Girls Basketball Teams Gear Up for a New Chapter
As the summer heat settles over Illinois, the high school girls basketball squads from Bishop McNamara, Kankakee and Bradley‑Bourbonnais are already deep into preparations for the upcoming season. Each program is navigating its own set of challenges, from roster changes to facility setbacks, while looking to build on last year’s experiences.
Bishop McNamara enters the campaign with a significant boost: the addition of transfer guard Malea Harrison, an IBCA Class 3A All‑State Special Mention who brings floor vision and size to the lineup. She will join returning standouts Trinitee Thompson, Hailey Jackson and Jaide Burse, while the team also welcomes back key contributors such as Eliana Isom’s former teammates. The program’s recent gym damage from storms has pushed practice to alternative sites, but the coaching staff remains focused on integrating Harrison and maintaining momentum.
Kankakee, despite losing Harrison to a rival school, still boasts a strong core anchored by returning star Ava Johnson, who averaged 18.5 points and seven rebounds per game last season. Coach Kurt Weigt emphasizes team adjustments and collective learning, noting that the squad, which posted a 21‑9 record a year ago, must replace the graduation of its entire senior class. The team’s chemistry will be tested in summer shootouts as they fine‑tune their approach.
Bradley‑Bourbonnais, coming off a 2‑26 season, is pinning its hopes on fresh faces and the leadership of experienced players Abby Bonilla and Teagen Ready. Coach Kevin Maciejewski has expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in recent summer shootout games, seeing the early work as a foundation for confidence and growth. The young roster is eager to translate summer progress into on‑court success.
Across all three programs, the common thread is a blend of optimism and realism. Whether it’s Bishop McNamara’s strengthened lineup, Kankakee’s focus on adaptation, or Bradley‑Bourbonnais’s youthful energy, the upcoming season promises competitive matchups and community excitement. Fans can expect to see new talent like London Stroud, LaMaryah Smith, Jasyia Wesby, Sereity Brown, Tessa Heiser and Anna Marichko contributing to the dynamic landscape of local girls basketball.