BG's Ellen Ayoub, Maggie Mocchi finish with flair

The numbers are staggering.

And staggering is the way many opposing teams felt after going up against Buffalo Grove stars Ellen Ayoub and Maggie Mocchi the past four years.

Ayoub and Mocchi, the 2008 Daily Herald Cook County All-Area girls basketball team honorary co-captains, have combined to score 3,531 career points, make three trips to the Elite Eight and four to the supersectional.

"Some girls would love to win just one conference title or regional, or sectional," said Bison coach Tom Dineen. "When you look at how many team successes they have been a part of, it is just remarkable."

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]

Ayoub has been in all 141 games the Bison have played the last four years. That is a school record as are her 121 wins and 175 3-pointers.

Her 1,855 career points rank third behind Michele Ratay and Cherise Compobasso.

Maggie Mocchi has 119 wins in 138 games, both second on the all-time school list behind Ayoub.

Mocchi's 1,676 points are No. 5 all-time at BG while she is No. 1 in career steals (426).

"Maggie is a little more vocal leader on the floor just because she winds up handling the ball a little more than Ellen," Dineen said. "Ellen probably has the softest touch of any player we've had at Buffalo Grove.

"She is a tough match-up because if you don't defend her outside, she can hit the 3-pointer. But if you try to go 1-on-1 on her, she can drive to the basket and create things that way. Maggie has the same abilities and is maybe a little more creative taking the ball to the basket."

Dineen saw the talent in Ayoub and Mocchi the minute they stepped into the gym as freshmen.

Mocchi started immediately while Ayoub gradually worked her way into the starting rotation.

"Never did I think they would end up with the kind of numbers they have now," the coach said. "At that age, you don't predict numbers for kids. But they just got better and better."

They became so much better that they joined the group of his finest players.

"We've got a tremendous history of great players here," he said. "Where these two kids fit in is a difficult question to answer. For sure, they are at the top. But also, to see what they have done with the team in four years is remarkable."

BG is 121-20 since Ayoub and Mocchi entered the program as freshmen.

"All the individual honors Ellen and Maggie have received are nice, but they'll be the first to tell you they are more concerned with how the team does," Dineen said. "They probably could have had more glossy numbers, but they're much more worried about how we play as a team, and that's why they are ideal captains.

"They have been good role models for girls basketball. They are good kids and good students. They are very team-oriented and great ambassadors for the game."

Ayoub and Mocchi are so gifted at basketball that Dineen was forced to change an offense he employed for 25 seasons.

Since finishing fourth in the state with his first team in 1979, Dineen has always gone with three posts and two guards until four years ago.

"Because of the ability of Ellen and Maggie, that all changed," Dineen said. "They came in 5-foot-10 but had the skills of a guard. We had to go with a five-guard offense.

"And we ask a lot of both of them. They are our tallest players, so they have to defend the taller players on the other teams. And that can take its toll."

For the last three years, Ayoub and Mocchi have been on the tollway to Normal.

They have been giving Bison fans quite a ride.

What's Ellen Ayoub thinking?

Favorite moment at BG: Making it to the state finals three years in a row.

Looking forward to the most at Loyola: Just to be able to play at that level (Division I) and against the great competition all the time. And I love all the coaches and players. They're so fun. It's going to be a great time.

What's Maggie Mocchi thinking?:

Favorite moment at BG: (Coach Tom) Dineen and all the girls I've played with. They've been wonderful.

Looking forward to at Northwestern: Playing with all my new teammates and with my sister (twin Allison) for four more years.