By Michael Wojtychiw

The High School Girls Basketball season is upon us, so we here at the Chicago Public League are taking a look at some of the teams to watch this year and their prospects for the season

**All teams were reached out to for this article, however only teams that responded are displayed below. This will be a running preview list as more teams respond.

School:  Ag. Science

Last Year’s Record: 8-15

Starters returning: 

None

Key non-starters returning: 

Gracie Horkavy – Power Forward – Senior

Hannah Schuman-Cook – Guard – Senior

Newcomers to watch: 

Kiara Crenshaw – Guard – Freshmen

Season outlook:

This will be a year that others will need to step up and take a leading role. We graduated 5 senior starters last season. We are looking forward to working with a very moldable group who have the guts to work hard and compete against our league.

School: Amundsen

Last Year’s Record: 20-13 Overall, 9-0 CPL White North-West

Social Media Handles: 

• Twitter = @AHSVikingsGBB 
• Instagram = @amundsenvikingsgbb 
• Facebook = @AmundsenVikingsGBB 

Starters returning: 

• Jocelyn Chammas
  • Guard, Senior; 1st Team All-City; 3-year varsity starter to date; 713 career points; ’21-’22 Stats = 11 ppg, 38% 3FGM, 4.4 rebounds per game, 2 steals per game
•  Hannah Lopez
  • Guard, Junior; 2-year varsity starter; Captain; ’21-’22 Stats = 6.0 ppg, 30% 3FGM, 4.4 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game
• Taylor Barnes
  • Guard, Forward; 2-year varsity starter; ’21-’22 Stats = 3 ppg, 8.5 rebounds per game, 2 steals per game

Key non-starters returning: 

• Helena Patsey, Guard, Junior
• Grace Higgins, Guard, Junior
• Maddie Amick, Guard-Forward, Senior 
• Giana Solomon, Forward, Junior
• Mia Markovic, Forward, Sophomore

Season outlook:

• Amundsen’s girls basketball continues their rise within the CPL and Northside of the city as they are the newest member of the CPL Red Northwest, coming off a perfect 9-0 CPL White Northwest Conference record, along with a 20-13 season and a regional final appearance (lost to Westinghouse 47-38). 
• An experienced team which features 11 returning players from last year’s Varsity roster. The program will look to continue its upward trend and compete in the Public League’s top conference, all while playing a state-wide schedule (trips to Rock Island, Kaneland, Batavia, and McHenry) as we try to hit the 20 win mark and compete for a Regional title. 
• Goals
  • Finish in the top-half (top 4 of the Red)
  • Regional Final / Regional Championship
  • 20 wins 

Did You know?: In 3 quick years, including a COVID season, a women’s program which was a non-factor playing in the CPL Green Conference for over 20-years prior, has ascended to the top beginning in the 2019-2020 season.  

School:  Benito Juarez Community Academy 

Last Year’s Record: 13-7

Social Media Handle: @bjcaeagles1 (Instagram)

Starters returning: 

Dorothy Johnston, point guard, senior

Angelina Rosas, forward, junior

Key non-starters returning: 

Ashanti Collins, guard, senior

Viviana Perez, guard, senior

Lizette Sosa, guard, senior

Yaily Salgado, guard, senior

Newcomers to watch: 

Emily Flores, forward, freshman

Elizabeth Swiontek, forward, sophomore

Paola Lagarde, guard, sophomore

Abigail Almader, guard, junior

Dalila Saenz, forward, junior

Season outlook:

Last year, the Lady Eagles finished second in the White Conference with a loss to the top team when five of the Juarez players were out with Covid-19. The team is back with six returning girls ready to win first place in the conference. 

Did You Know?:

Seniors, Ashanti Collins and Dorothy Johnston started their basketball careers at Alexander Graham Elementary School with Coach Maggie Bodanyi as their 7th grade basketball coach. She coached them in 7th and 8th grade and then was hired as the JV coach at Benito Juarez. As they moved to Varsity their junior year, she moved up as the Varsity coach as well. Coach Maggie Bodanyi has had players, Collins and Johnston on her roster now for six years. They will graduate their senior season with Coach Maggie Bodanyi as their first, final and only coach. 

School: Chicago Academy High School

Last Year’s Record: 8-9

Social Media Handle: Twitter – ChiAcadHS; Instagram – cahscougars

Starters returning: 

Ariana Avila, Forward, Junior 

T Cornwell, Guard, Senior

Jana ZIdani, Guard, Senior

Key non-starters returning: 

Maribel Correa, Guard, Sophomore  

Destiny Rodriguez, Guard, Sophomore

Fin Morales, Forward, Sophomore

Newcomers to watch: 

Terraniya Edwards, Guard, Freshman

Season outlook:

After spending the last few seasons in the middle of the pack, the Cougars are looking to pull ahead with a group of young, hungry athletes who bring a lot of energy and passion to the court. With a varsity made up of mostly underclassmen, the Cougars are looking to start paving that road to a conference title. 

School:  Clemente

Last Year’s Record:  15-8

Starters returning: 

Jazlyn Ortiz, G, Junior

Saniya Smith, G, Senior

Kayla Porrata, G, Sophomore

Key non-starters returning: 

Jamari Latzzis, G, Sr

Jamaris Nguyen, G, Sophomore

Talina Figueroa, G, Sophomore

Mya Sanders-Garmon, G, Junior

Destiny Medina, G, Junior

Newcomers to watch: 

Angela Chavarria, Sophomore

Nicole Quinones-Colon, Junior

Sabrina Negron, Sophomore

Mia Sorrano, Freshman

Season outlook: Clemente will be trying to chase down a conference championship for the first time in over 20 years. It will take a big effort from the entire group to make that goal happen & make this a magical season for the seniors. Clemente will show up ready to work and give an honest effort every day to make it happen. #ClementePride!!

School:  Foreman

Last Year’s Record: 2-9

Social Media Handle: @ForemanAthleti1 (Twitter)

Starters returning: 

Nour Ajaj, PG, Junior

Justis Hill, C, Junior

Shamyriah Hines, F, Junior

Newcomers to watch: 

Kyra Hayes, G, Senior

Jessica Kesler, G/F, Junior

Dana Velazquez Almaraz, G, Sophomore

Season outlook: Heading into the season with Foreman band director Ben Pedersen at the helm, the new look Foreman Girls Varsity Basketball team is looking to make a splash in the Green North-West division. Led by senior transfer student Kyra Hayes and a strong cast of new and returning players, Foreman will be looking to establish a culture of hard work, skill development, and winning in the 2022-23 season.

School:  Hubbard High School 

Last Year’s Record: 10-5 

Social Media Handle: @HHSGreyhounds & Coach_Garrett14

Starters returning: 

Jocelyn Segura, PG, Sophomore, 8 ppg

Jailyn Muni, F, Sophomore, 7 rpg

Key non-starters returning:

Stephanie Campos, F, Sophomore

Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class): 

Cecilia Gutierrez, Sophomore, SG 

Season outlook:

We are going to be young so we are looking to get better every day. I think as long as we make progress from our first game to the last we will consider this season a huge success. I still think we have the potential to be extremely competitive in our conference. I hope to add some non conference games that will really challenge our girl’s and prepare them for our conference schedule. Last year we finished one game out of the conference title and although we graduated a lot of that team the younger girl’s gained some useful experience that will allow them to expedite our maturation process. 

School:  Hyde Park Academy Lady Thunderbirds

Last Year’s Record: 14-10

Social Media Handle: @gbbhyde (Twitter)

Starters returning: 

Jazmyne Bynum, PG, Junior: Avg – 15ppg, 3.5 ast, 5.7 reb, 6.7 stl (All Conference Red South Central, All City and Honorable Mention All State IBCA 21-22); 21-22 Team Most Valuable Player

Makiya Horbrook, G, Soph.: Avg – 8.1 ppg, 2.0 ast, 2.8 reb, 2.7 stls (All Conference Red South-Central)

Maliyah Lee, F, Senior: 1.7 ppg, 3.4 reb, 1 stl

Key non-starters returning: 

Kiera Wilson, F, Sophomore: 1.6 ppg, 2.3 reb

Raynita Cotten, G, Junior

Elantra House, F, Senior

Newcomers to watch (Name, position, class): 

Mia Gaines, Center, Junior

Samaiyya Williams, Guard, Sophomore

Season outlook:

The HP Thunderbirds look to make waves in the conference by finishing higher than before in the South Central conference.  Led by Junior Jazmyne Bynum who led the state in steals last season.  We look for Bynum to lead us in scoring and continue to be a nuisance to other teams on defense.  With the guards, Makiya Horbrook and Samaiyya Williams, which can be interchangeable in running the point or taking over scoring load, we have options to take some of the point guard load off Bynum this year.  The addition of the height of Mia Gaines in the middle and improved game and confidence of Senior wing Maliyah Lee as well as Sophomore Kiera Wilson, we will be more aggressive offensively.

School:  Intrinsic Schools- Belmont Campus

Last Year’s Record: 6-15

Starters returning: 

Denis Beltran, junior, guard 

Jasmine Beltran, junior, guard 

Key non-starters returning: 

Jalisa Ross, Guard 

Jazmine Watkins, Guard 

Jasmine Loredo, Guard 

Valeria Salgado, Guard 

Jacqueline Martinez (11th) Guard

Newcomers to watch: 

Kassandra Salgado, Guard 

Denise Pimentel

School: Jones College Prep

Last year’s record: 15-12. 2nd in Red NW

Social Media: @jones.girlsbasketball (Instagram)

Starters Returning: 

Triseana Williams. JR C/F

Nyla Griffin Soph G

Key Non-Starters Returning:

Rachel Schettler JR C/F

Amari Summer SR G

Malia Harrington SR G

Kylynn White Soph G

Newcomers To Watch: 

Yasmine Taylor FR F/C

Season Outlook: JCP Eagles graduated three SR starters in 2021. This year’s varsity team is young, talented and athletic. The Eagles will look to develop young talent while competing in the Red NW. JCP’s focus will be a balanced attack utilizing multiple different styles of offensive and defensive schemes. Look for the Eagles to compete for a top spot in the Red NW and be a tough out in the later rounds CPS Tournament. 

School: Julian 

Last Year Record: 9-10

Starters returning:

Monique Moore, PG, Junior (2-year starter)

Jumeirah Mister, G, Junior (2-year starter)

Katiya  Jacobs,  F, Senior (3-year starter)

Jasmine Jordan, F, Senior (3-year starter) 

Radijah Vance,  C, Sophomore

Key non- starters returning:

Harmonee Anderson, Sophomore

Brianna   Jackson, Sophomore

Diamond  Flowers, Junior

Season outlook:

Last year was a learning process for us. This year we will find our identity and be a great defensive team.  We finished second in our conference last year. We look forward to winning our conference this season and make some noise every year

School:  Kelly College Prep

Last Year’s Record: 17-2

Social Media Handle: https://twitter.com/GirlsKc

Starters returning: 

None; graduated 7 seniors

Key non-starters returning: 

Laura Sircher, C/F, Sr

Natasha Soriano, G/F, Jr

Raquel Valles, G, Jr

Sasha Arriaga, G, Soph

Newcomers to watch: 

Kaila Gracia, C/F, Sr

Season outlook:

First year in the Red Conference.  All 5 starters will be new. 

School:  Kelvyn Park

Last Year’s Record: 0-8

Starters returning: 

• McKaylee Melendez, PG, Senior
• Marlett Patino, C, Junior
• Esmeralda Salgado, G, Junior
• Breann Sanford, F, Junior
• Leslie Bucio, F, Senior

Newcomers to watch: 

• Wendy Diaz, G, Junior
• Melissa Rivera, G, Sophomore
• Scarlett, F, Junior

Season outlook: Our season outlook is “the whole player” in which we focus on working mindsets, improvement, and accountability.

School: Kenwood

Last Year’s Record: 21-7

Social Media Handle: @BleedGbb (Twitter); @Kenwoodbleed (IG); KenwoodBleed (FB)

College Commits: Natasha Barnes (Missouri State), Sanai Tyler (University of Illinois-Springfield), Jazelle Young (Loyola University Chicago)

Starters Returning:

Ariella Henigan, Sophomore Point Guard: Ranked Top 10 in Illinois’ C/O ’25 (Prep Girls Hoops Illinois); averaged 8.4 ppg, 3.2 apg, 2.7 spg as a Freshman; started 26/27 games she played.

Jazlynn Givens, Senior Wing: averaged 7.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.6 spg as a Junior; started 9/9 games she played; tore ACL vs. Morgan Park and missed the remainder of the season.

Jazelle Young, Senior Forward: Ranked Top 20 in Illinois’ C/O ’23 (Prep Girls Hoops Illinois); averaged 10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg as a Junior; started 20/20 games she played.  

Key Non-Starters Returning: 

Diann Jackson, Sophomore Forward; Ranked Top 10 in Illinois C/O ’23 (Prep Girls Hoops Illinois) and the #1 PF in her class; averaged 4.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg as a Freshman; played in 26 games last season.

Newcomers To Watch:

Natasha Barnes, 5’9″ Senior Guard

Sanai Tyler, 6′ Senior Forward

Danielle Brooks, 5’7″ Freshman Guard

Grace Mitchell, 5’5″ Junior Guard

Milaan Moore, 6’1″ Junior Forward 

Season Outlook: Our goal is to develop into a highly competitive group that plays a very up-tempo style of basketball centered around our ability to defend and rebound. Hopefully, we’ll be pretty good by February.

School: Morgan Park Lady Mustangs

Last Year’s Record: 15-11

Starters returning: 

Angel Dickerson- Jr PG

LaKeeyah Barnes- Jr SG

Kyra Fortineaux- Jr G

Jada Knighton- SR G/F

Mony’e Scott- Sr  PF/C

Key non-starters returning:

Nylah Jackson- Sr G/F

Simone Scott- So  PF/C

Aniyah Edwards- Jr  G/F

Techeye Howard- Jr  F

Diamond Frazier- So G

Newcomers to watch:

Ashanti Scott- Fr  G ( younger Sister to Mony’e & Simone Scott)

Kimora Gerring- Fr  G/F

Season outlook: We were young and inexperienced last year and they have matured in many areas on/off the court. 

School:  Northside College Prep

Last Year’s Record: 18-12 overall, 4-4 in CPL Red-North/West

Social Media Handle: ncpwhoops (Instagram) @ncpwomenshoops (Twitter)

College commits: Cate Shingler, senior forward – Claremont-Mudd-Scripts (NCAA Division III)

Starters returning: 

Cate Shingler – Senior Forward (11.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg)

Tessa Myatt – Senior Forward (5.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg)

Anna Mulderink – Senior Guard (4.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Olivia Petrillo – Senior Guard (11.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Key non-starters returning: 

Lila Midyett – Senior, Forward (2.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg)

Colleen Burke – Senior, G/F (1.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Newcomers to watch: 

Sela Nucum, point guard, freshman

Season outlook:

After a tough summer and fall league schedule, the Northside Mustangs are looking forward to the start of the season. With nine seniors on the roster, they are looking to end their careers with a Northside first, a possible IHSA regional title. NCP enters this season with a ton of confidence after finishing 4-4 in the tough Red North/West conference. 

Did You Know?:

*Teammates Petrillo and Shinger are looking to become the fourth and fifth players to score 1,000 points in Northside history. Going into the season, Shingler sits at 701 points and Petrillo has 737. Both would probably have passed the mark by now if it weren’t for Covid shortened sophomore seasons. If they accomplish the feat, they would join Alina Yamin – ’18 (2,407 pts), Angie Nizio – ’07 (1,726 pts), and Sarah Parks – ’15 (1,217 pts) in the NCP 1,000 point club. Petrillo and Shingler would be the first set of teammates to join.

* Northside head coach Henry Henderson is 19 wins away from winning his 200th game as a varsity head coach. He is the all-time winnest coach at NCP, recording his 100th win last season in his 9th year at Northside. Henderson went 48-35 in three seasons at rival Payton Prep from 2003-06.

*In addition to playing in the Loyola Academy and Maine West basketball summer leagues, the UIC team camp, and the Loyola Academy fall league, the Mustangs prepared for the upcoming season by playing on the first flag football team in school history. Twelve of the 15 players on the varsity roster played flag football for NCP. The team finished 8-2 on the season and made it to the city quarterfinals where they lost to number one seed Lane Tech 7-6. The team’s other loss was to city champ and state runner-up Taft.

School:  North-Grand HS

Last Year’s Record: 5-6

Social Media Handle: Twitter: @northgrandath Instagram: northgrandathletics

Starters returning: 

Kayla Sykes, Jr., Guard

Brinnia Williams, Sr., Forward

Maddison Cole, Sr., Forward

Newcomers to watch: 

Tyajeonna Bell, Sophomore, Guard

Khamaya Waterford, Jr., Guard/Small Forward

Season outlook: 

North-Grand is trying to rebuild the program and has a young team looking to be competitive in the White North-West Division.  

School:  Orr Academy 

Last Year’s Record: 20-6

Starters returning:

ReCharian Courtland, G, Sr, All City, All Conference Team and Co-MVP 2021-2022 season.

Nakiyah Williams, PG, So, All Conference Team 2021-2022 season 

Key non-starters returning: 

Mariah Joiner, C, Jr

Neshaun Williams, F, So

Newcomers to watch: 

Malayah Scott, SG, Sr.

Carmani Sharkey G, Fr

Season outlook: We are looking to win our conference for the  3rd consecutive season. We are also working toward  making history by being 1A Sectional champs. Overall we have some young players that are eager to learn, get better and make a name for themselves.

Did You Know?: ReCharian Courtland is 350 points away from scoring 1000 points in her high school career. 

School:  Whitney Young 

Last Year’s Record: 23-6

Social Media Handle: @wygirlsbasketball (instagram)

College commits: Skylar Jones 2023 – Mizzou | Olivia Vick – Trinity College

Starters returning: 

Destiny Jackson, Point Guard, 2025, Ranked #1 in Illinois & Ranked #1 in Illinois at PG Position (Prep Hoops Illinois), averaged 15 points per game, 3 assists per game, 4 rebounds per game

Skylar Jones, Combo Guard, 2023, Ranked #7 in Illinois & Ranked #3 in Illinois at Combo Guard Position (Prep Hoops Illinois), averaged 17 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 5 steals per game

Olivia Vick, Shooting Guard, 2023, Ranked #29 in Illinois & Ranked #8 in Illinois at Combo Guard Position (Prep Hoops Illinois), averaged 12 points per game, 3 rebounds per game

Key non-starters returning: 

Hailey Hillman, Forward, 2023, averaged 5 points per game, 4 rebounds per game

Newcomers to watch: 

Lysa Jones, Forward, 2026

Alana Shields, Guard, 2025

Season outlook:

Coming off a great City Championship win, we are looking to rekindle that magical energy and push through the season with the same incredible vigor as a solid team with the hopes of being in a great spot come March.