Daily Herald DuPage Co. All-Area Girls Basketball Team

Samantha Arnold, Lake Park

An AP Class 4A all-state first-team pick, the 6-foot-4 junior forward averaged 23.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals. She made 52 3-pointers while shooting 46 percent from the field and 82 percent from the foul line. Has 1,571 career points. Two-time all-Upstate Eight Conference. All-tourney at Fenton/Elk Grove/Lake Park and the Chicagoland Holiday Showcase. Has committed to Michigan. "She's so much more than a scorer," Lancers coach Lisa Smith. "She's a great team player."

Missy Blazej, Downers Grove North

Effective from all spots on the court, the 5-foot-11 junior forward averaged 12.2 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. All-West Suburban Silver. All-tourney at Glenbard East. "Missy's strength is her versatility," Trojans coach Darrin Travillian said. "She played every sport on the floor for me at one point or another this year. She came up as a ballhandler and now that she's added a back-to-basket game, she really has an entire arsenal of offensive moves."

More Coverage Links Northwest Co-captains: BG's Ellen Ayoub, Maggie Mocchi finish with flair [02/29/09] Northwest Suburban All-Area Team [02/29/08] DuPage Co. Captain: Lake Park's Arnold strong on the court, in the classroom [02/29/08] DuPage Co. All-Area Team [02/29/08] Tri-Cities Captain: SCN's Smith's stands above them all [02/29/08] Tri-Cities All-Area Team [02/29/08] Fox Valley Co-captain: C-G's Smith became the complete player [02/29/08] Fox Valley Co-captain: Wave's Yohn flourishes in leadership role [02/29/08] Fox Valley All-Area Team [02/29/08]

Rachel Bostick, Waubonsie Valley

A formidable presence, the 6-foot-1 junior center averaged 8.1 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Upstate Eight Conference champs. She shot 48 percent from the field while earning all-conference honors for the 26-3 Warriors. "What most impressed me about Rachel is her ability to get past her (shoulder) injury in December," Warriors coach Kris Kalivas said. "She was just invaluable to us. She just does little things that people wouldn't even notice. She's a mentally and physically tough kid."

Danielle Brown, Waubonsie Valley

Making the most of her 5-foot-8 frame, the senior forward averaged a team-high 9.0 points for the Upstate Eight Conference champions. She shot 43 percent from the field and 72 percent from the free-throw line to earn all-conference honors as she helped her team record a 26-3 mark. "Danielle is a hard-nosed kid," Warriors coach Kris Kalivas said. "She's not very big, but she used her size to the best of her ability. She was very smart defensively, and offensively she was tough to guard."

Chloe Harris, Hinsdale South

Seldom leaving the court because she was so valuable at both ends to the 22-9 Hornets, the 5-foot-10 senior forward averaged 12.9 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the field. Two-time all-West Suburban Gold. All-tourney at Hinsdale South, Morton College and Seasons End. "Chloe is the most dedicated player that I've coached in 31 years," Hornets coach Brenda Whitesell said. "Her success is a direct result of her dedication to the game."

Kelley Hendrick, Naperville Central

A creator, the 5-foot-8 junior guard averaged 12.2 points, 4.4 assists and 3.5 steals. Two-time all-DuPage Valley Conference. All-tourney at Dundee-Crown. "Kelley's our engine," Redhawks coach Andy Nussbaum said. "She's definitely the energy force on the team. She matured as a player this year to where she was a very good passer as well as putting points on the board. She was pretty much our go-to kid and everyone knew it, and she still performed."

Whitney Holloway, Montini

Playing beyond her years, the 5-foot-4 freshman point guard averaged 8.7 points, 2.9 assists and 2.9 steals while helping the Broncos to the Suburban Catholic Conference title, a 27-5 record and a downstate berth. She shot 53 percent from the field. All-tourney at the Chicagoland Holiday Showcase. All-SCC. "I think she's kind of the difference in this team," Broncos coach Jason Nichols said. "She sets the tempo for us. It's very odd to say about a freshman, but she's our floor general and leader."

Michala Johnson, Montini

The Suburban Catholic Conference Player of the Year led the Broncos to a conference title, a 27-5 mark and a downstate appearance. The 6-foot-3 sophomore center averaged 18.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.6 steals. An AP Class 3A all-state first-team pick. All-tourney at Whitney Young and the Chicagoland Holiday Showcase. Two-time all-SCC. "She's been great," Broncos coach Jason Nichols said. "People keep doubling her, so that's a sign of respect right there."

Molly Kinsella, Hinsdale Central

A rugged rebounder and defensive anchor, the 6-foot-2 senior center averaged 8.8 points and 7.5 rebounds for the 31-2 West Suburban Silver champs. She shot 49 percent from the field and blocked 43 shots. Two-time all-conference. All-tourney at Hinsdale South and Wheaton North. "She's rebounded the ball like crazy all year and then at practice she's winning sprints and diving on the floor," Red Devils coach Steve Gross said. "She's been just absolutely a great leader."

Toni Kokenis, Hinsdale Central

Assertively taking her game to another level, the 5-foot-10 sophomore point guard averaged 14.5 points, 3.6 steals, 2.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists while leading her team to the West Suburban Silver title and a 31-2 record. Kokenis shot 50 percent from the field and 72 percent from the foul line. She made 44 3-pointers. Two-time all-West Suburban Silver. All-tourney at Hinsdale South and Wheaton North. "Toni's just a talent," Red Devils coach Steve Gross said. "She's a major Division I player."

Sarah Langlas, Wheaton Warrenville South

Going from role player to team leader, the 5-foot-9 senior forward sparked the 20-9 Tigers to a surprise repeat in the DuPage Valley Conference. She averaged 13.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.1 assists, and shot 48 percent from the field. Two-time all-conference. All-tourney at Schaumburg and Benet/Naperville North. Will play soccer at Iowa. "First and foremost, she's a fantastic competitor," Tigers coach Rob Kroehnke said. "She is definitely someone you want on your team."

Courtney Lindfors, Driscoll

The 6-foot-4 sophomore center became a force inside and powered the Highlanders to a school record for wins at 25-6 and their first regional and sectional titles. She averaged 14.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks, while shooting 46 percent from the field. All-Suburban Catholic Conference. All-tourney at Willowbrook and Oswego East. "She made big strides in terms of finishing around the basket," Highlanders coach Steve McCuiston said, "and she's only going to get better."

Kathryn Lux, Glenbard West

A fierce competitor, the 5-foot-11 junior forward averaged 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. She made 26 3-pointers and 70 percent of her free throws. All-West Suburban Silver. MVP at Benet/Naperville North tourney. All-tourney at Glenbard East. Has committed to play softball for Notre Dame. "She doesn't play with any fear," Hilltoppers coach Mike Hofland said. "She's a confident kid and big games don't affect her. Whether it's practice or a game, she's always competing."

Megan Ney, Glenbard North

Showing unusual scoring range for her size, the 6-foot senior forward averaged 10.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals while shooting 47 percent from the field. Two-time all-DuPage Valley Conference. All-tourney at Glenbard East. Will play for Elmhurst. "She always guarded the other team's best interior player, so we asked her to do it all," Panthers coach Mark Glenn said. "She's a complete player who understands the game. She's got the whole package."

Courtney Owens, York

Expanding her offensive game to the perimeter, the 5-foot-10 junior forward averaged 13.8 points and 7.0 rebounds. She made 29 3-pointers, shot 73 percent from the foul line and blocked 40 shots. All-West Suburban Silver. All-tourney at Hinsdale South and Benet/Naperville North. "She's a big-game player," Dukes coach Ken Dowdy said. "Against the better teams she just seems to take her game to another level. She's just extremely confident in her game."

Danielle Pipal, Glenbard South

Raising her game and bringing the program with her, the 5-foot-8 senior guard averaged 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals. She shot 42 percent from the field. Three-time all-conference. MVP of the Glenbard East tourney. All-tourney at Wheaton North. "She has kind of come into her own," Raiders coach Julie Fonda said. "She's matured so much. She's become a floor leader who wants the ball in her hands. That's something you can't necessarily teach."

Samantha Rubright, Fenton

Letting her play do the talking, the 5-foot-10 junior forward averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.9 steals. All-tourney at Fenton/Elk Grove/Lake Park and Seasons End. Two-time all-Metro Suburban Conference. "She's extremely shy and self-effacing," Bison coach Tim Anderson said. "It doesn't always show on the outside, but on the inside she's a fierce competitor. We had a lot of really big ballgames this year and she showed up in every single one of 'em."

Michelle Scandora, Wheaton North

Powerful and mobile, the 6-foot-1 senior forward averaged 12.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals, while shooting 55 percent from the field and 72 percent from the foul line. All-DuPage Valley Conference. All-tourney at Geneva and Wheaton North. Will play soccer for DePaul. "She's just a great kid," Falcons coach David Eaton said. "She's respected in the hallways of the school and by the faculty, and now she's respected on the basketball court. She's the best athlete in the school."

Alexa Sharkey, Wheaton Academy

Playing in perpetual motion, the 5-foot-9 sophomore guard averaged 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 steals and 2.4 assists, while shooting 43 percent from the field. Two-time all-Private School League. All-tourney at Geneva. "She has the passion for what she's doing, and I think it's very evident when you watch her play," Warriors coach Beth Mitchell said. "She's everywhere, and she can do just about anything you ask her to do on the court. She's a fun player to coach."

Collette Williams, Willowbrook

An efficient scorer and smart defender, the 5-foot-7 senior guard averaged 12.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.6 assists. She shot 48 percent from the field. All-West Suburban Gold. All-tourney at Willowbrook and Seasons End. "She made us go," Warriors coach Troy Nelson said. "Without her we'd probably have been lucky to win five or six games. I've had some kids play hard here over the years, but I don't think I ever had one play as hard for the entire season in every practice and every game."

Honorable mention

Nikki Bell (so., F, Benet); Allie Cerone (sr., G, Wheaton North); Catherine Culligan (sr., G, St. Francis); Katie Delaney (jr., F, Hinsdale Central); Gigi DiGrazia (jr., G, Driscoll); Alicia Engelhardt (sr., C, Glenbard South); Anna Gault (sr., G, Waubonsie Valley); Erin Hayes (sr., G, Immaculate Conception); Nicole Hazemi (so., F, Glenbard West); Lisa Lawrence (sr., C, Naperville Central); Jenn Lee (jr., G, Wheaton Academy); Cootie Leeberg (sr., G, Montini); Shannon McNeil (jr., G, Timothy Christian); Jessica Morice (jr., G, Waubonsie Valley); Gianna Pecora (jr., G, Downers Grove South); Erica Spear (sr., G, Addison Trail), Kelsey Taylor (jr., G, Glenbard East), Brittany Upshaw (jr., F, Waubonsie Valley), Madison Whitley (jr., G, Hinsdale Central); Kaelyn Witkowski (jr., G, Naperville North).