Girls basketball: DuPage County all-area team
Kaylee Bambule, Montini
The junior guard wasn't afraid to take the big shot at the end of a close game. "Kaylee is just a clutch, clutch kid," coach Jason Nichols said. "She hits big-time shots. She's one of the most efficient players I've ever had when it comes to shooting percentages." She overcame a slow start to the season because of an ankle injury to lead the Broncos to a 31-3 season and a sectional championship.
Paige Bareck, Hinsdale Central
The junior guard was named all-West Suburban Silver and all-tournament at Hinsdale South and DeKalb. "Paige was not only our leading scorer and second-leading rebounder, but she was also a valuable versatile player who could play the 1, 2 or 3 spot for us," coach Tom McKenna said. Bareck averaged 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.0 assists a game. She also made 56 3-point baskets.
Jennifer Deegan, Glenbard North
The senior forward's résumé is impressive. She's a two-time All-Area pick, a two-time team captain, three-year all-DuPage Valley Conference player, twice a unanimous pick. She was all-tournament at Wheaton North and set a school record with 38 points against the Falcons. She is the Panthers' first 1,000-point scorer since 2005 and led the team to its best record since 2005. "Beyond her numbers, she is a young lady with tremendous character and she really gets it done in the classroom," coach John Chamberlain said.
Kathleen Doyle, Benet
The senior guard is a repeat selection as Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area captain. Doyle has played a key role in Benet's 30-3 season and return trip to the Class 4A semifinals, averaging 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals a game. She will play at Nebraska next season. "Kathleen Doyle is a winner, plain and simple," coach Joe Kilbride said.
Jaida Green, Downers Grove North
The 6-foot-2 senior guard will play at Penn State next year. Green was all-West Suburban Silver and took conference all-academic honors. She was all-tournament at Wheaton North and Glenbard East, plus a McDonald's All-American nominee. "Jaida is a fantastic athlete and a talented basketball player. We are looking forward to seeing what she is capable of accomplishing in the NCAA and the Big Ten as she continues her basketball career," coach Stephan Bolt said.
Emmy Gryna, Wheaton North
The senior guard was known for her shooting, but Gryna was a unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference pick because she became a team leader and a good defender. She averaged 13.1 points a game and led the county in free-throw percentage. "She was extremely unselfish this year when she could have been very selfish and worried about her points and scoring more and her stats," coach Dave Eaton said. "She really helped our team become the team that we were."
Lindsey Jarosinski, Montini
The 6-foot-5 sophomore is one of the top recruits in her class nationally. Her presence in the low post forced opponents to choose between defending her or the Broncos' shooters. "I think Lindsey grew up a ton from her freshman year to her sophomore year," coach Jason Nichols said, "and she's going to need to grow up a ton more from her sophomore to her junior year for us to be in this picture."
Katie Jaseckas, Benet
The junior center is known for her low-post game, but she also showed this season she can step out and hit the 3-point shot. She leads the Class 4A semifinalists in blocks with 2 a game and rebounds with 8 a game. She shot 53 percent from inside the 3-point arc, 42 percent from outside. "Katie is a great competitor; her rebounding initiates our fastbreak and her rim protection provides the backstop to our full court press," coach Joe Kilbride said.
Jayla Johnson, WW South
The sophomore was a force in the low post, earning all-DuPage Valley Conference honors. She averaged 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds a game. "Jayla was a second-year starter that held the team together. Jayla took her game to another level this year both offensively and defensively. Jayla took the next step and led the team in scoring and rebounding with her drive and determination," coach Rob Kroehnke said.
Lea Kerstein, Montini
Kerstein led DuPage County by making 3.1 3-point baskets a game, something the Broncos used to stretch and space the floor and ride to a 31-3 season and a sectional championship. "Lea was one of my favorites. I loved her. We're going to miss Lea," coach Jason Nichols said. " ... An unbelievable senior season." The all-GCAC Red guard will play at Alabama-Birmingham next year.
Sydney Kopp, Hinsdale South
The all-West Suburban Gold selection averaged 25.7 points a game this season, easily the best in DuPage County. She totaled 1,682 for the Hornets. "Sydney Kopp was the heart of Hinsdale South basketball, not only this year but for the whole program. She really exemplified and defined what Hinsdale South tradition is and girls basketball currently expects," coach Brett Love said.
Mia Lakstigala, Naperville Central
The sophomore was a unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference player. Lakstigala averaged 14.0 points and 3.8 assists a game. "Mia showed such dramatic improvement, not only from February to November, but from November to December, December to January ..." coach Andy Nussbaum said. "I think still, for her, there's so much more potential there to tap. I thought she was one of the top three players in the league this year."
Erin Madigan, WW South
The senior guard's influence on the Tigers became clear after she suffered a season-ending knee injury two-thirds of the way through the season. "Erin was the team leader in points, rebounds, steals and assists before the injury. She was a great leader on the floor with an engine that never stopped," coach Rob Kroehnke said. Madigan still was a unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference selection. She will play soccer at Western Michigan University.
Kai Moon, Neuqua Valley
The senior guard formed a powerful backcourt with best friend Myia Starks the past few seasons. She will continue playing at Binghamton University in New York. "Her passion for the game was displayed by her approach to every practice and game. She was poised in every pressure situation, guiding the team to victory," coach Mike Williams said. She was all-conference the past two years. She averaged 14.8 points a game.
Brasia Solid, Glenbard East
The forward was a force in the low post offensively and defensively all season for the Rams. A three-year varsity player, she averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds a game. Most importantly, Solid and her fellow seniors helped lead the Rams to 19 wins and a regional final appearance. "I'm so happy with the way these kids have played this year. We have reached heights that we have been building on for years," coach Don Finnie said.
Myia Starks, Neuqua Valley
The senior guard averaged 13.2 points a game and topped the 1,000-point milestone in the same game as teammate Kai Moon. She was all-tournament at Hinsdale South and a two-time all-conference player. "A very skilled athlete with great humility, always respectful of others. She has an uncanny ability to inspire others with varying skill sets," coach Mike Williams said.
Elise Stout, Benet
The senior guard's contribution to Benet's return trip to the Class 4A semifinals should not be underestimated. "Elise Stout is one of the most underrated players in Illinois," coach Joe Kilbride said. She is averaging 13 points a game, plus about 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists, making 40 percent of her 3-point shots.
Hannah Swarm, Naperville Central
The senior guard was a unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference pick. "Hannah was not only a great leader in word but a great leader by example," coach Andy Nussbaum said. "She worked hard in practice. It wasn't like she had to tell anybody to work hard because they could see it." She averaged 13.4 points a game despite often being the focus of opponents' defense.
Antwainette Walker, St. Francis
The sophomore forward averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.1 steals a game for the Spartans, showing the ability to take over a game. She was all-GCAC Red and all-tournament at Lisle and Willowbrook. "She's an unreal athlete with limitless potential. She was a big part of our success this season," coach Melissa Taylor said.
Jen Warfield, Lake Park
The senior forward was a unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference for the Lancers. "She's a unique player at her size and her position," coach Brian Rupp said. "She definitely had a good sense of how to score inside. She's our best 3-point shooter by percentage. She's a very tough guard. I don't know how she does it but she gets a ton of blocks on defense. She's our best rebounder."
Honorable mention:
Maggie Bair, Glenbard South; Jordan Bradley, Lake Park; Ashley Brown, Glenbard East; Payton Carli, Glenbard South; Claire Gibler, IC Catholic Prep; Grey Hayes, Glenbard West; Ashley Konkle, Metea Valley; Claudia Kunzer, Montini; Mia Mazza, St. Francis; Elizabeth Melby, Wheaton Academy; Jamie Netzley, Wheaton Academy; Nikki Oppenheimer, Montini; Laurel Pereira, Naperville North; Cece Pope, Naperville North; Caylin Rufus, York; Kendal Schramek, Benet; Hannah Swider, Wheaton North; Natalie Takahashi, Lisle; Tiara Wallace, Montini; Josie Zabran, Willowbrook.