Boys basketball: DuPage County all-area team
Jared Brownridge, Waubonsie Valley
The Santa Clara recruit scored 1,608 points over a three-year varsity tenure, second all-time at Waubonsie. Twice All-Area, three times all-Upstate Eight Valley, the 6-foot-2 guard made six all-tournament teams. This season Brownridge averaged 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, made 68 3s and shot 80 percent from the line. He tied his personal-high of 35 points, one of five 30-point games this season. “Probably the best high school player I've ever coached,” said the Warriors' Steve Weemer.
Demetrius Carr, IC Catholic Prep
The 6-foot-2 senior guard's 444 points this season sent him into IC's season and all-time top 10. Twice named all-Suburban Christian Conference Gold, this year he earned MVP honors while leading the Knights to their first consecutive conference titles in history. Carr averaged 15.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, made 41 3s, 44 steals and 31 blocks — all team highs. “He was the go-to guy in all the key moments,” said Knights coach T.J. Tyrrell.
David Cohn, York
The Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Basketball Captain set a standard for excellence culminating in York's first regional title since 2006. The 6-foot-2 senior guard, committed to Colorado State, averaged 17.4 points, 3.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds. Cohn graduates as York's second all-time leading scorer. “He's made the ultimate commitment to basketball,” coach Vince Doran said.
Nick Czarnowski Naperville Central
After a sophomore season plagued by nagging injuries, Czarnowski showed as a junior what he can do when healthy. The 6-foot-9 center was dominant in the post on offense and defense. Czarnowski's skill and athleticism led him to 14 points and 8.5 rebounds a game. He shot 60 percent from the field. “He's capable of a double-double every night,” coach Pete Kramer said.
Sean Davis, Metea Valley
Metea's leader and calming presence was a starter in the program's first three seasons. All-Upstate Eight Valley, the 6-foot-2 senior paired post play with guard skills. Davis scored 24 points against St. Charles East and two days later had 16 to help beat Waubonsie Valley. He shot 67 more free throws than any teammate and averaged a team-high 10.4 points. “He's been a pleasure to coach these last few years,” Metea's Bob Vozza said.
Chip Flanigan
Glenbard North
A second-year starter as a junior, Flanigan developed from a sophomore role player into an all-around leader for the Panthers. The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists while knocking down 55 percent of his shots from the field and 73 percent of his free throws. “We really needed him to develop into the kind of scorer he became,” coach Joe Larson said.
Tahron Harvey
Glenbard East
The player of the year in the DuPage Valley Conference, the 6-foot-2 senior point guard showed how far he's come during a three-year varsity tenure that began with Harvey playing power forward as a sophomore. Harvey averaged 15.9 points, 5.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 steals. “He took the challenge of playing point guard and really ran with it,” coach Scott Miller said.
Keith Hayes
Glenbard West
Early in the school year Hayes moved to the area as an unknown. Now the 5-foot-10 guard is an elite player in the Class of 2015. A prototype point guard, Hayes played off guard to help the team. Strength, body control and a smooth jumper helped him average 19.7 points while shooting 85 percent on free throws. “For a sophomore his skill level's amazing,” coach Tim Hoder said.
Bryan Jefferson, Waubonsie Valley
A repeat all-Upstate Eight Valley pick. The slashing 6-foot-7 senior forward averaged 15.7 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds. He was money in the paint, making 64 percent of his field-goal attempts and also leading Waubonsie in steals. After Christmas the personable Jefferson averaged 21 points, including a personal-high 26, and tallied 24 points, 13 rebounds against Naperville Central. “He did everything we asked of him and then some,” said coach Steve Weemer.
Pat Kenny, Neuqua Valley
The Upstate Eight Conference's best post player earned all-Valley recognition. A 6-foot-4 senior center and a two-year starter, Kenny was named all-tournament at Rockton Hononegah and Riverside-Brookfield and had games of 19 and 18 points in Neuqua's title run at East Aurora. He could bang inside or help break full-court pressure. Kenny averaged 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and shot 51 percent from the floor with good range. Wildcats coach Todd Sutton said, “He's Mr. Solid.”
John Konchar
West Chicago
Leading his team every statistical category, Konchar was among the DuPage Valley Conference's top players and one of the area's most unheralded talents. The 6-foot-4 junior played everywhere from the point to the post. Konchar averaged 19.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2 steals and 3.4 assists. “He was asked to do a lot, and he came through for us every time,” coach Bill Recchia said.
Danny Leach, Timothy Christian
The 6-foot guard capped a three-year starting time with 1,219 points. A two-time Metro Suburban all-conference pick, Leach played point and shooting guard this year, averaging 17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2.1 assists. Following his personal-high 33 points against Stillman Valley he scored 27 against Riverside-Brookfield. Leach made 66 3-pointers and scored in double figures 27 of 28 games. “He's been a tremendous heart-and-soul player,” said Trojans coach Jack LeGrand.
Pat McInerney, Benet
A four-year varsity member, McInerney's importance shows in 100 wins. Constantly evolving, the 6-foot-5 senior forward did a little bit of everything this season. McInerney averaged 12.5 points but most importantly he was the area's top rebounder, by grabbing 11 a game. “For his size he's one of the best rebounders I've ever seen,” coach Gene Heidkamp said.
Nick Norton
Downers Grove North
Norton felt a sense of urgency after playing only five games as a junior. The 6-foot-5 senior forward excelled with his leaping ability and tremendous skill driving to the basket. Norton averaged 15.7 points and 5.6 rebounds while making 56 percent of his field goals and 75 percent of his free throws. “He's the most versatile player in the West Suburban Conference,” coach Jim Thomas said.
Sean O'Mara, Benet
With baskets full of scholarship offers, O'Mara is one of the state's top juniors. The 6-foot-9 center held his own and then some against other elite big men. Against double- and triple-teams, O'Mara still created his own shots and made pinpoint passes to the perimeter. He averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds. “His presence opens things up for everyone,” coach Gene Heidkamp said.
Matt Rafferty
Hinsdale Central
As good as he was this sophomore season, all signs point to Rafferty getting better and better over the next two years. The 6-foot-7 center thrived at defense and rebounding, but Rafferty also could score at will. He averaged 15.4 points and 10.6 boards while shooting 60 percent from the field and 77 percent from the line. “He's been a rock for us inside all year,” coach Nick Latorre said.
Chaun Rickette Glenbard South
Rickette's 30-point performances speak to his ability to score quickly and in bunches. The 5-foot-9 junior guard contributed as a sophomore, but this year he exploded with 18 points per game and averaged 23 points in the MSC. Rickette was an adept shooter, but he was also strong and fearless driving to the basket. “You wondered about his size, but he found a way,” coach Wade Hardtke said.
Collin Roy, Wheaton Academy
Wheaton Academy's Thanksgiving MVP, the 6-3 senior guard averaged 13.9 points, 3 assists, leading the Warriors to a fourth straight conference title. All-Suburban Catholic Blue, the two-year starter scored a personal-high 29 points against Kaneland. At St. Francis Roy had a 21-point fourth quarter; in a win at Marmion he made all 11 fourth-quarter free throws. “That was a consistent theme,” coach Paul Ferguson said. “Fourth quarter, him with the ball closing out games.”
Jabari Sandifer, Neuqua Valley
A pass-first point guard with panoramic court vision and maximum work ethic, the 6-foot-1 Western Illinois recruit now owns Wildcats all-time records for assists and steals and is third in scoring. The speedy three-year starter was voted Upstate Eight Valley MVP, Riverside-Brookfield MVP, all-tourney at East Aurora and Hononegah. Sandifer averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.1 steals and made 61 3-pointers. ”He's been the best point guard we've ever had,” coach Todd Sutton said.
Derek Westman Naperville North
A two guard as a freshman and sophomore, Westman converted to power forward his two varsity seasons for the benefit of the team. The 6-foot-3 senior was a remarkable rebounder for his size, averaging 6.9 a game. Westman averaged 14.4 points as he shot 52 percent from the field and 80 percent from the line. “We expect so much out of him, and he delivers,” coach Jeff Powers said.