Last season, the Lake Forest Scouts Girls Varsity Basketball team entered Vernon Hills High School looking to get their season off on the right foot, and boy did they do just that, winning through the first four games of the annual Cougar Classic, before blowing out Antioch, 57-26, to win the tournament.

The team hopes for similar success at this year’s tournament this week, as they will begin the Cougar Classic tonight. They can expect a share of tough matchups, as they will play Vernon Hills, Elk Grove, Sycamore, Antioch, and in-city rival Lake Forest Academy.

The team has been very successful in the tournament each of the last three years, combining for a 12-3 record since 2016. That early success can be a confidence boost and set the tone for the season, said junior captain Molly Fisher.

“(Last year’s tournament) made us realize how good we could be as a team,” said Fisher.

The Scouts played exceptionally against these teams a year ago, winning by an average of 16 points in all five games they played in the tournament.

“Vernon Hills and Sycamore will prove to be tough matchups,” said Fisher. “Both of those teams have players who can make a difference on the court.”

Sycamore also has a future D1 player in Kylie Feuerbach, who is No. 77 on ESPN’s Top 100 girls basketball prospects and committed to Iowa State University.

“She is a very good player,” said senior captain Halle Douglass, “She has some good teammates that can also help her out as well. I feel they will be our toughest opponent.”

A lot of eyes will be on freshmen Audrey Kaus and Bella Ranallo, who will get plenty of minutes from head coach Kyle Wilhelm. There is a lot to be excited about those two players, and Douglass has spoken very highly of them.

“I am very excited to get a chance to play with them,” said Douglass, “[Rachel] has a lot of similar characteristics in her game like her sister [Audrey]. She does about everything from rebounding, to passing, to scoring. With [Bella] she is a very gritty player, and she is a lot like Molly [Fisher]. They will both bring a lot of help to our team this year.”

Stay tuned to The Forest Scout for recaps after every Scouts game and follow the Cougar Classic tournament on the NFHS Network if you cannot make the games.