These girls shine on the hardwood: Introducing the SJ-R's all-area girls basketball teams

Here are the 24 players selected to The State Journal-Register's Large and Small School Girls Basketball teams. There were 12 players selected to each team.

LARGE-SCHOOL TEAM

JENNA BOWMAN, Lincoln

The Railers’ 5-foot-6 senior guard was a dead-eye shooter from beyond the 3-point line (75-for-196, an incredible 38.3%). She finished with 7.3 ppg for the Class 3A state champion Railsplitters and made 39.3 from the field (97 of 247). She also averaged 3.8 rebounds for the Railers.

MAGGIE FLEISCHLI, Sacred Heart-Griffin

The Cyclones’ 5-foot-9 senior forward averaged 9.5 ppg, on 40.7% (110 of 270) shooting. She also sank 67.1% of her free-throw attempts (94 of 140). The Cyclones’ Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State special mention also pulled down 5.2 boards per game.

MAZIE FLEMING, Taylorville

The Tornadoes’ 6-4 junior center earned an IBCA Class 3A All-State special mention selection after averaging 10.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.2 blocks, 1.1 assists and 0.8 steals per game. Taylorville lost a heartbreaker, 41-39, to eventual Class 3A state runner-up Chatham Glenwood in the Class 3A Southeast Regional title game.

KLOE FROEBE, Lincoln

The State Journal-Register's Large School Girls Basketball Player of the Year and the Ms. Basketball of Illinois winner led the Railsplitters to the Central State Eight Conference’s first state championship. The 5-9 senior, who will play for Colorado State University, averaged a CS8-best 28.7 ppg on 52.0% field-goal shooting (381 of 733). She went 222-for-318 at the free-throw line (69.8%) and hit 32.0% of her 3-point attempts (79 of 247). She was fifth in the CS8 with 6.6 rpg and she averaged 4.8 assists per game. Her 3,262 career points are fifth in Illinois High School Association girls basketball history. She was an unanimous Associated Press All-State selection and was an IBCA Class 3A first-team all-state pick. She scored 36 points, an IHSA Class 3A record, in the state title game win over Chatham Glenwood.

MARISA GANT, Southeast

The Spartans’ 5-9 senior guard finished second in the CS8, behind player of the year Kloe Froebe, in scoring with 17.3 ppg (503 total points). She shot 36.2% (182-for-502) overall, 72.4% (97-for-134) at the free-throw line and made 42 3-pointers — fourth-most in the conference. She also averaged 5.1 rebounds per game. She earned an IBCA Class 3A All-State second-team selection. She will play basketball at Parkland College in Champaign.

BECCA HEITZIG, Lincoln

The Railsplitters’ 5-8 senior guard was eighth in the Central State Eight Conference with 10.6 ppg and she averaged 4.6 rebounds per game. She shot 52.6% (181 of 344) from the floor, 75% at the free-throw line (30-for-40) and made 12 3-pointers at 29.3%. With the Railers’ basketball state champion, she became a three-sport title holder (cross country, basketball and track and field) with two runner-up titles (volleyball and basketball). She was an Associated Press Class 3A All-State honorable mention selection and an IBCA Class 3A All-State second-teamer.

CALLIE HUSTON, Sacred Heart-Griffin

SHG's 5-10 senior forward was sixth in the CS8 with 11.7 ppg and was second in the league with 57.8% from the floor (166 of 287). She also made 54 of 92 free throws (58.7%) and pulled down 4.1 rebounds per game.

ALEXIS NEUMANN, Chatham Glenwood

This 6-0 freshman center was fifth in the CS8 in scoring (11.8 ppg) and first in rebounds (8.5 per game). She helped boost the Titans to their first-ever state tournament semifinal appearance before Glenwood lost to eventual state champion Lincoln in the finals. The Titans’ leading scorer shot 50% from the field (168-for-339), knocked down 68.3% of her free throws (43 of 63) and made 30.1% from the arc (22-for-71). An Associated Press Class 3A All-State honorable mention selection and an IBCA Class 3A All-State third-teamer, she also blocked 50 shots in 34 games.

TAYLOR OFFER, Rochester

The Rockets’ 5-4 junior point guard finished fourth in the CS8 with 12.3 ppg. She also recorded 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game and led Rochester with 39 made 3-pointers. She also had a knack for getting to the free-throw line, where she went 84-for-136 (61.8%).

EMMA SCHEFFLER, Springfield High

The Senators’ senior guard finished with 9.7 ppg and made 66 3-pointers (third-most in the CS8) at a 34.2% clip. She was 63 of 78 at the free-throw line (80.8%) and earned an IBCA Class 3A All-State special mention selection.

ADDISON TARR, Taylorville

The 5-11 junior guard led the Tornadoes with 14.9 ppg, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.1 block per game. The Tornadoes finished 25-7 overall and went 10-0 in the Apollo Conference. Tarr was an Associated Press Class 3A All-State honorable mention selection and was named to the IBCA Class 3A All-State third team.

MAKENNA YEAGER, Chatham Glenwood

The Titans’ 5-9 senior guard had a season to remember in her final campaign, leading Glenwood to a 28-8 overall record, including a 9-1 finish in the CS8 before helping the Titans to a Class 3A state runner-up place in the postseason. In 33 games, she averaged 8.6 ppg and 3.2 rpg. She shot 33.1% (101 of 305) overall, 27% from the 3-point arc (31-for-115) and 69.4% from the free-throw line (50 of 72). She received an IBCA Class 3A All-State third team selection.

SMALL-SCHOOL TEAM

CARSON ARTHALONY, Petersburg PORTA/A-C Central

The Bluejays’ 6-foot-1 junior center averaged 10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds per game. The three-year starter helped PORTA/A-C to an unbeaten record in the Sangamo Conference. She already has 823 career points and 502 rebounds. She was an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 2A All-State special mention and received votes in The Associated Press’ Class 2A All-State voting.

MIA BRAWNER, Gillespie

The Miners’ 5-9 junior forward compiled 16.2 ppg on 48.5% shooting and made 69% of her free throws. She also averaged 6.1 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 2.4 assists per game and set school single-season records for most points (501), steals (132) and scored a single-game record 45. She’s already surpassed 1,000 points in her career (1,064). She was an Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention selection.

ELE FELDMANN, Staunton

The junior point guard helped the Bulldogs to a 27-6 record, which included a South Central Conference title run at 8-1. She averaged 10.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. She had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.5:1. She is a three-year starter and scored 32 points in Staunton’s 23-point Class 2A regional championship win over Roxana. She’ll join the 1,000-career point club next season with her ninth point (she stands at 991).

KARLIE HOKE, Petersburg PORTA/A-C Central

This 6-0 senior guard/forward averaged 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and was dangerous inside and outside. She made 49.8% of her shots (147-for-295) from the floor, including an incredible 42.6% from behind the 3-point line. She was an IBCA Class 2A All-State Special Mention and was an Association Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention selection.

JOSIE HUGHES, Havana

Despite playing through a shoulder injury sustained during volleyball season, the Ducks’ 5-5 junior point guard joined the 1,000-point club for her career and averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds and four steals on 40% field-goal shooting and she made 70% of her free throws. She was a Class 1A IBCA All-State Special Mention and received votes in the Association Press’ Class 1A All-State voting.

ANGELINA IPPOLITO, Kincaid South Fork

The sophomore guard led the Ponies to their first 20-win season (20-12) with averages of 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and she shot 42% from the field and 60% at the free-throw line. She was a special mention pick in IBCA Class 1A All-State voting.

JOEY LAKER, Pana

In her first season as a starter, the Panthers’ 5-5 combo guard averaged 10.3 points — third-best in the South Central Conference — as well as 3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.

BAILEY LEACH, Pleasant Plains

The Cardinals’ 5-6 sophomore combo guard was sixth in the Sangamo Conference with 12.1 ppg on 42.6% shooting (130-for-305) and she scored 138 of her 339 points behind the 3-point line (35.9%). She also averaged 2.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game and helped Plains to a 25-9 record and a Class 2A sectional title game appearance.

More: Plains girls basketball flips script on PORTA to win Riverton Regional championship

ALYSON MURPHY, Mount Pulaski

This 5-7 sophomore is already garnering the focus of opposing defenses. The Hilltoppers’ point guard averaged 17.5 points, 5.0 assists, 4.5 steals and 3.0 rebounds per game and despite facing several box-and-one defenses this season, she still scored at least 25 points eight times, including a 41-point performance in a Class 1A regional semifinal win. She was an IBCA Class 1A All-State Third Team selection.

JAYCE PRIVIA, Petersburg PORTA/A-C Central

The Bluejays’ 5-9 senior guard is The State Journal-Register's Small School Girls Basketball Player of the Year after averaging 14.0 points, 4.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for 30-2 PORTA. She made 46.5% of her field goals (161-for-346), was 40% from behind the 3-point line (54-for-135) and sank 80.6% of her free throws (71-for-88). She will attend NCAA Division II McKendree University on a basketball scholarship. She was named third team on the IBCA Class 2A All-State list and was an Associated Press Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention pick.

More: PORTA, Williamsville pick assistants Schnapp, Shade as new girls basketball coaches

ISABELLA TIBURZI, Carlinville

The Cavaliers’ junior point-center set a school record with 56 blocked shots to go with her averages of 12.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 4.9 assists and 71.2% at the free-throw line (104 of 146). She is the Cavs’ career assists leader with 362, the fourth-leading rebounder (785) in program history and has 932 points, putting her on track to join the exclusive 1,000-1,000-500 club.

ANNA WEBER, Pleasant Plains

The Cardinals’ 5-foot-11 sophomore forward was third in the Sangamo Conference in scoring (14.1 ppg) and first in rebounds (14.1 rpg). Plains’ leading scorer shot 42% (173-for-412) from the field and made 109 free throws. She was a force on the offensive glass with 5.6 per game. She was an IBCA Class 2A Second Team All-State pick and was named honorable mention all-state by the Associated Press.

Contact Ryan Mahan: 788-1546, ryan.mahan@sj-r.com, Twitter.com/RyanMahanSJR.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA girls basketball: Meet the SJ-R's all-area girls basketball teams