High School Basketball Preview 2011-2012

With only Loyola Academy surviving past the second round of the IHSA football playoffs, our attention turns toward the hard wood. The first games for high school girls’ basketball teams start on Nov. 14, and the boys begin a week later on Nov. 21, so this is an opportune time to recap the action from an exciting 2010-2011 season, and preview the upcoming year in hoops.

lost seven seniors from last year's squad that advanced to the regional semifinals and gave Maine South all it could handle in a 45-38 loss at home. Senior Conor Hart, who scored 15 points in the loss, will be looked upon to provide leadership as the Warriors compete for the CSL North crown.

Our preseason power rankings will debut next week with a unique format. We will be combining the results and scores from both the boys and girls teams to provide a “school basketball ranking.”

Earlier:

2010-11 Season Recap

Parody defined the year on both the boys and girls sides. While a couple teams ultimately made deep runs in the postseason, there was no dominant squad throughout the regular season.

Niles North’s boys’ team in school history, and rallied to defeat Schaumburg in a thriller.

For the girls, Maine South , and took third place after their loss to Zion-Benton in the semifinals. The Hawks defeated Whitney Young in the consolation game.

Players to Watch:

Jewell Loyd, Niles West: last spring as a junior, but she has some unfinished business before her high school career ends. The do-everything shooting guard averaged 28.8 points, 15.2 rebounds, 4.5 steals, 4.1 assists and 3.1 blocks a game during the 2010-11 season, despite being routinely double-teamed by opposing defenses.    

Connor Boehm, New Trier: Boehm settled in as New Trier’s primary scoring option in the post last season, and led the Trevians to a better second half, which included an appearance in the regional finals. The 6’7” senior center had an array of post moves and toughness, and routinely gave opponents fits. Boehm committed to Dartmouth after last season.

Teams to Beat:

Maine South Hawks (girls): Maine South was a surprise team last year, but the Hawks will have a target on their backs this season after they finished third at state. They return with their entire starting lineup from last season. Michelle Maher, who committed to Western Illinois, and Jacqui Grant, one of the area’s best centers, will be on the court. Maine South was one of the few teams that consistently held Jewell Loyd in check.

New Trier Trevians (boys): Outside of Niles North, which came together after the new year, and was able to string together a good run in the playoffs, no team separated itself from the pack. Vikings superstar Abdel Nader is gone, which leaves the North Shore wide open.

New Trier returns with the most experience from last year, and should benefit from having Austin Angel healthy for a full season. If sophomore Jordan Thomas can step in and fill one of the guard positions, this team could win the Central Suburban League South.

Two Events to Attend:

Loyola Academy’s War on the Shore (Feb. 4, 2012): Last season was the first year this all-day basketball event was held. The event is also a fundraiser for the Danny Did Foundation. Loyola’s War on the Shore showcases three basketball games, pitting teams from the city versus teams from the suburbs. Last year featured St. Ignatius vs. Evanston, Mt. Carmel vs. New Trier, and St. Patrick vs. Loyola Academy.

New Trier vs. Evanston at Welsh-Ryan Arena (Jan. 6 or Feb. 10, 2012): One of the fiercest rivalries in the North Shore moves to Northwestern University for a double-header on two occasions this season. The girls’ game tips off two hours before the boys’, and both are always entertaining. The stands are packed with a large contingent of fans from both teams.

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