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 Dec.5-Dec.11
First team to knock off Deerfield, an emphatic 55-27 win in whichKate Rule torched the nets from 3-point land (24 points in all). The Wildcats defeated Warren, Lake Forest and Stevenson too.
Defeated city foes Amundsen, Resurrection and cross-the-parking lot rival Lane Tech.
Wins against Cary-Grove, Hampshire and Stevenson, the latter at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates.
Wins over East Peoria and Morrison kept them unbeaten.
Ended Sycamore’s conference winning streak that dated back to 2018 with a 61-53 victory. Kendra Brown scored 29 in the Knights’ win. Also beat Plano and Sandwich during the week.
Handed Glenbrook South its first loss, defeated Lincoln-Way West and Niles West. Megan Fahy had 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the win over GBS.
During the week knocked off Glenbard West 45-40 and OPRF 60-30.
Moved to 8-1 after a 58-32 win over Waterloo, also beat Limestone during the week.
Smallest margin of victory over three games (Rock Island, Champaign Centra and Pekin) was 28. Big game coming up against Washington.
Wins against West Chicago (49-34) and Fenton (49-31) put the Raiders at 8-0.
They keep winning, edged out wins over East St. Louis and O’Fallon,as well as St. Peters Lutheran (MO.) Improved to 8-0 after the week and has since beaten Civic Memorial.
Started 9-0, beat Elmwood and West Central last week (have since lost to defending 2A champ Quincy Notre Dame).
Grabbed W’s against Boylan and Rockford East.
Victories against Metro East-Lutheran, Granite City and Maquette Catholic to follow up a week in which they defeated Carlyle.
Defeated Christian Life, Somonauk-Leland and Chesterton Academy of the Holy Family.
Nabbed two tight, out-of-state wins over Salem and Arbor Prep, both Michigan teams. Also defeated Comer and Pritzker.
A win over Forreston (35-31) and improved to 7-1.
Victories vs. Red Bud, Maryville Christian and EAWR to move to 10-0.
Scored a state-high 56 points in a 76-73 loss to unbeaten St. Anthony and also broke the school record, boys or girls, for all-time points later in the week (up to 1,699).
Posted a school-record 55 points of her team’s 90 in a win vs. Cobden.
The High Point commit scored 35 in a win over Wauconda and passed Sidney Lovitsch’s girls program scoring record of 1,445.
Totaled 33 points in leading her team to a 60-52 victory over Rock Island.
Totaled 20 points, 15 in the first quarter of a 44-32 win over Breese Central and reached 1,000 points.
Racked up a stat line of 29 points, 6 steals, 4 rebounds, 3 assists in leading her team to a win over Manual.
22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals as the Cougars defeated Hoffman Estates.
Had 26 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks in an overtime loss to Mother McAuley.
The Class of 2024 guard had 22 points and 14 rebounds in a win over Rock Island.
Posted 23 points and 3 assists in a 54-50 win vs. Tinley Park.
A future Michigan Wolverine, the senior guard scored 36 and tossed in a Huskie record 9 three-pointers in a blowout of Rolling Meadows.
26 points, 10 rebounds in a win vs. Elmwood Park.
Put up 25 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Prairie Central. A future NIU softball player.
Scored 27 as PC defeated St. Laurence 68-36.
Set a school record with 21 rebounds vs. Fisher.
Had 31 points in a Lemont win over Richards.
Had 20 points and 9 steals in a win over Bremen.
Had 31 points in a 60-25 win over Wheaton North.
Had 30 points, 10 steals, 9 rebounds,8 assists and 2 blocks in a 43-point win over Taft.
22 points on 11 of 11 shooting, 14 rebounds, 7 blocks, 4 assists vs. Warren.
Scored 21 points with 4 rebounds, 3 assists in a win over Barrington.