My 3A/4A ballot

This is the first year I've had the opportunity to vote for the 3A/4A All State players. And seeing as I've now had a year to observe and really dissect some of the best players in the state (really in 3A more than anything), I figured I'd partake.

It's been fun this year covering the Freeport girls basketball team because it's given me the opportunity to see some of the future womens players we could hear a lot about in the future.

So without further ado ... here's my 2008-09 3A/4A All State nominations (with analysis of each player):


3A First Team
Adrienne GodBold, Marshall
Best player on the best team in the state in Class 3A.

Mariah Smith, Peoria Richwoods
Similar build to GodBold and just as much as a matchup problem each night. She’ll receive plenty of media attention downstate, should they make it.

Katie Norman, Freeport
Out-of-position point guard that has scored 1,000 points and set up three other seniors to 1,000 as well this season. Great floor vision for player more suited at the 2-guard position.

Whitney Holloway, Montini
She is perhaps one of the toughest guards in the state to defend.

Chloe Barnes, QND
Multi-talented guard who can run a fast, up-tempo offense with the best of them.

Second Team
Suporia Dickens, Freeport
Very unorthodox forward who benefits from her track athleticism. Takes a beating in the post and can still make tough shots. Rebounding has digressed from a year ago.

Karlee Gengenbache, QND
She’s almost just as responsible for Quincy’s undefeated regular seasons as Barnes is. Solid shooter.

Brooke Bisping, Morton
Fifty-three straight free throws? Wish I could see her play.

Courtney Shiffer, Freeport
Freeport coach Ryan Pierce said it best: she’s the one who has the biggest performances in the biggest games.
Shiffer didn’t shut Montini’s Michala Johnson down, but she did make her night tougher last year in the state semis.
Didn’t do a bad job against 4A Boylan’s Brea Edwards either.
Without a doubt, she’s the Pretzels’ best defender, taking opponent’s best offensive threat

Monica Albano, Trinity
Haven’t seen much of her, but for Trinity to be this good, she deserves the recognition.

4A
First team
Brea Edwards, Boylan
In an otherwise pourous NIC-10, Freeport struggled against Boylan and Edwards was the reason why. She’s improved greatly since her freshman year and will be the talk of Rockford for the next two years.

Morgan Tuck, Bolingbrook
She’s always mentioned in the Sun-Times Top 25 rankings. She seems to be a very impressive freshman that averaged a double-double.

Porsha Harris, Young

Chanise Jenkins, Young

Tricia Liston, Fenwick