“I was shocked,” she admitted. “I really didn’t expect that.”

Carsyn is only the second player from LLC to ever be named as a first-team All-American.

“I am honored and humbled,” she said. “I couldn’t have done this without my teammates.”

One of those teammates was Abby Weis, who ended up being the second leading scorer for Lake Land. She and Carsyn have played basketball together since an early age in Effingham.

“We’ve been playing ball together for a long time,” Carsyn noted. “We know each other’s game very well. If I had my eyes closed and passed the ball, I think it would find Abby. Having her as a teammate this year made this season even more special.”

Playing for Coach Jeff Schafer at EHS helped prepare them for the next level.

“Coach Shafer was great,” Carsyn said. “He helped us develop a winning attitude. He wanted us to be the best we could be and wasn’t afraid to push us or yell at us. Coach (Dave) Johnson yells, too. Some of the girls at Lake Land didn’t like that, but Abby and I were used to it. Plus, if the coaches are yelling at you, there’s usually a reason.”

Carsyn is the 19-year-old daughter of Marty and Jenny Fearday. She graduated from EHS in 2019 and then enrolled at LLC, majoring in physical therapy.

She was one of 12 first-year players for the Lakers.

“We were real young and nobody knew what to expect,” Carsyn said. “But we had good team chemistry and gelled. Coach Johnson is awesome. We weren’t always the most talented team on the floor, but we played with a lot of heart. That goes a long ways.”

It led to the school’s third appearance in the national tournament and first since 2012. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to the coronavirus.

“It was disappointing finding out we wouldn’t be able to compete for a national title,” Carsyn admitted. “I’d like to think we had a chance to win it, but things happened that were out of our control.”

For the season, Carsyn led the Lakers in scoring, averaging 15.4 points per contest. She also pulled down 4.5 rebounds and dished out 2.5 assists a game. She shot 46.5 percent overall from the floor, including 35.7 percent from three-point range. She was a 76 percent free throw shooter.

That all led to her also being named Region 24 Player of the Year.

Despite her success, there was an adjustment to the college game.

“I had to improve my defense,” Carsyn noted. “In high school, you don’t necessarily guard a scorer that can put up big numbers every night. In college, all the players can score.

“The shot clock was also different,” she added. “The college game is a lot faster, which I liked. It compliments my game. And I also had to improve on my three-point shot. It really helped me. I’m a better player today than I was in high school.”

And after just one season at Lake Land, Carsyn has announced she will transfer to Maryville University for the 2020-21 season. She received a full scholarship.

The school is located in St. Louis and is part of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Saints, who are coached by Collin Lanam, were 16-12 last year.

“It was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made,” she explained. “I love Lake Land College and my teammates. But this is the right decision for me and I’m looking forward to playing at the Division II level.”

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Carsyn was able to make only a virtual visit to the campus. But it was enough.

“I believe I’m going to the right place,” she noted. “Their physical therapy department was one of the factors. I also trust in the coaches. I like the way they get up and down the court. That playing style suits my game.

“The coaches like that I’m a blue collar kid that will work hard,” Carsyn added. “I know it will be a lot better competition. Coach Lanam is turning things around and, hopefully, I can help.”