2024-2025 Season Preview: 7 Teams That Could Head Downstate

<!-- wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Illinois high school basketball isn't filled with the multiple powerhouse teams we've seen in the past. With the graduation of the talented 2024 class, many teams are rebuilding, and the race to make it downstate is honestly wide open. This season, it's any program's game, and predicting which team will win the title in each division ,let alone the teams that will take that trip is a challenge. However, in my opinion, the seven teams listed below have a solid shot at making it downstate.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peoria Notre Dame</strong> - Coming off a thrilling title win last year, the Fighting Irish are aiming for back-to-back championships, and with most of their team still intact, it's definitely within reach. They've got talent at almost every position, led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='732518' first='Emy' last='Wardle']. She's a tall point guard who can drive to the rim effortlessly. Her basketball IQ and vision are among the best in her class. [player_tooltip player_id='674059' first='Kaitlin' last='Cassidy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='593853' first='Lexi' last='Baer'] complete the Big Three, each bringing a unique style that's crucial for winning games. [player_tooltip player_id='674061' first='Julia' last='Mingus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='863991' first='Cora' last='Heinz'] are also key players who can't be overlooked; they're for sure to be a problem for everyone in 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenwood</strong> - The Broncos are always in the conversation for the most talented team in their division, and this year is no different. With a few new transfers on board, they're reloaded and ready to go. Howard University commit Arielle Henigan and top 2026 recruit [player_tooltip player_id='514034' first='Danielle' last='Brooks'] are leading the team, but the roster is DEEP. Buffalo commit [player_tooltip player_id='352111' first='Diann' last='Jackson'], along with [player_tooltip player_id='414748' first='London' last='Walker-George'] and [player_tooltip player_id='295775' first='Icesis' last='Thomas'], add even more depth, making it tough for any defense to double up. They can score just as easily from the outside as they can in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Zurich</strong> - This team is loaded with skill at almost every position, and with Creighton commit [player_tooltip player_id='523043' first='Avery' last='Cooper'] leading the way, they have a strong shot at making it downstate if everything clicks. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='861140' first='Addison' last='Leonard'], along with upperclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='663393' first='Molly' last='Friesen'], [player_tooltip player_id='663105' first='Leah' last='Gilbertson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='486548' first='Layne' last='Nordstrom'], will bring scoring power and defensive grit to the guard and wing positions. Alex Nowack-Tice could also make a big leap this year, adding another strong presence in the paint for the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maine South</strong> - This senior lineup is one of the best in the state, in my opinion. They're versatile, strong, and are one of the most unselfish groups of players I've seen in a while. Cornell commit [player_tooltip player_id='523138' first='Ally' last='Pape'] brings a ton of versatility to the program with her ability to score from all angles, as well as defend 1-3 if needed. [player_tooltip player_id='523041' first='Caitlin' last='Leyden'], [player_tooltip player_id='675826' first='Asia' last='Kobylarcyzk'], and [player_tooltip player_id='523139' first='Katie' last='Barker'] round out that strong senior squad, with each of them bringing activity on the boards, around the paint, and Barker's ability to shoot the long ball. They have a younger group of players who should be ready to take a bigger leap this year as well: [player_tooltip player_id='796983' first='Emily' last='Currey'], [player_tooltip player_id='640123' first='Amelia' last='Fernandez'], and [player_tooltip player_id='974158' first='Hayden' last='Fahy'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nashville Community High</strong> - Nashville is returning with their skilled trio of [player_tooltip player_id='712276' first='Emma' last='Behrmann'] and the Brinkmann twins. Emma brings a certain aggressiveness and athleticism that any program can benefit from. She has the confidence to shoot from the outside, but also the agility and strength to attack the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='863111' first='Samantha' last='Brinkmann'] has definitely shown improvement in her skill set over this past AAU season, and you can be sure that there will be a leap this winter. Summer is on her way up as well, and with her length and versatility, these three will be hard to stop in the 2A division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nazareth Academy - </strong>Losing some key players over the last couple of years, including three dominant seniors this past season, will definitely be a huge setback for this program. However, the younger players on this team are some of the most skilled in the state, let alone their classes. [player_tooltip player_id='513525' first='Stella' last='Sakalas'] will be taking the lead on the scoring output for this team, and her ability to be a threat from beyond the arc and on the drive should open up shots for deep threat [player_tooltip player_id='728004' first='Sophia' last='Towne']. Upperclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='655574' first='Allia' last='Von Schlegell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='514892' first='Lyla' last='Shelton'] are two guards who can defend baseline to baseline without letting up, and having a paint presence like [player_tooltip player_id='524848' first='Jane' last='Manecke'] will also be a huge help on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benet Academy</strong> - The leap that Brigid Rifenburg has taken in her game is the sole reason why I believe this team can make it downstate. She's the ace of the team, but players [player_tooltip player_id='335792' first='Aria' last='Mazza'] and [player_tooltip player_id='419726' first='Emma' last='Briggs'] are sure to demand just as much attention from their opponents. Mazza is a player you don't want to be isolated with, and Emma's ability to dominate from the arc to the paint will create space within the offense. They also have a talented young core that could see more minutes on the court—[player_tooltip player_id='626814' first='Ava' last='Mersinger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='508963' first='Ava' last='Thomas'] will provide deep threat ability and are two guards who can drive to the paint and make plays happen for themselves or their teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->