Victory Region Team Profile – Illinois Inferno
Illinois Inferno joins the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit this year in their fifth year of competition out of Jacksonville, Illinois, and the surrounding areas.
Coach Derek James spent 12 years coaching College Basketball and has worked in Skill Development for high school players for several years, which ultimately led to the creation of the Inferno program. Coach James currently has five teams in the organization, ranging from 4th Grade to the 17U level and says that the program focuses on developing players and providing opportunities to any player who wants to play at the next level.
Illinois Inferno has had many student-athletes go on to play college basketball at multiple collegiate levels including schools such as Quincy University, Culver Stockton, Illinois College, and Black Hawk College. Here are some players who Coach James says have a chance to make an impact at the next level:
2025 Audrey Gilman is a 6’1” Forward with great athleticism to play and defend multiple positions at a high level. She has excellent ball skills and foot work in the lane where she finishes strong at the rim through contact.
2023 Haley Rodgers is a quick Point Guard with an outstanding work ethic who takes pride in her defense on opposing ball-handlers.
2023
Kylie Kinser
Kylie
Kinser
6'0" | PF
Carrollton | 2023
State
IL
is a 6’0” Forward who thrives in the lane with her strength and defense. She is extremely coachable and possesses a smooth mid-range jumper.
2023 Payton Patterson is a high-potential 5’7” Guard who shoots the ball well from beyond the three-point line. She is very skilled on the offensive end and uses her quickness and length to cause problems on defense.
Coach James also made note of two players he considers “under-the-radar” who are poised for a breakout year on the Circuit:
2023 Jaelyn Hill is a shifty Guard who shoots the ball well from deep and uses her quickness to push the ball in transition and stay in front of ball-handlers on defense.
2023 Haley Schnelten is a hardworking 5’6” Guard who excels on the wing with her sharp-shooting and ability to attack the lane and finish strong through contact at the basket.
Kylie
Kinser
6'0" | PF
Carrollton | 2023
State
IL
is a 6’0” Forward who thrives in the lane with her strength and defense. She is extremely coachable and possesses a smooth mid-range jumper.
2023 Payton Patterson is a high-potential 5’7” Guard who shoots the ball well from beyond the three-point line. She is very skilled on the offensive end and uses her quickness and length to cause problems on defense.
Coach James also made note of two players he considers “under-the-radar” who are poised for a breakout year on the Circuit:
2023 Jaelyn Hill is a shifty Guard who shoots the ball well from deep and uses her quickness to push the ball in transition and stay in front of ball-handlers on defense.
2023 Haley Schnelten is a hardworking 5’6” Guard who excels on the wing with her sharp-shooting and ability to attack the lane and finish strong through contact at the basket. 
