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Dugalic's career at Maine West was a sweet one, for sure

The late legendary hall of fame Maine West girls basketball coach Derril Kipp was always a great judge of talent.

So when he first saw Angela Dugalic in the Warriors' feeder program well before her high school days he spotted plenty of potential.

In fact, you might say he could taste a very bright future.

"She was a gym rat in the summer always working at her game," said Warriors coach Kim de Marigny, Kipp's assistant coach at the time. "Of course, we had our eyes on her. She was probably already 6 feet tall, and 110 pounds soaking wet."

Then a smile came to de Marigny's face.

"But she was eating all our Hershey bars in the concession stand," she said. "We were wondering why we weren't making money. Every time we turned around Angela was eating our Hershey bars. So coach Kipp immediately liked her because he loved candy bars."

Still one slight problem.

"Kipp liked Snickers and she didn't eat them," de Marigny said with a laugh. "She needed to change her brand."

Once she started playing basketball as a freshman at West, there was hardly anything Dugalic had to change in her brand of basketball.

It was sweet from the get-go.

In fact, Dugalic made the Sweet 16 all four seasons of her storied career which led to being named Illinois' only McDonald's All-American this season.

While becoming the second all-time leading scorer (more than 1,700 points) behind Brittany Collins (2,055) and setting many more program records, the Daily Herald Northwest Suburbs All-Area Girls Basketball Team Captain helped lead the Warriors to a Class 4A state title in 2019, a third-place finish in 2018 and two supersectional appearances.

At the same time, she has been a delight to her teammates, whether they're an all-area performer or one who usually provides support from the bench.

Just ask junior Mahogany Shaw, who also went to Chippewa Middle School, like Dugalic.

Most of Shaw's playing time came late in games but she said Dugalic makes everyone feel they're as valuable as the next person.

"I'm very fortunate, that in my first year on varsity, I had Angela as a teammate for her last season," Shaw said. "It helps that she is a tall player. When I go into the game, I'm not scared of any opponent because I practice against Angela. It definitely built my confidence. Angela doesn't play down to anyone. She plays the same defense on me that she plays in the games.

"She expects the best out of everyone on the team because she knows how much potential all these girls have."

One of those is freshman Jaclyn Riedl, who played a key role for the Warriors this winter.

"It's been such a good experience for me," Riedl said. "The chances are so slim you get to play with an All-American. I'm very fortunate. She's been someone to look up to and at the same time she has shown me how to play the game correctly."

Riedl says she is learning to emulate Dugalic's moves.

"She's so good at the fake and making good post moves around the basket," Riedl said. "She'll make a good move. She's very strong with the ball and finishing her layup. That's something I'm trying to work on and I credit her for that."

Dugalic gives credit to her longtime friend Lena Albo for someone she can lean on.

"She's my rock, my best friend," Dugalic said of the Warriors' point guard. "We've been through thick and thin the last four years and I'm truly blessed to have a best friend like her.

"She's our little floor general so whatever she says, we do."

Albo has been playing with Dugalic since the fourth grade.

"Angela is my best friend," Albo said. "Seeing both of us improve and seeing her becoming the great All-American like she is has been just amazing. Knowing I've been friends with her and my teammates for so long is just the best feeling.

"It's crazy to me. In sixth grade we were just playing around to have fun and now she is moving on to Oregon and is a McDonald's All American."

Albo played with her backcourt mate Dylan Van Fleet at Our Lady of Destiny in Des Plaines.

"Angela is a really fun person," Van Fleet said. "She's worked really hard. She is a fun person to be with on and off the court and her work ethic radiates the whole team."

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