Schaumburg's Blackwell a top athlete, student and jokester

Schaumburg's Gabrielle Blackwell is an all-area volleyball and basketball player.

She also is a National Honor Society member and A-honor roll student who ranks in the top 9 percent of her senior class.

That doesn't mean she has to be serious all the time.

"I like doing funny stuff," said Blackwell, who was averaging 13 points and 7.4 rebounds along with 19 steals and 13 assists for her 7-0 basketball team going into Thursday night's Mid-Suburban West visit from Palatine.

"I like to tell jokes. I try to get everyone up and having fun. If someone is down, I like to try and pick her up. In volleyball I was always the butt of jokes."

Opponents are hardly laughing when facing Blackwell.

Whether she is slamming kills or making a quick move to the basket for a sweeping layup, Blackwell is often making life rough for the opposition.

But she makes life easy for her coaches.

"Gabrielle has grown into a wonderful young lady as well as one of the best basketball players in the state," said Schaumburg coach Bill Murmann.

"Just a great kid," added assistant Jay Colloton. "And what a leader."

Blackwell hopes to see her basketball career lead to the University of Chicago. She has been told she could also play volleyball at the Division III Hyde Park school.

She plans to study psychology.

"I would like to be a psychologist for a high school," Blackwell said. "l just like to know how other people think and view the world in general. I took a psychology class my junior year and really thought it was interesting.

"I've had a family issue, too, that got me interested. I like learning why people think the way they do."

Blackwell thinks the world of former University of Connecticut star Diana Taurasi, now playing in the WNBA.

"She is my ultimate role model," Blackwell said. "She is so good in basketball. I remember going to DePaul to watch Connecticut. Everyone was cheering for DePaul and I'm there cheering for Connecticut.

"I've always thought I'm a quiet person when playing on the court, and she (Taurasi) seems so composed when she plays."

Blackwell's mother, Pamela, had a chance to meet Taurasi at a Chicago hotel some time ago.

"My mom told her that I was a huge fan," Gabrielle said. "But she didn't get me an autograph. I said, 'Mom, what are you doing?'"

Mom has done plenty for Gabrielle and younger sister Jada, a sixth grader who also attends all of her older sister's games.

"My mom has been a single parent and she and my sister are my biggest supporters," Gabrielle said. "I went to Schaumburg Christian, St. Peter's Lutheran school and a half year at Frost Junior High.

"I remember we had a chance to move to a bigger house in DeKalb for less money before high school, but I told my mom I wanted to go to Schaumburg High School because I had been playing feeder basketball and had gotten to know a lot of girls.

"At the realtor, I was telling my mom I've got to stay in Schaumburg."

Blackwell's earliest days playing basketball came at the YMCA where her mom would drop her off each day in the summer.

"I'd go to the day camps and field trips," Blackwell said. "I just thought playing basketball was always cool. I'd play against the boys, too, and that was fun when you beat them in knock-out (basketball game involving three people, which helps develop skills for the game)."

Blackwell eventually joined the Saxons' feeder program that was coached by Andy Pancratz, and included current Saxons Gryte Satas, Drewann Pancratz, Kylie Castans and Kailin Marchok.

"I've been playing with these guys since sixth grade," Blackwell said. "They've been my friends for so long. I see them every day. We tell jokes and have fun on bus rides. It's been great."

Blackwell has been one of the all-time greats for Schaumburg volleyball and basketball.

"I played for the Sports Performance volleyball club my freshman year," Blackwell said. "But I wasn't really having fun with volleyball. Mrs. (Jeannette) Pancratz (head volleyball coach at Schaumburg) told me that fun is what you make it. And that has stuck with me since freshman year."

Blackwell says she now has fun at both sports and really doesn't favor one over the other.

"In basketball, I love getting a steal and going in for a lay-up," she said. "Or grabbing a defensive rebound and making the outlet pass. I love the running game and fast-breaking, but I also like driving in the post where you can be real creative with moves."

Her coach knows that all too well.

"Gabrielle has a very explosive first step that many find difficult to keep up with," Murmann said. "And she also plays the game with a great degree of power and finesse."

Blackwell just loves playing the sport.

"I love it all -- the team, the coaches, the people cheering for you or booing against you," Blackwell said. "The game is amazing. The environment is so much fun."

There's that word "fun" again.

Blackwell sure knows how to balance the fun with the serious work ethic.

"Gabrielle approaches the game with the excitement and desire that are necessary to be successful in athletics," Murmann said. "Since entering Schaumburg, she has dedicated herself to improving her skills in basketball and has spent the time in the off-season to accomplish that.

"Her future is bright. Her college coaches will grow to appreciate all that she has to offer as a person and as an athlete."