DFJ photo by Troy Banning Northeast Hamilton senior Koreen Willems (right) harasses a Waterloo Christian ball handler this season. Willems led the Trojets in rebounding and was the team’s second leading scorer this season, numbers good enough to garner her a first-team ISC honor.

BLAIRSBURG — It pays to be a starter. All five girls that took the floor to open games for the Northeast Hamilton girls’ basketball team were recently put in the spotlight by the Iowa Star Conference, as they all earned all-conference recognition of some kind. The Trojets put together a memorable run through the 2009-10 season, finishing with an overall record of 20-3. They lost just twice in league play and shared the championship with Tripoli. Junior point guard Kalli Richardson was a unanimous selection to the first team, and she was joined in the elite group by teammate and senior center Koreen Willems. Forwards Holly Heiden, a senior, and Rachel Vaughn, a junior, were members of the second team, and senior guard Summer Anderson earned honorable mention recognition. Six of the 10 girls on the top squad were named on every ballot.