Jamie Blue moves past Judah Christian defenders during Uni's 68-49 conference victory on Dec. 15. Gargoyle photo by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

SPRINGFIELD — Uni basketball fans have known for quite some time that freshman Jamie Blue is a special player.

Now the rest of the state has caught up.

The 5-foot-9 Blue, who can do just about anything on the basketball court and do it well, was selected Thursday as the Illinois Small School Newcomer of the Year.

The honor came from Illinois Basketball Services, a national scouting and recruiting agency. The IBS defines small schools as those that fall within the IHSA's Class 1A and 2A designations (enrollments of 754 and below).

"I was actually up in my room and my dad called from the first floor, and he was really, really happy," Blue said about learning of the award. "I was really excited, just seeing all the effort that I've put into basketball actually achieve something. It was really a good experience."

The versatile Blue enjoyed a breakout season in 2008-09, averaging 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.3 steals per game.

"I like the guard positions because you kind of have more control over the game," she said. "I'm not tall enough to be a post player anymore, so I kind of like the three position because you get to play both inside and out, using all different kinds of skills."

Blue finished the season with 408 points, including a game high of 24. She shot 42.8 percent from the field (158-for-369) and 72.4 percent from the free-throw line (76-for-105). She also recorded three triple-doubles.

In the most recent News-Gazette ranking of area leaders, Blue stands sixth in scoring, 16th in rebounds, 11th in assists, and 11th in steals.

"As a freshman, Jamie played like a seasoned veteran," said Jason Speaks, director of IBS. "She stepped in and was productive right away and will definitely be a player to watch as her career progresses."

The first-year sensation also knows how to win. Teaming up with upperclassmen like seniors Rachel Skoza, Jessi Sullivan, Lizzy Warner, Joy Shapley, and junior Michelle Wong, Blue helped lead the Illineks to a 16-9 overall record and a 9-3 mark in the East Central Illinois Conference, good enough for a share of second place. The 16 wins were the most for head coach Rebecca Murphy in her 15 years as Uni varsity coach.

"Just the overall experience of getting to know the upperclassmen was fun," said Blue, who will play soccer for Uni starting next week. "Even though we lost our regional game [57-53 to St. Joseph-Ogden on Feb. 10], I really had fun and I thought we worked hard, and it was one of the first times that we really came from behind in a game."

As for next year, Blue will get ready by attending summer camps and playing in tournaments. She's also trying out for two traveling teams. She's optimistic about the future of the Illineks.

"I think we'll have a good pool of talent," she said, "and we'll be motivated to work hard."

The IBS, based in Springfield, uses the data it gets from players and coaches to provide a look at some of the top athletes in the country for college coaches at all NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA division levels. High school basketball prospects from throughout the country contact IBS for assistance, according to Speaks.