2017-'18 Season Coverage
Boys' Basketball
updated: 3/2/2017 12:34 PM
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Addison Trail High School Downers Grove South repeats success against Addison Trail Scouting area Class 4A boys basketball sectionals Fenton bounces back vs. Addison Trail Downers Grove South slips past Addison Trail in OT Willowbrook’s challenging week off to promising start
Denis Alibegovic
Benet Academy Larkin upends Benet for first trip to Peoria
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Supersectional win has special and satisfying meaning for Carter, Larkin
Denis Alibegovic,
This Benet group made a name for itself
Downers South For three years on varsity Alibegovic was consistently one of the area's top 3-point shooters. This senior season the 6-foot-4 guard continued to round out his entire game. He knocked down 90 3-pointers while averaging 17.5 points and getting to the line 78 times. "The amount he's grown from his sophomore to senior year has been huge," coach Kris Olson said. Luke Anthony,
Images: Larkin clinches trip to the Class 4A state finals in basketball with a 53-46 win over Benet Scouting Benet vs. Larkin at the Class 4A NIU boys basketball supersectional
Downers Grove North High School
Wheaton North Anthony showed why he could play basketball at the next level instead of heading to Dayton as a quarterback. The 6-foot-3 senior, on varsity since his freshman year, averaged 16.3 points with 61 3-pointers, 3.4 assists and 83-percent shooting on his 126 free-throw attempts. "He has had one of the best careers in program history," coach Dave Brackmann said. Charlie Bair, Glenbard South
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In 26 regular-season games this 6-foot-6 senior center had 17 double-doubles in points and rebounds. District 87 and Glenbard West all-tournament, the Illinois Wesleyan commit set Glenbard South season and program rebounding records at 294 and 641, respectively. Repeating as Metro Suburban Blue all-conference, Bair averaged 16.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocked shots. "He's going to give you everything he's got in everything he's doing," said Raiders coach Wade Hardtke. Tai Bibbs, West Chicago The 6-3 senior guard, deciding between 16 college offers, is the DuPage County AllArea boys basketball team captain. West Chicago's third all-time scorer, Bibbs averaged 26 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and made 77 percent of 240 free throws. Twice unanimous all-Upstate Eight Valley, this year's Valley player of the year hit 74 3s and can tomahawk slam with the best. "His overall skills are limitless," said Wildcats coach Bill Recchia. T.J. Clifford,
Scouting DuPage County holiday tournaments
Downers Grove South High School Benet finishes against Downers Grove South Willowbrook finishes strong with win vs. Downers Grove South Willowbrook makes comeback against Downers Grove South Glenbard East throws a late scare into Downers Grove South Daniels, Addison Trail fall to Downers Grove South
Downers South Committed to Western Michigan, Clifford sacrificed gaudy numbers to help the Mustangs win back to back WSC Gold titles. The 6-foot-6 senior, a three-year starter, was a threat to score inside and on the perimeter. Clifford averaged 11.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. "His number one thing is always what he can do for the team," coach Kris Olson said.
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Dillon Durrett, WW South
The DuPage Valley Conference's most valuable player makes a strong argument for being the area's most improved. After averaging 2.3 points as a junior, the 6-foot-3 senior forward led the Tigers with 17 points and 5.1 rebounds while providing crucial interior defense for one of the DVC's smallest teams. "His emergence allowed us to go to a different level," coach Mike Healy said.
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Garrett Fant, Lake Park Healthy for the first time during his three years on varsity, Fant finally got to show his full ability. The 6-foot-1 senior guard flashed strength and athleticism as a solid shooter, distributor, rebounder and defender. Fant led the Lancers with 18.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists. "He never let his injuries hold him back," coach Josh Virostko said. Jordan Gray, York One of the area's strongest players was one of the toughest matchups for opponents. An immovable force in the post, Gray also excelled at drawing defenders away from the basket with his jumpers. The 6-foot-5 senior forward averaged 14.1 points on 56 percent shooting, and grabbed 5.8 rebounds. "He's really grown as a player," coach Vince Doran said. Zion Griffin, Hinsdale South Griffin burst onto the scene this junior season, and the 6-foot-5 forward is poised to be one of the area's premier players next year after leading the Hornets to their first WSC Gold title. Griffin averaged 17.3 points on 58 percent shooting and pulled down 8.2 rebounds. "From the beginning of the year, he's played at a very high level," coach Brett Moore said. Drew Healy, WW South The epitome of a team-driven point guard, Healy used his experience as a sixth man last year to become a leader for this season's unbeaten DuPage Valley Conference champion. The 5-foot-8 senior rarely turned the ball over while averaging 3.8 assists. He averaged 8.3 points and made 44 3-pointers in the Tigers' deliberate offense. "He does all the little things for us," coach Mike Healy said. Jack Hoiberg, Hinsdale Central Learning the system as a junior in his first year in the program, Hoiberg fit right in as a senior. The 5-foot-10 guard was deceptive in many ways, especially with his quickness getting to the basket and his strength once he arrived. Hoiberg averaged 15.3 points with 130 free throws. "He blossomed once he was comfortable in our system," coach Nick Latorre said. Jeremy Hunter, Metea Valley The 6-3 senior forward averaged 14.6 points and 5.5 rebounds to earn all-DuPage Valley Conference. Hunter made 32 3-point baskets, converted 56 percent of shots inside the arc and scored 33 points against Glenbard North, 1 off the Metea record. A good leaper with length, the college prospect should be at a wing forward but often played inside to fulfill team needs. "His teammates and coaches certainly appreciated that," said Mustangs coach Matt Walpole. Bryan Jakobsze, Downers North Jakobsze showed what happens when skill and athleticism combine with high energy. The 6-foot-6 senior forward excelled at everything from rebounding to securing loose balls, and his scoring ability ranged from the perimeter to the post. He averaged 14.7 points and 4.4 rebounds. "He's been the linchpin in our program the last two years," coach Jim Thomas said. Mitch Lewis, Naperville North Lewis graduates as a three-year starter, but this was the senior's first season without injury. The 6-foot-5 forward is committed to Miami of Ohio to play football, although he easily could have chosen college basketball. Lewis averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. "Mitch might be the best player I've ever coached," coach Jeff Powers said. Liam Lyman, Benet Lyman spent only two years at Benet, but he helped the program win a state runnerup trophy and notch an eighth straight 20-win season. The 6-foot-4 senior forward's role expanded greatly, including some of the team's most difficult defensive assignments. He averaged 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds. "He's been a complete player for us," coach Gene Heidkamp said. Mark McGrath, Lisle Lisle shortened practices because this 6-2 senior forward knows one speed -breakneck. Consistently outsized, the Wisconsin-Whitewater football recruit nonetheless averaged 18.5 points and 6.8 rebounds to head Lisle's first regional champion since 2005. The program's second-leading scorer is a repeat All-Area pick, a two-time unanimous all-Interstate Eight Conference selection with 1,421 points entering sectionals. "His greatest attribute is his desire to win," said Lions coach Mark LaScala. "That's what drives everything." Blaise Meredith, Neuqua Valley Wildcats coach Todd Sutton continually praised this 6-2 senior guard. Meredith entered regionals averaging 15 points then scored a season-high 26 with six 3s against Plainfield East. All-DuPage Valley Conference and all-tournament at Hoops for Healing and East Aurora, the two-year starter led Neuqua in assists, hit 73 3s on 37 percent shooting from the arc and officially took 19 charges. "He's our hardest worker and he's one tough guy," Sutton said. Jack Nolan, Benet Nolan always seemed to come through when Benet needed him most. The 6-foot-1 senior guard had big games last season as Benet claimed second place in Class 4A, but this year his consistency was staggering. He averaged 18 points with 88 3pointers on 40-percent shooting. "He's been a marked man, but he's overcome it," coach Gene Heidkamp said. Ethan Schuemer, Willowbrook Schuemer thrived in the post while averaging close to a double-double. The 6-foot-6 junior center grew and became stronger in his second varsity season, allowing him to dominate at both ends of the court. Schuemer averaged 16.8 points and 9.4 rebounds. "He's our rock out there," coach Chris Perkins said. "He keeps getting better at what he already does well." Michael Williams, Addison Trail Each year, including the last two on varsity, Williams worked at adding something new to his game while growing from a 5-foot-10 freshman. The hard work paid off for Williams as a senior. The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 15 points and 5.7 rebounds. "To see him develop for us the last four years has been nice to see," coach Brendan Lyons said. Honorable mention Caden Anderson (Westmont, so., F), Eric Cannon (Waubonsie Valley, so., G), Kibet Chepyator (Glenbard North, sr. F), Joey Davidson (Timothy Christian, sr., F), Chris Eck (Hinsdale Central, sr., G), J.D. Gunn (Wheaton Academy, jr., F), Andrew Harvey (St. Francis, jr., F), Jake Healy (WW South, jr. G), Chris Johnson (Naperville North, jr., C), Nick Kramer (Naperville Central, sr., G), Bryan Larsen (Fenton, sr., G/F), Rowan McGowen (Wheaton North, sr., G), Alex Meurer (IC Catholic Prep, jr., G/F), Connor Mullins (Glenbard West, sr., G), Alijah Nelson (Glenbard East, fr., G), Colton Noel (Addison Trail, sr., C), Evan Taylor (Glenbard West, so., G), Brandon Whiteside (Glenbard South, jr., G), Jayston Williams (Montini, jr., F), Ben Wolf (Naperville Central, jr., C). Editor's note: The 20 All-Area first-team players and 20 honorable mention players are selected from the 29 high schools in DuPage County. They are listed alphabetically. Tweet
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Downers Grove North High School
Addison Trail High School
Benet Academy
Downers Grove South High School
Hinsdale South High School
Lake Park High School
Wheaton North High School
Wheaton Warrenville South High School
York Community High School
Basketball
Hinsdale Central High School
Naperville North High School Willowbrook High School
Prep Boys
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