Hartford-bound Allie Shenloogian is Park Ridge's all-time leading scorer.

PARK RIDGE – Allie Shenloogian has solidified herself as the greatest female basketball player ever to put on a Park Ridge uniform. She has done so through hard work, playing well in big games, and being a selfless player who makes the right decision in high-pressure situations. But when it came to a decision that only affected her, making a decisive call on where she would continue her education and athletic career, the decision was not as easy to make.

After weighing a bevy of options, Shenloogian, Park Ridge’s all-time leading scorer, will head this coming fall to play at the University of Hartford.

Head coach Ryan Dennis threw Shenloogian right into the starting lineup her freshman year on a roster chock full of seniors. That team had a successful season, but unfortunately fell short in their quest of being state sectional champions. Although that was a tough loss to get over, Shenloogian took the lessons learned from that season to help hone the remainder of her scholastic career.

“We had a real good team and it was an important season for me,” said Shenloogian. “The seniors really welcomed me onto the team. It helped teach me how to be a leader. Holding everyone accountable, but also keeping everyone positive and motivated to play our best.”

With the majority of that team having graduated, Shenloogian stepped into a role as the primary ball handler, scoring threat, and defensive presence for the Owls. She responded with an outstanding sophomore season, averaging 21 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists per game. Despite Shenloogian’s torrid play throughout the season and especially in the state tournament, the Owls fell to Boonton in the North 1, Group 1 section final; another heartbreaking loss to the season that only fueled Shenloogian to get this team over the hump.

Allie Shenloogian also had an outstanding senior season on the soccer pitch.

Coming into her junior year, Shenloogian was a player on a mission. She had 35 points, including the 1,000th points of her career, in an opening-day win over Pompton Lakes. When the stakes were the highest, she was at her best. She dropped 35 in the section semifinals to help down rival Cresskill before adding 26 in the section final win over Mountain Lakes as the Owls secured the first section title in the program’s history.

“It’s been a joy to watch Allie grow as a player, as a person, and as a leader,” said Park Ridge head coach Ryan Dennis. “Our program has been fortunate to have high-character leadership from players like Shannon Burns and Ella Madden, and now Allie. When your best player is also your hungriest player, that’s always a good sign. Allie puts in the work every day. The younger players see that and try to emulate that.”

Along with a fantastic career on the soccer field, Shenloogian had accomplished nearly everything a high school athlete could dream of. Only one question remained, where would she play for the next four years? There were several schools in the mix, but a late visit to her father’s alma mater took her by surprise.

“I visited Hartford late in the process and it turned out to be an amazing visit,” added Shenloogian. “I wanted to go to school for physical therapy and eventually stay on that path professionally to help athletes. Hartford has a great PT program, I loved their coaching staff, and their facilities were really impressive. I really wanted to get my decision finalized before my senior year and I’m so excited to be heading to Hartford in the fall.”

TO BUY A COLLECTOR'S PRINT OF THIS STORY PLEASE VISIT 4-FeetGrafix.com.