Girls basketball: Fox Valley all-area team

Melissa Barker Dundee-CrownDundee-Crown's senior leader, this 5-7 guard led the Chargers to their second straight regional championship by leading the area in 3-pointers with 112, more than double the 45 she made as a junior, on 45 percent shooting. Averaged 14.2 points per game, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. "There were a lot of games where she made big shots at crucial times for us," said D-C coach Sarah Miller. "As a senior, she understood what it meant to be a team leader. She always wanted to get better and would always come to me for ways to get better. She's just a great kid."

Kayla Barreto HuntleyBarreto, a 5-4 senior guard, wrapped up a four-year varsity career by once again being a key cog to a Huntley team that reached a Class 4A supersectional for the third time in the last four years. Barreto averaged 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.9 assists per game. She leaves the program with 763 career points, 131 3-pointers made and 198 career assists. She is a two-time all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division choice and a two-time All-Area selection. "Kayla has played an integral role in the success of our program in her four varsity seasons," said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. "She's been such a solid and consistent point guard for our team and each year she has improved her overall game and skill set. She has the ability to stretch defenders with her 3-point shooting and she is a solid ballhandler and floor general."

Emma Benoit HampshireBenoit turned in an outstanding senior campaign, averaging 17.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. She shot 58 percent from the field, 69 percent from the foul line and 35 percent from the 3-point stripe. Benoit, a 6-0 senior forward-center, earned all-Fox Valley Conference Fox Division honors and was named to the all-tournament teams at Hoffman Estates and Lisle. She leaves Hampshire as the program's second all-time leading scorer with 1,540 points. "Emma elevated her game from her junior to senior year by becoming a more complete player," Hampshire coach Mike Featherly said. "Teams had a tough time stopping her inside even when they knew exactly where we were trying to get the ball. Numerous times throughout the season Emma carried the offensive load for our team. She is a great example for younger players on what you can achieve with hard work and dedication." Will play at Division II Northern Michigan.

Kaitlin Brohan BartlettBrohan, a 5-8 senior guard, was named the unanimous MVP of the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division after averaging 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 steals and 2.9 assists per game. In addition, Brohan earned all-tournament honors at the Dundee-Crown Charger Classic and went over the 1,000 career-point threshold this season. She exits the Bartlett program second all-time in 3-pointers made, third in steals, fourth in rebounding, sixth in assists and seventh in scoring. "Kaitlin had a special senior season," said Bartlett coach Dave Mello. "She led us in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Those stats are a true testament to what she meant to us on both ends of the floor. Even though she was a scorer, she certainly brought more than just scoring to the floor every game."

Paulina Castro Harvest ChristianA 5-6 senior guard headed to Northern Illinois, Castro had a superb senior season, averaging 19.3 points, 4.2 steals, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while also making 103 3-pointers. Also led the area in free-throw percentage (91). Was named Northeastern Athletic Conference MVP for the second straight year and first team All-State by the AP and the IBCA. leading her team to a 23-8 record and a Class 1A sectional final. Scored 1,432 career points (played her first two years at Montini). "Paulina's influence on our team is going to last for years," said Lions' coach Rich DeTamble. "She brought a disciplined attitude that Harvest Christian had been missing. She was in it 100 percent all the time and she made the kids who played with her come up to her level. She will be missed and NIU really won the lottery getting Paulina."

Morgan Clausen HuntleyClausen, a 6-1 junior forward, helped the Red Raiders win the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title for the fourth year in a row by averaging 9.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game - both second-best on the team. Clausen's efforts earned her a spot on the all-FVC Valley team. "Morgan really improved her overall game this season," said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. "She has improved in a lot of areas, most notably her scoring and rebounding this season. She does a tremendous job of rebounding for our team and provides a lot of energy while also proving to be a very versatile defender. If she continues to work on her game and improve, I think she has the ability to step into an even larger role for our team next year."

Camri Conley KanelandHeaded to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to play basketball, this senior guard averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.2 steals a game while shooting 44 percent from the field. Led Kaneland to Thanksgiving and Christmas tournament titles. "I can say that Camri is one of the best competitors I have coached," Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. "She plays hard all the time ... practice or game. Camri was our team leader at both ends of the floor this year. We often asked her to guard one of the opponent's best players and then come down and run the show on offense. It was a pleasure to coach her the past few years. She has made a real impact on our program and on our younger players."

Chanel Fanter Crystal Lake SouthFanter, a 5-10 senior guard, averaged 16.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.5 blocks en route to earning all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division honors for a third time. Fanter leaves South as the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,650 points and was a part of teams that won 84 games during her time there. "Chanel led our team this year in literally every statistical category, but yet she is a great team player and makes everyone else around her better," said South coach Mark Mucha. "She leaves Crystal Lake South being the best player to ever play here."

Hannah Frazier BataviaThree-time All-Area pick, two-time All-Area captain and two-time All-Stater, in the words of Batavia coach Kevin Jensen, St. Louis University is getting a "steal" in Frazier. She started from Day 1 as a freshman making an impact and finished this year as Batavia's all-time leading scorer - girls or boys - with 2,089 points while also grabbing over 1,000 rebounds. Averaged 22.3 points and 8.9 rebounds a game, shooting 56 percent from the field and 80 percent at the line, getting there 243 times. "She came in as a freshman and almost averaged a double-double and has done nothing but improve since," Jensen said. "Her scoring threat was stronger this year, her ability to take people off the dribble, to shoot from the outside. The ability has been there, she was just a little more willing. Her consistency - 18, 19 points, that's an off-game for her."

Nicole Gerdevich BartlettGerdevich, a 5-10 senior forward, averaged 6.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.7 assists for the Hawks this season and earned an all-Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division selection. "Nicole was amazing on defense," said Hawks coach Dave Mello. "She was the point on our press and caused all kinds of problems with her length. However, she was a lockdown defender in the half court. We gave her the toughest assignment and she responded every time." Mello noted Gerdevich held Conant standout Jorie Wachal scoreless in the first half of game, held Montini's Lea Kerstein to 7 points and only one made 3-pointer and also limited Wheaton North's Emmy Gryna to 5 points in the regional semifinals. "I know a lot of people love stats, but Nicole gave us much more than stats," Mello said. "She made teams go away from their strengths and find other ways to score."

Shelby Holt Burlington CentralA 5-8 senior guard, Holt averaged 10.2 points per game and made 53 3-pointers for a 26-5 Rockets team that advanced to a Class 3A supersectional for the third time in four years. A four-year varsity starter, she played on Rockets teams that went 105-20 and won four straight Big Northern East championships. Scored 1,223 career points, which ranks third in program history. "She was consistently a great shooter," said BC coach Mark Smith. "It's really a gift to be able to shoot the ball as well as Shelby can and it's been a nice luxury for us. Will play at Division II Quincy University next year.

Claire Jakaitis St. Charles NorthThis senior led the North Stars in scoring at 12.6 points a game and also ranked among the area leaders in rebounds (5.6 a game) and blocked shots (1.5). Played her first two years at Montini and her last two at St. Charles North and went over 1,000 career points this year while leading the North Stars to a 20-win season. Upstate Eight all-conference selection. Will play college basketball at Division I Loyola, Maryland. "She's a hardworking kid," St. Charles North coach Sean Masoncup said. "Offensively there's not much she can't do. She can score from the outside, she can score with her back to the basket."

Marlee Kyles LarkinOne of the best pure athletes in the area, this 5-6 junior guard will likely become Larkin's all-time leading scorer next year. She will enter her senior season with 1,317 career points (Kiley Holtz's school record is 1,405). This season, Kyles averaged 19.9 points per game and saved her best for last, scoring 36 and 31 points in her final two regional games of the season - the 36 breaking Corry Carter Irvin's single-game school record. Also pulled down 6.5 rebounds per game. "She's the heart and soul of our team," said Larkin coach Steve Knapp. "I don't know of a defender that can stop her. She could be one of the best point guards I've ever seen as a female athlete. It was very enjoyable to coach her this year." Has several Division I offers and continues to draw major interest.

Grace Loberg GenevaAlready a three-time All-Area volleyball and two-time All-Area basketball selection, this junior led the Vikings in scoring (14.5 ppg), rebounding (10.4), blocked shots (2.2) and steals (2.8). Headed to Wisconsin for volleyball, there's no doubt she would be just as sought after in basketball. Her 20 points, 11 rebounds, 8 steals and 3 blocks in Geneva's 8th straight regional championship win was a typical line in the Vikings' biggest games. Scored 1,000th career point. "I can't say enough about that kid," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "She's playing two extremely high intense sports. She goes from our practice to Fusion for another 3 hours. Grace is such a competitor she wants to be the best at whatever she's doing. You give her a challenge and she does it. It's nice this is her second sport and you wouldn't know it."

Kirsten Madsen Aurora Christian This senior guard returned from an ACL injury that sidelined her for her junior season and led the Eagles in scoring at 15.7 points per game. The sharpshooter also averaged 2.7 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.4 rebounds to earn unanimous 1st team all-conference selection in the NAC. She will play college basketball for her dad Kent Madsen at Wheaton College. IBCA honorable mention Class 2A all-state. "Kirsten had a great senior season bouncing back from her ACL tear last year," Eagles coach Burney Wilkie said. "She was our team's leading scorer and one of the top defenders. She led by example in how hard she played every time she stepped on the floor. Her and her fellow classmates have the greatest desire to win of any group I have ever coached."

Bethany Orman BataviaA 4-year varsity player, Orman played a big part of 2 conference and 2 regional championships including both during the Bulldogs' record-setting 26-6 season this year. Batavia wouldn't have tied Geneva for the title without the game-winning buzzer-beater Orman hit to beat Geneva 57-56 on Feb. 5. Orman led the area in assists at 4.6 a game, averaged 2.1 steals while also showing her heads-up, hustling style by finishing second on the team in rebounding. All-conference pick. "The last two years I haven't had to think twice about our ballhandlers," Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said. "Bethany has improved so much in that area. This year she exceeded all my expectations. She was real difficult to stay in front of. She defended everyone else's perimeter best player. She played great defense on a lot of really good guards. Bethany was one who would usually win a race to the ball and track the ball very well."

Sam Pryor Burlington CentralPryor, a 6-foot senior forward, will graduate as BC's second all-time leading scorer with 1,484 career points. Averaged 15.5 points and 5 rebounds per game this season for 26-5 Rocket team that advanced to a Class 3A supersectional for the third time in four years. A four-year varsity starter she played on BC teams that went 105-20 and won four straight Big Northern East titles. Also made 84 3-pointers in 48 percent shooting and shot 85 percent from the free-throw line. "Her ability to shoot the ball is just so pure," said Central coach Mark Smith. "She has such a nice jump shot and that's really going to help her at the next level. A three-time All-Area selection, Pryor will play at Western Illinois next year.

Sara Rosenfeldt St. Charles EastNobody plays harder than this 5-foot-11 sophomore who recorded 8 double-doubles this year, made all-tournament at Schaumburg and Wheaton North, and scored a career-high 30 points against St. Viator. Rosenfeldt improved from 8.4 ppg and 6.1 rpg as a freshman to 14.5 and 7.6 and will head into her junior season with 672 points. "Sara became our go-to person this year," Saints coach Lori Drumtra said. "She was the player other teams focused on and tried to stop and as a result faced double teams anytime she touched the ball under the basket. She has worked hard to improve her shot. She plays with such intensity and such energy and she is the same way in practice."

Kayla Ross, Burlington CentralThis 5-7 senior became one of the best defenders in the state during her four-year varsity career, consistently shutting down the opponent's top scoring threat. This season, she also averaged 11.5 points and 3.7 assists per game as well as 4 steals for a 26-5 Rocket team that advanced to a Class 3A supersectional for the third time in four years. Played on four varsity teams that went 105-20 and won four straight Big Northern East titles. Scored 1,116 career points. "Her defensive pressure outweighs anything offensively," said BC coach Mark Smith. "She just plain shut people down and she really set the tone for us down the stretch. I don't know where we'd be without her. I think she can stop anybody in the state." Will play at Olivet Nazarene next year.

Katie Sowa Cary-GroveA 5-11 sophomore guard-forward, Sowa turned in averages of 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals for Cary-Grove. She also shot 86 percent from the free-throw line and was the team leader in points and free-throw percentage on her way to earning all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division accolades. "Katie started and played a great deal for us as a freshman," Trojans coach Rod Saffert said. "She put the time in to becoming an even better player for us this year. She got into the gym, played AAU and took her game to a whole new level during the off-season. We are excited to see where she takes her game by next year."

Madelyn Spagnola St. EdwardOne of the most dynamic players in the area, the Green Wave's 5-3 junior guard returned from a knee injury that claimed most of her sophomore season to average 16.1 points per game as well as 3.7 steals, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Also made 54 3-pointers. "She bounced back and had a good year," said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson. "The thing about her is she's such a dynamic player and she's always working hard to get her teammates open as well as create things for herself. I've never seen a kid go so hard and that intensity she has in games is evident in practice as well. The team feeds off her intensity."

Talia Surges JacobsSurges finished her three-year varsity career by averaging 8.1 points and 2.5 assists per game. She also made 32 3-pointers and had 40 steals while shooting .824 from the free-throw line. An all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division pick Surges, a 5-1 senior, started every game for Jacobs this season at point guard. "Talia brought our team everything we needed in a true point guard from a leadership and basketball standpoint," said Jacobs coach Joe Benoit. "She scored when we needed her to score. She put other players in positions to be successful and she never came off the floor. She really was a complete player for us."

Maddie Versluys Westminster ChristianThe repeat leading scorer in the area at 26.3 points per game, this 5-10 senior graduates as the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,075 points. Also averaged 8.2 rebounds and an area-high 5.5 steals per game. A four-year all-area selection and four-year all-conference choice. "One of our conference coaches told me Maddie was the Most Valuable Person in the conference because of her character and tremendous work ethic and that was cool to hear as a coach and as a father," said Warriors' coach Fred Versluys, Maddie's dad. "She always represented our school well as a player and as a person. Other teams would box-and-one her or double-team her and she still found ways to score. The complete package she brings is pretty cool."

Bridgette Williams South ElginWilliams, an all-Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division pick, averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds a contest on a Storm team that tied the school record for wins in a season with 20. She scored a season-high 29 points in a contest against West Chicago. "Bridgette expanded her game this year playing guard, as well as guarding the post on defense," Storm coach Dan Mandernack said. "Her extreme athleticism and passion for the game allowed her to dominate games during our eight-game winning streak in the middle of the season. Bridgette improved all aspects of her game with hard work in the off-season." Williams, a 5-10 senior forward, is a repeat All-Area selection.

Jenejah Williams StreamwoodStreamwood's 6-2 junior center is rounding into one of the best post players the Sabres have ever had, according to coach George Rosner. This season she averaged 16.3 points, an area-high 12.5 rebounds and an area-high 4.1 blocks per game. "I think she's the best overall big girl we've ever had at Streamwood," Rosner said. "She can face the basket, she can play with her back to the basket and she's developed a 3-point shot. There's a variety of things she can do offensively and defensively she blocked over 100 shots again. She averaged a double-double and that's pretty impressive."

Margaret Whitley GenevaOnly a sophomore, Whitley already has developed a knack for hitting the pressure shots, like the two long 3s to help Geneva come from behind and beat Batavia in the sectional semifinals. Averaged 13.5 points, shot 84.2 percent at the free-throw line, and drained 64 three-pointers for the conference and regional champion Vikings. "Marge is just a solid kid," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "She is in the gym at 6 in the morning. Stays late to shoot more. She can shoot, she can drive, she can handle the ball. Every year we're going to ask her to do more for us and more for us and she's going to produce. There's not a question in my mind."

Mike Miazga contributed to this report

Honorable mention

Aurora Central Catholic - Alex Johnston, jr., G; Taylor Harazin, jr., C.

Aurora Christian - Sami Hultine, sr., G

Bartlett - Kayla Hare, so., G; Kelly Harris, sr., C; Shelley Lyjak, sr., G

Batavia - Jess Koch, sr., F; Mackenzie Foster, jr., G

Burlington Central - Becca Gerke, sr., F; Samantha Cruz, sr., G

Crystal Lake South - Annika Sevcik, jr., F

Dundee-Crown - Paige Gieseke, jr., F

Elgin - Lakiya Harvey, sr., G; Alisha Panthier, sr., C

Geneva - Stephanie Hart, so., G

Hampshire - Nikki Dumoulin, sr., G; Rachel Dumoulin, jr., G

Harvest Christian - Alyssa Iverson, so., G; Jenn Kasper, fr., G/F

Huntley - Paige Renkosik, jr., G/F

Jacobs - Nicole Durben, jr., G; Maggie Grady, jr., F; Carly Sidor, jr., G

Kaneland - Bailey Crimmins, sr., C

Larkin - Shawniece Douglas, jr., C

Rosary - Jenna Hernandez, so., G

St. Charles East - Sam Munroe, jr., G; Hannah Vitkus, sr., F

St. Charles North - Morgan Rosencrants, sr., F; Kyla Helsel, sr., G

St. Edward - Katie Castoro, jr., G, Yssa Sto. Domingo, so., G

Streamwood - Maddie Exline, so., F

South Elgin - Nadia Yang, sr., G

West Aurora - Ashley Williams, sr., G; Carley Frauenhoff, sr., G

Westminster Christian - Hannah Haecker, sr., F; Elise VanNoord, so., F/C

- All-Area capsules by John Radtke, John Lemon and Mike Miazga