2012-2013 Boys'
Basketball Focus
Kareem Amedu Neuqua Valley
This two-time All-Area selection is nearly automatic around the basket. Headed to St. Michael's College, the 6-foot-5 senior post ended the regular season shooting 66 percent from the floor. A two-time all-Upstate Eight Conference pick, Amedu averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 rebounds. "He might be the best big guy we've ever had," said Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton.
Bledi Dervishi Downers Grove South
Dervishi meshed well with vastly different teams in three varsity seasons. His flexibility made him immensely valuable as the Mustangs' lone returning starter this year. The 6-foot-6 senior forward earned all-West Suburban Gold honors and averaged 11 points and 5.8 rebounds. "He's always adapted well to the changes around him," coach Jay Baum said.
Dwayne Evans Dwayne Evans
The 6-foot-5 senior forward is a two-time All-Area choice and the 2009-10 All-Area captain. The lanky senior helped the Wildcats to three Upstate Eight Conference titles and an 82-12 record. Bound for St. Louis University, he averaged 16.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.8 blocks and 2.3 steals. "The best rebounder I have ever seen," coach Todd Sutton said.
Evan Fendley York
Fendley's known as a wicked shooter, a role he expanded this senior season. The 6-foot-1 all-West Suburban Silver guard broke the program record for 3-pointers in a season and is an 80 percent free-throw shooter. Fendley averaged 14.7 points with 64 3s. "He loves to take the big shots in the biggest moments," coach Al Biancalana said.
James Fleming Glenbard North
A two-time All-Area pick and three-time all-DuPage Valley Conference selection, Fleming was Glenbard North's cornerstone for three years. The 6-foot senior guard did it all, including fierce on-the-ball defense. He was an electric scorer who averaged 20.3 points with 54 3s. "He can put points on the board in a lot of ways," coach Joe Larson said.
Reggie Greenwood Timothy Christian
A repeat All-Area selection, the senior point guard is quick, crafty and well-rounded. A two-time all-conference pick, going into the playoffs Greenwood averaged 15.4 points with 41 3-pointers. He averaged 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 3.1 steals. A quiet leader named all-tournament at Lisle and Glenbard West. "I think he's a hidden gem," said Trojans coach Jack LeGrand.
Johnny Hill Glenbard East
Perhaps the area's biggest breakout player, Hill enjoyed an incredible junior season. The 6-foot-3 forward led the county in steals with 3.3 per game and also averaged 16.8 points and 6 rebounds. The all-DuPage Valley Conference honoree already is attracting significant college interest. "His game has really blossomed," coach Scott Miller said.
Frank Kaminsky Benet
In the season's second half few in the area played as well as this 6-foot-10 junior center. A consistent double-double man and menacing post presence, Kaminsky keyed the Redwings' first East Suburban Catholic Conference title since 1995. He averaged 10 points and 8 boards. "The way he's played around the basket's been incredible," coach Gene Heidkamp said.
Nick Kladis Hinsdale Central
Kladis overcame heavy defensive attention to finish among area leaders in most offensive categories. The 6-foot senior guard and all-West Suburban Silver pick averaged 18.7 points per game. Kladis led the area with 87 percent free-throw shooting and 80 3-pointers. "He had to carry the load for us on offense," coach Lee Maciejewski said.
Joe McNicholas Naperville North
Rarely flashy but always solid, McNicholas thrived in a new system in his fourth varsity season. The 6-foot-6 senior forward showed surprising athleticism while moving without the ball and sprang down the court in transition. The all-DuPage Valley Conference pick averaged 12.8 points and 4.4 boards. "He was our most consistent player," coach Jeff Powers said.
Zach Miller Glenbard East
Miller's a three-year starter, two-time All-Area pick and the DuPage Valley Conference's player of the year. This junior season the 5-foot-9 guard led the area with 7.2 assists per game and averaged 14.1 points and 3.1 steals. Miller excelled running the team in its offensive and defensive sets. "He's really grown as a team leader," coach Scott Miller said.
Rahjan Muhammad Neuqua Valley
The two-year starter excelled after switching to the point from 2-guard. Compiling nearly a 2-to-1 assists-turnover ratio with 4 assists a game. All-tourney at Elgin, the senior averaged 2.5 steals and 11.7 points, averaging 40.7 percent shooting beyond the arc. He hit West Aurora with 24 points and six 3s. "He can be a microwave," Wildcats coach Todd Sutton said.
Matt Neufeld Naperville Central
From the moment he scored 19 points in a regional game as a freshman, Neufeld was a potent post performer. The 6-foot-6 senior center, an all-DuPage Valley Conference honoree this season, was a smooth finisher around the basket and a forceful rebounder. Neufeld averaged 14.6 points and 7.7 boards. "He always came to play every night," coach Pete Kramer said.
Reilly O'Toole WW South
One of the area's elite point guards and a repeat All-Area selection, O'Toole could score, distribute and rebound. The 6-foot-4 junior, an All-Area quarterback for the state title football team, earned an all-DuPage Valley Conference nod by averaging 14.4 points and 3.7 assists. "He had a lot of expectations, and he met all of them," coach Mike Healy said.
Mike Rovansek Glenbard South
Despite little varsity experience, Rovansek carried the Raiders through a short-handed start. The Raiders then rode the 6-foot senior guard to a seven-game winning streak to close the regular season. A powerful finisher to the basket, the all-Western Sun Conference honoree averaged 15.2 points. "He's been our rock this year," coach Wade Hardtke said.
Tim Rusthoven Wheaton Academy
The humble 6-foot-9, two-time All-Area pick held the program record with 1,418 points entering playoffs. The Suburban Christian Gold MVP and twice an all-conference choice heads to William & Mary after averaging 20.8 points on 65 percent shooting, 8.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.5 blocks. "He is a double-double machine," said Warriors coach Paul Ferguson.
Lee Skinner Glenbard East
A tremendous athlete who also earned All-Area football honors, Skinner presented quite a few matchup problems for opposing defenses. The 6-foot-7 senior is a repeat All-Area selection who garnered a second all-DuPage Valley Conference selection. Skinner averaged 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds. "From Day One he's always played hard," coach Scott Miller said.
Dave Sobolewski Benet
Player of the year in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, Sobolewski showed talent and moxie in leading Benet to its first ESCC title since 1995. A flashy ballhandler, pinpoint passer, deadly perimeter shooter and crafty finisher, the 6-foot-1 junior guard averaged 15.8 points and 5.9 assists. "He makes incredible decisions with the ball," coach Gene Heidkamp said.
Will Sullivan York
Sullivan, who hit the 1,000-point milestone this season, is York's second-leading all-time scorer and is on pace to break the record next year. The 6-foot-3 junior guard made 80 percent of his 140 free throws and averaged 21.5 points as an all-West Suburban Silver honoree. "He works as hard as anyone I've worked with," coach Al Biancalana said.
Tyler Warden Glenbard West
A two-time all-West Suburban Silver selection, Warden exploited matchup advantages to score in bunches. The 6-foot-6 senior forward posted up, knocked down shots on the perimeter and drove hard to the basket while averaging 20.2 points per game. He also averaged 6.1 rebounds. "There aren't many players as versatile as he is," coach Tim Hoder said.
Top five players
Dwayne Evans, sr., Neuqua Valley; Zach Miller, jr., Glenbard East; Tim Rusthoven, sr., Wheaton Academy; Dave Sobolewski, jr., Benet; Will Sullivan, jr., York.
Top 3-point shooters
Nick Kladis, Hinsdale Central; Phil George, Hinsdale South; Evan Fendley, York; Eric Miller, Willowbrook; Reilly O'Toole, WW South.
Top rebounders
Dwayne Evans, Neuqua Valley; Tim Rusthoven, Wheaton Academy; Ryan Coyle, St. Francis; Graham Olatunji, Willowbrook; Frank Kaminsky, Benet.
Top free-throw shooters
Nick Kladis, Hinsdale Central; Matt Drufke, Lake Park; Michael Mache, Glenbard West; Eric Miller, Willowbrook; Dusko Despot, Glenbard South.
Ace defenders
Dwayne Evans, Neuqua Valley; Ryan Farrar, WW South; Matt Hasse, Naperville North; Jack Merrithey, Glenbard East; Anthony Ritchie, Wheaton Academy.
The best of the class of 2012
Ryan Coyle, St. Francis; Michael Mache, Glenbard West; Jamall Millison, Downers South; Dominique Spencer, Lake Park; C.J. Thornton, Willowbrook.
Top dunkers
Dwayne Evans, Neuqua Valley; Kareem Amedu, Neuqua Valley; Johnny Hill, Glenbard East; Graham Olatunji, Willowbrook; Tyler Warden, Glenbard West.
Conference champions
Benet, Glenbard East, Neuqua Valley, St. Francis, Wheaton Academy.
Top coaching jobs
Paul Ferguson, Wheaton Academy; Gene Heidkamp, Benet; Jack LeGrand, Timothy Christian; Scott Miller, Glenbard East; Todd Sutton, Neuqua Valley
Teams to watch in 2010-11
Benet, Downers Grove South, Glenbard East, Lake Park, Neuqua Valley.
All-Area Honorable Mention
Mark Bentley (Downers South, sr., G); Ryan Coyle (St. Francis, so., F); Reggie Davis (Glenbard North, sr., F); Will Dolatowski (WW South, sr., G); Matt Drufke (Lake Park, sr., G); Quinn Gorski (Wheaton Academy, sr., G); Matt Hasse (Naperville North, sr., C); Tyshawn Johnson (Montini, so., G); Michael Mache (Glenbard West, so., F); Jack Merrithey (Glenbard East, sr., G); Eric Miller (Willowbrook, sr., G); Jamall Millison (Downers South, so., G); Demetrius Mobley (Immaculate Conception, jr., F); Dan Montano (Fenton, jr., F); Graham Olatunji (Willowbrook, sr., F); Matt Parisi (Benet, jr., G); Kyle Pembrook (Neuqua Valley, sr., F); Tyler Perkins (Waubonsie Valley, sr., G); Rob Stein (Timothy Christian, sr., F); Marcus Wilson (Lisle, sr., G).
DuPage | Lake | Fox Valley | Tri-Cities
Conference: East Suburban Catholic
- Images: Stevenson vs. St. Viator
- West Aurora knocks out Benet
- North Chicago stops Carmel
- More hoops for Morrissey, Stevenson
- Images: Carmel vs. North Chicago
Conference: DuPage Valley
- Looking back at the best of the season
- Proviso East's pressure gets to West Aurora
- Images: West Aurora vs. Proviso East
- West Aurora's McAuley shines once again
- Careers come to a close for West Aurora's Lee, Thomas twins
Conference: Metro Suburban
- Boys basketball: DuPage County all-area team
- Carmel finishes strong to get past Ridgewood
- Ridgewood v. Carmel: Live stream of game
- Orr wears down Glenbard South
- Glenbard South wins at home
Conference: West Suburban Silver
- Images: Daily Herald All-Area Basketball Team Captains
- Boys basketball: DuPage County all-area team
- Yorks Cohn was The superstar without the ego
- Oak Park locks out York
- York v. Oak-Park River Forest: Live stream of game
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
- Weemer steps down at Waubonsie Valley
- Benet wins a thriller
- Images: Benet Academy vs. Neuqua Valley
- Boys basketball/Fox Valley all-area team
- Benet v. Neuqua Valley: Live stream of game
Conference: Suburban Christian Blue
- Ferguson making move back to Wheaton College
- Ruggles reigns from arc
- Looking back at the best of the season
- St. Francis seniors showed they were a class above
- St. Francis finishes one run short
Conference: West Suburban Gold
- Edwardsville edges Proviso East for third place
- Parker, Simeon advance to Class 4A finale
- Sixth sense says Simeon will be tough to beat
- Images: West Aurora vs. Proviso East
- West Aurora v. Proviso East: Live stream of game