Girls basketball: Marengo’s Heinberg, Burlington Central’s Wells and Charles named IBCA All-State

Marengo’s Jennifer Heinberg and Burlington Central’s Elana Wells and Taylor Charles were named to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State team Monday, while Hampshire’s Kelby Bannerman and Johnsburg’s Macy Madsen earned special mention honors.

Heinberg, the 2021 Northwest Herald Girls Basketball Player of the Year, was named to the IBCA Class 2A All-State team, averaging 18.2 points, six rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.9 steals a game for Marengo, which won its third straight KRC championship. Heinberg finished with the fourth most points in Indians’ history.

Wells, a senior, and Charles, a junior, both were named to the IBCA Class 3A All-State team.

Wells, who will play at NCAA Division II Indianapolis, led the Rockets to FVC regular-season and tournament titles – averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 steals and three steals. Charles averaged 10.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks a game in her first year at Burlington after transferring from Montini.

Bannerman (Class 3A), a senior who will play at D-I Davidson, battled a high-ankle sprain throughout the COVID-19-shortened season and returned to finish with averages of 14 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 blocks a game over five full games.

Madsen (Class 2A), a junior, was among the top scorers in the area with averages of 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals a game for Johnsburg. She was a Northwest Herald All-Area second-team selection.