DuPage County all-area team
Maggie Bair, Glenbard South
The 6-foot-2 sophomore led the Raiders to the Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division title and was named all-conference. She was the only girl in DuPage County to average a double-double this season with 12.6 points and a county-leading 11.2 rebounds a game. "Offensively, she has multiple aspects to her game, making her very difficult to guard as she can play with her back to the rim, take you off the dribble and shoot 3s. Defensively, she can guard a post, a guard and anyone in between," coach Morgan Kasperek said.
Nikki Baird, Wheaton North
An unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference pick, the 6-foot-2 sophomore guard also was all-tournament at the Falcon Classic. Baird is being recruited by a number of Big Ten and Pac-12 colleges. She led the Falcons in blocks while averaging 10.5 points a game with great range on her 3-point shot. "The sky is the limit with her. She's young, she's still growing, which is a great thing for us and for her. She's going to be a tremendous player," coach Dave Eaton said.
Kaylee Bambule, Montini
This year's Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area captain also was the GCAC player of the year, first-team all-state, the tournament MVP at Hinsdale South and all-tournament at Montini and is leading the Broncos into this weekend's state semifinals. She averaged an incredible 45 percent 3-point shooting for the Broncos over her four years. This season she is averaging 13.6 points a game. "We've had some great shooters in the history of Montini, and she is by far the best," coach Jason Nichols said. The senior guard will play for Ohio University next season.
Paige Bareck, Hinsdale Central
The senior guard was all-West Suburban Silver this year and named to the Hinsdale South and DeKalb all-tournament teams. She led the Red Devils in every major statistical category, averaging 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.0 assists a game. She made 60 3-pointers and finished fifth on Hinsdale Central's all-time scoring list. "She became a complete player. She was our best defensive player. She was obviously an offensive threat every time she stepped on the court," coach Tom McKenna said.
Danielle Dennis, York
The junior guard was all-West Suburban Silver as well as all-tournament at Riverside-Brookfield and York. She averaged 14.0 points and 6.3 rebounds a game and made 75 percent of her free throws, getting to the free-throw line 148 times. "Danielle is a natural competitor. Her athletic abilities alone are unmatched by most kids at this age and level, but more importantly, she was the toughest player on the court, every day in every drill," coach Maggie Ely said.
Katie Jaseckas, Benet
Headed to play at Truman State, the senior was all-East Suburban Catholic Conference, all-tournament at Montini and MVP at Naperville North. She averaged 11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks while leading the Redwings to the Elite Eight. "She is one of the best shot blockers and rebounders in the school's history and has been the starting center for Benet teams that have compiled a 94-11 record in her three full seasons on varsity," coach Joe Kilbride said.
Jayla Johnson, WW South
A junior post player, Johnson averaged 14.1 points a game. She was an unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference pick and was all-tournament at Schaumburg Thanksgiving and the State Farm holiday tournaments. "Jayla continues to improve in all areas of her game. Shooting 55 percent from the field. Improving her range will take her to another level next year. Great competitor and teammate," coach Rob Kroehnke said.
Ashley Konkle, Metea Valley
The sophomore post player made the Mustangs a matchup problem for smaller team. She was an unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference selection and also was all-tournament at Oswego East. Konkle averaged 13.6 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. "As a sophomore, being named as a captain for her team, that speaks volumes for her," coach Cedric Williams said, citing her dedication to make herself a better player.
Claudia Kunzer, Montini
Few played harder than the Broncos' senior point guard, who has a knack for beating taller players to rebounds. She is averaging 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists a game. Kunzer has led the Broncos to this weekend's state semifinals. Signed to play for South Dakota State, Kunzer was an all-GCAC player and all-tournament at Hinsdale South and Montini. "I love the kid. You knew every night what you were going to get from her, and that was full-throttle, 100 percent effort," coach Jason Nichols said.
Mia Lakstigala, Naperville Central
The co-MVP of the DuPage Valley Conference, Lakstigala led DuPage County in scoring with 633 points, a 19.8 average, and also led the county with 5.1 assists a game. She reached the 1,000-point milestone faster than any Redhawk not named Candace Parker. "She's very athletic. Her size is good. She extended her range, shooting-wise," coach Andy Nussbaum said. A 5-foot-10 junior, she has interest from Illinois, Arizona and a number of mid-major universities.
TyAnn LeGrand-Melton, Lisle
The senior guard was all-Interstate Eight Conference player for a third straight year and was named all-IEC Tournament and all-tournament at the Ridgewood Thanksgiving Tournament. LeGrand-Melton led the Lions to 20 wins and a regional title. "TyAnn has grown into a complete player. She did everything for our team. She was our leader," coach Nick Balaban said. LeGrand-Melton averaged 12.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals a game.
Tsimba Malonga, Benet
The junior point guard is weighing offers from a number of Division I universities. She averaged 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.2 steals a game while leading the Redwings to the Elite Eight. She was all-East Suburban Catholic Conference and all-tournament at Naperville North and Montini. "Tsimba has been the sparkplug to ignite Benet's full-court pressure and fastbreak offense," coach Joe Kilbride said.
Aaliyah Patty, Montini
The 6-foot-3 junior post player is being recruited by a host of Division I universities. She was all-GCAC and all-tournament at Hinsdale South and Montini and led the Broncos to this weekend's state semifinals. Patty is averaging 10.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. "Her growth from sophomore year to junior year was pretty significant. If she continues like that she could have an extraordinary senior year," coach Jason Nichols said.
Diamond Pikulyk, Addison Trail
The senior post player could be dominant for the Blazers. She was all-West Suburban Gold and also all-academic for the league. She will play at Edgewood College next season. Pikulyk averaged 12.0 points and 8.7 rebounds a game. "Diamond was the rock of our team this year. Her dedication to becoming a better basketball player and maturation from her junior to senior season was like no other player I have ever coached," coach Rob Schader said.
Julie Pospisilova, Downers Grove North
The 6-foot-1 junior guard/forward has earned the attention of number of Division I universities. She was all-tournament at Wheaton North and Glenbard East, plus all-West Suburban Silver. She averaged 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.7 blocks a game. "She is a talented basketball player, but even more importantly a wonderful young lady. She played wherever we needed her to play all season and was a tremendous addition to the makeup of our team," coach Stephan Bolt said.
Catherine Reedy, Glenbard West
The senior guard earned all-West Suburban Silver honors and was all-tournament at Riverside-Brookfield for the tournament champion Hilltoppers. She made 78.5 percent of her free throws and averaged 13.6 points a game. "Catherine's done so many things for us. Not only does she have the ability to shoot the ball well - she's a great shooter - but her leadership and ballhandling and her defense, putting her on top of the press this year was huge for us."
Lucy Schmid, Naperville Central
The 6-foot-2 sophomore post player was an all-DuPage Valley Conference pick and all-tournament at Dundee-Crown. She led the Redhawks in rebounds and was second in 3-point baskets. Schmid averaged 10.5 points a game. "She worked on it. To her credit she was a dramatically improved player from her freshman year to her sophomore year," coach Andy Nussbaum said.
Hannah Swider, Wheaton North
The DuPage Valley Conference co-MVP, the 5-foot-9 junior guard also was all-tournament at the Falcon Classic. Swider led the Falcons to the DVC title by averaging a school-record 16 points a game. She made 85 percent of her free throws, the best in DuPage County. Recruiters from a number of major and mid-major Division I colleges are taking notice. "She's a special player. She's just committed to trying to be the best player she can be," coach Dave Eaton said.
Carson Vance, Lake Park
The junior guard, a three-year varsity player, was all-DuPage Valley Conference and all-tournament at Hoffman Estates. She led the Lancers in scoring with 13.4 points a game and also led the team in 3-point baskets, assists, free throws made and minutes played. She set the school's single-season steals record with 66. "She's one of the best, most well-rounded players in the area," coach Brian Rupp said of the player he calls "our best on-the-ball defender."
Antwainette Walker, St. Francis
The junior forward earned all-GCAC honors and all-tournament at Lisle. She averaged 17.3 points a game, hitting the 1,000-point mark in her third varsity season. She also averaged 9.2 rebounds and 3.7 steals. "Being far more athletic than the average high school girls basketball player, Antwainette was able to directly contribute to our fast-paced, full-court pressing, easy buckets in transition style of play," coach Melissa Taylor said.
Honorable mention
Sophie Ahlberg (Wheaton North, jr., PG); Riley Burr (Hinsdale Central, sr., F); Megan Callahan (Neuqua Valley, jr. G); Sarah Cohen (Glenbard South, jr. G); Claire Gibler (IC Catholic Prep, jr., G/F); Hannah Ilyavi (Downers Grove North, sr., F); Lindsey Jarosinski (Montini, jr., C); Holly Lueken (Downers Grove South, soph., F); Mia Mazza (St. Francis, sr., G); Erin Moran (Naperville Central, sr. G); Illysse Pitts (Montini, jr., G); Lauren Platou (Naperville North, jr., G); Sofia Radice (West Chicago, jr., G); Briana Raysby (Glenbard East, jr., F); Caylin Rufus (York, jr., G); Kendal Schramek (Benet, sr., F); Samantha Skirvin (Glenbard West, sr., F); Sarah Struebing (WW South, sr., F); Natalie Takahashi (Lisle, jr., PG); Ana Venema (Timothy Christian, sr., F).
Editor's note: The 20 All-Area first-team players and 20 honorable mention players are selected from the 29 high schools in DuPage County. They are listed alphabetically.