By Kaleb Carter
It’s all over. The 2021-22 season is complete and the dust has had some time to settle. As we look back at the campaign and the postseason tournament, our first in two years’ time, it’s fun to take a look at who were the state’s best teams and what made their resumes solid.
This was the first season we’ve conducted a Top 25 rankings, with this, our first full season of coverage after a COVID-abbreviated first season.
Thanks for reading all season long, we’ll be back next year.
The Patriots’ season featured a 26-game win streak, a dirty display of defensive dominance and plenty of highlights to boot. Ranked No. 1 in each of the rankings except for the last one, Stevenson put its print on this season as the state’s top team.
Won an MSL Title and did not lose to a team not named Stevenson since Feb. 4 (Naperville North). Returns a crew that could well find itself back at Redbird Arena next season. Was on a 19-game win streak heading into the state final. Sophie Swanson (2023) should be a preseason favorite for some state Player of the Year honors.
Finished strong after injuries made things difficult for the early portion of the schedule. Rolled through SWSC unbeaten.
Took two single-digit losses at state after making a strong case as potentially the state’s best team for much of the season. Lenee Beaumont (2024) will likely enter next season as a top five player in the state.
Few teams can match the balance the Ramblers possessed this season. A truly unique brand of team basketball in this day and age.
Put the pieces together throughout the schedule on its way to a city championship before bowing out to Benet. Skylar Jones (2023), Destiny Jackson (2025) and Olivia Vick (2023) are all potential all-state returners after Jones and Jackson earned the honor a season ago.
Grace Sullivan (2022) and Jordan Wood (2023) certainly left their mark, bringing the Corsairs their first state championship in program history. They ended the season using their defense to stifle opponents, holding Sycamore, Civic Memorial and Nazareth each under 40 points to wrap up the season.
Succumbed to a Corsairs team they had defeated twice during the regular season. The Roadrunners will reload and look to try their hand at another title with an excellent team next season.
Played well in the postseason, but ran into a hot Bolingbrook squad. CMU recruit Sydney Harris (2022) departs as the program’s all-time leading scorer. The Tigers will look to replace three Division I-bound hardwood heroes.
Two of four losses came to Benet, Naperville North loses one of the state’s to scorers in Kenzie Hare.
City runner-up and sending three players off to Division I basketball programs.
Quite the successful campaign, a conference title and a home tournament run to the sectional final.
There was lots of talent for the most successful Sycamore team ever in terms of postseason success. Sycamore graduates 2022 guard Faith Feuerbach but should return a loaded team.
Still a young team that looked like a state final four qualifier at times. Freshman guard Ella Todd — who is garnering Division I attention — will be a big leader, as will 2023 forward Maddy Fay.
Had a long stretch of success but was upset by St. Charles East in a sectional semifinal. Will have a strong core of returners.
Junior Abbey Schreacke led the way to the 2A title over a game Winnebago squad.
Had potential for a longer run before Meghan Mrowicki’s late-season injury. Katy Eidle was top-notch and won Gatorade Girls Player of the Year honors.
Looked nearly a sure-fire thing for IHSA state, but Washington got the best of the Leafs. Senior Providence signee Kammie Ludwig has a strong case for best 3A player in the state.
Had an excellent season cut short by Normal Community in the postseason, featured excellent campaigns from junior Lisa Thompson and senior Grace Walsh.
Memorable season capped by state title-game loss in 2A.
Katie Krupa led the Potters to state one last time.
Victoria Matulevicius (2024) and Shannon Blacher (2023) helped lead a strong season and are set to return next season.
Took a 14-game win streak into the regional final, where the Lions lost to 3A third-place finisher Morton.
Faced tough schedule throughout the season and graduates a strong class of seniors.
Three-point shooting led them to a state berth. Should remain strong.