By Kaleb Carter
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.
Stats are critical to highlight these players and teams. Get in touch to submit a girls team or player at any point during the 2021-22 season. I can be reached at KalebCarter4256@gmail.com or on Twitter @Kaleb_M_Carter.
Sitting at 7-0, the Saints have opened more than a few eyes in the early going of the season. The Saints defeated Lake Park on the road (55-47) and Waubonsie Valley (46-39). Senior Torrie Kortan continues to impress for one of the more increasingly buzz-worthy teams in the suburbs.
The Saints own impressive wins over the likes of York, Fremd and St. Charles North.
The ⚜️ improve to 7-0 (1-0) with a hard fought 55-47 road victory over a tough @LPLancerBB squad. The Saints had 3 in double figures and were led by @TKortan2022 25 points. pic.twitter.com/fIwBDzeE8K
— St. Charles East Girls Basketball (@stcegirlshoops) December 5, 2021
Continuing to face an early season gauntlet, the Mighty Macs grabbed road wins over Sandburg (48-39) and St. Ignatius (59-49).
Bella Finnegan put up huge stat lines in those wins:
Earned hard-fought wins at Lake Park (59-46) and against Butler College Prep (57-54), the latter in Fremd’s Chicagoland Invitational Showcase. They were undefeated before Monday’s game.
Brooke Carlson in a 57-54 win over Butler Prep:
— Batavia Girls Bball (@BHS_GirlsBsktbl) December 6, 2021
24 pts
6 assists
5 steals
5 rebounds
7 deflections
1 block
The Spartans now own one of the better victories in the state this season, a 46-38 road win at Nazareth Academy. Sycamore also soared to wins over Sandwich (60-14) and Rolling Meadows (58-45).
Huge shoutout to @FaithFeuerbach for reaching the 1000 point milestone for her career! She puts in hundreds of unseen hours and has earned this honor. Way to go Faith!@dc_preps @Kaleb_M_Carter @SycoSpartans pic.twitter.com/yACWils2CH
— Sycamore Girls Basketball (@SycamoreHoops) December 1, 2021
At 5-1 following last week’s games, the Tigers’ lone loss is to a team from Indiana. The Tigers lit up the scoreboard in an 84-32 win over Newton. A 50-41 win over St. Joseph-Ogden the week prior shows how real the Tigers are.
Senior guard Kate Littleton scored 28 in the win over Newton and is one part of one of the best duos in Class 2A with Madyson Rigdon. Littleton also recently signed with Lake Land College.
Kate Littleton,Paris High School signs on the dotted line making Lakeland College her official home next season! They are going to love her! Instant Offense on Skates 🔥🔥🔥Congratulations Super Kate!!! @KatelynLittlet1 @IndianaEliteWBB pic.twitter.com/ekbzyngXkS
— Indiana Elite Havoc (@INEliteHavoc) December 3, 2021
Picked up strong wins over Harlem (44-36), Jefferson (58-27) and Auburn (43-24).
Upped its record to 7-0 with wins last week over Limestone (58-40), Decatur Eisenhower (56-13) and Collinsville (54-38). Big upcoming game Tuesday night versus Rock Island.
Kayla Pacha continues to lead the way and the Redbirds are sitting pretty at 7-0 after a 63-16 win over East Peoria. Also defeated Bloomington 37-28.
With the AP poll out this afternoon, we were given the 3A #6 ranking, the highest ranking in program history!
— 🏀 #6 Metamora Girls Basketball 🏀 (@MetamoraGBB) December 1, 2021
It comes w/ hard work and dedication by everyone up and down the roster. The job's far from done!
Hosting East Peoria tomorrow at 6pm. #ONETEAM #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/lvj2WrVJvt
Improved to 6-1 after offensive explosions throughout the week. Defeated Marian Central Catholic (70-60), North Boone (78-24) and East Dubuque (53-41).
Senior Crusader Mikayla Huffine scored her 1000th career point on November 23rd! She scored 25 in a win against Ashton-Franklin Center. Congratulations and keep grinding and shining Mikayla! pic.twitter.com/9DExjLIjB0
— Rockford Lutheran School (@RkfdLutheran) December 6, 2021
Sailed to wins over Wayne City (53-24) and Edwards County (46-24) and owned a 7-1 record after last week.
Scored 31 in a 69-60 victory over Whitney Young at Fremd’s Chicagoland Invitational Showcase to earn game MVP honors for the Patriots.
Scored 17 in a 51-28 win over Libertyville.
GBK: Stevenson 69, Whitney Young 60
— Kaleb Carter (@Kaleb_M_Carter) December 5, 2021
Excellent win for the Patriots, who can confidently call themselves among the best in the state. Lone loss is to Loyola Academy, also one of the best.
MVPs
SHS - Simone Sawyer - 31 points
WY - Destiny Jackson 25pts
Klatt with 20 for SHS pic.twitter.com/0N9LP7rt8E
Scored 26 in a 56-23 win over Bureau Valley
Scored 24 points on 11-of-13 shooting, added 10 steals, 5 rebounds in a 77-30 win over Vernon Hills. Deerfield led by Kerstein sister duo of Nikki and junior Lexi.
Scored 23 in a win over Rock Island as Geneseo moved to 7-0 on the season.
Put up 24 points in a win over Galesburg.
38 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals in a win over Jones.
23 points, 4 three-pointers made in a win over Tri-Valley.
20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals in a statement win over Marist (67-46).
Bloom, a transfer from Grayslake Central, is one of the best sophomores in the state. She has used her 6-3 frame to help lead the Raiders to quickly be one of the best squads in Illinois.
Scored 26 points, including 8 three-pointers in a 61-21 win over Orion.
19 points, 19 rebounds versus York.
18 points, 19 rebounds and 4 steals versus Romeoville.
Posted 28 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in a loss to Hinsdale Central.
Has scored 33, 26, 25 and 22 points in games this season.