Girls Basketball: Beacon-News Girls Basketball All-Area Team
First Team
Liza Fruendt, Batavia, Soph. G
The sophomore broke out in a big way for the Bulldogs this season, topping 20 points in seven games and averaging 14.2 points per game, one of the best marks in the area.
Lori Obendorf, Metea Valley, Jr. F
Obendorf helped lead the Mustangs to their first season over .500 with her steady play. The junior averaged 12.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.
Sami Pawlak, Geneva, Jr. F
Pawlak was one of the top rebounders in the area and provided some scoring punch for the Vikings as well. She finished with 11.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.
Ashley Santos, Geneva, Sr. G
The Marquette recruit saw her season cut to only 19 games thanks to a torn ACL, but she did plenty of damage before the injury. She averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Becky Williford, Waubonsie Valley, Sr. G
After coming back from her torn ACL in early December, Williford guided the balanced Warriors to a 25-3 season. The Roosevelt recruit finished with a modest 8.7 points and 3.8 assists per game, but Waubonsie was a different team with its point guard on the floor.
Second team
Gratia Brooks, Waubonsie Valley, Jr. F
One of the best weak-side offensive rebounders around, Brooks was crucial to Waubonsie’s success, despite being the team’s only non-senior starter. She averaged 9.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
Erica Jordan, Waubonsie Valley, Sr. G
One of the best defenders in the area, Jordan provided needed toughness for the Warriors all season. She finished with 9.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. Jordan is headed to Roosevelt with Williford in the fall.
Alexis Nelson, West Aurora, Sr. G
Nelson became the program’s all-time and single-season three-point leader this season, hitting 60 bombs this year alone. She averaged 12.2 points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game for the Blackhawks.
Ashley Prost, Kaneland, Jr. F
Prost led a balanced Kaneland squad to a sectional title game in her first varsity season. She averaged 10.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while chipping in with 42 steals and 31 assists.
Tyshee Towner, East Aurora, Sr. F
A first-team all-conference selection, Towner stood out for the Tomcats this season. She averaged 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.3 assists per game in her senior year.
Small-school First Team
Mackenzie Bollinger, Aurora Christian, Jr. G
Bollinger was tabbed a special mention all-state pick for her solid junior season. She averaged 12.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game.
Lauren Brummel, Somonauk, Sr. F
Brummel finished her Bobcats career as the program’s second-leading scorer with 1,168 points. This season, Brummel was the top scorer in the area, averaging 18.7 points per game to go with 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.5 steals per game. She is headed to St. Ambrose in the fall.
Jackie Cardona, Aurora Central Catholic, Sr. G
The Beacon-News Player of the Year finished 14 points shy of the all-time school record for points with 1,214. She led the program to its best season ever and its first state tournament appearance. Cardona averaged 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Clarissa Martinez, Plano, Soph. C
Martinez was the leading rebounder and shot-blocking artist in the area in her first varsity season. She averaged 8.9 points per game, but more importantly, she hauled down 11.1 rebounds per game and blocked 4.3 shots per game.
Kaitlin Phillips, Hinckley-Big Rock, Sr. G
Phillips capped off her stellar career with a first-team all-state nod for Class 1A/2A for the Royals. She averaged 17.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.4 steals per game for the regional champions.
Honorable mention
Tesa Alderman, Aurora Central Catholic
Arneasa Blair, Oswego East
Jordann Dhuse, Yorkville
Kelly Evers, Kaneland
Paige Harmon, Oswego
Alyssa Henzel, Aurora Christian
Alicyn Hester, Yorkville
Rachel Hinchman, Geneva
Katie Hollis, Hinckley-Big Rock
Zhate Jackson, Plano
Michaela Loebel, Geneva
Marta Medina, East Aurora
Tachae Miles, Plano
Tami Morice, Waubonsie Valley
Katilyn Rosa, Aurora Central Catholic
Rachael Ross, Waubonsie Valley
Karly Tate, Rosary
Lauren Tollefson, Newark
Bria Walker, Metea Valley
Ashley Wilk, Aurora Central Catholic