2012 girls basketball All-area team

Bolingbrook’s Morgan Tuck is simple the area’s best... The 6-2 Connecticut-recruit has developed into one of Illinois’ top players all-time, as well as National recognition. Tuck, who averaged better than 31 points, 10 rebounds and nearly three steals per game to lead the Raiders to a 26-1 regular-season record, has left her mark in the record books by being part of three state-championship teams. Believe it or not, it has been reported that there were times during her freshman year that Bolingbrook’s Morgan Tuck would leave practice, find a quiet place to be alone and break down in tears. “[Coach Anthony Smith] was on me a lot as a freshman,” Tuck said. “I would go home crying like, ‘Oh, my gosh, what am I doing wrong?’ I couldn’t do anything right.”

Shannise Heady, 5-11, Sr., F, Hillcrest During the regular season, the Seton hall recruit, Heady put up big numbers across the board, averaging 15.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.6 steals per game. She is recognized as a leader and tenacious defender on the court who thrives in pressure situations, and caring person off the court. Samirah Ali, 5-2, Sr., G, Hillcrest The Southern Mississippi recruit was a two-time all-tournament selection at the Rich South Galaxy and Hillcrest Holiday tournaments, and a two-time South Suburban all-conference choice. She broke the 1,000-point plateau for her career and is currently playing her way downstate in the Class 3A semifinals. JeTaun Rouse, 5-9, Jr., G, Marist An electrifying open-court player, Rouse averaged 13 points per game during the regular season while shooting 47 percent from the field for the East Suburban Catholic Conference champions. She also had 77 assists and 74 rebounds to go along with 63 steals. AMATEUR SPORTS BRACKET Just click the icon.... all you need is a Yahoo! account Leah Bolton, 5-9, Jr., G, Marist A 14.5 points per game scorer with a high game of 31, Bolton is an explosive offensive weapon. But she is equally effective on the other end of the floor with 70 steals and 69 of her 144 regular-season rebounds coming on the defensive end. Bria Gaines, 6-3, Jr., C, Bloom Gaines averaged 27.2 points per game including 27 in Bloom’s regional loss to Mother McAuley. She also averaged nearly 17 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game and finished with a double-double in every game Bloom played this season. Keiera Ray, 5-9, Sr., G, Bolingbrook The Pennsylvania recruit played just about every position during her high school career, but settled in at point guard for Bolingbrook and averaged 12.3 points, 4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3 steals per game. She also hit a really big shot in the Girls Class 4A Supers against Whitney Young ~click here to see it. Charnelle Reed, 5-11, Sr., G, Homewood-Flossmoor The Western Illinois recruit averaged 13.2 points per game for the south suburban powerhouse. A 45 percent shooter from the field including 30 percent from long distance, Reed also averaged nearly 4 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. Taylor Johnson, 5-6, Sr., G, Lincoln-Way East A leader by example on and off the court, the Loyola-bound Johnson averaged 15.6 points and 4.1 assists to go along with 99 rebounds and 125 steals. “Taylor has worked so hard to improve every year,” coach Jim Martin said. “She has developed into a true point guard.” Players we just couldn't go without mentioning even though they extend out of our coverage area... Alexis Lloyd, 5-10, Sr., G, Young Somebody has to do the dirty work if a team is going to go through a regular season unbeaten, and for Young, that someone was Lloyd. Effective underneath the basket or from the wing, Lloyd averaged 16 points, 4 steals and 5 rebounds per game. Be sure to check out the Girl Class 4A SuperSectional recap which includes video of her play ~click here. Janee Thompson, 5-7, Sr., G, Young Thompson will head to Kentucky next fall to join one of the top college programs in the country. This season, the slick point guard averaged 18.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2 steals per game to lead the Dolphins to a city title and unbeaten regular season. Be sure to check out the Girl Class 4A SuperSectional recap which includes video of her play ~click here. Linnae Harper, 5-8, Jr., G, Young There is no part of the game at which Harper does not excel. The second-leading scorer on last year’s third-place state finisher, she just continued to get better this year averaging 19.8 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game. Be sure to check out the Girl Class 4A SuperSectional recap which includes video of her play ~click here. Kalea Parks, 6-1, Sr., F, Proviso East Averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and 2.5 steals while leading her team to a third consecutive 20-win season. Parks was all-tournament at Niles North and Pickerington (Ohio) North. She is considering Winthrop, St. Bonaventure and University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Megan Podkowa, 6-0, Sr., F, Trinity Podkowa recently passed Monica Albano to become Trinity’s all-time leading scorer. She holds the school record for rebounds and blocks. The DePaul-bound senior averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 56 percent from the field. Christen Prasse, 5-10, Jr., G, Benet Prasse averaged better than 13 points per game and had a season-high of 30, shot 36 percent from three-point range and added nearly three assists per game. Her 80 steals led to a number of easy baskets for the East Suburban Catholic Conference runner-ups. Jewell Loyd, 5-11, Sr., G, Niles West Loyd will go down as one of the best players in Illinois history. Only six have ever eclipsed 3,000 points in their career, Loyd averaged 11.8 rebounds and 27 points per game this season while shooting 54 percent from the floor.

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