Daily Herald Northwest suburban All-Area Girls Basketball Team

Brittany Begrowicz, Maine West

Begrowicz has been a four- year standout for the Warriors and despite knee surgery last July, she put together another stellar season her senior year. The 5-foot-10 forward averaged 14.3 points with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. "Brittany led us to three conference championships and three 20-win seasons with her scoring and ball-handling," said Maine West coach Derril Kipp. "A player like Brittany is impossible to replace. You're just thankful to have been able to coach her." Begrowicz finished her career with 1,326 points and 628 rebounds in 126 games. She was a three-time Central Suburban League all-conference selection and two-time all-area pick.

Gabrielle Blackwell, Schaumburg

When the University of Chicago-bound Blackwell had the basketball, defenders had to keep a close watch on the senior. Before you knew it, she could be driving to the basket. "Gabrielle has an explosive first step, tremendous jumping ability and a variety of post moves," said Schaumburg coach Bill Murmann. "She was also able to play away from the basket with an excellent three point shot." Blackwell (13.5 ppg, 8.9 rebounds this season) leaves Schaumburg with 1,287 points, 755 rebounds and 177 steals in three years of varsity basketball. She set the all-time Schaumburg single-season rebounding record with 295 this campaign, eclipsing Kristen Stewart's 1997 record. "Gabrielle not only will be remembered for her basketball accomplishments but also her quick wit, contagious laugh and her ability to keep her teammates relaxed and ready to go in pressure situations," Murmann added.

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Janelle Cannon, Wheeling

Cannon, who transferred this season from Evanston, wasted little time in making an impact in the Wildcats' program. As a true point guard, she was able to run the floor and electrify the gym with her smooth passing, clutch 3-point shooting and overall ability to distribute the ball or attack the rim. Cannon averaged 12.8 points, 3.4 assists, 3.9 steals and 4 rebounds per game. She had a triple-double against Montini with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals and played big in every game. "Janelle has unlimited potential and already has us looking forward to the next two years," said Wheeling coach Shelly Wiegel. "She is coachable, competitive, and has a sense of humor that makes every day of basketball enjoyable. There is nothing that would surprise me going in to these next two years. She is just starting to tap into the talent she has." Cannon broke her wrist in the sectional semifinal against Warren and missed the sectional final against Buffalo Grove. She has already attracted interest from major Division I schools.

Ashley Capotosto, Elk Grove

There wasn't much question as to what player opposing teams had to slow down when playing Elk Grove. Capotosto's 20.3 scoring average and 8.9 rebounds said it all. "'Capo' was an integral part of our team this season," said Elk Grove coach Jim Wills. The 6-foot sophomore helped lead the way to the Grenadiers' most successful season (14-14) in more than a decade. "If Ashley continues to work on her game, I truly believe the best is yet to come for her." Capotosto scored 572 points and is only 16 shy of 1,000 for her career. Capotosto enjoyed 16 games where she scored at least 20 points, including a season-high 31 in the opener against Fenton and 28 against South Elgin and state-ranked Wheeling.

Kylie Castans, Schaumburg

When it comes to offense, no one scored more points in Schaumburg girls basketball history than Castans. She became the all-time leading scorer in school history with 1,521 points, topping 2001 graduate Andrea Brooke's record of 1,442. In addition, she has 785 career rebounds and 205 steals along with 201 assists. Castans shot 41 percent from 3-point range this year (61-of-150) and led the Saxons this season with her 17.1 scoring average while also averaging 7.1 rebounds. "Kylie has an excellent jump shot with the ability to create her own shot and also drive to the basket," said Schaumburg coach Bill Murmann. "She will be remembered at Schaumburg for her instant offense and the willingness to take and make the 'big shot'. Kylie is a major part of why Schaumburg has been recognized as a basketball program that has achieved. A student of the game, Kylie will continue to play in college and have many more great years."

Megan Fischer, Hoffman Estates

Only a junior, Fischer was one of the area's most prolific scorers. The 5-10 guard averaged 17.8 points and also pulled down a team-high 7 rebounds per game. "Megan is a scoring machine," said Hawks first-year coach Mike Nocella, who guided the Hawks to a 21-win season. "She scores with four different methods -- shooting jump shots, driving to the basket, posting up or being a garbage collector." Fischer's 515 points this season gives her 1,008 for her three-year varsity career. She was second on the team in assists (62) and steals (57). Fischer was also a terrific free throw shooter converting 107-of-119 for 90 percent. "Megan does not like to lose," Nocella said. "She plays with an offensive attitude you would like all players to have."

Taylor Glassmann, Fremd

The sophomore showed the poise of a senior as she helped lead the Vikings to a second-place finish in the Mid-Suburban West. The Vikings were a balanced team this season with seven different players leading the way in scoring in different games. One reason for that was Glassmann's ability to distribute the ball to all points of the floor. She also was able to score when needed, averaging 8.5 points a game along with 35 steals and 32 assists. "Taylor showed steady improvement from last season," said second-year Fremd coach Dave Yates. "Her numbers improved as our season progressed." Glassmann scored a career-high 20 points against Hoffman Estates this season. "Taylor was our most consistent player this season and set the tone for our defense with her ball pressure on opponents point guards. Taylor shows a tremendous amount of poise for her age."

Mary Kusner, Maine West

Kusner emerged as one of the top forwards in the area this winter, averaging a team-high 13.6 points, 7 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots. She scored a season-high 20 points against Deerfield. "Grace, agility and athleticism combined with confidence made for an outstanding senior season for Mary," said Warriors coach Derril Kipp. "Her ability to jump and score over defenders made her one of the top players in the area." Kusner, also an all-area volleyball selection, will play basketball at St. Xavier University in Chicago. She was a three-year varsity player for West in basketball. "Mary was the focal point of our offense," said Kipp, who watched his 6-foot senior record 12 double-doubles this season.

Katie MacFabe, Palatine

MacFabe certainly made her presence felt in the Pirates offense this season. The 6-foot junior accounted for nearly a third of Palatine's points. She finished with 336 for a 10.5 average and also grabbed 257 rebounds with 77 blocked shots. She popped in a season-high 21 points against Hersey and pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds against Jacobs. And she also found time to play solid defense. "Katie has been a very good post defender the past three years," said Pirates coach Ron Theberge. "She improved tremendously at the offensive end this season." Theberge believes MacFabe's best basketball is still around the corner. "I am extremely pleased with how Katie has progressed and I'm excited to have her back next season," he said.

Allison Mocchi, Buffalo Grove

Despite suffering a knee injury at the end of last season, Mocchi came back to be a major contributor her senior year for the state-ranked Bison as the third leading scorer. But her biggest asset may be her defensive prowess. "Allison is probably our best post defender," said Bison coach Tom Dineen. "And at 5-foot-10, we were always asking her to guard taller players like Ashley Wilson (Wheeling), Lana Rukavina (Wheeling), Sarah Boothe (Wheeling) and Kelsey Smith (St. Charles North). For her size, she really did a great job. She's really a battler." As a four-year starter, Mocchi played in 119 games for the Bison and won 106. She has 1,062 points and 111 3-pointers for her career. She is on the all-time school list for rebounds (No. 10 with 638), steals (No. 7 with 316) and blocks (No. 4 with 163). She also has 331 assists. "She showed her versatility even more toward the end of this season as we asked her to move to the point guard position," Dineen said. "Allison can hit the 3-pointer and she can be creative going to the basket. It's unfortunate she suffered a few injuries during her career which limited her playing time. We'd have to give her a break here and there, and it's too bad because she's such a great kid."

Megan Murray, Prospect

After three years playing a wing position, Murray moved to a post this season. She looked like she'd been there her whole career. The senior forward led the Knights with 13 points a game while also averaging 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals. She also was a 74 percent free throw shooter. "Megan was our leader on the floor," said Knights first-year coach Martha Kelly. "She is skilled, unselfish, hard-working, and competitive -- everything a leader should be. As our only returning starter, and our most athletic and skilled player she was also our go-to player." Kelly said those attributes helped her make the transition to a post. "That was relevant in her learning to play the new position," Kelly added. "We moved her into the post, and she loved it. Her athletic intelligence made the transition for her easy and she loved learning new skills. She is a true basketball player in that she could play any position and our offense was designed with her in mind."

Drewann Pancratz, Schaumburg

Not only was she one of the most crafty volleyball setters you'll find, Pancratz's basketball IQ was equally as impressive. "Drewann may have the most intelligent basketball mind of any player I ever coached," said Saxons coach Bill Murmann. "She has a great understanding of the game and often times knows what I am going to say before I say it. She is capable of directing a team during a game and making the adjustments necessary to be successful which makes her a coach on the floor." Pancratz (12.4 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, 107 assists, 73 steals this season) finished her four-year career with 1,171 points, 522 rebounds and 216 steals. In addition she has set the all-time Schaumburg career assist record at 355 assists. "Few players have the fluidness of her jump shot and the toughness of her spirit when it comes to playing," Murmann said. "She will always be remembered for her desire to win and her willingness to sacrifice to make her teammates better players. Having many opportunities before her, she may very well be helping her teammates again on the basketball court in college."

Michelle Rawleigh, Conant

A versatile athlete, Rawleigh was instrumental in Conant's progress the last two seasons. A four-year varsity player, and a starter for three years, she suffered a severe ACL injury early her sophomore year and missed the entire season. "Because Michelle worked so hard at rehabilitating her knee and improving her basketball skills, she was a starter in her junior and senior years," said Cougars coach Dan Travers said. "For Michelle to make all-conference is a tribute to her commitment and dedication to the Conant girls' basketball program as well as a recognition of her contributions to its success this year." Rawleigh averaged 11.0 points and shot 38 percent from the 3-point line, 51 percent for 2-point shots, 70 percent from the free-throw line and averaged 5 rebounds. Rawleigh is also a varsity cross country runner and soccer player, as well as a member of the National Honor Society and is ranked in the top 10 percent of her class.

Lana Rukavina, Wheeling

Rukavina was instrumental in turning around the Wheeling program. She entered a program that lacked tradition and had finished 11-16 in 2003-2004. In her four years as a starter, the Wildcats have gone 104-21, winning three regional titles and appearing in three sectional final games. They also and won the conference title for the first time in school history. Rukavina scored 1,260 career points. This season, she averaged 13.1 points, 1.8 blocks, 1.8 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game this season. "Lana has helped establish the program's winning tradition and put Wheeling girls basketball on the map," said Wheeling coach Shelly Wiegel of the Illinois-bound senior. "She looks to take her patented left handed hook into the Big Ten next year. "Lana has had an incredible impact on our program and on me personally as a coach. She sees the game well and is always looking for ways to improve her game. She wants to understand the how and why of what is being done. My first four years as head coach were incredible and a big reason for that is Lana. I am excited to see her play in the Big Ten next year and I know she will represent Wheeling and the MSL extremely well."

Bianca Szafarowicz, Wheeling

Whether it was scoring points, hustling down rebounds, getting steals or making a behind-the-back pass, Szafarowicz did anything she could to give the Wildcats a lift. "Bianca did whatever it took to help her team win," said Wheeling coach Shelly Wiegel. "The energy and fire she brought to the court are immeasurable." Szafarowicz was the most improved player returning from a squad that went 23-7 a year ago. The 5-10 sophomore became a full-time starter who earned the reputation of giving an all-out effort for 32 minutes of a game. She averaged 7.3 points, 3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.3 steals. "Bianca was all over the floor making plays," Wiegel said. "She will be a key returner and counted on to take a leadership position and help us continue to make history."

Colleen Vana, Maine West

After playing an off guard as a junior, Vana moved to the point this season. And she proved a point. She was one of the top guards in the area, serving as a perfect floor leader for the Central Suburban North champs. The 5-foot-6 senior led the Warriors with 6 assists per game while also averaging 6 points and 5 rebounds. Vana also was a defensive stopper, leading the club in steals. quot;Colleen was a leader on the floor,quot; said Warriors coach Derril Kipp. quot;She was able to run our offense after playing an off guard last year. She sacrificed scoring for the team.quot; The three-year varsity performer reached double figures four times this season, including 14 points against Deerfield. quot;She's the last in a long line of Vanas at Maine West,quot; said Kipp, whose assistant coach and former Daily Herald honorary captain Dawn Vana is Colleen's cousin.

Ashley Wilson, Wheeling

Wilson followed up stellar freshman and sophomore years with a solid junior campaign in which she joined the 1,000-point club for Wheeling. A three-time all-conference and all-area selection, she was tri-MVP of the Mid-Suburban East and led the conference in field goal percentage at 65.7percent. "She often faced double teams and very physical play from the opposition," said Wildcats coach Shelly Wiegel. Wilson averaged 15.1 points, 2 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 3 steals per game and now has scored 1,287 points with 782 rebounds. In her 3 years, the Wildcats are 79-15. "Ashley is the strongest and most athletic player I have ever coached," Wiegel added. "She has the ability to dominate in every game on both ends of the floor. I think the sky is the limit for what she can do as she finishes up her career and prepares for college."

Ariana Zades, Conant

The Cougars' backcourt will surely miss Zades, who has been a starter the past three years and a four-year varsity player. This season, Zades averaged 9.0 points and led the team with 32 3-point shots. She shot 70 percent from the free-throw line and 50 percent for 2-point shots. "Ariana has worked very hard over the last three years to develop her basketball skills and her athleticism to compete at the all-conference level," said Conant coach Dan Travers. "This outstanding accomplishment is the result of Ariana's commitment and dedication to the Conant girls' basketball program." Zades has been a Cougars captain and Travers says she is a tremendous role model for the younger players on the team. "Ariana leads by example, always striving for excellence on and off the court," the coach added. "She is one of the most mentally tough players in the conference. Along with captain Michelle Rawleigh, Ariana is one of the main reasons for our success in the MSL this year." Zades is also a member of National Honor Society. and is ranked in the top third of her class.