Spinal Column Newsweekly honors best players in 2010-11

The Spinal Column Newsweekly is proud to present its 2011 All-area Girls Basketball Team, made up of the best lakes area varsity basketball players during the 2010-11 season.

Selections were not only based upon players’ statistics, but also nominations from area coaches; other honors a player received, such as conference awards; and overall contributions to their team throughout the season.

Due to the abundance of talent in the lakes area, the selection process is always arduous and this season was no exception.

After winning its first Class D state championship last season, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes defied the odds, overcame illness and injuries and fought off challenges from teams such as rival Marine City Cardinal Mooney and Central Lake to win its second straight Class D state crown.

This year’s All-Area First Team includes Our Lady’s all-time leading scorer and a transfer that became the team’s X factor in the 2010-11 season.

Not to be outdone, Waterford Kettering stunned the lakes area with an undefeated regular season and a Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division title thanks to the efforts of its All-Area First Team guard.

Also included is West Bloomfield’s point guard who did not suffer a sophomore slump and one of the most talented athletes in Huron Valley Lakeland’s history.

FIRST TEAM

Lauren Robak
Senior Guard/Forward
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

Heading to Oakland University next fall, Robak closed out her Our Lady career in grand fashion by finishing as a two-time Class D state champion, a four-time Spinal Column All-Area First Team selection and the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer with 1,955 points, surpassing the previous mark by 500 points.

“I believe that she is as good as any player in Class D and competes with any player of any class,” Our Lady Head Coach Steve Robak said.

“Lauren does so many things that are special and not teachable. She has excellent instincts and basketball IQ and the heart of a champion.”

She averaged 19.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 3.8 steals a game and earned First-Team AP All-State honors and an All-Catholic League selection from the Detroit Catholic High School League.

Stephanie Lock
Senior Forward
Huron Valley Lakeland

An All-KLAA Lakes Conference selection, Lock helped lead the Eagles to a runner-up finish in the KLAA North this season by averaging 17.3 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks per game.

This year marks Lock’s third consecutive Spinal Column All-Area First Team selection in addition to the All-Area First Team Volleyball selection she earned this past fall.

An accomplished track athlete as well, Lock plans on attending Urbana University in Ohio this fall on a basketball scholarship.

Sydni Davis
Sophomore Guard
West Bloomfield

After a breakout freshman year, the Lakers’ standout guard did not disappoint in her sophomore season and earned her second consecutive Spinal Column All-Area First Team selection.

An All-0akland Activities Association White Division selection this year, Davis averaged 14.9 points and 3.2 steals per game in leading West Bloomfield to a 17-5 record and a second place finish in the OAA White division.

“To date, she is on pace to score her 1,000th (point) late next season during her junior year,” Lakers’ Head Coach Steve Larkin said.

Allison Bicknell
Junior Guard
Waterford Kettering

Averaging 13.5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals a game, Bicknell was one of the key players in Waterford Kettering’s surprising 19-2 season that resulted in a KLAA North Division crown.

“She’s an outstanding perimeter shooter who added the ability to attack the basket for layups or mid-range jumpers to her game,” Kettering Head Coach Scott Woodhull said.

“She is able to guard either guard spot and is much improved on the ball.”

Bicknell also was awarded KLAA All-Lakes Conference honors and will be one to keep an eye on next season.

Carlee Cottrell
Junior Guard
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

A transfer from Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Cottrell had little trouble fitting in right away in Our Lady’s system and became one of the key components in the Lakers’ second straight successful state championship run.

Cottrell averaged 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals a game and led the Lakers with 16 points in their 53-35 victory over Bark River Harris in the MHSAA Class D state final.

“She has good instincts and basketball IQ and worked extremely hard to improve her rebounding and defense this season,” Head Coach Steve Robak said.

“She started every game for us after her transfer and was a player that was willing to step up when needed to this season.”

SECOND TEAM

• Lexie Robak, sophomore guard, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

• Jailynn Hamilton, senior forward, West Bloomfield

• Lindsey Bandyk, senior guard, Huron Valley Milford

• Ava Doetsch, sophomore guard, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

• Lauren Smith, senior center, Huron Valley Milford

HONORABLE MENTION

Tori Duffey, Walled Lake Central; Kari Knight, Walled Lake Northern; Hannah Huff, Waterford Kettering; Lauren Hung, Waterford Mott; Hannah Stinson, Waterford Kettering; Lisa Warrior, Walled Lake Central; Kaitlyn Smith, Walled Lake Western; Ciara Schultz, Huron Valley Lakeland; Marlayna Malvich, Huron Valley Lakeland; Maria Ropek, Walled Lake Northern; Maddie Schram, Walled Lake Western; Danielle Bohn, Waterford Kettering; Rachel Waynick, Waterford Mott; Rose Deren, Huron Valley Lakeland; Meghan Topolewski, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes; Arjanai Washington, Waterford Kettering.