Glenbard North has several voids to fill this season.
The Panthers lost 44 assists from Brianna DiGioia, six points and five rebounds per game from Nicolette Rini and 38 three-pointers from Monica Noti.
But second-year head coach John Chamberlain expects to find the right rotation with a smaller but more athletic squad.
“There were some key losses to graduation, which means the lineups will have to be sorted out in the early going,” he said. “We will be undersized compared to recent years, but perhaps more athletic.”
Amoni Reynolds leads the returning class after averaging 12.4 points and 3.6 rebounds a game last season. The unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference selection also collected 27 assists.
Reynolds is not alone. Carson Jones averaged 2.5 points per game and serves as a defensive stopper, according to Chamberlain. Brianna Harn is expected to build off her freshman year where she averaged 3.5 points and 2.3 assists. Everyone else is new to the squad.
Glenbard North looks to improve on last winter’s fifth-place finish in the DuPage Valley Conference. Naperville Central, Wheaton North and West Chicago are the favorites.
There’s no where to go but up in postseason play after the Panthers lost a 53-52 heartbreaker to DVC-foe West Chicago in a Class 4A regional quarterfinal last season.
AT A GLANCE
Conference DuPage Valley
Home court 990 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream
2008-09 record 9-19 (6-8 DVC)
Coach John Chamberlain (2nd year)
Top returners
Amoni Reynolds sr. F
Brianna Harn so. G
Carson Jones jr. F
Promising newcomers
Jackie Jacobs jr. G
Amy Falson fr. G
KEY MATCHES
Nov. 21-28 at Glenbard East Invite Thanksgiving tournament provides good early season gauge for Panthers
Dec. 19-23 at Wheaton North Invite Another tournament hosted by a DVC foe.