PGH Illinois 2A 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.

Capria Brown Capria Brown 5'8" | CG Schlarman | 2020 State IL is a 5’10 2020 guard from Danville Schlarman. Capria was the lone returning starter from the state championship team in 2019. She faced an large amount of attention from the opponents defensive schemes all year. She was able to become comfortable with the schemes and went on a huge run in the second half of the season. She recorded her first triple double and almost averaged a triple double over a 10 game stretch. She can score on all 3 levels and is a very tough player that Dayton will be happy to have.
Jeniah Thompson Jeniah Thompson 5'6" | PF Carterville | 2020 State IL is a 5’10 2020 forward from Carterville. Jeniah enjoyed the ride of getting to Redbird Arena her senior year. She averaged 14.4 points and 9 rebounds per game. She has always been a strong player in the post but really improved her 3-point shot over her career. This is a big part of getting Jeniah to this level and earning her a scholarship at SIU.Jeniah was the rock that the team could lean on first big points and rebounds throughout their state tourney run.
Katelyn Young Katelyn Young 6'1" | PF Oakwood | 2020 State IL is a 6’1 2020 post player from Oakwood. Katelyn is a very strong and athletic player that excels around the basket. She shot an astounding 70% on her two point shots on the way to 22.7 points per game. She was also able to be a force on the boards where she got 127 offensive boards and 190 defensive boards for 10.9 per game. She is a Murray St signee that leaves high school having scored over 2350 points.
Elyce Knudsen Elyce Knudsen 5'7" | CG Tolono Unity | 2020 State IL is a 5’7 2020 guard from Tolono Unity. Elyce had a big senior year scoring 24.9 points per game and getting 6.9 rebounds per game from her guard spot. Elyce finished her outstanding career by breaking the schools all time scoring mark. She was able to pass Illinois and NBA veteran Brian Cardinals record of 1,812 points late in the season. Elyce can score off the dribble at all 3 levels going both ways.
Sarah Isaf Sarah Isaf 5'9" | PF Paris | 2020 State IL is a 5’11 2020 guard from Paris. Sarah returned from a knee injury that cut her junior campaign short. She was cleared to begin practice in the fall and came out burning the nets. Sarah averaged 17.6 points and 5 rebounds per game. Paris held the #1 ranking for most of the last half of the year but ultimately fell to T-Town in the Sectionals after having beat them twice during the season. Sarah will attend DePauw University in Indiana.
Ashlyn Sturdy Ashlyn Sturdy 5'8" | CG Tri-City /Sangamon | 2020 State IL is a 5’6 2020 guard from Tri City/Sangamon Valley. Ashlyn is another one of those do it all guards that can use her all around ability to carry a team on her shoulders. She averaged 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds,4.8 assists and 3.8 steals per game for the Tornadoes. Ashlyn finishes her career with over 2,000 points and over 500 rebounds,assists and steals. While she is an excellent scorer I believe she will make her biggest impact at the next level as a point guard that can handle it and pass it very well.
Amellia Bromenschenkel is a 5’10 2021 guard from Mendota. Amellia had a hug junior season averaging 25.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 2.6 assists per game. Amellia has a very well rounded game that allows her to take the ball to the basket off the dribble, hit the 3 off a step back and post up. She can do just about anything with the ball in her hands as she is very versatile. Amellia is a willing passer which often leads to easy shots for her teammates when the opposing team sends 2-3 players her way.
Miyah Brown Miyah Brown 5'10" | CG Winnebago | 2022 State IL is a 5’10 2022 wing from Winnebago. Miyah has a unique combination of speed and strength that allows her to excel both inside and out on the floor. She can be really exciting in the open floor when she can use that speed and strength to get to the rim and finish consistently. Miyah is over 1,000 points already in her career and broke the school single game scoring record by scoring 46 in a game this year.
Mady Harper is a 5’7 2020 guard from Midwest Central. Mady is an exciting ball handler that can use that skill to get just about anywhere she wants on a basketball court. The ball is like a yoyo on a string when Mady has it. She scored 18 points per game and also got 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.3 steals per game this year. She can do it all. Like every player on this list Mady faced her share of junk defenses designed to slow her down. Despite that attention Mady was able to find ways to set up her teammates while still providing her own scoring punch.
Adrenna Snipes Adrenna Snipes 5'5" | CG Alton Marquette | 2022 State IL is a 5'5 2022 point guard from Alton Marquette. Adrenna can change the game in so many ways. While she gains the most attention from her 20.6 points per game, her true impact lies in her all around game. Adrenna led the Lady Explorers in rebounding at 6.5 per game, steals at 5.6 per game and assists at 3.8 per game. While she has the ability to do most anything on a basketball court, Adrenna is best with the ball in her hands going full speed. If you need to stop her in the open court, good luck. She starts her junior season with 1,173 points.
Asya Smith Asya Smith 5'4" | CG Pleasant Plains | 2021 State IL is a 5'4 2021 guard from Pleasant Plains. Asya proved her value during the State Championship run. Stats don't always tell the whole story, sometimes the eye test is true measure. Asya led the team in scoring at 11.4 per game and also delivered 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game. She is an outstanding defender and team player. She is like another coach on the floor in guiding her team into the right sets and encouraging her teammates.
Shannon Lampe Shannon Lampe 5'9" | CG Mater Dei | 2020 State IL is a 5’10 2020 wing from Mater Dei. Shannon is a smooth athlete with length that uses that length to her advantage on both ends of the floor. She is an excellent defender and led the team in rebounding at 5.6 per game. Offensively Shannon was able to score on all 3 levels and hit over 76% of her free throws. She averaged 12.7 points per game as a part of a very balanced attack.
Carly Gillen Carly Gillen 5'7" | PF Monmouth-Roseville | 2020 State IL is a 6’0 2020 forward from Monmouth. Carly averaged 21.2 points and 8 rebounds per game. She is very efficient in her scoring as is proven by her 58% shooting percentage from the field. Carly chipped in 3 assists and 2 steals per game in helping to lead the team to an outstanding season.
Jasmine Brown Jasmine Brown 5'8" | CG Example Academy | 2023 State IL is a 5’8 2023 guard from Joliet Catholic. Jasmine has been extremely impressive in her freshman campaign. She has become the leader of the team and is the go to scorer. Jasmine used her impressive combination of athleticism and skill to average 16.6 points per game. She already has multiple D1 offers and will certainly see more in the future.
Megan Halleman Megan Halleman 5'5" | C Greenville | 2020 State IL n is a 6’4 2020 Post from Greenville. Megan is a very long player that uses that length to affect all shots in the lane. The Greenville defense was designed to trick you into thinking that you could get shots in the middle of their zone. When you got there you were welcomed into the web of Megan Halleman Megan Halleman 5'5" | C Greenville | 2020 State IL n. More often than not you left with a blocked shot and a bruised ego. Megan averaged 12.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.9 blocks per game.

There is an amazing amount of talent on this team. I cannot wait to watch the class of 2020 continue with their careers in college. The underclassmen are all set up to do something very special before they graduate and I am excited to be able to watch it happen.