Amanda Thompson reflected for a few moments on Young’s season.
She said “it was a great experience” and “I just had fun.”
But the 6-foot senior didn’t make life much fun for Young’s opponents.
Called “one of the most physically talented players to come along in the state for the last 10 years” by Maine West coach Derrill Kipp, Thompson had not only an All-State season but an All-American one.
She averaged 18.1 points and 12 rebounds per game, led the Dolphins to a second consecutive Public League title and to a third-place finish in the Class AA state tournament. Thompson is the lone representative from Illinois to be chosen for the McDonald’s All-American and WBCA High School All-America games.
So it will come as no surprise that she is one of the five players picked for the Tribune’s 2006 All-State first team. Joining Thompson are Belleville Althoff senior Theresa Lisch, Loyola senior Brittany McCoy, Olney East Richland junior Brittany Johnson and New Trier junior Amy Jaeschke. Johnson is the lone repeater from last season’s team.
A look at the results from this season’s Class AA finals at Redbird Arena gives a glimpse at the effectiveness of Thompson, who will continue her basketball career at Big 12 power Oklahoma. In her three games she scored 61–second to Lisch’s 76–and led all players in rebounding (28) and steals (12). Thompson also shot 59 percent from the field by making 26 of 44 attempts.
“A lot of people questioned how we’d be without Danielle [Campbell] and Erin [Dickerson],” said Young coach Corry Irvin, whose team finished 30-3. “Amanda did a good job of carrying the load and making her teammates better.”
Campbell went on to play at Purdue, Dickerson at Northwestern.
Having just completed his 25th season at Maine West and a prominent figure in AAU basketball with the Illinois Hustle, Kipp has seen thousands of high school players. While he believes Thompson needs to work on “consistency and her outside game,” Kipp has been impressed with her “great athletic ability. She’s so strong.”
Thompson’s unselfishness (she averaged almost three assists per game this season) seemed to surprise Kipp:
“Her ability to pass the ball inside has improved tremendously since she started (as a freshman). She had a lot of nice assists. They were concentrating on her so much, she made the other kids better.”
Lisch’s story has been well documented. The 5-10 senior, who signed with St. Louis, is the daughter of former Notre Dame and Bears quarterback Rusty Lisch. She scored more than 2,000 career points and helped Althoff make a successful switch to Class AA. Lisch averaged 21 points, five rebounds in leading the Crusaders to a 33-2 season and the title game against state champion Bolingbrook.
McCoy finished second on Loyola’s all-time scoring list with 1,778 points and set a school record (with teammate Eileen Weissmann) by starting 131 consecutive games. The 5-11 guard, who has signed with Minnesota, is considered one of the best defensive players in Illinois. She averaged 15.2 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 steals for the Ramblers, who finished 29-4.
Johnson, the lone Class A player of this group, already has 2,829 career points and is well within range of the state mark of 3,403 set by Williamsville’s Angie Sapp in 1989-1993. Johnson scored 1,045 points this season, a 31.7 average, and is considered among the top five shooting guards nationally. Schools such as Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, DePaul and Kansas State are in pursuit.
The 6-4 Jaeschke was the centerpiece of New Trier’s offense. She averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.1 blocks and 4.2 assists while shooting 53 percent from the field. Jaeschke already has 1,420 career points and as a freshman helped the Trevians to a runner-up state finish. Against Purdue recruit Amber Harris she had 18 points, six rebounds and six blocks.
Amanda Thompson, Young
6-0, senior, forward
Some believe she’s the premier player in the state. Dolphins were 30-3 and third in Class AA. Had her best high school season by averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds. College: Oklahoma.
Amy Jaeschke, New Trier
6-4, junior, center
Comes up with her biggest games against the toughest opponents. Even in loss to Crane she had 22 points, 20 rebounds and four blocks. Averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.1 blocks a game.
Brittany Johnson, East Richland
5-11, junior, forward
Barring injury, she’ll become the state’s all-time scoring leader by the end of the 2006-07 season. She need 575 to surpass the record and had 1,045 points this season. Will be a guard in college.
Theresa Lisch, Belleville Althoff
5-9, senior, guard
Put on a show in the state finals by averaging 25.6 points and leading Crusaders to a runner-up finish in Class AA. One of the state’s best from the foul line, where she shot 86 percent. College: St. Louis.
Brittany McCoy, Loyola
5-11, senior, guard
An outstanding defender, she started every game since her freshman year and led Ramblers to a 116-15 record. Scored her career-high of 28 against always-tough Marshall. College: Minnesota.
SECOND TEAM
SARAH BOOTHE
6-5, so., center, Warren
Becoming a dominant force with a soft shot. Averaged 16.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 blocks for Blue Devils.
LATEAR EASON
5-8, jr, guard, Hope
MVP of the prestigious State Farm Classic’s Class A tourney. Averaged 19.3 points, led Hope to 27-0 start.
MAGGIE KRICK
5-11, sr., guard Washington (Ill.)
School’s all-time leading scorer with 2,030 points, averaged 21.8 and 6.9 rebounds. Signed with Illinois St.
JOCELYN MELLEN
6-3, sr, fwd, Ster. Newman
Torn ACL cut high school career short Jan. 23. Had more than 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds. Signed with Marquette.
DEVEREAUX PETERS
6-3, jr, forward Fenwick
East Suburban Catholic’s MVP averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds, 4.5 blocks and shot 58 percent from field.
SPECIAL MENTION
GUARDS
Rachel Buchek, 5-9, jr., Buffalo Grove
Terra Burns, 5-7, jr., Peoria Central
Erica Carter, 5-10, sr., Naperville Central
Marke Freeman, 5-5, sr., Springfield Lanphier
Precious Gaddis, 5-5, sr., Hope
Teah Gant, 5-10, sr., Oswego
Lahkiyia Hicks, 5-7, sr., Rockford Jefferson
Alison Jackson, 5-11, jr., Fenwick
Kailey Klein, 5-11, sr., Spring Valley Hall
Allie Lindemann, 5-9, sr., Champaign Central
Maggie McCloskey, 5-5, sr., Riverside-Brookfield
Maggie Mocchi, 5-10, so., Buffalo Grove
Samantha Quigley, 5-6, sr., Joliet Catholic
Meshia Reed, 5-9, jr., Hillcrest
Hope Schulte, 5-9, jr., Hillsboro
D’Frantz Smart, 5-3, so., Young
Miranda Tate, 5-10, so., Bolingbrook
Ashley Thomas, 5-8, sr., Moline
Brittney Thomas, 5-10, jr., Bolingbrook
Ashley Tomzik, 5-7, jr., Maine South
Courtney Weibel, 5-9, jr., Rockton Hononegah
Amanda Wolke, 5-7, sr., Toledo Cumberland
Ellen Young, 5-5, jr., Salem
FORWARDS
Kaci Baird, 6-0, sr., Bartlett
Katy Clark, 6-0, sr., Marian Catholic
Paige Fiedorowicz, 6-1, jr., Johnsburg
Miame Giden, 5-11, so., Proviso East
Erin Hannemann, 5-11, sr., Providence
Jennifer Juergens, 5-9, sr., Bishop McNamara
Taylor Lawless, 6-1, jr., Wheeling
Elizabeth Pietrzak, 6-1, sr., St. Ignatius
Hanna Reising, 5-11, sr., Peoria Richwoods
Kenyatta Shelton, 6-2, sr., Crane
Eileen Weissmann, 6-0, sr., Loyola
Jill Wolf, 6-1, sr., Okawville
CENTERS
Mauvolyene Adams, 6-0, jr., Bolingbrook
Marie Baker, 6-2, sr., Prospect
Maureen Downs, 5-11, sr., Marist
Emily Hanley, 6-0, sr., Normal Community
Emily Maggert, 6-2, sr., Paris
Kaitlin McInerney, 6-2, sr., Benet
Keilani Moeaki, 6-2, jr., Wheaton Warrenville South
Lana Rukavina, 6-3, so., Wheeling
Teandrea Smith, 6-1, so., East St. Louis
Lisa Staehlin, 6-2, sr., Andrew
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asutton@tribune.com
