Girls basketball/Fox Valley all-area team
Ali Andrews Huntley
Huntley's 6-foot-2 freshman took the area by storm this season, helping her team to a 26-8 record and the fourth place trophy in Class 4A. Averaged 15.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 77 percent from the free-throw line. Also averaged 2.4 steals, 2.4 blocks and 2.1 assists per game, and stepped back behind the arc to make 18 3-pointers. “She's just a tremendously impactful player,” said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. “She has an amazing skill set for a freshman and she has such a high ceiling for how much better she can get the next three years. Her versatility makes her a very hard player to guard.” Was a fourth team all-state selection by the IBCA.
Sam Andrews Huntley
A repeat all-area selection, Huntley's 6-foot junior forward was a consistent force for the 26-8 Red Raiders, who took fourth place at the Class 4A state finals. Averaged 15.7 points per game, scoring the same exact number of points (535) as her freshman sister Ali. Also averaged 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 41 percent from the field and 82 percent (135 of 165) from the free-throw line. Made 52 3-pointers. Will enter her senior season with 952 career points and should easily become only the third player in program history to score 1,000 points, following Samantha Mader and Meghan Staley-Gamble. “Sam was the model of consistency offensively,” said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. “She did a great job of improving her shooting and her outside game so that she was able to stretch defenses. It was a huge plus for us to be able to have a player of her caliber step up and knock shots down. Her versatility was also a big plus for us and we're excited to have her back for a third varsity season.” Was a third team IBCA all-state selection.
Emma Benoit Hampshire
This 6-foot-1 freshman developed into one of the top post players in the area this season. Averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds per game. “Emma is a hard worker, and she has the potential to be a very special player,” said Hampshire coach Ed Haugens. “Being our leading rebounder and second leading scorer, she really showed a lot of maturity on the court this year as a freshman. Not many posts can run the court as well as Emma can. But the most impressive thing is how she already understands, without being told, that improving as a player may require extra time in the gym after practice.”
Jessica Cerda Streamwood
The all-area co-captain, this Streamwood senior was the leader of a 22-9 team that won the program's first regional title in 25 years and advanced to a sectional final. Averaged 15 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.1 steals per game while playing all five positions at one time or another. Tied for the area lead in 3-pointers with Burlington Central freshman Shelby Holt with 60 and advanced to the state finals in the 3-point shootout. Will play on full scholarship at Division I Chicago State. ““She made herself into a real all-around player and that's why she'll be a D-I player,” said Streamwood coach George Rosner. Scored 1,267 career points (5th all-time at Streamwood) and is the program leader in 3-pointers (187) and assists (368). Honorable mention AP all-state and second-team IBCA all-state.
Alison Colby Burlington Central
The Rockets' 6-foot sophomore came back from missing nearly two weeks with a concussion to be a driving force behind her team's 27-5 season and run to conference, regional and sectional championships and the program's first appearance in the Elite Eight. Averaged 7.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. “She's only scratched the surface of how good she can be,” said BC coach Mark Smith. “She was a big presence in the post for us and really had some key games down the stretch. She's going to continue to get better.”
Camille Delacruz Burlington Central
The senior leader of the Rockets, Delacruz was the floor general for a 27-5 team that won conference, regional and sectional titles and make the program's first appearance in the Elite Eight. A 5-foot-6 point guard, she averaged 5.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game and led her team in assists. Shot just under 50 percent and contributed 25 3-pointers. “In over 20 years of coaching, she's one of the biggest catalysts for success I've ever had,” said Rockets' coach Mark Smith. “Her senior leadership was just great and she was a great teammate. I can't say enough good things about her and she was a real joy to be around.” Delacruz will play soccer on scholarship at Division I Northern Iowa.
Jen Dumoulin Hampshire
Whip-Purs' senior guard/forward had a stellar season, leading her team in scoring at 12.6 ppg. She also had a 4.89 rebound average and dished out 2.9 assists per game and was a 72 percent free throw shooter. “Jenny is strong and athletic and a very good all-around player,” said Hampshire coach Ed Haugens. “Because of her versatility, she was asked to do many things for us this year. She played inside, outside and handled the ball. She was the person her teammates looked to get the ball to when they were in pressure situations.”
Ally Giampapa Bartlett
Bartlett's junior guard, who transferred from North Carolina before her sophomore year, emerged as one of the quicker players and better shooters in the area, helping the Hawks to a 15-13 season. Averaged 9 points, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds per game and shot 40 percent from the field. “She had some really good games for us,” said Bartlett coach Denise Sarna. “Ally really worked hard to improve her game and she's a very positive kid. She became one of our top shooters and she did a nice job for us this year.”
McKaila Hays Westminster Christian
Hays, a 5-7 junior guard, helped lead Westminster Christian to a 26-5 mark, which included a perfect 8-0 record in Northeastern Athletic Conference play and a berth in a Class 1A supersectional. Hays averaged 10.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 steals per contest en route to earning Associated Press and IBCA all-state honorable-mention honors in Class 1A, as well as all-NAC first-team accolades. Hays also connected on 32 3-pointers and shot 77 percent from the foul line. “McKaila is a gifted shooter and passer,” coach Ken Flickinger said. “She makes her teammates better, but also can take over a game offensively. She has worked very hard to become one of our top defenders.”
Alyssa Hernandez Bartlett
This senior's leadership was more than welcome to Bartlett coach Denise Sarna when Hernandez transferred in from Lake Park. Led the 15-13 Hawks in scoring at 9.8 per game and in rebounding at 6.7 per game. Also averaged 2.2 blocks per game. Scored over 1,000 career points. “I really enjoyed coaching Alyssa,” said Sarna. “She was a great girl to have on our team. She was a senior coming from a different school and she fit right in and became a leader for us. She attracted a lot of defenders and she did it with a great attitude. She really battled for us. She's a very unselfish player and she really helped our team grow.”
Shelby Holt Burlington Central
This Rocket freshman burst onto the varsity scene this year and made her mark as one of the best pure shooters in the area. Tied Streamwood senior Jessica Cerda for the area lead in 3-pointers with 60. Averaged 10.5 points per game for 27-5 team that won conference, regional and sectional titles and made the program's first Elite Eight appearance. “With her ability to score and shoot I believe Shelby could step into a college program almost next year,” said BC coach Mark Smith. “Her future is so bright. She has a lot of potential and her future is whatever she decides to do.”
Olivia Jakubicek Cary-Grove
One of the top players in the area the past three years, this Trojan senior led her team to a 23-7 season that included its fourth straight Fox Valley Conference Valley Division championship and fourth straight regional title. A repeat all-area choice, she averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds per game as well as 3.5 steals, 2.6 assists and 4.3 deflections while shooting 52 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free-throw line. Was named fourth team all-state by the IBCA, Scored 1,349 career points and had 832 career rebounds, shooting 47 percent from the field and 67 percent from the line in 118 career games. “I said it all the time, but it was just Olivia being Olivia,” said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. “You knew night in and night out what she was going to do. She'd draw so much attention from opposing teams. She'd get double-teamed and triple-teamed all night and for her to be as consistent as she was really impresses me.”
Kylee Knox Harvest Christian
A 5-6 sophomore point guard, Knox led Harvest Christian in points (12.4), steals (4.1), assists (3.3) and blocked shots (1.4) per game, as well as free-throw percentage (65.0), 3-pointers made (36) and was second in rebounds per game (6.8). Knox, a team captain, earned all-Northeastern Conference first-team honors and was the team MVP. “Kylee did a great job of leading our team with her hard work, knowledge of the game and consistency,” coach Kelly Friestad said. “She improved her passing game and 3-point shooting this year, which made her a big threat. Opponents always tried to put pressure on her but she stepped up to the challenge and still put up big numbers. Kylee's speed is one of her greatest strengths. She can get by defenders and also can get in the passing lanes for steals. She gives 100 percent all the time and never quits.”
Megan Leisten Cary-Grove
One of the toughest defenders in the area, this senior guard helped the Trojans to a 23-7 season that included fourth straight conference and regional championships. Averaged 3.2 deflections and 2 assists per game. “Megan was, arguably, our best defender this year,” said Trojans' coach Rod Saffert. “She did what we needed her to do offensively but defensively we put her on the other team's best people. She had great endurance and was second on the team in minutes played.”
Hannah McGlone Streamwood
Streamwood's 6-foot junior center was a force in the middle for Sabres team that went 22-9 and won the program's first regional title in 25 years, advancing to a sectional final. A repeat all-area choice, she averaged 10.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game while setting a program record with 154 blocked shots. She is currently the second leading rebounder and shot blocker in school history. “I've never coached anybody that can do the things Hannah can do,” said Sabres' coach George Rosner. “She can handle the ball, rebound, score and block shots. When we needed her, she was there. She also became a more vocal leader. She's a great person to coach and we're looking forward to her senior year.” Enters her senior year with 784 career points, 878 rebounds and 330 blocked shots.
Sara Mickow Crystal Lake South
A 5-10 center, Mickow earned all-Fox Valley Conference honors for a second year in a row and was named the South team MVP for the second-straight season. A repeat all-area and IBCA Class 3-4A special mention selection, Mickow averaged 12.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. She shot 52.1 percent from the field and 63.9 percent from the free-throw line. Mickow averaged a double-double for the second year in a row. “Sara is a force on both ends of the floor, on the offensive end to score and on the defensive end to shut down the inside,” coach Kyle McCaughn said. “Sara has a true knack for getting rebounds on both ends of the floor.”
Deja Moore Streamwood
One of the most intense players in the area, this senior guard helped the Sabres to a 22-9 season and their first regional title in 25 years, advancing to the sectional finals. Averaged 12 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. “We wouldn't have had the season we did without the improvement in Deja's game,” said Streamwood coach George Rosner. “Deja set goals for herself and the team. She wanted to be all-conference and she was driven for us to win a regional. She played better defense and became our stopper. She was all over the place and did a great job at the point and offensive rebounding. She's very intense and a great kid who works really hard.” Moore graduates with 792 career points, 10th all-time at Streamwood. She will continue her career at North Central in Naperville.
Joslyn Nicholson Cary-Grove
A repeat all-area choice, this 5-foot-10 senior helped Cary-Grove to a 23-7 season that included the Trojans' fourth straight conference and regional titles. Averaged 10.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2.4 steals and a team-high 5.3 deflections per game while shooting 40 percent from the field. “She's one of few kids I've ever seen with a true jump shot,” said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. “She really developed that over the years. She was a defensive nightmare for other teams because she's so long. She was a huge force for us.” Nicholson will continue her career at Olivet Nazarene University.
Rena Ranallo St. Edward
A repeat all-area selection, this senior was injured for nearly half the season but came back to help stabilize a young Green Wave team. Averaged 11 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.3 steals per game. “She showed a lot of poise and leadership,” said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson. “She kept us in some games against some very tough teams and she was the backbone of our team. Rena led by example in practice and on the court in games. She's an outstanding student-athlete with a tremendous work ethic.”
Rachel Rasmussen Crystal Lake South
A 5-6 wing, Rasmussen averaged 9.3 points per game. She hit 38 3-pointers (34.5 percent) and also shot 78.8 percent (52-for-66) from the free-throw line en route to earning all-Fox Valley Conference honors. “Rachel is one of the premier shooters in the area,” coach Kyle McCaughn stated. “She has worked incredibly hard on her all-around game and it showed this year. Her offensive and defensive tools improved dramatically from last season.”
Haley Ream Huntley
The all-area co-captain with Jessica Cerda from Streamwood, this Huntley senior was instrumental in the Red Raiders' 26-8 run to fourth place in Class 4A. Her forte was defense, drawing the opposition's toughest player every night. The 6-foot repeat all-area selection averaged 5.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 74 percent from the free-throw line. “She's someone who leads by example on and off the court,” said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. “She was the glue to our team and provided outstanding leadership all season.”
Kayla Ross Burlington Central
The most improved freshman in the area, this 5-foot-7 sparkplug had relentless energy in helping the Rockets to a 27-5 season that included conference, regional and sectional titles and the program's first Elite Eight appearance. Averaged 7.9 points and 6 rebounds per game and shot 50 percent from the field as well as being the team's Energizer Bunny on defense. “Her play in the last month of the season was a real catalyst for us to get better,” said Rockets' coach Mark Smith. “Her defensive ability was a big plus for us and she got more confident in her shooting. For her age, her speed and athleticism are among the top five to 10 I've ever seen.”
Kristin Tayag Elgin
Tayag, a 5-6 guard, averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds a contest and earned all-Upstate Eight Conference River Division honorable-mention honors. “Kristin never seems rattled,” Elgin coach Dr. Nick Bumbales said. “She has the same demeanor whether she is playing well or struggling. She was the go-to player at the end of the year. She wanted the ball to take the big shots in the big games. Kristin is a quiet leader on and off the floor. All the girls look up to her.” Tayag, part of a team that won more games than any Elgin team in the last 10 years, also is a stalwart in the classroom where she has a 4.57 grade-point average and is considering attending the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Savanah Uveges South Elgin
Before this Storm junior returned from an ACL injury, South Elgin was 2-4 in conference play and 10-10 overall. After her return, the Storm went 4-2 in conference and 7-2 overall to finish the season 17-12. A repeat all-area choice, Uveges averaged 9.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists and 3.2 steals per game while shooting 50 percent from the field. “She just does so many things,” said South Elgin coach Tim Prendergast. “She's a playmaker and she has a lot of experience. In the games we played with her our turnovers were cut way down and we took care of the ball much better. She plays well on both ends of the floor. I give her a lot of credit for coming back as early as she did and as strong as she did.”
Maddie Versluys Westminster Christian
A 5-10 freshman forward, Versluys averaged team bests in points (12.6) and rebounds (7.7) per game, while shooting 51 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free-throw line. She also averaged 3.1 steals and was an all-Northeastern Athletic Conference first-team selection for Class 1A final eight qualifier Westminster. “Maddie is a tireless player with a motor that never seems to quit,” Westminster coach Ken Flickinger said. “She works extremely hard every minute with and without the ball. She is one of the most efficient players in the post I have ever coached.”
Quixmia Washington Larkin
Washington, a 5-4 sophomore guard, averaged 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 2.4 assists per game and was named Larkin's team MVP. “Quixmia is a highly motivated individual,” Larkin coach Ruben Flores said. “She has high standards and is always looking to improve on her skills. She is a bright student and does well in the classroom.”