Fox Valley All-Area Girls Basketball Team

Kelby Bannerman, Hampshire

Already a two-time All-Area selection, this 6-foot-2 sophomore led the Whip-Purs in scoring at 12.3 points a game and also rebounding at 7.5 a game. As a freshman she averaged 10.5 points and 7 rebounds. "Kelby made tremendous strides her sophomore year," Hampshire coach Mike Featherly said. "She drew a lot of attention from the opposing defenses and was still able to average double digits in scoring including eight double-doubles. One of the main reasons we were successful this year was because of Kelby's ability to pass the basketball when she drew a lot of attention. She played extremely unselfish."

Lindsay Blackmore, Geneva

This 6-foot junior helped the Vikings win the last two Class 4A state championships with stellar play off the bench. With all five starters from those teams graduated, Blackmore stepped into the leading role and excelled this winter, averaging 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.7 blocks as the Vikings won their 11th straight regional. Had 19 points and 17 rebounds in a sectional loss to Bartlett. Made 117 of 151 free throws (77.4 percent). "Lindsay came out of her shell," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "She didn't have to do it before and I thought she filled that role really nicely for us. There were games she put us on her back and did her work. She's only going to get better. She'll have a great senior year."

Ally Cermak, Hampshire

This senior guard came through with some of her best games in the Hawks' biggest games of the year, leading her team in scoring in both wins over Dundee-Crown that earned the Whip-Purs an outright Fox Valley Conference title with a 15-1 record. Hampshire went 27-6 overall with Cermak averaging 10.5 points while sinking 53 shots from 3-point range. "Ally came up big for us in many games including the conference championship game," Hampshire coach Mike Featherly said. "Her timely 3-point shooting and ability to get to the foul line carried us through some rough patches offensively. Ally's improvement over the last three years on varsity is a testament to her hard work and perseverance."

Alyssa Crenshaw, Dundee-Crown

Perhaps the best interior defender in the area, this 6-foot sophomore played lockdown defense on many of the best post players she guarded. She also improved on the offensive end averaging 10.2 points on 53.5 percent shooting from the field and 68.6 percent shooting at the free-throw line. Crenshaw averaged 8.9 rebounds while also chipping in a block and 1.6 steals per game. "Alyssa is a huge difference-maker on our team," Chargers coach Sarah Miller said. "We had a special team this year where teams had to prepare against numerous players, but she was definitely a player that teams focused on shutting down. Alyssa played a big role with her defense shutting down key players and rebounding and also brought a strong post presence for our team on the offensive end."

Erin Golden, Batavia

A two-time All-Area selection, this 5-foot-9 junior guard led Batavia in scoring at 13.5 points per game and rebounding (7.9). Golden also averaged 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals after leading Batavia in points, rebounds, assists and steals as a sophomore. "Erin was awesome again this year," Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said. Nobody has a nose for the ball like Golden, who will go over 1,000 points next year and Jensen predicts also will eclipse 800 rebounds. "That's pretty good for a 5-9 guard," Jensen said. "Erin is one of the most productive players I've coached when you consider all of the contributions she makes each game."

Mackenzie Hare, Bartlett

Hare's older sister Kayla was the leading scorer on last year's All-Area team, and Mackenzie couldn't have made a bigger impact in her freshman season with the Hawks. She set a school record for 3-pointers (102) on 39.1-percent shooting including seven in one game while averaging 16.0 points. Hare added 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game for the Upstate Eight Conference and regional champion Hawks, who went 29-5. Shot 68.2 percent at the free-throw line (60 for 88). "She really stepped up," Bartlett coach Brad Hunt said. "She's one of the best shooters I've seen and she's only a freshman. A lot of teams had to focus on her which allowed other girls opportunities. That's how dominant of a player Mackenzie was."

Tori Henning, Aurora Christian

This three-time All-Area selection completed her senior season leading a young Eagles team to a school-record 21 wins and a regional championship. Named first team All-State by IBCA. Henning, a 5-foot-8 guard, averaged 14.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2 steals and made 64 shots from 3-point range. Second all-time at Aurora Christian in scoring (1,515 points), first in assists (302), third in rebounds (756), third in steals (258) and second in 3s (149). Part of school-record 74 wins in four years. "Tori is a once in a generation scorer," Aurora Christian coach Burney Wilkie said. "Tori was forced to help carry the load in every facet of the game. Tori is the ultimate competitor. I am so thankful I've been able to coach her the past four years and so grateful for everything she has done for Lady Eagles basketball."

Maddie Jannusch, Cary-Grove

This 5-foot-10 senior impacted the game in a variety of ways. Jannusch averaged 10.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.8 assists per game. She shot 54 percent from the field and 72 percent from the foul line. "She is definitely a force to reckon with and caused a lot of matchup problems for other teams," Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert said. "She can post up and be my point guard if needed."

Delani Kosner, Aurora Central Catholic

A repeat All-Area selection, this 5-foot-8 junior improved her scoring from 12.3 points per game to 14.1. Also averaged 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 69.3 percent at the free-throw line. "Delani is our offensive catalyst," Aurora Central Catholic coach LeVada Smith said. "She consistently scored when we needed points and is very efficient in passing the ball to open teammates."

Maddy Martin, Harvest Christian

After a number of players from last year's supersectional team graduated or transferred, this junior was left to carry a short-handed squad that had six varsity players. Martin responded, leading the area in scoring at 18.7 points per game. She also topped the Lions in rebounds (6.7), assists (1.6), steals (1.5) and blocks (.8) while shooting 52 percent from 2-point range and 64 percent at the free-throw line. "Maddy had an outstanding year as she led her team in all categories," Lions coach Zoe Smallwood said. "Maddy brought her 'A' game to every competition, with very little direction from my coaching staff and I. It was a pleasure coaching her...the sky's the limit for her this upcoming season."

Megan McClure, South Elgin

The Storm broke through with a regional championship this year, and this 5-foot-9 junior guard led the way. McClure averaged 17.1 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.8 steals. One of the best shooters around, McClure made 38 percent of her 3-point shots and 85 percent at the free-throw line. Broke the school record for 3-pointers and will pass 1,000 points early next year. "Coach's dream, another coach on the court," South Elgin coach Dan Mandernack said. "Knows all five positions and can play them all well. Typically guards other team's best player even if giving up size. She has added more drives to the rim and post-ups now."

Mandy Mien, Streamwood

A true point guard, this junior averaged 5.3 assists to go with 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 steals. She will enter her senior year with 918 career points, 10th all-time at Streamwood, 282 steals (second) and 423 assists - which already is a school record. "Mandy is our team leader as a junior," Streamwood coach George Rosner said. "I believe Mandy is the best true point guard I have ever coached in my high school career. She handles the ball better than any point guard in the area. She scores in many different ways and plays intense defense. She plays full speed all the time. She has an incredible intensity level which seems to never go down. She is one very competitive player."

Dajur Miles, West Aurora

Known for her excellence in track and field - the senior is already a two-time state champion in the 400 - Miles showed she can also handle herself on the basketball court, leading the Blackhawks to a 22-win season in the first year for coach Teresa Waldinger. Miles, nicknamed Cinnamon, averaged 12.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2 assists a game. "She's phenomenal on the defensive end," Waldinger said. "Cinnamon, when she wants it she gets that fire and goes and it's just fun to watch."

Keely Noel, Kaneland

Despite graduating a pair of All-Area guards, Kaneland put together a 19-win season, and the Knights did it mostly through their defense and hard work. Nobody epitomized that more than Noel, a 5-foot-11 senior forward. Noel led the team in rebounding (5.8) and steals (2.9) while finishing second in scoring (6.7) and assists (2.0). "Keely was our best all-around player," Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. "She rebounds at a very high rate and also leads us in steals."

Kamsi Nwogu, Huntley

A 5-foot-11 post, Nwogu capped her sophomore season with a career-high 32 points - just two off Ali Andrews' school record - in a regional loss to Rockford Boylan. Nwogu was the clear top scoring option for Huntley, her 15.7 points accounting for 40 percent of the team's offense. She did it on 54.5 percent shooting and also averaged 4.5 rebounds. Scored double figures 27 times. "Kamsi really worked hard in the off-season to improve her game and had a great year," Huntley coach Steve Raethz said. "She worked hard to improve her shooting and she showed a lot of versatility in her ability to score in the post and attacking off the dribble."

Kathryn Schmidt, Burlington Central

This three-time All-Area selection had as bad of luck as anyone. After going over 1,000 career points in the first game of the season, Schmidt suffered a concussion two games later. After missing four games, Schmidt, a 6-foot forward, returned only to injure her knee and miss 9 more games. While limited to 17 games, Schmidt still averaged a team-best 14.6 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 73 percent from the free-throw line and 41 percent from the 3-point arc. As a freshman Schmidt averaged 16.3 and 7.2 rebounds, then 16.0 and 7.7 as a sophomore. With her 248 points this year, Schmidt will enter her senior season in reach of Jenna Real's school record 1,647 points. "I think it's possible if she has a really good year," retiring Rockets coach Mark Smith said. "This year was tough on her. She battled through it."

Ava Sergio, Batavia

A 6-foot-1 senior post who will play next year at Winona State, Sergio averaged 13.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, both second on her team. Unanimous all-DuKane Conference selection who impacted the game on both ends of the court, blocking 2.1 shots a game. Shot 52 percent from the field and 65 percent at the free-throw line. Only three players on the injury-plagued Bulldogs played all 31 games and Sergio was one. "Everyone who played us altered their defense to account for her," Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said. "I know a lot of teams are perimeter orientated, but Ava might be the best post player in the area."

Lexie Sinclair, Bartlett

A two-time All-Area selection, this sophomore point guard delivered her best performances in the biggest games of the year for the 29-5 Hawks. Sinclair scored 31 points against South Elgin, and led Bartlett to postseason wins over Wheaton North and 2-time defending Class 4A state champion Geneva. Averaged 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.6 steals - up from 11.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.4 steals as a freshman. Shot 46.3 percent from the field and made 57 shots from 3-point range. "I can't tell you how special Lexie is," Bartlett coach Brad Hunt said. "She's the real deal."

Annie Tate, St. Charles North

This 5-foot-10 senior forward, a two-time All-Area selection, averaged 13.4 points and 6.7 rebounds on 76 percent shooting from the free-throw line and 45 percent from the field. That's up from 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds as a junior. In the last minute of her final game - when she scored 18 points in a regional loss to Glenbard West - coach Mike Tomczak pulled her out to get one last round of applause. "You don't want that moment because that means it's over," Tomczak said. "But when you can give a kid a chance who has done so much for our program and our school to be recognized by our fans and get to hug her and tell her you love her and wish her nothing but the best. She's got a real bright future and we're sure going to miss her."

Elana Wells, Burlington Central

A fierce defender on the defensive end and an aggressive attacker of the basket on offense, this 5-foot-6 sophomore already is a two-time All-Area choice. As a freshman she averaged 12.4 points, 3.2 steals and 2.4 assists for a 27-win team, and she upped that this year to 13.6 points, 4.0 assists and 3.6 steals as the Rockets went 22-8 and shared the Kishwaukee River Conference title. "She's a one-man press break," Burlington Central coach Mark Smith said. "When she's focused and engaged I wouldn't trade her for anybody. She's got a lot of ability and I don't think she's scratched the surface for how good she can be."

Honorable mentionAurora Central Catholic - Lara Anger, sr., C

Aurora Christian - Lexi Lamanna, fr., PG

Bartlett - Justina Hernandez, so., G/F; Danielle Hedeen, so. G

Batavia - Hailey Orman, sr., SG

Burlington Central - Lily Moretti, jr., SG

Crystal Lake South - Brooke Kuffel, so., G

Dundee Crown - Gianine Boado, so., G; Payton Schmidt jr., G; Katelyn Skibinski, jr., G

Elgin - Dajha Cooper, sr., C

Elgin Academy - Ariana Marchan, jr., G

Geneva - Kate Palmer, so., G; Katie Montgomery, jr., G; Cassidy Navigato, sr., F

Hampshire - Sarah Bowen, sr., F; Morgan Haefling, sr., G

Huntley - Missy Moffett, sr., G

Jacobs - Elizabeth Schwartz, jr., G

Kaneland - Chloe Conley, so., G: Hannah Armin, sr., G

Larkin - Aaliyah Dixon, jr., F

Rosary - Zoe Ketterman, jr., F/C

South Elgin - Casey Brennan, sr., PG

St. Charles East - Ashley DiOrio, sr., F

St. Charles North - Emma Ludwig, fr., PG; Caroline Jakaitis, jr., F

St. Edward - Brooke Biggins, fr., G

West Aurora - Keva Tomas, sr., G

Westminster Christian - Keely Frens, sr., G