Each week, I’ll be highlighting the best team and individual performances from around the state that stood out in girls basketball. It could be a state record, an amazing highlight or anything in between. Last season, I tended to base the top performers on stats from several games over the course of a week. For this season’s individual honorees I’ll be focusing on individual game performances. This will hopefully help me recognize more players and spend less time searching for statistics.
As far as teams go, I want to highlight squads that upset highly-respected foes, put up absurd statistical performances or set new program records, things of that nature, over the course of the week, which will be focused on results over a week and not just in one game.
Stats are critical to highlight these players and teams. Get in touch to submit a girls team or player at any point during the 2022-2023 season. You can submit stats to our Twitter, @ILL_HS_Hoops and @ill_hoop_scoops. I can also be reached at KalebCarter4256@gmail.com or on Twitter @Kaleb_M_Carter.
Editor’s note: Not every submission is included in the top performers. Choices made at KC’s discretion. Games eligible to be considered for top performers were played Nov. 28-Dec.4
Ended a 55-game losing streak vs. Edwardsville with an emphatic 55-42 victory. Kiyoko Proctor and Jarius Powers combined for 35 points and 21 in the historic win and the Redbirds moved 5-0 after a win over a strong Mt. Vernon team.
Defeated Richards (64-51) and Simeon (48-47) the latter in the Chicago Elite Classic.
Janae Kent totaled 60 points, 18 rebounds total over the wins vs. Richards and Simeon.
With wins over Perspectives Charter/Leadership, Thornridge, Crete-Monee and Marist, the squad improved to 9-1.
Per the Chicago Tribune/Daily Southtown’s Tony Baranek, junior Trinity Cheers scored 22 in the win over Crete-Monee.
Tony Baranek’s Daily Southtown girls basketball rankings and player of the week for Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2022 https://t.co/zpz7tFiNLr
— Daily Southtown (@DailySouthtown) December 5, 2022
Victoria over UIC College Prep, Simeon, DRW College Prep, Naperville North and Lincoln-Way Central have the Lynx at 7-2.
Sister duo Xamiya Walton and Xyanna Walton may just be the best pair in 2A.
Some nice wins, defeating Morrison, Rockridge and Knoxville to improve to 4-1.
Still unbeaten after rolling past Streator and Coal City by an average of 44 points.
The Vikings beat Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Stevenson.
Sophomore Coco Urlacher had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals in the 27-point Vikings win over defending state champion Stevenson.
Two consecutive wins after a close loss to Bolingbrook, beating Rosary, Loyola Academy.
Moved to 6-0 by beating Newton 51-25.
Downed Sandwich 38-29 and Hall 42-41 to remain undefeated.
Beat Metamora 54-43 to stay unbeaten (6-0 as of Sunday).
Handed losses to Conant, Buffalo Grove and Benet (68-67).
What an effort to beat the top-ranked team in IL!
— Hersey Girls' Hoops (@HerseyGirlHoops) December 4, 2022
Hersey - 68, Benet - 67
🏀 @megmrowicki2023 24 pts, 5RB, clutch FTs
🏀 @katyeidle 19 pts, 8 ASSISTS, 6 RB, 3 stl, clutch FTs
🏀 @KelseyNeary 7 pts, 5 assists, 3 steals
#8InARowhttps://t.co/OKZRfnmE9s via @dailyherald
Defeated Conant, Geneva and Whitney Young in the same week, the latter two at Fremd’s Chicagoland Invitational and the Chiago Elite Classic, respectively.
Sophie Swanson knocked down an absurd 8 three-pointers from beyond the college 3-point arc and had 36 points overall.
Gwen Adler broke the school record for rebounds with 23 in the game.
Victories over Newark, Hinckley-Big Rock and Lisle by an average of 18.7. Norsemen are 6-1.
Now 8-0 as of Sunday after victories against Genoa-Kingston and Marengo.
Dropped a cool 49 points in a victory over Bloomington.
24 points, 6 rebounds in leading her team to a 60-42 victory vs. Midwest Central.
Scored 23 added 4 rebounds and 4 assists in a loss to Effingham.
21 points, 6 three-pointers as the Broncos took it to St. Ignatius, 76-44.
Scored 25 and moved into third place in program history in points in a victory vs. Freeburg. Also scored 36 in a win over Belleville West.
Lady Panthers eventually pull away from Freeburg and win 64-43. @shannonsimoneee leads us with 25 and moves into 3rd place all time in career points at O’Fallon and surpasses Taylor Klingelhoefer.
— OTHS Girls Basketball (@OTHSGirlsBball) November 30, 2022
Pelly posted 25 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists in win over previously-unbeaten Peoria.
Has 25 points, 4 rebounds in a 55-47 win over Lockport
Had 13 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals as the Irish knocked off Peoria on the road.
Totaled 29 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals in a win over Benton.
Was player of the game in a Sha Hopson Girls Memorial Classic win over Niles North with 18 points, 19 rebounds.
Had 17 points, 19 rebounds as Wauconda defeated Woodstock North 46-33.
Scored 21 points, added 6 rebounds, 4 steals as the Pirates beat Casey-Westfield.
Scored 22 in a loss to Washington, including 13 point in the first quarter.
Scored 32 in a 65-58 loss to Rock Bridge and broke the school record (1,907) points previous held by Jordan Frericks.
Had 20 points, 5 steals and 5 assists in a win at Bishop McNamara.
26 points, 10 steals, 7 rebounds, 6 assists as her team beat Martinsville 77-27.
Scored 17 with 10 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists and 4 blocks as the Titans beat Auburn.
In a 62-54 win over Vernon Hills, Bergstrom tallied 29 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals.
Put up 30 points, 13 rebounds in a 64-60 Brimfield victory against Annawan.
Totaled 28 points in a 60-50 win vs. Romeoville.