Our first ever MHS Invitational is this Saturday. The event is at Trinity High School in River Forest right outside Chicago. It will consist of five high school games starting at 12:15pm featuring some of the top teams and players in the state as well as the entire Midwest. Below is the schedule, game previews, and some of the top players. 

12:15pm – Trinity vs. Marist

A must-see matchup of East Suburban Catholic and Girls Catholic Conference teams dueling to start the day. Marist is having a marvelous season with a 18-6 record and rated as one of the top teams in the state led by a veteran core. Seniors Le’lani Harris, Kira Chivers, Emily Bojan, and Mary Clare Brusek have all shown the ability to have big games. Trinity has good talent itself with sophomore Lauren Miller as well as a quality playmaking back court with juniors Ciarra Richardson and Sophia Rodriguez. 

2:00pm – Sycamore vs. Lincoln-Way West

Sycamore is having a fantastic season with a perfect 22-0 season. St. Thomas commit Faith Feuerbach is having a great senior season leading the way and Lexi Carlsen, Evyn Carrier, Ella Shipley, and others all have the ability to take over games. Though with the dynamic guard Ava Gugliuzza who is committed to SIUE, don’t count out Lincoln-Way West from trying to end an undefeated season. 

3:45pm – Libertyville vs. Barrington

Such an intriguing matchup that is highlighted by a junior Big Ten commit on each side. Maryland commit Emily Fisher is a talented do it all player for Libertyville while Barrington counters with Purdue commit Sophie Swanson who is one of the top scorers in the entire state coming off a recent 40-point outing. While these two juniors are the main attraction on their team, each roster has a few talented and impactful players. 

5:30pm – Stevenson vs. Kenwood

This one sets up to be a tremendous game in which could be a preview of a deep state playoff game. Both Stevenson and Kenwood are two of the best teams in the state and both legitimate contenders to win a state championship. Each roster has talent up and down it. Kenwood has a great veteran core with Texas A&M commit Brianna McDaniel who is the top-rated senior in the state, Loyola-Chicago commit Whitney Dunn, and Alabama State commit DonYeil Bolton. As well to the trio of senior division one commits, there are plenty of other weapons with Ayanna Jackson, Arielle Henigan, Diann Jackson, Ariana Bullock-Williams, among others. Stevenson has a tremendous senior core itself with Penn commit Simone Sawyer and UIS commit Ava Bardic as well to a pair of talented and impactful sophomores in Emory Klatt and Kendell Williams to have a 24-1 record currently. 

7:15pm – Butler Prep vs. Fremd

No shortage of talent in this one from both sides. Butler Prep features one of the top backcourts in the area with Illinois commit Camille Jackson and super sophomore Xamiya Walton plus good size in their front court. On the other bench, Fremd has produced great teams year after year and this team is no different. They have great talent lead by IUPUI commit Brianna Wooldridge but also great depth. Maddy Fay, Nikki Gonnella, Jill Sheehan, Ella Todd, and others have all shown great ability this season for Fremd. 

2022 Players to Watch – Ava Bardic (Stevenson), Emily Bojan (Marist), DonYeil Bolton (Kenwood), Christin Brewer (Butler Prep), Mary Clare Brusek (Marist), Kira Chivers (Marist), Whitney Dunn (Kenwood), Faith Feuerbach (Sycamore), Le’lani Harris (Marist), Camille Jackson (Butler Prep), Kristina Kotzan (Libertyville), Laura Mahlum (Barrington), Brianna McDaniel (Kenwood), Evan Pittman (Lincoln-Way West), Libby Ryan (Libertyville), Simone Sawyer (Stevenson), Jill Sheehan (Fremd), Ella Shipley (Sycamore), Allie Wondrasek (Lincoln-Way West), Brianna Wooldridge (Fremd)

2023 Players to Watch – Evyn Carrier (Sycamore), Maddy Fay (Fremd), Emily Fisher (Libertyville), Nikki Gonnella (Fremd), Ava Gugliuzza (Lincoln-Way West), Ayanna Jackson (Kenwood), Ciarra Richardson (Trinity), Sophia Rodriguez (Trinity), Sophie Swanson (Barrington), Kace Urlacher (Fremd), Jazelle Young (Kenwood)

2024 Players to Watch – Sereniti Adams (Butler Prep), Gwen Adler (Barrington), Ariana Bullock-Williams (Kenwood), Lexi Carlsen (Sycamore), Brynn Eshoo (Fremd), Emory Klatt (Stevenson), Lauren Miller (Trinity), Molly O’Riordan (Barrington), Kate Rule (Libertyville), Rachel Rule (Libertyville), Xamiya Walton (Butler Prep), Kendell Williams (Stevenson)

2025 Players to Watch – Ariella Henigan (Kenwood), Diann Jackson (Kenwood), Madison Sears (Libertyville), Ella Todd (Fremd)