Fox Valley all-area team

Katie Castoro St. EdwardOne of the senior leaders for St. Edward this season, this 5-7 forward helped the Green Wave claim not only their first conference championship since 1991 but a state trophy as well as St. Edward finished 28-6 and brought home third place in Class 2A from Redbird Arena in Normal. Averaged 10.8 points and a team-leading 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 40 percent from the field and 74 percent from the free-throw line. Her presence on the court was paramount to the Green Wave's success as witnessed by the team getting down 14 points at halftime of the supersectional with her on the bench the entire second quarter with foul trouble then, with her back on the court, going on a 17-1 run to start the second half. "Katie ended her senior year at state the way her entire career was played - with poise and confidence," said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson. "Slowed by a knee injury her junior year she came back quicker and stronger than ever this season. Katie has a tremendous work ethic and continuously worked to improve her game and our team."

Morgan Clausen HuntleyHeaded to Brown University, Clausen has been in the middle of some great Huntley teams - 4 FVC titles and 2 sectional championships. As a senior this season, the 6-foot-1 forward averaged 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.6 blocks while leading her team to a share of the Fox Valley Conference championship. Clausen scored 18 points in her final high school game to eclipse the 1,000-point mark in her career, just the fifth Huntley player to do so. A four-year varsity player and three-year starter, Clausen is a repeat member of the FVC all-conference team. "She really carried the load for us offensively this year," Huntley coach Steve Raethz said. "She plays with so much intensity on both ends of the floor, and she's one of the best rebounders I've had the opportunity to coach. Each season, Morgan has continued to improve as a player and she has worked very hard to improve her game and offensive skills. Morgan epitomizes what it means to be a student-athlete, and she has a wonderful opportunity next year to continue her education and play basketball in the Ivy League at Brown University."

Anna Davern St. Charles NorthThere might not have been a more improved player in the area than this 6-foot-1 junior who started the year making the all-tournament team at Hoffman Estates and didn't let up from there. Also an all-tournament selection at Dundee-Crown and Upstate Eight all-conference, Davern averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Her 22 points and 11 rebounds led the North Stars to one of the most surprising wins of the year over Geneva. "Her performance against Geneva was incredible," North Stars coach Mike Tomczak said. "She played every second of that game and willed our team to victory. It was one of the most impressive performances I have seen from a high school athlete. She had an incredible season and we are so proud of the player she has grown to be. She is a leader on and off the floor. Her work ethic is unmatched. She is coachable and willing to learn. She motivates teammates and holds herself to the highest standard."

Skylar Doby West AuroraThis 5-foot-4 junior guard led West Aurora in scoring (9.1 points per game) while also ranking among the top 10 in the area in assists (3.6 per game) and steals (2.1). Got to the free-throw line 110 times. She played some of her best basketball in the postseason scoring 19 and 15 points in West Aurora's two Class 4A regional games. Made the Upstate Eight all-conference team and all-tournament at the Warhawk. "She is a strong leader, has a strong work ethic, strong defender and has run the point the last three years," West Aurora coach Connie Siljendahl said. "She is our go-to girl."

Rachel Dumoulin HampshireHeaded to Elgin Community College next year to continue playing basketball, the only way to stop this 5-foot-9 senior forward usually was to foul her. Dumoulin got to the free-throw line 197 times this year, sinking 158 for an 80-percent clip. Averaged 14.6 points and 4.6 rebounds a game. A three-year starter, Dumoulin ended with 879 points in 85 games, a 10.3 average. All-Tournament at Hoffman Estates and Dundee-Crown, and a Fox Valley All-Conference selection. "She is a tremendous person," Hampshire coach Mike Featherly said. "She played every position for us. She is one of the most versatile players that I have ever coached. Her determination and perseverance was vital in leading this team to a co-conference championship. Her presence will be missed next year."

Kayla Hare Bartlett Few players put up numbers like Hare, a junior guard whose average of 6.4 steals a game tied for the 13th best mark in IHSA history. That included a school-record 14 steals against Rockford Auburn. Hare also excelled on the offensive end averaging 15.4 points which brings her total to 928 heading into her senior season. Also made 48 baskets from 3-point range, leaving her one shy of the school record. Averaged 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists a game. Made the all-tournament team at Dundee-Crown and all-conference in the Upstate Eight. Scored a career-high 28 points against Glenbard East. "As the only returner who had significant game experience, she knew she would be the main focus of all of our opponents," Bartlett coach Dave Mello said. "She handled it great and was able to produce at a high level."

Stephanie Hart GenevaNumbers don't tell the whole story for the Vikings' junior point guard, who has been in the starting lineup since she was a freshman. Hart averaged 3.7 assists, sixth best in the area, while scoring 8.2 points per game on 34 percent shooting from 3-point range. The one game Hart was out of the lineup sick, the Vikings lost to a St. Charles North team they had previously beat by 29 points. All-conference selection for a Geneva team that takes a 27-4 record into the Class 4A state semifinals with conference, regional, sectional and supersectional championships. "I've said this all year, Stephanie is our glue," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "Without Steph on the court, we're missing her a lot. She just holds us together and tells kids where to go. She might be one of the smartest players we have on the team."

Tori Henning Aurora ChristianOnly a sophomore, this 5-foot-8 guard scored the third most points in Aurora Christian history with 499, bringing her career total to 682. Henning averaged 17.2 points while being named a unanimous first team selection to the Northeastern Athletic Conference team. Also averaged 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.9 steals a game. Henning tied a career-high with 29 points in the Eagles' regional championship win, giving Aurora Christian four regional titles the last five years. "Tori had the breakout season that I was expecting," Aurora Christian coach Burney Wilkie said. "She carried the load for us offensively every night and we enjoyed great team success because of that."

Alyssa Iverson Harvest ChristianThe Lions reached the Class 1A state tournament for the first time in school history behind this three-year starter. Iverson, a 5-foot-8 junior guard, scored 25 points in Harvest's supersectional win over Heyworth. Had 26 points in the 1A third-place game. She went over 1,000 career points during a season she averaged 19.5 points, 4 rebounds and 4.4 assists while leading Harvest to a school-record 29 wins. All-state selection. "If she's not one of the top 12 girls in the state in 1A, I don't know who is," Harvest Christian coach Rich DeTamble said. "She has every aspect of the game. Once we get the lead Alyssa just takes over. She's a phenomenal player to have to close out the game. She knows exactly what to do with the ball."

Mackie Kelleher South ElginThe Player of the Year in the Upstate Eight Valley, this 6-foot senior averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds. A four-year starter, Kelleher holds the Storm program record for most wins with 79 including a school-record 21 this year while leading her team to its first conference title. Won team MVP and became just the second South Elgin player to score 1,000 points. "On and off the court leader of the team, warrior on the court with a great attitude and passion for the game," South Elgin coach Dan Mandernack said. "Mackie was the heart and soul of the program the last three years while leading the team that averaged 20 wins the last three seasons."

Marlee Kyles LarkinThe Fox Valley All-Area captain who will play her college basketball at Arizona, Kyles rewrote the Larkin record book. First she broke the record for most points by Kiley Holtz (1,406). Kyles was just getting started, next becoming Larkin's scoring leader boy or girl, then reaching 2,000 points in the first game of regionals, an overtime win over Jacobs. Finished with 2,039 career points and a 28.9 scoring average this year including a school record 50-point game vs. Woodstock. "Marlee is one of the most dynamic players that this area will see play for a long time," Larkin coach Steve Knapp said. "Offensively, she was rarely stopped, and little do people realize she averaged 10 rebounds a game. She beat double teams, box-in-ones, traps and presses by herself. I can say that she has played the game the best she could for a high school athlete." An AP first team All-State selection.

Grace Loberg GenevaHer selection to the All-Area team marks Loberg's fourth to go with four years making the Daily Herald All-Area volleyball team, giving her an unprecented 8 All-Area selections. Headed to Wisconsin for volleyball, Loberg averaged 14 points and 11.1 rebounds while becoming the first Viking with over 1,000 points (1,487) and rebounds (school-record 1,073). Had 21 points, 17 rebounds in sectional championship, then 27 points, 18 rebounds in supersectional. Captain of the Daily Herald All-Area Volleyball team. Reached state in basketball as a freshman and senior. "I can't say enough about that kid," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "Her leadership this year has been phenomenal. She's really come out of her shell in that aspect of her game. She's always led by example but this year she's vocally been a leader which has been fantastic." Was voted second team All-State by AP.

Allison Michalski Dundee-CrownA 5-foot-11 senior, she saved some of her best basketball for last as the Chargers went on a 10-game winning streak late to share a Fox Valley Conference championship and win a regional title. Michalski scored 26 points with 13 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in her final game, a sectional loss to Rockford Boylan, after shooting 64 percent from the field in the Chargers' two regional wins. For the year, Michalski averaged 11 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block a game. Will play college basketball at Benedictine. "Allison is a huge leader on this team," Dundee-Crown coach Sarah Miller said. "They (Michalski and Paige Gieseke) led this team daily and both model what it takes to be physically and mentally tough."

Sam Munroe St. Charles EastAn all-conference selection in the Upstate Eight, Munroe was the heart and soul of a St. Charles East team that exceeded expectations and got the most out of their talent with a 23-6 season. Munroe, a 5-foot-6 senior point guard, averaged 5.2 assists a game - second-best in the area - and also was a threat to score with her 9.8 points per game and 70 percent free throw shooting. "You always have captains on your team, but Sam Munroe was just a phenomenal leader," St. Charles East coach Lori Drumtra said. "I told her at the beginning of the year it was your team and she just brought this group together. Her leadership was amazing."

Teagan Pompa South ElginNot many players overcame as much as Pompa, a 5-foot-7 senior guard. A sharpshooter, she averaged 16 points a game and made 51 3-point baskets on 47 percent shooting. Pompa did that after returning not only from an ACL injury as a junior, but being struck just under her eye by a golf ball during a match just three weeks before the basketball season started. She was told to stop playing basketball but rehabbed and had a metal plate in her cheek. "Remarkably returned for game one of the season scoring 23 points against Dundee-Crown," Storm coach Dan Mandernack said. "Her love of the game is on display every time she laces them up. She loves playing basketball and has improved every year. Even through adversity, she just wants and refused to feel sorry for herself when hard times came and found a way to get better besides the devastating setbacks. Coach's dream with attitude, desire, work ethic."

Sara Rosenfeldt St. Charles East The co-player of the Year in the Upstate Eight River, this 6-foot junior already is a three-time All-Area selection. She went over 1,000 career points and is on pace to become the school's all-time leading scorer next year. Her 38-point performance against Geneva highlighted a year that she averaged 19.1 points and 10.5 rebounds a game, and shot 194 free throws, making 68 percent. Already a relentless player inside, Rosenfeldt added the 3-point shot. "Sara plays so hard and works so hard and I know she'll continue to work hard," St. Charles East coach Lori Drumtra said. "The biggest part of the game I saw was her shooting. She's just in the gym (all the time). That's going to be an asset for her because when she goes inside she gets double and triple teamed, but that outside kind of gets her more tools to work with. She's going to be a fun player to watch."

Kat Schmidt Burlington CentralSchmidt and the rest of the 2016-17 Rockets had some big shoes to fill, and this 6-foot freshman forward did so admirably. Averaged 16.5 points and 7.3 rebounds, both team highs. Could score inside or out, hitting 53 shots from 3-point range and 76 percent of her 108 free-throw attempts. "Having had to replace 100 percent of our scoring from last year, Kat started every game for us and quickly became our leading scorer and leading rebounder," Burlington Central coach Mark Smith said. "A great teammate who tries to get everyone involved in the offense, we have to tell her to not pass up shots when she's open. Kat is very versatile; at times she has played every position on the floor, from point guard to center. Great attitude, soaks everything up like a sponge, she's got a world of potential and I look forward to coaching her for three more years."

Carly Sidor JacobsAfter missing two-thirds of her junior year with torn meniscus in both knees, Sidor came back strong in her senior season. The 5-foot-9 guard and team captain led Jacobs in scoring at 11.5 ppg. Also averaged 2.6 steals and 4.5 rebounds. Showed her versatility by topping Jacobs in free-throw attempts, blocked shots and 3-point baskets. A four-year starter, Sidor finished with 857 career points. "Carly will graduate as one of the best players to go through our program," Jacobs coach Joe Benoit said. "Over her four years, she consistently led us in nearly every offensive category and was a huge part of our defense. She was a top-notch student in the classroom and a tremendous leader within our program and school."

Katie Sowa Cary-GroveSowa started her year making honorable mention at the Lake Zurich Turkey Thriller, then was all-tournament at the Libertyville Holiday Tournament and all-conference in the Fox Valley after leading the Trojans to a four-way tie for the conference title. There was almost no category this 6-foot wing didn't lead Cary-Grove in, whether it be her 16.2 scoring average, 6.7 rebounds a game or 2.6 steals. Shot 78 percent at the line and made 39 3-point baskets. "Katie took her game to a whole new level this year," Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert said. "She was always a threat from outside, but this year she became a threat from everywhere. She was difficult to handle one-on-one. Katie's durability showed this season; she never missed a game. She was the Trojan MVP last year and was truly the MVP again this season. I am extremely excited about the possibilities for this young lady moving forward."

Maddie Spagnola St. EdwardA first team All-State selection, this dynamic 5-3 senior guard was the glue for St. Edward, which won its first conference championship since 1991 and then went on a postseason run that ended with the Green Wave hoisting the Class 2A third place trophy at last weekend's state finals in Normal. Spagnola, who is weighing her Division II options, averaged 21.2 points per game as well as 4 rebounds and was second on the team in assists. Made 107 3-pointers. Finished her St. Edward career with 1,605 points even though she missed the second half of her junior season with a knee injury. That point total is third in St. Edward history, behind only Katie Yohn (1,812) and Beth Hasenmiller (1,772). "Maddie is one of the most competitive players we have had in our program," said 13th-year St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson. "She works to make her teammates better every time she steps onto the court. Maddie has added herself to a list of all-time great players at St. Ed's with over 100 three pointers this season."

Jenni Weber KanelandThe leading scorer on a 23-7 Kaneland team that reached the Class 3A Sweet 16, Weber averaged 14.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 47 percent shooting from the field, 37 percent on 3-pointers and 78 percent at the line. The 5-foot-9 junior guard also had 52 steals and made the Northern Illinois Big XII East all-conference team. Set a school record with 69 3-point baskets. "She is finding more ways to score this year," Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. "She has been our leading scorer all year and is often keyed in on by the opponent's best defender."

Morgan Weber KanelandThis 5-foot-6 senior guard saved some of her best performances for the stretch run. Scored 20 points on senior night leading the Knights to an overtime win over Burlington Central, giving Kaneland back-to-back 20-win seasons. In the sectional semifinals against Rock Falls, Weber made four 3-pointers and scored a career-high 32 points, sending Kaneland to just its third sectional championship game in the last 26 years. Finished with an 11.4 scoring average, plus 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.3 assists a game while making Northern Illinois Big XII East all-conference. Hit 75 percent of her free throws and 36 percent of her 3s. "Great defender and leader on and off the court," Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. "She has really stepped up and plays both ends of the floor every game."

Margaret Whitley GenevaThe co-player of the Year in the Upstate Eight River, this 5-foot-8 junior leads the Vikings in scoring at 14.2 points a game. Made 78 percent of her free throws and 47.4 percent of her 3-point attempts - sinking 85 through the Vikings' supersectional win. Earned MVP honors at Montini's Christmas Classic where Geneva finished third. Went over 1,000 career points during a victory against Elgin. Scored 16 points in supersectional win over Maine West. "She's a gamer, she's a baller, she works her butt off," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "She's the most competitive kid we have. She hates to lose. Even in the 3-on-3 in practice, she's ticked after she loses. She just brings that element of competitiveness for us and feisty-ness." An honorable mention All-State selection by AP.

Jenejha Williams StreamwoodThis 6-foot-2 senior started the season going over 1,000 career points when she scored 23 at Batavia on December 9th, and she ended it with a 30-point, 25-rebound, 7-blocked shot classic to lead Streamwood to an upset over South Elgin in the championship game of the Class 4A Larkin regional. A repeat All-Area selection, Williams is deciding between an impressive list of colleges that includes UIC, the University of South Dakota, Truman State, Clarke University and Baker University, among others. Averaged 16.4 points and an area-best 12.6 rebounds and 3.7 blocks. Finished fourth all-time at Streamwood with 1,358 points and first with 1,248 rebounds and 490 blocks. "She is a one-of-a-kind player," Streamwood coach George Rosner said. "The most complete post player to ever play at Streamwood High School. She posts up, shoots the 3, handles the ball, rebounds and blocks shots, all at 6-2. She has been a team leader from her sophomore year on. She is a great example of the term student-athlete." An honorable mention All-State selection by AP.

Honorable mention

Aurora Christian - Paris Chaney, jr., G

Aurora Central Catholic - Taylor Harazin, sr., C

Bartlett - Sarah Jurek, sr., G

Batavia - Mackenzie Foster, sr., G

Burlington Central - Mackenzie West, so., F

Cary-Grove - Becca Kendeigh, sr., G

Crystal Lake South - Taylor Jozefowicz, sr., G; Annika Sevcik, sr., F

Dundee Crown - Paige Gieseke, sr., F

East Aurora - Jeannette Villezcas, sr., G/F

Elgin - Kylie Graves, so., F

Harvest Christian - Katie Kaldenberger, sr., F/C

Hampshire - Meagan Heine, sr., F

Kaneland - Jamie Martens, jr. G

Jacobs - Maggie Grady, sr., F

Rosary - Lauren Smith, sr., F

St. Charles East - Marissa Urso, sr., G

St. Charles North - Lizzy Olsem, jr., C/F; Jaz Harmon, fr., G

St. Edward - Yssa Sto. Domingo, jr., G

Streamwood - Mandy Mien, fr., G; Maddi Exline, jr., G

South Elgin - Emmy McIntosh, sr., G

West Aurora - Kayla Battle, sr., F

Westminster Christian - Elise VanNoord, jr., F