BG's Ayoub shows guarded optimism

As a freshman, Buffalo Grove's Ellen Ayoub was smooth as silk.

Today, she's solid as gold.

That slick-shooting freshman guard is now a senior for Buffalo Grove's highly-regarded girls basketball team, which returns four starters from a Class AA Elite Eight qualifier.

The 5-foot-10 Ayoub makes no secret about how she would like to finish her career.

"It's crazy but we're not satisfied yet," said Ayoub, referring to her team's back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. "I literally think about that loss to Bolingbrook (in overtime two years ago when the Bison lost it in the final seconds on a steal). I definitely want this to be our year."

If it is, Ayoub will have to be a major factor.

Earlier this week, she made a verbal commitment to play for Loyola University. The Bison now have three Division I players. Teammates Maggie and Allison Mocchi have committed to Northwestern.

Ayoub ranks fifth on Buffalo Grove's all-time scoring list with 1,300 points, standing behind Michele Ratay (2,483), Cherise Compobasso (1,926), Ashley Sandstead (1,871) and Rachel Buchek (1,684).

She can't believe it's her senior year.

"It's crazy, it went so fast," Ayoub said. "It literally flew by."

Just like Ayoub and her teammates seem to have flown by opposing defenses the past three years.

"Early in her career, Ellen was known more as a shooter," said BG Hall of Fame coach Tom Dineen. "When we made the decision to go to a five-guard lineup, Ellen really showed her complete game.

"She got to handle the ball and show her creativeness driving to the basket. It became evident that she could handle the ball in a running situation."

Ayoub appreciated her coach allowing her to play outside.

"I was tall when I came in as a freshman, and Mr. Dineen didn't force me to be a post player," Ayoub said. "He let me play guard and do what I'm good at. I didn't like playing with my back to the basket."

Ayoub has kept her game sharp by playing AAU basketball during the off-season.

"Every coach I've had has had an impact on me," she said. "I've had a lot of good ones, and even my middle school coach (Thomas Middle School) had an amazing record."

Ayoub has always had an amazing shot. Even as a freshman, she had one of the softest touches around.

"I've been obsessed with working on my shot," Ayoub said. "I've always tried to make it better. I had a slow release as a freshman. And I made it a quicker release as a sophomore."

As a junior, Ayoub shot 50.2 percent from 2-point range (133-262) and 31.3 percent from 3-point territory, making a team-high 56 of 179.

Ayoub is the oldest of eight children. She is the only sibling at the home of Ramy and Connie Ayoub who does not share a bedroom.

"I just redecorated it," she said with a smile. "I painted it two shades of blue, giving it a country theme."

When she was 4 years old, she started tossing a basketball toward the hoop at the Ayoub household.

"My mom and dad had me playing in the park district when I was in third grade," she said. "I was always scared because I wasn't sure how good I was."

There was no doubt how good she was by the time she reached high school.

Dineen quickly inserted her into his starting lineup as a freshman.

"Ellen was sort of an unknown quantity when she came in as a freshman," he said. "But she stepped in with that sweet soft touch and really made a name for herself. And she has continued to get better and better. It's going to be a nice ending to her career this season."

Ayoub is considering a major of business law in college.

"I love the show 'Law and Order,'" she said. "I know it's nothing like the real world, but I can watch those 'Law and Order' marathons all day.

"I had a car accident in a snowstorm a few years ago. It wasn't my fault, but I had to be at traffic court and I thought it was so cool watching all those lawyers in there."

Girls basketball fans often find it cool to watch Ayoub on the basketball court.