Illinois Power Rankings: Preseason Top 5 Teams (4A)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 4A class is shaping up to be competitive again this year. However, what used to be driven by individual star power has now shifted into how well teams perform as a unit. Which means things could get shaken up a bit more this year. Several programs return experienced cores, strong coaching, and depth that runs deep across multiple positions. These teams listed below are teams that have deep rosters and talent that is undeniable. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kenwood Broncos</strong> - Kenwood is returning this year as the reigning champion in this class, and even with losing a majority of their core, they've reloaded with talent.. AGAIN. [player_tooltip player_id='514034' first='Danielle' last='Brooks'] and Darreyelle Smith will lead the impact from a scoring standpoint, as both are tough matchups on any given night. [player_tooltip player_id='514884' first='Amillya' last='Henigan'] and Kayla Trippet will step into bigger roles this season, and what they've shown in their complementary roles over the past years points toward a strong outcome. Newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='486551' first='Valencia' last='Miller'] will also be key in their pursuit of a repeat, and this could be the year they bring home the city championship as well. The underclassmen on board will bring even more firepower. [player_tooltip player_id='1293491' first='Zaire' last='Lester'], Kendall Burgess and [player_tooltip player_id='884031' first='Logan' last='Ramsey'] will be names to watch. <strong>Last Year Record: (35-3) | 2024-2025 4A State Champion </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Benet Academy</strong> - Benet is a program that consistently produces a tough roster and remains one of the best in the state. This year, there's no difference. With the loss of two key seniors, they still bring back their core, and their core, combined with their bench talent, puts them in line with one of the deepest rosters in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='407517' first='Bridget' last='Rifenburg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='419726' first='Emma' last='Briggs'] will be key when it comes to utilizing their versatility to win games, but [player_tooltip player_id='626814' first='Ava' last='Mersinger'] will be the one who is their X factor. From a speed standpoint, she is unguardable, and if she can draw two or more players on every drive, players like [player_tooltip player_id='508963' first='Ava' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='514896' first='Sailer' last='Jones'], and [player_tooltip player_id='515543' first='Macy' last='Menendez'] will be able to stretch leads or keep them in every game. <strong> Last Year Record: (29-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Waubonsie Valley </strong>- Waubonsie remains one of the more competitive teams in the state, and when you're returning a majority of the squad that has been at the helm of downstate trips, you can bet it will be another year of the same. Danyella Moroposko is one of the best players, let alone guards, in this state, and what she does on the offensive end of the floor, on both sides of the boards, and from a scoring sense.. she can't be stopped. Their X Factor - Arianna Garcia-Evans will be back as well, and this kid does it all, and when you have players like that, the wins will stack up. Complementary pieces like [player_tooltip player_id='743621' first='Maya' last='Pereda'] and [player_tooltip player_id='743628' first='Nicole' last='Douglas'] will provide sparks on both ends as well. Another key spark will be [player_tooltip player_id='841181' first='Maya' last='Cobb'], and if she's leading the second unit, you can be in for a long night. <strong>Last Year Record: (31-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Nazareth Academy</strong> - The roadrunners are in the running every year to make a trip downstate, and they brought one back a couple of years ago. These past couple of years didn't go how they wanted, but they're back, and their team is filled with talent. [player_tooltip player_id='513525' first='Stella' last='Sakalas'] will be the engine that gets them going, [player_tooltip player_id='728004' first='Sophia' last='Towne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='514892' first='Lyla' last='Shelton'] will be bringing another level of scoring and defense that can shut out opponents, and Sam Austin and [player_tooltip player_id='743626' first='Molly' last='Moore'] will be key complementary players that will round out their overall impact. One player who could be a needle mover for them will be freshman [player_tooltip player_id='884801' first='Mia' last='Gage']. If she gets comfortable in whatever role is presented to her, she could bring another source of impact from the second unit that will be a difference maker. <strong>Last Year Record: (31-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Loyola Academy</strong> - Loyola will be short of an MVP caliber type of player this year, but what this team has shown over the past couple of years is that the roster is made up of no egos, and when you build a team like that, it's not hard to imagine the success that they can have this season. [player_tooltip player_id='509126' first='Clare' last='Weasler'], [player_tooltip player_id='741838' first='Marycait' last='Mackie'], and Emily Naraky will be the driving force of this team, and what they all bring is different, but needed to win games and be competitive. Clare and Hannah will provide a bulk of the playmaking and scoring, and Mackie is a kid who will fill in the holes that might be overlooked. She's scrappy, fast, and can cause a ton of issues on the defensive end, as well as shift her focus to making plays. [player_tooltip player_id='914260' first='Maddie' last='Locke'] will be another player who can take Loyola over the top. She has been on a tear this summer, and I'm sure there's no slowing down for her going into the HS season. If the upcoming freshmen can scrape up some minutes, players like [player_tooltip player_id='1257515' first='Layla' last='Noble'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1252460' first='Sophia' last='Calhoun'] can bring another layer of impact, too. Overall, LA will be competitive and hard to beat again this year. <strong>Last Year Record: (34-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->