Wildcats Take it to the Next Level: AAU Basketball

The South Suburban Wildcats of Lincoln-Way have spent the last 5 years establishing one of the top girls travel programs in the state of Illinois. This year a special group of 5th and 6th grade girls have spent the past two months playing basketball, even though the calendar says it is softball season.

These Wildcats are taking on the top year-round players from all over Illinois, and after four tournaments they have two championships, one runner-up and a 9-3 overall record. The highlight of the young season came this past weekend in Chicago Heights at the Wolverines tournament, as the Wildcats beat the reigning Illinois State AAU champions IBA/Flash. Ultimately they fell short in the championship game, losing to the 7th grade Illinois Lady Lightning.

“This is a special group of girls,” explained John Kroen, the team’s head coach and co-founder of the South Suburban Wildcats. “The team is made up of many of the same girls who have played together since 4th grade and have won 20 tournament championships in three seasons, with the addition of several other talented 5th and 6th grade girls.”

The Wildcats’ spring team will play through early August, with two upcoming US Junior National tournaments and an AAU Super Regional tournament, May 19-20.  Depending on the results of the AAU Super Regional tournament, the Wildcats could be headed to Franklin, Tennessee in early July to be one of the few teams to represent Illinois at the 6th grade AAU National Championship tournament.

Tryouts for the fall/winter travel basketball season will be held in late September, with all Lincoln-Way area girls and boys entering the 3rd – 8th grades invited to play for one of the most competitive programs in Illinois.

Information on the Wildcats can be found at www.southsuburbanwildcats.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. To be added to the Wildcats’ email list, send an email to admin@southsuburbanwildcats.com.