Northwest Herald girls basketball preview: 5 to watch in 2024-25

Anna Campanelli, Huntley, sr., G

Campanelli (5-foot-10) was among the area's top scorers last season at 14.1 points a game for the Red Raiders , who captured their third straight Fox Valley Conference title. Campanelli, who is committed to Division-I Kent State, made 34 3-pointers and averaged 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.5 steals a game. She earned Northwest Herald All-Area first-team honors last year.

Juliette Huff, Marian Central, sr., G

Huff (5-9) returns for the Hurricanes after a breakout junior campaign that saw her average 12.6 points a game and 42 3s. She was key in leading Marian to a program-record 27 wins, back-to-back Class 2A regional titles and the Chicagoland Christian Conference Tournament crown. Huff, an All-Area second-team pick last year, is committed D-III Carroll University.

Ellie Mjaanes, Cary-Grove, sr., F

Mjaanes (6-2), an All-Area second-team pick last year, returns for her final season after averaging a team-best 12.8 points and 6.4 rebounds a game for the Trojans . Mjaanes, who is committed to D-I Lehigh, was a disruptive force on the defensive end with 40 blocks and helped C-G to its first regional title since 2018.

Laken LePage, Crystal Lake South, jr., G

LePage (5-7) missed her sophomore season with a torn ACL after an impressive freshman campaign that saw her average 11.1 points a game to earn All-Area honorable mention. LePage will provide a big boost to the Gators , who struggled last season to a 3-25 record.

Leah Spychala, Crystal Lake Central, sr., F