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DuPage County all-area team

Denis Alibegovic,

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,

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

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 All-Area 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,

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.

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.

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 runner-up 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 3-pointers 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.

Luke Anthony
Charlie Bair
Tai Bibbs
T.J. Clifford
Dillon Durrett
Garrett Fant
Jordan Gray
Zion Griffin
Drew Healy
Jack Hoiberg
Jeremy Hunter
Bryan Jakobsze
Mitch Lewis
Liam Lynam
Mark McGrath
Blaise Meredith
Jack Nolan
Ethan Schuemer
Michael Williams
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