The DuPage County All-Area Girls Basketball Team
Kaylee Bambule, Montini
The sophomore guard made a name for herself as a shooter, making 48 percent of her 3-point attempts, but she can do much more. Bambule averaged a team-best 10.1 points and 2.8 assists a game, She was all-tournament at Sterling and has helped lead the Broncos back to the Class 3A Final Four. "Our Babe Ruth. That's what I like to call her," coach Jason Nichols said. "She walks in the gym and she doesn't look like a player, and she's one of our best players."
Sydney Bauman, Glenbard South
The 6-foot-4 senior center, a four-year starter, led the Raiders to a 25-4 record, a Metro Suburban Conference West Division championship and a regional championship. An all-conference pick, she will play at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Bauman averaged 12.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks a game. "She's a complete player who's really improved a lot since her freshman year," coach Julie Fonda said.
Jessica Bianchi, York
The senior guard averaged 11.7 points a game for a team that went 21-8. She also averaged 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals. A four-year starter and three-year varsity player, she was all-West Suburban Silver and the Dukes' MVP. Bianchi also was all-tournament at York and Oswego East."She has a tremendous ability to lead and make the players around her better," coach John Constable said.
Kelsey Bogdan, Montini
A four-year varsity player who has made it downstate every year, the senior guard moved from the point to the wing this year to help the team. She will play at Harvard next year. The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 4.9 points a game, but her defense and team-first attitude set the tone for the Broncos. "Kelsey's just had a four-year consistent career for us. She doesn't wow you with her game, but she does everything well," coach Jason Nichols said.
Jennifer Deegan, Glenbard North
The selfless junior forward averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists a game for the Panthers, leading the team in points, rebounds, blocks and assists. She was a unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference selection. "She was fearless in attacking the basket and she was stout defensively," coach John Chamberlain said. Deegan also stands out in the classroom, with a 5.6 GPA and three AP classes.
Kathleen Doyle, Benet
The junior averaged 13.1 points, 5.2 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks a game, leading the Redwings to a 32-3 record and the Class 4A semifinals. She is being recruited by numerous major colleges. "To me Doyle is obviously the floor leader for our team," coach Joe Kilbride said. "She is an incredibly versatile player, a do-it-all point guard." She was voted second-team all-state.
Emily Duckhorn, Lake Park
The senior guard averaged 11.8 points a game, making 74 3-point shots. She was all-DuPage Valley Conference and all-tournament at Hoffman Estates, Naperville North/Benet and Mundelein. Duckhorn will play at Roosevelt University. "For three years Emily has been the player that every team tries to take away. Her ability to score not only kept us competitive all year but won us games as well," coach Brian Rupp said.
Emily Eshoo, Benet
The 5-foot-9 senior guard led the Redwings in scoring with 16.4 points a game. She made 89 percent of her free throws for the Class 4A semifinalists. She also shoots 59 percent from inside the 3-point arc, 37 percent outside. And she's a strong defender. Eshoo will play at Bradley. "The biggest thing about Eshoo is her efficiency. She's our leading scorer. Very, very efficient on offense, a triple-threat kind of kid," coach Joe Kilbride said.
Anjella Farmer, IC Catholic Prep
The 6-foot junior forward led the Knights to a second straight trip to the Class 2A semifinals. She scored 11.2 points a game, adding 5.2 rebounds while playing a schedule heavy on Class 3A and 4A teams. "She's been our consistent force inside. She's playing great defense, rebounds the basketball well, has the ability to score," coach Aubree Schuett said of her all-Metro Suburban Conference West Division and honorable mention all-state player.
Jaida Green, Downers Grove North
The 6-foot-2 junior guard was a force on the court, averaging 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals a game. She also guarded the opponent's best offensive player and became a true leader on and off the court. She has committed to play at Penn State. "Jaida can score, pass and at times can completely take over a basketball game," coach Stephan Bolt said.
Emari Jones, Wheaton North
The 6-foot-1 senior guard led the Falcons in steals, deflections, turnovers forced, rebounds, blocks, assists, free throws made and attempted and minutes played. An all-DuPage Valley Conference player, she also has had an impact off the court. "Emari has grown into one of the best individuals I've been associated with in my entire life," coach Dave Eaton said. "She is mature beyond her years and has impacted me as a coach in the way I live my life."
Lea Kerstein, Montini
The Broncos' second-leading scorer with 9.3 points a game, Kerstein was all-tournament at Montini and Sterling for a team that is 30-5 and a Class 3A semifinalist. The junior guard made 74 3-point shots and was a strong defender. "She's just a claming influence. She got to the basket more than she ever has. ... She makes people around her better," coach Jason Nichols said.
Emily Kraft, Naperville Central
The senior guard made 82 3-pointers, 38 percent of her shots from behind the arc. She also made 89 percent of her free throws, going 40 of 42 in the DuPage Valley, where she was unanimous all-conference and helped the Redhawks win the championship. She led the Redhawks in scoring with 12.7 points a game. "Her skill shooting is awesome. She's a great shooter," coach Andy Nussbaum said, also lauding Kraft's leadership and team-first attitude.
Olivia Linebarger, WW South
A power forward her first three varsity seasons, the 5-foot-10 senior often was counted on to bring the ball upcourt this year. Linebarger will play at New York University. An all-DuPage Valley Conference player, she ranks eighth on the school's all-time scoring list with 918 points after averaging 12.9 this season and 8.0 rebounds. "Livy is the glue. ... She's put in the time, she's put in the hard work," coach Rob Kroehnke said.
Bryce Menendez, Neuqua Valley
Named the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division Player of the Year, Menendez helped the Wildcats to a 24-7 record and a regional championship. The 6-foot-2 senior center will play at Lehigh University. She averaged 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 steals and 1.5 assists a game. "Bryce was one of the most versatile players on the team this year. Her ability to play inside and outside was enormous to our success coupled with her defensive presence," coach Mike Williams said.
Jamie Netzley, Wheaton Academy
The junior guard broke the school single-season scoring record with 474 points this season, averaging 16.9 a game. She led DuPage County with 5.1 steals a game and grabbed 6.6 rebounds. She also was all-Metro Suburban Conference West Division. "Jamie brings leadership, basketball IQ, court awareness and so many other intangibles to our team each day," coach Beth Mitchell said, who also calls Netzley "a joy to coach."
Gabrielle Rush, Hinsdale Central
The 5-foot-10 senior averaged 24.8 points a game and 11.5 rebounds and became the school's all-time and single-season record holder in scoring and rebounding. She will play at Princeton next season. Rush led the Red Devils to a 21-10 record. "As poised, competitive, hard working, coachable and as great a teammate as anyone I have ever coached - on a scale of one to 10 she is an 11," coach Tom McKenna said.
Emily Schramek, Benet
The Northern Michigan University recruit was all-East Suburban Catholic Conference and all-tournament at Naperville Central, Naperville North/Benet and Montini. She averaged 15 points and 5 rebounds a game, making 69 3-pointers. Schramek shot 36 percent behind the arc and 80 percent at the free-throw line. "She's kind of a mismatch for opponents because she's a 6-foot forward but with unlimited range," coach Joe Kilbride said.
Kayla Sharples, Naperville North
The 5-foot-11 senior was Miss Fourth Quarter, turning up the intensity when the game was on the line. She will play soccer at Northwestern. Sharples averaged 19.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.8 steals a game. "Kayla is the ultimate competitor who will do anything to help her team win as you can tell by her stats," coach Jason Dycus said. "She plays offense and defense to the highest level and without a doubt willed her team to many wins this season."
Myia Starks, Neuqua Valley
The NIU recruit helped the Wildcats to a 24-7 record and a regional championship. Starks, a junior guard, averaged 11 points, 2.5 steals, 2 rebounds and 1.5 assists a game. She was named all-Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division player. "Myia has the heart of a champion, always even keel with her emotions, thriving on the crucial moment of a game. A very potent offensive player but more importantly relentless on defense," coach Mike Williams said.
Honorable mention
Jenna Brambora, Glenbard South, sr., G; Dana Fritz, Fenton, sr., F; Kaitlyn Gehrke, Timothy Christian, sr., C; Mae Elizabeth Gimre, West Chicago, sr., G; Alison Hanson, Glenbard East, sr., F; Sydney Kopp, Hinsdale South, jr., G; Rainey Kuykendall, Montini, sr., F; Lisa Logan, Metea Valley, sr., G; Erin Madigan, WW South, jr., G; Ivana Markovic; Glenbard South, sr., G; Sarah Milkowski, York, sr., G; Haley Minick, Naperville Central, sr., C; Sarah Mogensen, Lisle, sr., F; Kai Moon, Neuqua Valley jr., G; Cece Pope, Naperville North, jr., F; Cierra Stanciel, Naperville Central, sr., G; Kelly Thornton, Wheaton North, sr., G; Antwainette Walker, St. Francis, fr., F; Peyton Winters, Downers Grove North, sr., C; Josie Zabran, Willowbrook, jr., F.