Tradition is strong in the girl's basketball program in Carthage, home to the Illini West Chargers. In the new convergence (Carthage, Dallas City, LaHarpe), the team experienced an unfamiliar sub .500 season (14-15). Last year's team was fairly young and inexperienced at the varsity level, which just means this year's Chargers are ready to use last year's experience to their advantage. "While we always look to play one of the toughest schedules in the state of Illinois, last season we played that schedule with an extremely young group of girls (5 sophomores, 2 juniors, and 4 seniors).

"With seven girls returning with varsity experience this season we are looking for great things in Charger Nation," coach Keene said. The style of play that the Chargers implement is an in-your-face pressure defense, allowing offensive opportunities. "Last season we were able to FORCE a state leading 909 turnovers, or 33.7 turnovers per game on our opponents. We look to continue with our full court (32 minutes of hell) pressure." The expectations are even higher this year with that experience gained by the underclassmen at the varsity level. "With the type of schedule and level of competition that we play the entire season, these numbers should see improvement considering seven out of the 11 girls that were on our roster last season were just learning the system. With a year of experience under their belts and a year of maturity we are looking for great things from this season's team."

Kelly Ard (5'5" Jr. Guard) enters her third season of starting varsity, and averaged 6.0 points/game as a sophomore. Bali Campbell (5'6" Jr. Guard) is coming off a 5.5 points/game and 3 steals/game season. Campbell is a cousin to former Carthage Bluegirl all-stater and Junior College All-American McKensey Long. Carter Wear (5'11" Jr. Forward/Center) is the third starter returning and was the second leading scorer on last year's team. A year ago, she averaged 10.3 points/game and 6.0 rebounds/game.

"All of our juniors this season saw time last season as sophomores. With the type of schedule we play (especially early) and with the style of play, having a year of experience under their belts is a great plus to us." Other girls that will see the floor include, Tiffany Mohr (Jr.) who averaged 5.0 points/game and 3 steals/game, Lea Brodie (Sr.) who averaged 4.5 points/game and Caitlin Robertson (Sr.), averaged 2.5 points/game and 3.0 rebounds/game.

Last year, the Chargers finished second in the West Central Conference to Class 2A runners-up West Hancock, who also handed Illini West their season-ending defeat at the Macomb Regional. This is the final year of the current WCC set up, before a shuffle occurs for the 2010-11 season. "With this being the final season of the West Central Conference before the addition of the Olympic Conference schools (Macomb, Orion, Rockridge, Sherrard, Monmouth-Roseville), this will be the last time we will get to play rivals Central/Southeastern and West Hancock. Both have brought about great games the last five years and this season looks to be no different. With West Hancock returning Marley Hall look for them to be the front runners but we should be able to push for a conference title once again with Central/Southeastern also looking very competitive."

Zach Keene is entering his seventh season as a head coach, his third year at Illini West. Keene was the Carthage coach for two seasons prior to the school's convergence. He also spent two seasons at Rushville. His overall coaching record is (101-76) and is a combined (83-39) at Carthage/Illini West. He led the Bluegirls to a 3rd place finish in state in (2005-06), and claimed regional championships for Rushville (2003-04) and Carthage (2006-07).

Carthage has a rich tradition in girl's basketball, with the Bluegirls winning two state championships under coach Dick Biery. The first came in (1991-92) as that team finished (30-2), beating Sullivan in overtime of the state championship (74-69). The next year, Biery's Bluegirls dispatched Okawville (69-57) in the title game. Biery also led Carthage to a 2nd place finish in (1986-87) and a 4th place finish in (1989-90). Head coach Bill Lapp brought Carthage state championship trophies three times, claiming 2nd place trophies in (1995-96 & 1997-98), and a 3rd place trophy in (2003-04). They also qualified for the Elite Eight in (2002-03). Biery won 416 games (416-94) at Carthage and Lapp won 269 games (269-103).