Week 6: Lake Park's Fant earns MVP recognition

Lake Park senior guard Garrett Fant has earned Daily Herald MVP recognition for his recent high school boys basketball performances.

Garrett Fant, Lake Park: Fant continued an explosive scoring stretch where he's tallied 20-plus points in six of the Lancers' last seven games. Last week the 6-foot senior guard totaled 75 points in three games, including victories over St. Viator and Metea Valley. In addition to averaging 25 points, Fant averaged 5.7 boards and 5 assists.

James Connolly, Grayslake North: A varsity starter as a sophomore last winter, the 6-foot-3 forward continues to put together a breakout season. His 2 free throws with 0.2 seconds left lifted the Knights to a 51-50 win over Grayslake Central. He followed up the 14-point effort with a season-high-tying 25 points, as the Knights lost to Buffalo Grove 87-77 in 3 overtimes.

Courtese Cooper, Elgin: This 6-foot-8 senior produced his best all-around game of the season in a 56-49 Upstate Eight River home win against Streamwood. Cooper scored 16 of his game-high 27 points in the third quarter to turn a 6-point halftime deficit into an 11-point lead. He demonstrated his unique versatility in that stretch with three 3-pointers and two high-flying slam dunks. He finished with 18 rebounds and 8 blocked shots as Elgin improved to 9-5 overall.

Jack Vaselaney, Buffalo Grove: The junior guard has been one key in the Bison's resurgence. In Saturday's matchup against visiting Grayslake North, he finished with 25 points as BG prevailed 87-77 in 3 OTs; Vaselaney had 11 points Tuesday as the Bison win streak reached four in a 52-38 win against Hoffman Estates.