Sandburg women’s basketball aims to add a 4th straight Arrowhead Conference title

he Sandburg women’s basketball team’s quest for a fourth straight Arrowhead Conference title kicks off this weekend.

 

The Chargers, under fifth-year coach Kellen Fernetti, begin their 2026-27 schedule with two games this weekend at the Southeastern Classic in West Burlington, Iowa. Sandburg faces the host Blackhawks at 5 p.m. Friday and takes on Iowa Western at 11 a.m. Saturday.

 

The Chargers’ home opener is 1 p.m. Nov. 7 against Illinois Central, the 15th-ranked team in the NJCAA Division II preseason poll.

 

Sandburg finished last season with a 22-10 overall record and 9-1 mark in the conference. It marked the Chargers’ third straight Arrowhead championship and third consecutive season in which they’ve won at least 22 games. Sandburg has also reached the Region 4 tournament semifinals the last three years, including a championship game appearance in 2024. 

 

RETURNERS TO WATCH
Hailey Redding (Avon, Ill./Abingdon-Avon), 5-foot-10 sophomore forward
• Averaged 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game as a freshman.
• Shot 38 percent from the field, 30 percent from 3-point range and 77 percent at the free-throw line.
• Voted first-team All-Arrowhead Conference and second-team All-Region 4 last season.
• Fernetti: “Hailey came to Sandburg and was able to score the basketball at a high level right away. She shoots the 3-point shot very well and is one of the best cutters I’ve worked with. Defensively and rebounding-wise, she improved tremendously throughout her freshman season. A great person and teammate that leads by example. A tremendous worker.”
Camryn Atterberg (Keokuk, Iowa/Keokuk), 6-foot-1 sophomore forward
• Averaged 8.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game as a freshman while shooting 42 percent from the floor.
• Fernetti: “Camryn is an elite defensive player for us, and she protects the painted area of the floor each and every night. She almost averaged a double-double as a freshman, which is quite a feat. Offensively, Cam developed all season, having some big scoring games late in the season. She has great motor and energy as a player, and she can guard multiple positions. I’m excited to see the season Cam will have for the Chargers this season.”
Lajaya Angel (Kewanee, Ill./Wethersfield), 5-foot-9 sophomore guard
• Averaged 4.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a freshman.
• Fernetti: “Lajaya stepped up for the team in a variety of ways last season. She played all five positions at various points of the season. She can be a phenomenal defender and has a great knack for getting rebounds. Lajaya brings positive energy and enthusiasm every day to the gym, which is great for our team. I believe Lajaya will have a big impact for the Chargers this season.”

 

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

Annie Mapes (Potosi, Mo./Potosi), 5-foot-4 sophomore guard
• Transfer from Lewis & Clark
• Averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists for the Trailblazers last year.
• Fernetti: “Annie is a true point guard who can score the basketball at all levels.  She sees the floor very well and can make exceptional passes. She plays the game with a great pace and knows where her teammates are on the floor. It could be a big season for Annie this year.”

Jadyn Climer (Basco, Ill./Warsaw), 6-foot-1 freshman forward
• Averaged 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block per game in her senior season, helping West Hancock to its first regional title since 2018.
• Class 2A second-team all-state by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.
• Fernetti: “Jadyn has a relentless work ethic and wants to be her best every time she steps foot on a basketball floor. She can rebound at a high level and can play any position on offense for us. She knows winning, hard work and is a positive influence on our team with her energy and passion for the game.  Jadyn is a highly skilled player who never takes a play off.”
Khloe May (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg), 5-foot-2 freshman guard
• Member of Galesburg’s team that reached the Class 3A sectional final last season.
• Fernetti: “Khloe stays in Galesburg to be a Charger, and she brings a winning mentality with her. She can be an energy player for us and can defend at a high level. Khloe is also a capable shooter from the 3-point line. She’s brought consistent passion for the game and infectious positive energy in the fall workouts.”

 

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS SEASON?
Fernetti: “Our goal each day is to win the day and be the best version of ourselves we can be. It sounds cliché and boring, but that is how success happens. Have a 1-0 mindset, stack good days and consistently improve throughout the season. We hope to peak at the right time, which is February and March. We know we have to be at our best each game for the teams we play on our schedule.”

 

GAMES TO WATCH

• Nov. 14 vs. Madison (Sandburg basketball alumni reunion)

• Jan. 21 vs. Black Hawk

• Feb. 16 at Black Hawk

 

THIS WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF … 

Fernetti: “We can be successful if we have 15 strong, all pulling for the common goal, which is team success. Team success overrides individual statistics. The best part of our team is the team mindset. Defense and rebounding have been strong for us, and that will need to continue for us to be successful. Along with that, we need to continue to have depth each game and have multiple Chargers ready to play. The goal is to be the most excited to play, with effort, energy and enthusiasm as well as togetherness, toughness and trust.”

 

HOW TO FOLLOW THE CHARGERS
• Visit sandburgchargers.com for the latest Chargers news, photo galleries and more.
• Watch Chargers home games live and on-demand on the Sandburg YouTube channel.
• Sign up for SportReporting to get free notifications of Chargers game results.
• Follow @SandburgNJCAA on Twitter.
• Like @sandburgchargers on Facebook.
• Follow @sandburgchargers on Instagram.