Ellett, Toussaint honored

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jstevenson@nwherald.com mlynch@nwherald.com

Hampshire’s Sue Ellett and Johnsburg’s Mike Toussaint were honored by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association as Girls Coach of the Year in their respective districts.

Ellett won in Class 3A/4A for District 5; Toussaint won in Class 3A/4A in District 6.

Ellett resigned after the season, after leading the Whip-Purs to a 29-2 record. Hampshire lost to Oswego in the IHSA Class 3A DeKalb Sectional championship. Ellett’s teams were 53-7 during the past two years, and she was 151-53 in her seven-year stint as coach.

“This award is more meaningful than most because it is voted on by her peers,” Hampshire athletic director Dave Hicks said. “As a group they recognized Sue’s excellence and high standards for play, hard work and good sportsmanship.”

Ellett took over in 2004, and the Whips were Class A state runners-up that season at 30-4. Her teams won six Big Northern Conference East Division titles.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled for Sue,” Hampshire principal Chuck Bumbales said. “This award is a culmination of 20 years of hard work and dedication that Sue has shown to her players and to the programs she has helped to lead.”

Toussaint has had a remarkable 10-year run at Johnsburg, where his teams have made it to three consecutive Class 3A supersectionals. The Skyhawks were 27-10 this season and lost to Oswego in the Elgin Supersectional.