PGH Illinois 1A All-State Team

Last week we had the unveiling of the AP and the IBCA All State teams. This week I take my run at it. I think most of us that are involved in the Illinois basketball community realize there is no perfect way to do this. The AP team consists of players being nominated and sports writers voting for a player as first team All State or second team. A player must be named on two ballots to be considered as at least honorable mention. A first team vote is worth 5 points and a second team vote is worth 3 points. The most points determine the first and second team ( 5 players on each). I am not as familiar with the ins and outs of the IBCA but each district representative works with the teams in their district to get players from those teams nominated for All State. A form is filled out with stats and team information. Based on the form and the results of the voting it would appear to be slanted towards the teams that have the most success. Multiple players from teams that are at state or at least Super Sectionals seems to be the common theme. This caused me to decide to take a run at making my own team. Since I have the forum to publish a team, here we go! I tried to take a look at the AP and IBCA teams and determine who belonged and who might not. I also looked at teams that placed multiple players and automatically took the second best player off the team. My point there was to get more kids from more teams recognized. Last, and I know this somewhat self serving, I looked at players in my area/ knowledge base that I felt were under served by the AP/IBCA teams. I do not have a first team/ second team, etc. I am not smart enough to tell you for sure which 5 players are the best of the best. I would be guessing if I tried to do that. I am already stretching my knowledge enough to try to be accurate and fair by naming a team, I won’t pretend to know anything more that I do. Here we go, first, the Anna’s.

Anna Heffren is a 5’6 2020 guard from state runner up Lewistown. Anna averaged 20 points per game and was also a huge part of their tough pressure defense. Lewistown did an excellent job all year of speeding up the game and shooting the three. Anna had over 2 threes per game and could really put pressure on the ball defensively.
Anna Griffin Anna Griffin 6'1" | SF Aurora Christian | 2021 State #60 Nation IL is a 6’1 2021 forward from Aurora Christian. Anna is a multi dimensional player that can exploit the defense in many different ways. She has guard like skills in her ball handling and shooting that allow her to beat most bigs away from the basket. If you choose to put a smaller player on her she will take them down low and score in the post all night. Anna averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Anna Burrus Anna Burrus 5'6" | PF Concord Tripoia | 2020 State IL is a 6’0 2020 forward from Tiopia. Anna is a big strong player that averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game this year. Anna has always been a force on the boards and scoring inside. She has worked hard to expand her face up game and be able to help her team in different ways. Anna had a very good season despite being the main focus of the opponents defense.
Tayler Barry Tayler Barry 5'5" | CG Tri County | 2021 State IL is a 5’5 2021 guard from Shiloh/Tri County. Tayler is a very quick and scrappy player that averaged 18.6 points per game this year. She helped lead her team back to state and a 3rd place finish. Tayler is best running off screens to create small openings that she can exploit with the drive or the quick jumper.
Erin Henze is a 5’4 2020 guard from State Champion Eastland. Erin scored 20.1 points per game during the season with 138 three pointers. She is a smart player that will help make decisions on the floor and get the team in the right sets. Erin averaged just short of 4 assists per game and is a willing passer.
Abi Payne Abi Payne 5'6" | CG Amboy | 2021 State IL is a 5’8 2021 guard from Amboy. Abi had a big season for an outstanding Amboy team. They beat eventual state champion Eastland twice during conference play only to lose to them on a last second deep 3 pointer in the Sectional title game. Abi was a huge part of that success by scoring 14.5 points per game and dishing out 6.9 assists. She showed the ability to go off by having 34 in their January conference win over Eastland.
Abby Barr Abby Barr 6'0" | PF Freeport Aquin | 2020 State IL is a 5’11 2020 forward from Aquin Catholic. Abby was good for a double/double, or close to it, every night. She averaged 16.3 points per game and 9.5 rebounds.An injury when she was younger has made Abby more than comfortable using her left hand on the basketball floor. She will shoot with either hand, not just at the basket, but anywhere in the lane area. It is hard to defend a player that you don’t know which hand they will shoot with!
Kyndel Arthalony is a 5’11 2020 forward from Illini Central. Kyndel had a big senior season putting up 19.5 points and 9.3 boards per game. Kyndel was excellent at getting to the free throw line where she had 171 attempts and made 88%. Kyndel is also an excellent three point shooter as she demonstrated by winning the State Farm 3-point shootout at the 1A State tourney.
Tiana Timpe Tiana Timpe 5'10" | CG Stockton | 2021 State IL is a 5’10 2021 guard from Stockton.Tiana is a long guard that can score at all 3 levels and affect the game in many ways. She scored 17 points per game this year to go with 5 rebounds and right at 3 assists and steals. Tiana hit on 38% of her three pointers and 79% of her free throws. She will enter her senior season with over 1,500 points for her career.
Meggie Scott Meggie Scott 6'0" | CG Newark | 2020 State IL is a 5’4 2020 guard from Newark. Meggie is a small but very capable point guard that can score and pass with the best. She averaged 14.3 points per game to go with 8.4 assists per game. Meggie finished her outstanding 4 year career with almost 1,500 points and over 900 assists.She hit 79 three pointers and had 3.7 steals per game during her senior season.
Allyson Hardiek is a 6’2 2020 forward from Altamont. Allyson is an athletic player that uses her skills to take her 6’2 frame out on to the perimeter and plays as a wing. She averaged 14.7 points per game and 9.5 rebounds.Allyson uses her length to cause problems on the defensive end too where she can guard multiple positions.
Claire Wilhour is a 5’6 2020 guard from Beardstown/St Elmo. Claire scored 18.6 points per game to go along with 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Claire was named conference MVP for her outstanding play. Claire is an excellent ball handler and is very fast with the ball getting down the floor.She is often able to get into the lane on the break before the defense can get set which creates scoring chances for her and her teammates.
Bella McCartney is a 5’10 2020 forward from Jacksonville Routt. Bella has been a consistent player in the paint for Routt over the past two years. Both years they have been ranked during the season and have gone 56-7. Bella averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds per game this year. Bella is excellent on the offensive boards where she tends to out work her oppenents.
Madison Webb is a 5’9 2020 forward from Father McGivney. Madison was a major force in the playoff run for the Lady Griffins. For the season she averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds. Down the stretch she had multiple 20 point games in leading them to the Super Sectionals.Madison has a unique ability to score inside against bigger players while being able to step out and hit the 3-pointer also.

As always, there are many deserving players. These are the players I chose to recognize. I think they are deserving. I cannot wait to watch those that are returning further their career next year. For those that are seniors, thanks for the memories and good luck as you finish high school and move on to bigger and better things.