ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE takes a look at the teams to watch this month in this area:

Boys' Basketball -- North Lawndale

After going 29-4 and winning the Class 2A state championship last year, North Lawndale is bringing back its top four scorers and just about every key player from the title run. So why is coach Lewis Thorpe a bit anxious as the season approaches? "Chemistry," says Thorpe. "For us, it's going to be all about chemistry. Yes, we've got a lot of talented guys, but they've got to play well together if we want to be successful."The nucleus of the team remains intact, with senior forward Jonathan Mills, senior guard John Taylor, junior guard Jermaine Winfield and junior center Paul Bunch returning, but the Phoenix will also be introducing senior point guard Terry Johnson into the mix. Johnson transferred from St. Rita over the summer, and the talented newcomer brings a new dimension to the team. With his scoring ability and his desire to run the offense with the ball in his hands, the question is how well Johnson will mesh with the team's established stars, like Taylor and Mills. "We think they can play at the same time," says Thorpe. "We're a deep team and that can be a concern at times  who's getting the shots and who's got the ball. That stuff usually works itself out over time. We're working to develop that chemistry every day."So no matter where the Phoenix are ranked to start the year, expect North Lawndale to be playing its best ball at the end of the season.

Girls' Bowling -- Schaumburg

The state championship was just out of reach last year, when the Schaumburg girls rolled a 12,027 at the state championship, good enough for second place and just 69 pins behind title-winner Jefferson-Rockford. Now the Saxons will look to take the next step, led by the sister act of Marilyn and Jodi Gawlik. Marilyn, a senior, was the top individual with a score of 2,645 at states last year, while sophomore Jodi rolled a 2,346.

Wrestling -- Providence Catholic

Only a juggernaut Montini team stood between Providence Catholic and the Class 2A state championship last year, and the Celtics are set to clear all hurdles this season. Providence Catholic should be one of the deepest teams in the area  sophomore Ed Cooper was almost perfect at 103 pounds last season, and junior Tom Ambrose was nearly as dominant at 112. Senior Jacob Wojcik went 47-3 at 130 pounds, and he could move up this season.

Girls' Basketball -- Bolingbrook

The Raiders are coming off an appearance in the Class 4A state finals, and this year's edition should be even stronger, as the key players from last year's postseason run return. Guard Ariel Massengale was a revelation as a freshman last season, leading the team with 13.2 points per game, and she'll shoulder most of the scoring load. Senior guard Satavia Taylor is a 6-footer and can use her size to be a force around the basket at both ends.

BREAK OUT TEAMS

BOYS' SWIMMING -- NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
Seniors Ben Reasons and Chris Depew give the Red Hawks an experienced duo.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL -- MONTINI
Junior center Michala Johnson has size (6-foot-3) and skill (18.3 ppg, 11.1 rpg last year).

BOYS' BOWLING -- MINOOKA
Murderer's Row: seniors Sam Biesack and Chris Ruffino and juniors Ryan Lakota and Tyler Heintzelman.

GIRLS'GYMNASTICS -- WARREN
Junior Kim Gotlund could win multiple events at states.