Girls basketball/Fox Valley all-area team
Janessa Baker Bartlett
May have been the most improved player in the area this season. The 5-foot-6 junior point guard emerged as a silent force to be reckoned with in helping the Hawks to a 28-2 season that included the Upstate Eight Valley championship and a second straight regional title. Averaged 6.2 points per game and led the team in assists with a 3.1 average. Made 21 3-pointers and averaged 2.3 rebounds per game. “Janessa was our unsung hero,” said Hawks coach Denise Sarna. “She made our team go. She did all the little things and her defense set the tone for our team. She always has a smile and she just loves the game.”
Kristin Conniff Bartlett
One of five 6-footers on Bartlett's team this season, Conniff was the silent one. But by the end of the game, she usually scored in double figures and had an impact on the outcome as she helped Bartlett to a 28-2 season, the Upstate Eight Valley championship and a second straight regional title. Averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2 steals per game and will enter her senior season with 730 career points (8.6 ppg). All-conference and academic all-conference as well. “Kristin is the quiet kid who does all the dirty work and makes the big play when you need it,” said Bartlett coach Denise Sarna. “She's a hardworking, hard-nosed kid who never complains and just does her job.” A repeat all-area choice.
Alex Dumoulin Hampshire
A three-time all-area choice, this Whip-Pur senior was instrumental in Hampshire's 27-3 season that included their fourth straight conference championship and third straight regional title. Averaged 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game and shot 49 percent from the field. Finished her Hampshire career with 1,363 career points. “Alex did a phenomenal job for us,” said Hampshire coach Ed Haugens. “What a leader. And at 5-7 she's one of the best rebounders in the area. I'd like to find another post player at 5-7 like her anywhere in the state. She has an incredible presence on the floor.” Will continue her career at Elgin Community College, where she will join sister Cassie in the Spartans' program.
Carly Goede Huntley
Goede, a four-year varsity player, earned all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division accolades this season by averaging 11.5 points per game, 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals. She leaves Huntley with 707 career points and 302 career assists. Goede will continue her career at Division II Illinois-Springfield. “Carly worked very hard this offseason to improve her individual game,” said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. “Her hard work really paid dividends this season for her and our team. As a point guard, she is a very good ballhandler and she has excellent court vision. She also shot very well from 3-point range this year.” Goede led the Red Raiders in 3-pointers made with 57 and canned 47 percent of those attempts. She also had back-to-back career-best 23-point efforts this season.
Jacki Gulczynski Bartlett
For the second straight year, the honorary co-captain of the all-area team. The 6-foot-1 senior who will maturate to Wisconsin, averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as she led the Hawks to a 28-2 season that included the Upstate Eight Valley title and a second straight regional crown. Player of the Year in the UEC Valley, first-team all-state by The Associated Press and second team by the IBCA as well as a McDonald's All-American nominee. Scored 1,696 career points and had 954 rebounds. “Jacki had a great career at Bartlett,” said Hawks coach Denise Sarna. “She put her heart and soul into Bartlett High School.”
Bri Hamilton Elgin
Hamilton, an all-Upstate Eight Conference River Division selection, averaged 11.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 2.0 steals per contest for the Maroons. “Out of our part of the conference I thought she was the best true post player,” said Elgin coach Dr. Nick Bumbales. “She had to do a lot of things for us to get the ball. I was really impressed with what she did offensively. We only averaged 28 points a game and she scored 12 of them. It's definitely not very often that you get an all-conference player from a team that went 0-27 and 0-12 in conference. It says a lot about the other coaches recognizing what's going on with her.”
Claire Jakubicek Cary-Grove
The honorary co-captain of the all-area team, Jakubicek completed a stellar 4-year career at Cary-Grove by leading the area in scoring with a 19.5 per game average. The 6-footer who will play collegiately at Northern Illinois, also pulled down 8.3 rebounds per game. Had an even 1,700 career points and 795 rebounds in leading Cary-Grove to a 101-19 record in her four seasons, including 27-4 this year, which included a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title and a run to the sectional finals. “I never realized all the things she accomplished until I sat down and looked at the numbers,” said Trojans coach Rod Saffert. “It'll be a big hole for us to fill and I think she'll do very well at NIU.” A three-time all-area player she graduates as the program's all-time leading scorer. Was a second-team all-state selection by the IBCA.
Callie Johnson St. Edward
St. Edward's junior forward/guard proved to be one of the toughest players in the area this season, helping the Green Wave to a 21-8 season that ended in the sectional finals but produced the program's most wins since 1990-91. A repeat all-area selection, Johnson averaged 10.8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals per game. “Callie just brings a high level of energy to the game every night,” said Wave coach Michelle Dawson. “She really provided some key sparks to get us going. She's a quiet leader who leads through her play. She was very consistent all year and somebody we could count on.” Also advanced downstate in the IHSA's 3-point contest and was a fourth team IBCA all-state selection.
Paige Lincicum Cary-Grove
Cary-Grove's 5-foot-7 junior guard emerged as one of the players to watch out for next season after helping the Trojans to a 27-4 season that included a conference championship and a trip to the sectional finals. Averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals and shot 46.5 percent from the field. “We were hoping Paige would have a breakout season and she did,” said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. “It wasn't really a surprise to us. We're looking at her to be our leader at the point next year.”
Kadie Lowery Huntley
Lowery capped off a four-year varsity career by averaging 12.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest en route to an all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division selection. She hit 43 3-pointers and also shot 79 percent from the free-throw line. She finishes her run at Huntley as the program's all-time leader in career 3-pointers made (161) and its third all-time leading scorer with 983 points. Lowery was part of three regional title teams and is a three-time all-area pick. She'll continue her career at Division II Hillside College. “Kadie has been a very steady and consistent player for us over the last four years,” said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. “Her versatility as a player has really helped our team in a lot of areas. Over the last couple of years in particular she has really improved her game to being more than just a 3-point shooter. This season she improved and evolved into a more complete scorer and learned to score for our team in a variety of ways.”
Amanda Patterson Streamwood
Streamwood's junior point guard elevated her game this season to a point that opposing teams had to pay attention to her as much as top scorers Emma Schmidt and Michelle Tomczak. Averaged 7.3 points per game and led the team with 122 assists, as the Sabres went 22-6, their best record since 1987-88. Also shot 48 percent and averaged 3.1 rebounds per game. “Amanda is a three-year point guard who now has become our all-time leader in assists,” said Streamwood coach George Rosner. “She was our defensive stopper and this year she learned how to score. She's our energizer bunny. She played 32 minutes most of the time and really came into her own this year.” Also received the team's sportsmanship award.
Brittany Pittas CL South
Pittas was an all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division selection after leading the Gators in scoring at 16.6 points per game, which was just under half of the team's scoring output per game. “Brittany did this while playing a very unselfish style of play,” noted South coach Kyle McCaughn. “She knew in order for us to be successful that we had to play as a team and had to get contributions from other players on the team. Brittany is one of the better pure shooters I have had the privilege of coaching. She was as proficient of a scorer as I have had here in my coaching career and I have had some good scorers. She was our go-to player and teams knew that. That makes it tougher to be a scorer, but she was still able to score at a great rate.” Pittas had 8 games where she scored 20 or more points and also averaged 5.2 rebounds per game.
Vincenza Ranallo St. Edward
St. Edward's senior point guard was a vital part of the Green Wave's 21-8 season that ended in with a double overtime loss in the sectional finals. Averaged 9.7 points and 3 assists per game in helping her team to the program's most wins in a season since 1990-91. “She was the vocal leader who got everyone going,” said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson. “Enza brought a consistent high level of play every night. Her scoring really helped us out this year. She really came around for her senior year and had a great season.” Also led the team with 37 3-pointers.
Alli Sanders Dundee-Crown
Junior forward helped Dundee-Crown begin to turn things around this season with 9 wins. Led the Chargers in scoring (12.0 ppg), assists (63) and steals (55) as well as free-throw percentage (71). Also averaged 4.8 rebounds per game and made 20 3-pointers. “As long as she was on the court she was our go-to,” said D-C coach Michelle Russell. “Alli was the glue to our team. She kept us positive and kept us in games time and time again. She was our key all-around player.”
Emma Schmidt Streamwood
One of the best career players the area has had the past four years, Streamwood's power forward helped lead the Sabres to a 22-6 season, their best campaign since 1987-88. Averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, as well as shooting 45 percent from the floor. “Losing Emma is like losing a part of myself,” said Sabres coach George Rosner. “We went from 4 wins to 22 with her on the varsity and she's been a leader for us on and off the floor. She didn't have to score as much this year and she became more of a floor leader. She's irreplaceable and just a fabulous person to have around.” Scored 1,269 career points (4th in program history) and had 684 rebounds (2nd). Was a fourth-team IBCA all-state choice and will continue her career at Central Methodist University in Missouri.
Melanie Schwerdtmann Jacobs
Schwerdtmann averaged 12.9 points per game and drained 31 3-pointers for the Golden Eagles. This all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division pick shot 70.7 percent from the free-throw line. “It was important for Melanie to have a good season being the only senior with playing time coming back from last year's team that won over 20 games,” said Jacobs coach Keith Chuipek. “It's a tribute to what she accomplished. Everybody knew she was the one that was going to do a lot of scoring and she still lead us in different categories. She did a great job taking that challenge on. She always had the best defender on the other team guarding her because they knew they had to stop her. She led us in defensive and offensive rebounds. You name it, she was the leader.”
Alli Settanni Burlington Central
Rockets' senior forward had a consistent season and teamed with junior Brenda Thasavong as one of the best inside duos in the area. Averaged 12.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. “She was a great leader right from the beginning,” said BC coach Stephanie Smith. “She helped the other captains become leaders and Alli always gave 110 percent. She led by example and improved throughout the season on the little things. We'll miss her a lot next year.”
Becca Smith South Elgin
Simpy, a game-changer. South Elgin's 5-9 junior guard has the scoring ability to change a game at any given moment. She averaged 19.8 points and 5.9 rebounds as well as 3.8 assists and 4 steals per game. Had season high games of 41 and 37 points. Will enter her senior season with 1,422 career points. “She's just so versatile and a really good playmaker,” said Storm coach Tim Prendergast. “She's really got the ability to take over games. When she was injured (missed 4 games with a knee injury) our scoring went way down. She provided a lot of leadership for us and we'll look for even more next year.” Currently has offers from Valparaiso, NIU, Loyola and Duquesne.
Megan Straumann Cary-Grove
The Comeback Kid of the area this season. Straumann came back stronger than ever after losing her junior season to an ACL injury. Ran the point for the Trojans, who went 27-4, won a conference championship and made a run to the sectional finals. Averaged 9.6 points per game, 3.3 assists and 3 steals, and always drew the toughest defensive assignment every night. Also qualified for state in the 3-point contest and led her team with 29 3-pointers for the season. “One of the greatest comebacks I've ever seen,” said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. “We thought we'd have to monitor her minutes, especially with only eight players, but she ended up leading us in minutes played. She's one of the toughest kids I've ever had.” Still weighing her college options. Was also a fourth team all-state selection by the IBCA.
Brenda Thasavong Burlington Central
Six-foot junior post player emerged as a player to keep an eyes on next season. She averaged 9.5 points and a team-high 12.2 rebounds per game. “Brenda was one of our go-to kids and she worked extremely hard all season,” said Rockets coach Stephanie Smith. “She's a phenomenal athlete, a great leader and we're looking forward to her senior year. She brings a totally different dynamic to our team.”
Michelle Tomczak Streamwood
One of the top post players in the area, this 6-foot-2 senior repeat all-area selection helped lead Streamwood to a 22-6 season, the program's best since 1987-88. Averaged 12.5 points and 10 rebounds per game, shot 72 percent from the free-throw line and had 117 blocked shots. “Michelle is a great story of a self-made player,” said Sabres coach George Rosner. “From where she came from freshman year to now is just a great tribute to her. She averaged a double-double and is now our second all-time shot blocker. She really came into her own the last two years and her shot blocking ability became a nice addition to her game.” Scored 747 career points and had 634 career rebounds, as well as 217 career blocks. College choice is still undecided.
Jessica Van Dorin Hampshire
One of the best 3-point shooters the area has ever seen, this Hampshire senior made her mark on the program by making 163 3-pointers the past two seasons, including 80 this season. She also advanced to the IHSA's 3-point contest three times, winning the Class 3A title last year and advancing to the Final Four this season. Averaged 9.5 points per game and shot 40 percent from 3-point range in helping Hampshire to a 27-3 season that included a fourth straight conference title and third straight regional crown. “I haven't' seen a better shooter around,” said Hampshire coach Ed Haugens. “She was so consistent and she's just a pure shooter. This year we asked her to do some things she hadn't done before and she really stepped up her game.” Van Dorin plans to play golf at Iowa Wesleyan.
Haley Videckis Bartlett
One of the best inside-outside players in the area, this 6-foot junior could drive inside or pull up and hit a 3-pointer, which she led the Hawks in with 41 as Bartlett went 28-2, won the Upstate Eight Valley title and a second straight regional championship. Averaged 10.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. All-conference and academic all-conference choice. Will enter her senior season with 739 career points. “Haley is our perfectionist,” said Hawks coach Denise Sarna. “She's never shy about staying after practice and she just works her tail off. She's got a great attitude and will do whatever she needs to do for the team.” Was a fourth team all-state selection by the IBCA.
Karla Vietinghoff Hampshire
Another of Hampshire's senior leaders who helped the Whip-Purs to a 27-3 season that included a fourth straight Big Northern East championship and third straight regional title. Averaged 12.7 point and 6.2 rebounds and shot 48 percent from the field. Also stepped outside to make 27 3-pointers. “Karla was another one of our senior leaders who helped keep the team together,” said Hampshire coach Ed Haugens. “She did it all for us — played point guard, guard, post, whatever we needed her to do. She's a great kid and a hard worker. Will continue her career at Waubonsee Community College.
2010-11 All-area roster
Player School Pos. Yr.
Janessa Baker Bartlett G Jr.
Kristin Conniff Bartlett F Jr.
Alex Dumoulin Hampshire F Sr.
Carly Goede Huntley G Sr.
*Jacki Gulczynski Bartlett G/F Sr.
Bri Hamilton Elgin C Jr.
*Claire Jakubicek Cary-Grove G/F Sr.
Callie Johnson St. Edward G/F Jr.
Paige Lincicum Cary-Grove G/F Jr.
Kadie Lowery Huntley G/F Sr.
Amanda Patterson Streamwood G Jr.
Brittany Pittas CL South F/C Jr.
Vincenza Ranallo St. Edward G Sr.
Alli Sanders Dundee-Crown G/F Jr.
Emma Schmidt Streamwood F Sr.
Melanie Schwerdtmann Jacobs C Sr.
Alli Settanni Burlington Central C Sr.
Becca Smith South Elgin G Jr.
Megan Straumann Cary-Grove G Sr.
Brenda Thasavong Burlington Central F/C Jr.
Michelle Tomczak Streamwood C Sr.
Jessica Van Dorin Hampshire G Sr.
Haley Videckis Bartlett G/F Jr.
Karla Vietinghoff Hampshire G/F Sr.
* — Honorary co-captain
Honorable mention
Bartlett — Nicole Beck (Sr. G), Christina Carlson (Sr. F/C), Lisa Palmer (Jr. F)
Burlington Central — Jessica Laird (Jr. G), Camille Dela Cruz (Jr. G)
Cary-Grove — Olivia Jakubicek (So. F), Johanna Geegan (Sr. G)
Dundee-Crown — Diamond Williams (Jr. C), Carlin Faulkner (Jr. G)
Hampshire — Michelle Dumoulin (Jr. F), Grace Jakubowski (Jr. G)
Huntley — CeCe Tsevas (Sr. G), Rachel Chapius (St. F)
Larkin — Maggie Hoffman (Jr. G)
St. Edward — Maddie Kerr (Jr. G/F), Alex Lee (Jr. C), Rena Ranallo (So. G)
South Elgin — Savanah Uveges (Fr. G), Lania Robinson (Sr. G)
Streamwood — Jessica Cerda (So. G), Deja Moore (Jr. G)
Westminster Christian — Katie Surratt (Sr. F), Hannah Graves (Sr. F), Katie Moeller (Sr. F)
Captains Honor Roll
1995-96 — Melissa Parker and Leslie Schock (Elgin)
1996-97 — Tina Wenckaitis (Elgin)
1997-98 — Billee Russell (Dundee-Crown)
1998-99 — Rita Castans (Streamwood) and Stephanie Smith (Hampshire)
1999-00 — Stephanie Smith (Hampshire) and Chris Rodriguez (Burlington Central)
2000-01 — Kelly Hopkins (St. Edward) and Melissa Tarrant (Dundee-Crown)
2001-02 — Katie Grens (Elgin) and Rachel Markham (Hampshire)
2002-03 — Jenna Real (Burlington Central) and Lindsay Schrader (Bartlett)
2003-04 — Jackie Heine (Hampshire), Lindsay Schrader (Bartlett), Nicole Watzlawick (Hampshire)
2004-05 — Lindsay Schrader (Bartlett) and Amanda Walker (Hampshire)
2005-06 — Kaci Baird (Bartlett) and Brittney Daum (Dundee-Crown)
2006-07 — Katie Chambers (St. Edward) and Meaghan Staley-Gamble (Huntley)
2007-08 — Katie Yohn (St. Edward) and Danielle Smith (Cary-Grove)
2008-09 — Katie Yohn (St. Edward)
2009-10 — Jacki Gulczynski (Bartlett) and Chrissy Heine (Hampshire)
2010-11 — Jacki Gulczynski (Bartlett) and Claire Jakubicek (Cary-Grove)