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Fresh faces: Athletes to keep an eye on in 2013
Glenbrook South soccer player Nicole Sroubek is one of the players to watch this upcoming season. Photo taken on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, in Glenview. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 3, 2013 12:38PM
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Jeannie Boehm, New Trier freshman center
Already a force on the floor in her first season on varsity, the 6-foot-3 Boehm has the potential to blossom into a Division I recruit. Boehm, whose older brothers also played for the Trevians, is a classic post player who played well against Illinois-bound Jacqui Grant of Maine South and Evanston senior Alecia Cooley, two of the top posts in the area.
FOOTBALL: Tom Fiedler, Lyons sophomore quarterback
Fiedler’s first pass of his varsity career was an incompletion; his second attempt found its mark as the sophomore from La Grange connected for a 7-yard touchdown pass. An emergency starter for one game after Zach Mahoney injured his shoulder, Fiedler completed 14-of-25 passes for 285 yards and two TDs. With Mahoney graduating this year, expect Fiedler to be handed control of a team attempting to make its fourth consecutive Class 8A state quarterfinal appearance.
SOFTBALL: Maggie Mack, Lake Forest sophomore first baseman
As a freshman, Mack earned a brief stint in 2012 on Lake Forest’s varsity team, where she batted .204 with 10 runs, seven RBI and two doubles. Scouts coach Susie Brugioni said that after she inserted Mack into the starting lineup, the rookie hit close to .300 in Lake Forest’s final six games. “She probably could have used a year of seasoning at the lower level, but she never complained and wanted to get better,” Brugioni said. “She worked on her swing, and the game slowed down for her.”
BASEBALL: Gehrig Parker, Maine South junior outfielder/pitcher
Named for the famous New York Yankees slugger, the junior is a multi-dimensional player for the Hawks. The southpaw bats leadoff and possesses good speed with the bat and on the bases. Parker is a straight-A student and was selected for the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Julia Saunders, Nazareth sophomore outsider hitter
The Roadrunners can build around their 6-foot-3 standout for the next two seasons. Saunders proved more than capable of leading Nazareth’s offense the past season with a team-leading 255 kills. She had 29 blocks as well. A resident of LaGrange Highlands, she was the only underclassman named to the all-East Suburban Catholic team. Saunders was named all-tournament at the Bradley-Bourbonnais Invitational after recording a season-high 13 kills in a two-set win and led Nazareth to the championship.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Michael Smith, Fenwick freshman guard
Expectations were high for the freshman guard from Burr Ridge long before he even took his first class at the Oak Park school. Smith attended the prestigious Fab Frosh Camp in June, in Atlanta, and came away ranked among the top 40 freshmen in the country, along with Notre Dame forward Ammar Becar and Simeon forward Ben Coupet. Smith has been a regular contributor for the Friars off the bench this season and had 11 points at Brother Rice. Smith doesn’t have to carry a heavy burden this season, but it is safe to say you’ll be hearing more from him in the coming years.
GIRLS SOCCER: Nicole Sroubek, Glenbrook South junior forward
After splitting time between JV and varsity as a sophomore, Sroubek projects to be a full-time varsity starter this spring. Blessed with fearlessness, speed and field vision, she offered a glimpse of her potential last season when she scored three goals and had six assists in her limited time with the big club.
