NORMAL -- It's a telling statement when Quincy Notre Dame coach Eric Orne called his sixth-person, junior Hilary Obert, the team's most valuable player earlier this season.

Orne constantly preached that all five of the players on the court need to be legitimate scoring threats. And when any combination of the following nine players were in the game, they usually were.

Here are a few of their most memorable moments, since the Lady Raiders definitely won't be remembered as a one-girl team.

Renita Bunte: She is the only starter that doesn't return next season. It's kind of sad, but most people probably won't realize how important she was until she's playing at Pepsi Arena next year, as opposed to The Pit. Bunte did it all.

The four-year varsity player finished her career as the school's all-time leading 3-point shooter and its fourth-leading scorer. While Bunte did put up 23 points against Springfield Southeast in the sectional title game, she will be most remembered as a steady ball handler that could always find the right teammate at the right time.

Bunte amazed crowds when she would "break an opponent's ankles" with a cross-over dribble or a behind-the-back move. The oohs and aahs the crowd produced when she made those moves is what she'll be best remembered for.

Karlee Gengenbacher: Height and heart.

She doesn't have much of the former. But she has more than enough of the latter.

Gengenbacher is hands down the Most Valuable Player for the Lady Raiders in the postseason. It's still mystifying how she manages to maneuver around taller and stronger players.

Her 21 points in the super-sectional and a career-high 25 against Chicago Marshall in the semifinal are the most memorable moments for Gengenbacher. She proved in those games that she is a big-game player -- even though she entered the season without much big-game experience.

Chloe Barnes: It would be tough to imagine this year's team without Barnes.

But it nearly happened. In June the IHSA ruled her ineligible for a calendar year. In August, a few days before volleyball practice, she received a letter from the IHSA reversing the previous decision.

She was definitely the missing piece to the puzzle this season. Even so, there isn't one shot or rebound that sticks out.

Her overall consistency is the greatest quality. The junior had scored in double figures for 22 straight games until QND's super-sectional win against Highland.

It's not a question of whether she's a Division I player -- just what school she will end up signing with.

Leigh McLaughlin: It's been fun to see this sophomore point guard gain more and more confidence every game.

The real turning point was in the regional championship game against Springfield.

In the first quarter of that game the Lady Raiders had nothing going. They were coming off a semifinal game in which they only beat Jacksonville by nine and were lacking the confidence they exhibited in their 27-0 regular season.

But McLaughlin drove to the basket with confidence early and often -- scoring eight of QND's first 10 points, draining eight straight free throws and scoring a career-high 18 points.

It will be fun to watch her improve during the next two seasons.

Hilary Obert: Obert will likely be fighting for a starting role next season.

Her highlight has to be when she scored 15 points against Pana, the No. 1 team in Class 2A at the time. That was the 18th game of the season and really solidified the Lady Raiders as a legitimate contender.

Obert is also tough. After fracturing the back tip of her left elbow against Quincy High School on Jan. 29 -- and wearing a hard cast for about a day before having it removed -- she returned to the court two games later and tied for team-high honors by scoring 11 points in a win at Clopton, Mo.

Natalie Siebers: In the first quarter of the sectional title game, Siebers showed her potential by scoring three straight baskets and making her first four shots. Her spark helped QND jump out to an amazing 32-8 lead in the opening quarter of that game.

Janell Vermeire: She had back-to-back games with traditional 3-point plays in the super-sectional and the state semifinal game.

But really, the senior co-captain will be remembered for her hustle and enthusiasm that doesn't show up in the box score. She might have led the team in floor burns.

Morgan Grawe: The senior developed into a legitimate 3-point specialist as the season progressed. She made a trey in each of QND's sectional wins -- going 2 for 3 from 3-point range in those games at Springfield High School.

Gabrielle Douglas: When McLaughlin got into foul trouble, Douglas was called on to handle the ball.

Although softball may be her true passion, her strengths on the floor have been hustle and a great attitude. She also showed her perimeter prowess at the Carrollton Tournament, making three treys in back-to-back games against Jerseyville and Calhoun.

-- mgoldberg@whig.com/221-3367