Girls basketball all-area team: Fox Valley
Sam Andrews Huntley
Andrews, a 5-10 sophomore forward, was an all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division selection and earned all-tournament honors at the Warhawk and Mundelein events. Andrews, in her first varsity season, led Huntley in scoring (14.9 ppg) and was second in rebounding (6.1 rpg). She also led the team in free-throw percentage (129-of-165; .782) and was second in 3-pointers (24). Andrews led Huntley in scoring in 22 of the team's 28 games. “Sam was a model of consistency for us on the offensive end,” said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. “She presented matchup problems for teams because of her ability to score from the perimeter and post. She is an extremely coachable player. I know she is going to work very hard this offseason to continue to improve her game. We are very excited to have her playing in our program for another two years.”
Janessa Baker Bartlett
Every successful team has to have a fiery point guard and that's what Baker was to Bartlett. The Hawks' floor general guided her team to a school-record 32-2 season and a third-place finish in Class 4A by stepping up her scoring when needed in the postseason. For the year, she averaged 5.7 points, 4 assists and 2 steals per game only 2.2 turnovers. A repeat all-area selection who is still in the process of selecting a college. “She's like energizer bunny,” said Bartlett coach Denise Sarna. “She just goes and goes and goes. She ran our team and she set the tone. She's so fast. She can break down a defense. She's a total team player and she came up with some big games in the playoffs.” Special mention IBCA all-state.
Ashley Barnes Elgin Academy
Barnes, a senior point guard, averaged 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 3.3 deflections per game, while only committing 23 fouls in 535 minutes of action. Barnes led Elgin Academy in scoring every game this season but one and racked up the team's Top 5 scoring, Top 5 assists and Top 5 steals games this season. Barnes was an all-Independent School League second-team pick and earned all-tournament honors at Elgin Academy's Thanksgiving event. “Ashley is one of those special kids that you don't need to motivate,” Hilltoppers coach Charlie Porter said. “She works hard every practice and every game. She is like having a coach on the floor. She is always, without fail, the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. She was never bothered by traps and presses because she is ridiculously fast and a superb ball-handler. She was, in my opinion, the best player on the floor every game.”
Tiffany Bentley Hampshire
Whip-Purs' senior forward turned into a model of consistency this season, helping her team to a 17-15 overall record and the program's fourth straight regional championship. Averaged 5.7 points and 4 rebounds per game and shot 39 percent from the field. Also made 20 3-pointers. “She really improved her game and came along great,” said Hampshire coach Ed Haugens. “Tiffany brought it every night and was very consistent for us this season in all aspects of the game. She did so much for us and was a huge contributor to our success.”
Jessica Cerda Streamwood
When senior Amanda Patterson went down 11 games into the season with an ACL, this 5-foot-10 junior moved to the point for the Sabres and did a more than credible job, leading her injury-depleted team to a 15-14 season. An all-Upstate Eight River choice, she averaged 14.1 points per game, 3.5 assist and 3.2 rebounds. Also had 48 3-pointers and is now Streamwood's career 3-point leader as well as ninth on the Sabres' all-time scoring list with over 800 career points. Shot 77 percent on free throws. A fourth-team IBCA all-state selection. “She made a tremednous transition from playing the 2-3 role to point guard,” said Sabres coach George Rosner. “It changed our team and her scoring actually went way up. She did a great job of handling the ball and she's an outstanding passer. Her future is at point guard.”
Kristin Conniff Bartlett
A three-time all-area choice, Bartlett's 6-foot senior guard/forward was the second leading scorer for the 32-2 Hawks, hitting the most memorable shot of her career in the Class 4A third place game, a 3-pointer from the corner with 10 seconds left in regulation that sent the game to overtime, where the Hawks prevailed, 61-59, over Loyola. Averaged 14.7 points per game with 55 3-pointers, shooting 49 percent, including 41 percent from 3-point range. A big part of Bartlett's Christmas tournament title at Dundee-Crown, where she scored a career-high 32 points against Fremd in the semifinals, Conniff scored 1,252 career points, putting her fifth on Bartlett's all-time list. “Kris is such a quiet kid. She just goes out and does her job,” said Bartlett coach Denise Sarna. “She was very versatile for us. She played under a lot of pressure because she doesn't have her college choice made yet but she put that on the back burner and maintained focus on the team. She was an intregal part of what our team is all about and she'd do anything for our team.” A fourth team IBCA all-state selection, she also qualified for the Class 4A 3-point shootout downstate.
Michelle Dumoulin Hampshire
Hampshire's Most Improved Player award winner, this 5-foot-8 senior led the Whip-Purs in scoring at 12.3 points per game and had also had 4 rebounds per game for a 17-15 team that won its fourth straight regional title. Led the team in steals and was second in assists. “From being a top player on the team last season, Michelle picked up her game even more this season,” said Hampshire coach Ed Haugens. “That says a lot about development. She was a major reason we had such a great season. She's the quiet leader who leads by example and she did a phenomenal job for us.”
Lauren Grady Jacobs
Grady, a 5-11 senior, was an all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division selection. She averaged a team-best 8.9 points per game and racked up 81 steals, while shooting .674 from the line on a team-high 132 attempts (89 made). Grady, who hauled in 112 rebounds, started every game for coach Keith Chuipek the last two years. “Lauren is super athletic and super tough on defense, which is why she had 81 steals,” said Chuipek. “When Lauren had the ball, there was only one place she was going, to the basket.” Grady will continue her athletic career in soccer at Lewis University in Romeoville next season.
Briana Hamilton Elgin
One of the better true post players Elgin has had in several years, this 6-footer averaged 15.8 points per game as well as 13.3 rebounds (area leader), 2.4 steals and 1.5 bocks. She's a two-time all-Upstate Eight River pick and a repeat all-area choice. Had back-toback career games, scoring 30 with 15 rebounds against Larkin and then 31 with 16 rebounds against Westminster Christian. “She was a very consistent player,” said Elgin coach Dr. Nick Bumbales. “She had a couple monster games. It's been a long time since we've had anyone with back-to-back 30-point games. She averaged a double-double and I thought she was one of thebest true post players in the area.” Is leaning toward playing atr Benedictine University.
Olivia Jakubicek Cary-Grove
Cary-Grove needed a strong inside presence this season with the graduation of this junior's sister, Claire, and Olivia provided that while also remaining an outside threat. She helped lead Cary-Grove to its third straight Fox Valley Conference Valley Division championship, a second straight sectional final berth and a 21-9 season. Averaged 13.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and now has 868 career points. Also had 2.8 steals and 2 assists per game as well as 3.7 deflections and was a 74.2 percent free-throw shooter. An IBCA special mention all-state pick. “Olivia's numbers speak for themselves,” said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. “If she was off the court it was a different ballgame. She could do things inside and outside and she's gotten better every year. She exploded this year in many ways and took her game up a notch.”
Callie Johnson St. Edward
St. Edward's 5-foot-8 senior had another steady season in helping the Green Wave go 21-8. A 3-time all-area selection and fourth-team IBCA all-stater, Johnson averaged 10.8 points, 4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.9 steals and finished her St. Edward career with 1,085 points. Was 25 of 46 on 3-pointers this season and a 76 percent free-throw shooter. “Callie is just an incredible athlete in volleyball and basketball as well,” said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson. “She adds a different dynamic to the court with her athleticism. She'd make steals you didn't think were possible and she brought a level of intensity that carried over to the rest of the team.”
Jessica Laird Burlington Central
Laird, a unanimous all-Big Northern Conference East Division pick, averaged 15.1 points for a Central team that won 13 games. Laird, a senior guard, also hit 43 3-pointers, shot 62 percent from the free-throw line and had 37 steals. She scored a career-high 31 points in a game against Rockford Jefferson and hit double digits in scoring 20 times (9 games of 20 or more points). “Jess is a natural athlete with a competitive edge,” said Central coach Jenna Real. “She gives 100 percent day in and day out, looking to continually become a better player. Her mentality and aggressiveness on offense allowed her to become our strongest scoring threat this year.” Will play at Concordia University in River Forest next year.
Paige Lincicum Cary-Grove
Was the senior floor leader for the 21-9 Trojans, who won their third straight Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title and reached the sectional finals for the second year in a row. A repeat all-area choice and third team IBCA all-stater, the 5-foot-10 Lincicum averaged 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, as well as 4.9 deflections, 2.8 assists and 2.6 steals. “Paige's numbers may not be flashy but she was a defensive nightmare for everyone we played,” said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. “Her length and quckness on the defensive side of the ball helped her tremendously. She presented matchup problems for most teams who had smaller guards.” Scored 591 career points.
Hannah McGlone Streamwood
Just a sophomore, this 5-foot-11 Sabre led her 15-14 team in scoring at 14.5 ppg and in rebounding at 10.8 per game. Was also 72 percent from the free-throw line, shot 56.5 percent from the floor, led the team in steals and was second in assists. “From coming up to varsity the middle of her freshman year, she's become a dominant inside post player,” said Sabres coach George Rosner of the All-Upstate Eight River pick and special mention IBCA all-state choice. “She was very consistent game in and game out which shows with her double-double average. She's got a very bright future and could become one of the best if not the best post player Streamwood has ever had and that's saying a lot.”
Sara Mickow Crystal Lake South
Mickow, an all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division selection and a Class 3-4A IBCA special mention all-state choice, averaged 10.3 points and 10.4 rebounds (103 offensive) for the Gators. The 5-11 sophomore center-forward also racked 55 steals, 23 assists and 11 blocked shots. Mickow hauled in 10 or more rebounds in 13 of the team's final 16 contests. “She only averaged 1.4 turnovers a game, which with as many times that she touched the ball, is an impressive stat,” pointed out South coach Kyle McCaughn. “Sara is incredibly coachable and is becoming a student of the game. She asked questions on how to improve and then took any and all suggestions and coaching and made adjustments to her game to become more successful. Sara has a great work ethic in practice, which transfers right to the court in games. Because of that work ethic in practice, Sara's teammates grew to trust her and they gave her the ball in games and trusted she would make good decisions with the ball.”
Joslyn Nicholson Cary-Grove
The 5-foot-10 junior had the non-stat sheet intagibles that helped her team to a 21-9 season, a third straight Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title as well as a second straight trip to the sectional finals. Averaged 7.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game as well as 2.7 deflections. “The numbers dont' tell the story because defense was our focus,” said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. “Her length and athleticism are great and she's a kid with a true jump shot. She was an incredible defensive asset for us all season and she could score some too.”
Lisa Palmer Bartlett
One of the strongest around-the-basket players to come around in quite some time. This 6-footer saved her best for last, when she scored 7 points and grabbed 3 key rebounds in the Hawks' 61-59 overtime win against Loyola in the Class 4A third place game, capping off a school-record 32-2 season. A third-team IBCA all-state choice, Palmer finished in the top three on Bartlett's stat sheet in scoring (8.1 ppg), rebounding (6.4), assists (2.3), steals (2.2) and blocks (1.2). She scored 543 career points. “How can you not love Lisa,” said Bartlett coach Denise Sarna. “Her energy, her enthusiasm and her hard work made our team go. She is what every basketball coaches dreams of having on their team and she's going to get better and better. Her interior play in the third place game single-handedly willed us to win. Shen she went flying into the media table ... if that doesn't epitomize what high school sports are all about I don't know what does. Nothing phased her. She enjoyed every second on the court.” Will play at Wisconsin-Whitewater next year.
Rena Ranallo St. Edward
Green Wave junior took over as the team's point guard this season after the graduation of her sister, Enza, and did commendable job in helping her team to a 21-8 season. Averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 assists and 2 steals per game and had 15 3-pointers. “Rena really took charge and stepped up her leadership at point guard this year,” said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson. “She's all energy, all heart and she never takes a play off. We relied on her tremendously offensively and defensively she had the toughest assignment most nights. Rena has made a real commitment to improve her game.” Honorable mention IBCA all-state.
Haley Ream Huntley
Ream, a 5-10 guard-forward and an all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division selection, was third on the team in scoring (7.4 ppg) and led the Red Raiders in rebounding (7.8 rpg), assists (3.4 apg) and steals (3.1 spg). “Haley is one of the most versatile players that I have had the opportunity to coach,” said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. “Defensively, she has the ability and athleticism to guard all five spots on the floor. Offensively, she handles the ball very well and has excellent court vision. Haley definitely has a good nose for the ball as evidenced by her leading our team in rebounds and steals this season.”
Ali Sanders Dundee-Crown
One of the most versatile players in the area, this 5-foot-7 Florida Southern recruit averaged 16.3 points per game and led her team in steals and assists as well as free-throw percentage (75) as the Chargers finished 15-12, their first winning season since 2004-05. An special mention IBCA all-stater and a repeat all-area choice, Sanders also knocked down 35 3-pointers and qualified for the state finals in the 3-point contest. Was also D-C's second leading rebounder. “She was an all-around player and an incredible team leader on and off the court,” said D-C coach Michelle Russell. “She brought the ball up the floor for us, led us in scoring and could fill any role. She's an all-around great player and great person.” Sanders scored 1,017 career points, becoming the ninth D-C player in program history to score over 1,000 points.
Becca Smith South Elgin
The honorary co-captain of the all-area team, this 5-foot-8 Loyola recruit led the area in scoring (20.5 ppg) and helped her team to a school-record 19-11 season and the program's first regional championship. Graduates with 2,038 career points, second best in Fox Valley history. Also averaged 5.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.8 steals. A three-time all-area choice, she was also second-team AP all-state and third team IBCA all-state. Also had 43 3-pointers this season. “She set the bar at our schol,” said South Elgin coach Tim Prendergast. “She was just a really fun player to watch.”
Claire Speweik Westminster Christian
In a season of superlatives at Westminster, Speweik, an all-Northeast Athletic Conference first-team selection as a sophomore, was right at the forefront. She led the Warriors in scoring (9.1 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 rpg) and was second on the team in steals (94) and assists (51). She helped Westminster win the program's first regional title (first regional title in girls sports history at the school), while going 22-9 and 5-2 in conference play (both school records). Speweik, one of the team captains, also shot .739 from the free-throw line (second-best single-season percentage in school history). “Claire is a very talented and versatile athlete who uses her ability extremely well,” said Westminster coach Ken Flickinger. “She played multiple positions on both offense an defense this season. She is the calmest player under pressure I have ever coaches. She has a knack for knowing what we need in a game and then doing it, whether grabbing a key rebound, knocking down a shot or making a great defensive play. She is an intense competitor, but is a very unselfish and positive team player. She worked hard in the off-season, set high goals for the season and then got it done on the court consistently all year.”
Savanah Uveges South Elgin
Just a sophomore, this 5-foot-9 point guard is proving more each year she has the physical ability to play basketball and soccer in college, which is what she aspires to do. She helped lead the Storm to a school-record 19-11 season and the program's first regional championship. Averaged 9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.6 steals per game and shot 51 percent from the field. “Coach (Dale) Schabert calls her Savanah Superball,” said South Elgin coach Tim Prendergast. “She's all over the place with endless energy and she creates real havoc for opposing guards. She's just relentless and her game is really evolving. She's a very mature kid and I definitely think she can play at the next level. She's a great kid.”
Haley Videckis Bartlett
The honorary co-captain of the 2011-12 all-area team and a three-time all-area selection, this 6-foot Indiana recruit was the key cog in the Hawks' wheel this season, leading her team to a 32-2 finish and third place in Class 4A. A first-team IBCA all-state choice and an AP second-teamer, Videckis averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds per game and made 74 3-pointers. Graduates as the third leading scorer in school history with 1,350 points and the leader in 3-pointers with 133. Also had 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game this season and is a candidate for Illinois' Ms. Basketball award. “She was a true leader who got better and better every year,” said Hawks' coach Denise Sarna. “She's akid who is going to go far in life and we're going to miss her.”
Diamond Williams Dundee-Crown
Chargers' 5-foot-10 forward/center averaged a double-double this season in helping D-C go 15-12, its first winning season since 2004-05. She averaged 10 points and 10.2 rebounds per game and had 17 blocked shots. Shot just under 50 percent from the field. “When she put her mind to it she could outrebound anyone in the area,” said Dundee-Crown coach Michelle Russell. “She's come a long way and she made a huge impact on our team this season.” Williams will play her college basketball for Jim Cook at Judson University.
2011-12 All-area roster
Player School Pos. Yr.
Sam Andrews Huntley F So.
Janessa Baker Bartlett G Sr.
Ashley Barnes Elgin Academy G Sr.
Tiffany Bentley Hampshire G/F Sr.
Kristin Conniff Bartlett G/F Sr.
Michelle Dumoulin Hampshire F Sr.
Lauren Grady Jacobs G Sr.
Briana Hamilton Elgin F/C Sr.
Olivia Jakubicek Cary-Grove G/F Jr.
Callie Johnson St. Edward G/F Sr.
Jessica Laird Burlington Central G Sr.
Paige Lincicum Cary-Grove G Sr.
Hannah McGlone Streamwood C So.
Sara Mickow CL South C So.
Joslyn Nicholson Cary-Grove F Jr.
Lisa Palmer Bartlett F/C Sr.
Rena Ranallo St. Edward G Jr.
Haley Ream Huntley F Jr.
Ali Sanders Dundee-Crown G/F Sr.
*Becca Smith South Elgin G Sr.
Claire Speweik Westminster C. G So.
Savanah Uveges South Elgin G So.
*Haley Videckis Bartlett G/F Sr.
Diamond Williams Dundee-Crown C Sr.
* — Honorary co-captain
Honorable mention
Bartlett — Katie Gutzwiller (Sr.), Ashley Johnson (Sr.), Nicole Hobbo (Sr.)
Burlington Central — Brenda Thasavong (Sr.), Alison Colby (Fr.)
Cary-Grove — Alyssa Lee (Sr.)
Crystal Lake South — Stephanie Melone (Sr.)
Hampshire — Grace Jakubowski (Sr.), Jenny Dumoulin (Jr.), Lizzy Panzica (Jr.)
Harvest Christian — Sydney Doby (So.), Kylee Knox (Fr.)
Huntley — Abbey Shaw (Sr.)
Jacobs — Jessica Tennant (Sr.), Amy Becker (Sr.)
Larkin — Jill Casebeer (Sr.), Maggie Hofmann (Sr.)
St. Edward — Maddie Kerr (Sr.), Alex Lee (Sr.)
South Elgin — Lania Robinson (Sr.), Kennede Miller (So.)
Streamwood — Deja Moore (Jr.), Amanda Patterson (Sr.)
Westminster Christian — McKaila Hays (So.), Whitney Vanden Bos (Sr.), Porsche Griggs (Jr.)
Captains Honor Roll
1995-96 — Melissa Parker and Leslie Schock (Elgin)
1996-97 — Tina Wenckaitis (Elgin)
1997-98 — Billee Russell (Dundee-Crown)
1998-99 — Rita Castans (Streamwood) and Stephanie Smith (Hampshire)
1999-00 — Stephanie Smith (Hampshire) and Chris Rodriguez (Burlington Central)
2000-01 — Kelly Hopkins (St. Edward) and Melissa Tarrant (Dundee-Crown)
2001-02 — Katie Grens (Elgin) and Rachel Markham (Hampshire)
2002-03 — Jenna Real (Burlington Central) and Lindsay Schrader (Bartlett)
2003-04 — Jackie Heine (Hampshire), Lindsay Schrader (Bartlett), Nicole Watzlawick (Hampshire)
2004-05 — Lindsay Schrader (Bartlett) and Amanda Walker (Hampshire)
2005-06 — Kaci Baird (Bartlett) and Brittney Daum (Dundee-Crown)
2006-07 — Katie Chambers (St. Edward) and Meaghan Staley-Gamble (Huntley)
2007-08 — Katie Yohn (St. Edward) and Danielle Smith (Cary-Grove)
2008-09 — Katie Yohn (St. Edward)
2009-10 — Jacki Gulczynski (Bartlett) and Chrissy Heine (Hampshire)
2010-11 — Jacki Gulczynski (Bartlett) and Claire Jakubicek (Cary-Grove)
2011-12 — Becca Smith (South Elgin) and Haley Videckis (Bartlett)
All-area selections and capsules by John Radtke and Mike Miazga