball well from deep. She plays defense well and takes care of the ball on the offensive end. In addition, 5’9” Freshman Grace Carstensen provides great length and the ability to cause havoc in a stingy zone defense. She, too, displayed a consistent ability to knock down shots from outside with a good-looking form.
A team that many consider to be the best in state at 4A, it’s not a surprise that Benet Academy’s depth is the real deal. Everyone knows the stars and high major college commits, but there is very little drop-off when you look to the bench. 5’8” Junior Molly Sheehan led the Redwings in scoring with 19 points, hitting on 5 three-pointers. 5’11” Senior Allison Forney provides good length and athleticism and gives solid minutes on defense. And Senior Lexi Moriarty does much of the same, while also contributing as a consistent shooter and is active in the transition game.
After a deep run in the postseason last year, many saw Evanston as one of the teams to beat in 2019-2020, and they have done nothing but prove that so far this season. Seniors Ambrea Gentle and Jayla Turchin are elite in the post, making it difficult for teams to match up with the two of them. Turchin has such a well-rounded skillset, being able to score from any level, that matching up with her alone is a nightmare. 5’8” Senior PG Kayla Henning runs the offense well and can give you scoring when needed. There’s so many options on this Evanston team, opposing coaches will have fits trying to game plan against them.
I’ve watched Kenwood twice this year now and, boy, are they going to cause problems this season. Led by Sophomore Brianna McDaniel (PGH IL #1 Ranked Player in 2022), this team is relentless. Zoe Belcher, a 5’11” Junior Guard, is as athletic of a post player as you will find. Her strength and quickness are tough for opposing post players to defend, in addition to her ability to knock down mid-range jumpers. 5’8” Sophomore Whitney Dunn has turned into a high-level shooter, which gives McDaniel and Belcher someone to stretch the floor, to go along with Senior Breeyona Burrell.
Montini’s season ended last year in the Sectional Championship to a red-hot Benet squad, but the Lady Broncos bring nearly everyone back this year. Sophomore Sophie Sullivan is a terrific lead guard that can knock down shots from deep, the trio of Taylor Charles, Tatiana Thomas, and Taris Thornton are each 6’+ athletes that can play inside and out, giving teams fits on how to guard them, and two Freshmen in Maddie Saracco and Lexi Salazar are already giving solid minutes.
Mother McAuley may have lost an All-State player in Grace Hynes and key floor general in Nikki Murphy, but they are still the same competitive group that will be in every game they play. Lewis commit Jenna Badali is a star All-State player, and players such as Sophomore Isabella Finnegan and Senior Point Guard Alexis Mayer are already proving to be outstanding contributors.