Girls basketball: Tri-Cities all-area team

By John Lemon

jlemon@dailyherald.com

Natasha Brown, Aurora Christian

Brown finished her career with 1,185 rebounds, the most in Aurora Christian history. She grabbed 428 this year - just 13 shy of top 20 in state history - for an average of 14.5 that led the area by more than 5 boards per game. She also set the school record for most rebounds in a game, 24, against Westminster Christian. Brown did more than just rebound. The 4th-team All-State choice was second in the area with 3.6 steals a game and second on her team in scoring at 9.8 per game while shooting almost 60 percent for the program's first 20-win season and third straight regional title. But it was all those rebounds - and all that effort she put into getting them - that will be remembered most. "If you could find me a girls basketball player who rebounds more tenaciously than Natasha Brown, I would like to see her," Aurora Christian coach Burney Wilkie said.

Katie Claussner, St. Charles East

This Washington University bound senior point guard could drive and score herself or find her teammates, evidenced by her area-high 4.2 assists a game and 16.9 points a game, second in the area. Scored 30 points to upset Geneva while earning all-tournament at Schaumburg and Wheaton North and UEC River Player of the Year. "Her stats are impressive but I think what is even more impressive is how she has had to adjust throughout the year as teams have targeted her defensively," Saints coach Lori Drumtra said. "She started the season very well and then as teams saw more of her, they started to really focus on trying to shut her down. Katie worked hard to adjust her game, and the result was an 11-game winning streak. To put it bluntly, we go as Katie goes."

Nichole Davidson, St. Charles North

Perhaps the most versatile player in the area, Davidson showed up among the area leaders in scoring (15.5), rebounding (7.5), assists (3.0), steals (1.6) and blocks (1.7) - all while changing her role with a new roster makeup. The repeat All-Area choice shot an area-best 81.7 percent at the free-throw line with an attacking style that saw her live at the charity stripe in many games. All-conference choice. Reached 1,000 career points. "Nichole was arguably the best overall basketball player in the area," North Stars coach Sean Masconcup said. "She did it all for the North Stars this year. She was in the top three of the area for almost all statistical categories. She will be missed greatly."

Hannah Frazier, Batavia

Nobody put up numbers like this junior who became the fastest player to 1,000 career points in school history and is on pace to become Batavia's all-time leading scorer. Two-time All-Area pick averaged 22.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Had 11 games over 20 points, 6 over 30, a 20-rebound game and 13 games with 10-plus rebounds. Has 10 Division I scholarship offers. All-tournament at Trinity, Oswego and Montini. Second team All-State. "Hannah has faced one of the best sets of opponents as any other top player in the area," Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said. "She is so strong and so athletic that she is able to get her shot off and hold her ground even with opponents pushing and pulling. Hannah is so strong that she doesn't act or look like she has been fouled. That's part of her overall game. She quietly goes about her job and does it better than most."

Gabby Galbato, Aurora Christian

Galbato averaged a team-high 15 points plus 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks a game, upping her average in January and February to 18 ppg. A tough cover for opponents who sent her to the free-throw line 195 times. Helped Aurora Christian set a school record with 20 vicories and win a third straight regional championship. Galbato had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the regional title win, then had 15 of her team's 25 points in a sectional loss. "Gabby had a breakout junior season," Eagles coach Burney Wilkie said. "Her work ethic in the off-season along with her improved conditioning was the major reason for her success. There were times this year offensively where she had to put the team on her back and carry the scoring load. Throughout the course of the season, Gabby not only became the scoring leader, but she became a team leader for us."

Claire Jakaitis, St. Charles North

In her first year at St. Charles North after transferring from Montini, Jakaitis was the team's second-leading scorer at 13 points a game while leading the area in blocked shots (2.0) and chipping in 5 rebounds and 2.8 assists a night. Earned All-Conference honors and was an all-tournament choice at Dundee-Crown. Could hurt opponents inside or out. "One of the most improved players," North Stars coach Sean Masoncup said. "She was a back-to-the-basket player at the start of the season and by the end she was shooting 36 percent from 3s. She was able to put the ball on the deck and attack the rim either scoring or dishing to her teammates. She became an all-around scoring threat for the North Stars."

Grace Loberg, Geneva

Already a 2-time All-Area volleyball pick and 2-time All-Area basketball player, few possess the talent of the Vikings' 6-foot-2 center, a Wisconsin recruit for volleyball. Loberg scored 11.5 points a game on 60-percent shooting from the field. Also averaged 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks a game. Had 23 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks to power the Vikings to a sectional win vs. Bartlett. "Grace is Grace," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "She always makes you smile and she always gets it done on the court. She is one of the most humble kids I know and finds success with everything she does. She has the ability to take over a game with her size inside. She is a quiet kid but her play speaks for itself. She manages an extremely busy schedule with volleyball and basketball and I am so thankful she does. We are not the team we are without Grace Loberg."

Janie McCloughan, Geneva

The leading scorer on Geneva's seventh straight regional championship squad, McCloughan overcame an early season concussion to average 12.9 points and 5.6 rebounds a game while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 72 percent at the line. Repeat All-Area pick was relentless at attacking the basket. The Southern Indiana recruit made the all-tournament team at Glenbard East and all-UEC. "Janie brings the energy and passion to our team," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "She is a player who has come so far in her four years at Geneva. She is always in the gym and her hard work has paid off. We ask Janie to do a lot for our team and she steps up every time. She has worked hard on her shot and it shows."

Abby Novak, Geneva

A 4-year varsity player and 2-time All-Area selection, Novak began her senior year earning all-tournament at Glenbard East. She always did a little of everything her team needed. Her averages of 8.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.1 steals show her ability to contribute in multiple ways. All-conference selection for River champions. "Abby keeps us together," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "She is the player who has been on varsity the longest and it shows. She is a player we have to have on the floor. She keeps us calm, she brings us together, she shows her maturity. She plays both inside and outside for us and sees the floor and makes passes like a point guard."

Kyra Washington, St. Charles East

The Saints' second-leading scorer heads to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville next year after helping her team to their first 20-win season since 2007 and first regional championship since 2009. Ranked among the area leaders in scoring (10.9 ppg), rebounding (5.8), blocked shots (1.0), 3-point baskets (57 total) and free-throw shooting (77.9 percent). All-tourney at Schaumburg and Wheaton North and all-UEC. "Kyra's stats may not stand out like some players, but she has always done the little things that sometimes don't show up on the stat sheet," Saints coach Lori Drumtra said. "She has altered countless shots because of her shot blocking ability, and has grabbed some big boards for us this year. She is a very unselfish player who looks to set up her teammates. I have given her the green light to shoot at any time because I know she makes great decisions and doesn't take bad shots. We depend not only on her shooting ability, but her ball handling and passing ability as well."

2014-15 Girls Basketball All-area roster

Player School Pos. Yr.

Natasha Brown Aurora Christian F Sr.

*Katie Claussner St. Charles East PG Sr.

Nichole Davidson St. Charles North F Sr.

*Hannah Frazier Batavia PF/C Jr.

Gabby Galbato Aurora Christian F Jr.

Claire Jakaitis St. Charles North F Jr.

Grace Loberg Geneva C So.

Janie McCloughan Geneva F Sr.

Abby Novak Geneva F Sr.

Kyra Washington St. Charles East G/F Sr.

* - Honorary captains

Special mentionCamri Conley, Kaneland, G, jr.; Carly Frauenhoff, West Aurora, G, sr.; Quincy Kellett, Rosary, G, sr.; Morgan Rosencrants, St. Charles North, F, jr.; Sara Rosenfeldt, St. Charles East, F, fr.; Margaret Whitley, Geneva, PG, fr.

Honorable mentionGabi Alfaro, Aurora Central Catholic, G, sr.; Megan Conlin, Rosary, sr., F; Bailey Crimmins, Kaneland, jr., C; Ashling Davern, St. Charles North, sr.; Stephanie Hart, Geneva, G, fr.; Kirsten Madsen, Aurora Christian, G, jr.; Sam Munroe, St. Charles East, G, so.; Bethany Orman, Batavia, jr., G; G; Kalie Soris, Aurora Central Catholic, G, sr.; Ashley Williams, West Aurora, G, jr.

Starting fiveKatie Claussner, Nichole Davidson, Hannah Frazier, Grace Loberg, Janie McCloughan

Past captains1998: Molly Jones, St. Charles

1999: Katy Issel, Batavia

2000: Karen Bauer, Geneva

2001: Nicole Manny, St. Charles East

2002: Lindsey Koehn, Geneva

2003: Jill Krivacek, Rosary

2004: Claire Sheehan, St. Charles East

2005: Claire Sheehan, St. Charles East

2006: Bailey Hansen, Geneva

2007: Taylor Whitley, Geneva

2008: Kelsey Smith, St. Charles North

2009: Taylor Whitley, Geneva

2010: Kat Yelle, Geneva

2011: Kat Yelle, Geneva

2012: Ashley Santos, Geneva

2013: Liza Fruendt, Batavia

2014: Liza Fruendt, Batavia

The winnersConference champions

Geneva

Regional champions

Aurora Christian, Geneva, Rosary, St. Charles East

Sectional champions

Geneva

The futureTeams to watch in 2015-16

Geneva, St. Charles North, Kaneland, Batavia

- All-area selections and capsules by John Lemon