Dynamic Duos: Part 1 | Prep Girls Hoops (2024)

As high school games begin this week here in Illinois, I wanted to highlight a group of teams that contain ‘Dynamic Duos’ throughout the area. Now more specifically, I looked for teams that I know have talented Point Guards, and one other high-level player on the team. There are most definitely teams with two dynamic players who aren’t Point Guards, but for this particular article I wanted to include those Floor Generals!

One of the preseason favorites in the Chicagoland area, Evanston returns a great deal of talent. Among those are standout Point Guard Kayla Henning and Forward Jayla Turchin. Henning’s ability to handle the ball and lead an offense matched with Turchin’s capability to score efficiently at all levels makes this duo so effective. The Seniors, along with a host of others, look bounce back from a Sectional Championship loss a year ago and get the Wildkits to the State Tournament.

Geneva’s Kate Palmer and Lindsay Blackmore will be a huge part of the Vikings success this season. Palmer, a Junior Point Guard, can handle and shoot the ball very well from both mid-range and beyond the three-point line. Blackmore, a Senior Colgate commit, is a strong post player who is tough to match up against. She does thrive in the lane but can also knock down shots from deep.

As a young team that made it to the Sectional Championship last season, Montini’s eyes are on Redbird Arena this year. Third Team All-State Point Guard Sophie Sullivan (2022) is a sure ball handler that can catch fire from three any given night. Her Sophom*ore teammate, Taylor Charles, is an athletic Forward that can play and guard any position using her length and quickness. Charles drives it well in the lane and can also knock down mid-range jumpers.

Another team looking to get back to the State Tournament next Spring, Whitney Young has as much talent as anyone. Senior Point Guard and Texas A&M commit Kayla Green is one of the top PG’s in the state. Her ability to win one-on-one against nearly any defender and make things happen in the lane is unparalleled. Green’s Senior teammate Cameron Williams, a Michigan commit, is a 6’2” athletic post who is a tough matchup due to her strength and dominant post-game.

Last year’s State Champion Maine West lost some valuable pieces last season, but brings back the dominant duo of Dylan Van Fleet and Angela Dugalic. Van Fleet, a Senior Point Guard, thrives on the defensive end, disrupting passing lanes and leading the transition offense. Dugalic, an Oregon commit, is perhaps the most dominant player in the state and has added to her offensive skillset since last season. She can shoot it well from outside, but at 6’4”, her athletic post moves make her nearly unguardable.

Fremd’s Emily Klaczek is another top Point Guard in Illinois. The UAB commit is a strong PG that can get in the lane with ease and absorb contact well, in addition to being a plus shooter from outside. Klaczek’s Senior teammate Olivia Hill, a Bowling Green commit, is a lengthy Forward that can score in a variety of ways. Both girls were named to All-State teams last season and will be key pieces to Fremd’s success once again.