Patch's 2011-2012 High School Basketball Preview

As the season shifts from football to basketball, we take a look at the high school season ahead.

Earlier: ‎

The first games for high school girls basketball teams start on Monday, Nov. 14 while the boys get going a week later on Nov. 21, so there’s no better time to quickly recap all the action from an exciting 2010-2011 season in the North Shore and preview the upcoming year in hoops.

In addition, our preseason power rankings will debut 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.”  

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, rallying to defeat Schaumburg in a thriller. For the girls, Maine South , taking third place after losing to Zion-Benton in the semifinals and defeating 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, : Boehm settled in as New Trier’s primary scoring option in the post last season, leading the Trevians to a better second half and a regional final appearance. The 6-foot-7 senior center doesn’t possess the greatest athleticism, but his array of post moves and toughness routinely give 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 a third-place finish at state. They return their entire starting lineup from last season, including Michelle Maher, who committed to Western Illinois, and Jacqui Grant, one of the area’s best centers. They’ve also been one of the few teams that has consistently been able to hold 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. With Vikings superstar Abdel Nader gone, it leaves the North Shore wide open. That being said, New Trier returns 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 (Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012): Last season was the first year this all-day basketball event was held. Serving as 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 go on, but both are always entertaining. The stands are always packed with a large contingent of fans from both teams.

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