Girls basketball: All-area team, Tri-Cities

By John Lemon

jlemon@dailyherald.com

Alyssa Andersen, Aurora Christian

The senior two-time All-Area and all-SCC pick led the Eagles to two of their best seasons back-to-back. Aurora Christian repeated as regional champions this year — their only two in school history. Andersen passed 1,000 career points while averaging 15 points — third in the area — 4 rebounds and 2 steals a game. “After the history setting year last year Alyssa commanded increased attention from opponents this year, often times being double and triple teamed,” Eagles coach Jerry Tokars said. “Regardless, her season averages still were impressive.”

Rachel Choice, Rosary

Few players meant more to their team than this senior, who rarely came off the court while leading the area with 3.3 steals a game and finishing third in assists at 3.4 a game. Also scored a team-high 11.8 points per game and hit 74 percent of her free throws to earn all-SCC. “Rachel is a great all-around player,” Rosary coach Jessie Wilcox said. “There isn't just one thing she specializes in. She is well-rounded and leads our team in many of the statistical categories.”

Nichole Davidson, St. Charles North

This junior made huge strides and ended up second in the area in scoring with a 17.4 average while also leading her team in rebounding (8.0), steals (1.9) and blocks (1.2). Very efficient scorer who shot 53.3 percent from the field and 80.5 percent at the line on 123 attempts. “Nichole had a tremendous year,” North Stars coach Sean Masconcup said. “She is a tremendous all-around basketball player who can play inside or outside and showed that this season. She has an unbelievable work ethic and all her hard work paid off this season. She is excited to get back in the gym and continue to get better.”

Hannah Frazier, Batavia

The sophomore all-UEC pick emerged as a go-to player inside with some of her best games in the biggest games: 25 points, 16 rebounds at the McDonald's Shootout, 22 points and 14 rebounds in the school's first regional championship win in 24 years, and 21 points and the game-winning basket in Batavia's first sectional win over Downers Grove North. Averaged 12.8 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field. “She's a very talented basketball player,” Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said. “She's got size, she's got strength, she's a good athlete. She's a good shooter, she's got good hands. She's a big-time player.”

Liza Fruendt, Batavia

The Missouri State-bound senior guard and two-time All-Area captain had a senior season that ranks with the best anyone has had. Scored 766 points, a 24.7 average, with 8 games of 30 or more points, and 26 games of 20 or more points. Scored school-record 51 points against state qualifier Geneva. Became school's all-time scoring leader with 1,921 points. Led team to first regional title in 24 years and also topped Batavia in assists (3.6 a game), steals (3.4 a game), 3-point baskets (105) and free-throw percentage (81 percent). Second-team all-state pick. “She's a special player,” Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said. “She had moments where I don't know how many people were better than her in the state.”

Amanda Hilton, St. Charles East

Unfortunately a knee injury cut this three-time All-Area selection season's short after 18 games. But in that time the future Nebraska soccer player averaged a team-best 13.7 points and nearly 3 assists, 2 steals and 1.5 3-point baskets a game. Showed her leadership skills after her injury by working with new point guard Katie Claussner, who excelled down the stretch. “Amanda would be among the leaders if she had played all year,” Saints coach Lori Drumtra said. “Even though she wasn't on the court for us, she was still an integral part of this team. It is like having another assistant coach on the bench and she has been a great mentor to Katie.”

Grace Loberg, Geneva

After leading her school to their first sectional volleyball championship this fall, the 6-foot-2 center continued one of the best freshman seasons in school history as the leading scorer (14.3 ppg) and rebounder (8.9) on the Vikings' state-bound basketball team — all while starting the year playing JV. Also averaged 3.3 blocked shots and 2.2 steals a game while shooting 58 percent from the field. “What a freshmen year she has had,” Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. “She is the type of player who can take over a game. She is so talented, her hands are incredible and she plays so hard. She has answered as a freshmen in a huge way for this team. She is as humble as they come and plays with so much heart.”

Janie McCloughan, Geneva

An Upstate Eight all-conference selection, the junior finished second on Geneva with an 11.6 scoring average while shooting 54 percent from the field and 74 percent at the line. Also averaged 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game. Made the winning free throw with .8 seconds left in sectional win over Wheaton Warrenville South. “Janie has come so far this year,” Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. “Janie does everything with passion, you can see it pour out of her on the court. She has spent hours and hours and hours in the gym and it has paid off for her in huge ways. She wants it and she will do whatever she needs to do to help the team get it.”

Sidney Santos, Geneva

Geneva coach Sarah Meadows always refers to Santos as her team's “glue,” pointing out how lost her team would be without this Oakland University-bound senior. Other coaches noticed the same thing. “I told Sidney Santos after the (regional championship) game, I've been around basketball about 30 years and she probably is the smartest basketball player I've seen play,” Wheaton North coach Dave Eaton said. “She's the real deal. I think what really plays to her game is her intelligence. She's smarter than a lot of people in the game.” The two-time All-area selection led the area in assists for the second straight year (5.7 a game) while also averaging 8.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Morgan Seberger, Geneva

A three-year starter and an Upstate Eight all-conference pick, this classic shooting guard has range that extends several feet beyond the 3-point arc. Seberger averaged 11 points and 1.7 steals a game while hitting 77 percent of her free throws and 56 3-pointers (and counting), including five in the Vikings' sectional win over Wheaton Warrenville South. “She is finishing her career at Geneva turning heads,” Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. “I am so happy and proud of Morgan and the senior year she has put together. Morgan has a huge heart and plays with so much emotion. She has hit some huge, clutch shots for us. She is a gamer and steps up in big situations.”

Abriya Zeitz, West Aurora

West Aurora made the biggest jump of any area team this year, going from 6 wins to a 19-9 season, and this 4-year varsity member was the MVP of that team. A two-time all-DuPage Valley Conference selection, Zeitz led West Aurora in scoring at 11.8 points per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the field. Also grabbed 7.6 rebounds a game and led the Blackhawks with 80 steals and 18 blocked shots. Finished career with 879 points and 698 rebounds. Also gets it done in the classroom, taking all honor classes with a 30 on her ACT. “She has developed and demonstrated great leadership skills this season,” West Aurora coach Connie Siljendahl said.