Boys basketball: All-area team, DuPage County
Gordon Behr, Wheaton Academy
The 6-foot-8 senior forward scores inside, handles the ball, hits the 3. The college prospect was voted the Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division player of the year. Entering regionals Behr averaged 12.9 points, 8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. A repeat all-SCC Blue pick, Behr's versatility, drive and passion showed while starting on three conference championship teams. "Gordon is a multitalented kid who has a lot of layers to his game," said Warriors coach Pete Froedden.
Kilian Brown, St. Francis
This 6-foot-4 senior forward, all-tourney at Batavia, was an energetic presence on both ends of the floor. Voted all-conference in the Suburban Christian Blue Division, Brown battled all comers to average 14 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 62 percent from the floor. Brown also sparkled defensively, leading St. Francis in charges taken a second straight year, second overall in defensive numbers this season. "He's been a major success story," said Spartans coach Bob Ward.
Nick Czarnowski, Naperville Central
You couldn't ask for a most-consistent four-year all-DuPage Valley tenure. The 6-foot-8 senior center is Naperville Central's all-time leading rebounder and entered the playoffs as its third-leading scorer. This season he averaged 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds. "There's no doubt he'll be dearly missed," coach Pete Kramer said.
Corey Davis, Glenbard West
For a 6-foot-1 guard, Davis sure did a ton for the Hilltoppers during his three years on the varsity. The senior led his team with 14 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists while mentoring a roster loaded with inexperience. No area player went harder to the basket. "Corey's overall game is just tremendous," coach Tim Hoder said.
Jay DeHaan, Waubonsie Valley
All-conference in the Upstate Eight Valley Division, the 6-foot-2 senior guard could swish it from the 3-point arc or explode to the basket. Entering regionals DeHaan led the Warriors at 14.5 points a game and in 3s with 32, tied for the lead in steals with 39 and was a close second in rebounds at 5.3 per game. "He's got a great work ethic, a great passion to get better," said Warriors coach Chaz Taft.
Rhashaun Epting, IC Catholic Prep
The 6-foot-3 sophomore forward was the Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division player of the year, pacing IC's third straight conference title and first regional crown since 2008. After 26 games the athletic Epting averaged 19.9 points and 8.4 rebounds, and led the Knights with 33 3-point baskets. From jumper to hook to dunk he's got an arsenal, a tough matchup with a high ceiling. "The sky's the limit for him," said IC coach T.J. Tyrrell.
Chip Flanigan, Glenbard North
Lethal from every inch of the court, Flanigan was most effective driving to the basket and coaxing three-point plays. The 6-foot-5 senior forward's a three-year starter who averaged 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3 steals while leading his team to a DuPage Valley Conference title. "When he's playing well, we're tough to stop," coach Joe Larson said.
Jeremiah Fleming, Glenbard North
Fleming makes a strong argument for the area's most-improved player. The 6-foot-3 senior guard went from making 11 3-pointers and averaging 3 points a game last year, to hitting 80 3s and averaging 14.8 points this season. "It's a tremendous commitment he made from his sophomore year on," coach Joe Larson said.
Chase Hamilton, Hinsdale Central
The football team's quarterback, who will play tennis at Valparaiso, found time to help the Red Devils to a second straight West Suburban Silver title. There's no doubt the 6-foot-3 senior guard's athleticism helped Hamilton average 12.5 points and 3.5 assists. "He's got a great presence on the court," coach Nick Latorre said.
John Konchar, West Chicago
The 6-foot-4 senior swingman amassed record-setting numbers to earn Upstate Eight Valley Division player of the year in West Chicago's best season in a decade. Konchar's 49 points against South Elgin and 1,529 total points after 27 games are program records. MVP at West Chicago, all-tourney at DeKalb, the three-year starter averaged 29.1 points, 14.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.2 steals, 2.5 blocks. "Probably the most versatile player in the area," said Wildcats coach Bill Recchia.
Patrick Maloney, Naperville Central
Anyone who saw a Redhawks game recognized Maloney's immense importance to the team's success. The 6-foot-6 forward developed from a role player last year to an impact player this senior season. He averaged 9.8 points and 8.6 rebounds. "It's been fun to watch him grow as a player and a person," coach Pete Kramer said.
Marquell Oliver, Metea Valley
All-conference in the Upstate Eight Valley Division, this 5-foot-11 guard improved vastly from junior to senior year, becoming Metea's most dynamic scorer. All-tourney at York, Oliver excelled getting to the hoop and converting. He averaged 17 points, made 76 percent of his free throws and averaged 2.2 steals and 2.7 assists. "In certain points of the game, he felt like he had to carry us, and he did for sure," said Mustangs coach Bob Vozza.
Sean O'Mara, Benet
The 2013-14 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Basketball Captain, O'Mara graduates as Benet's all-time leading scorer. This senior season the 6-foot-9 Xavier-bound center averaged 24 points and 13 rebounds. "Against the toughest teams we played, he put up pretty remarkable numbers," coach Gene Heidkamp said.
James Pupillo, Addison Trail
After four years as a starter, Pupillo earned his spot among the area's elite players. The 5-foot-10 senior guard thrived at either guard spot. A strong shooter who also went hard to the basket, Pupillo averaged 19.3 points, 5.4 assists and 5 rebounds. "He's been asked to do pretty much everything for us the last four years," coach Brendan Lyons said.
Matt Rafferty, Hinsdale Central
A three-year varsity starter as a junior, Rafferty's Division I-caliber game continues to grow. The 6-foot-7 forward-center showed equal scoring ability with his back to the basket or facing it. Strength and skill helped Rafferty average 18.3 points and 12 rebounds. "Every facet of his game improved this season," coach Nick Latorre said.
Connor Raridon, Neuqua Valley
Befitting a balanced Neuqua squad, the 6-foot-4 junior guard did everything well offensively and also was one of coach Todd Sutton's top defensive options. The fundamentally sound son of a coach, entering regionals Raridon averaged 12.7 points and earned all-conference honors for the decisive Upstate Eight Valley Division champion. He led the Wildcats with 37 3-pointers and made 79 percent of his free throws. "He has an all-around game," Sutton said. "He has no weaknesses."
Anthony Rehayem, Naperville North
In three varsity seasons Rehayem played a key role in winning a DuPage Valley Conference title, notching a 20-win campaign and guiding his team through struggles early this season. Known as a top defender, the 6-foot-3 senior guard became an offensive threat while averaging 13 points. "He's always been a team-first guy," coach Jeff Powers said.
Chaun Rickette, Glenbard South
Rickette was never the biggest player on the court, but he was almost always the biggest scorer. With 3-pointers, pull-up jumpers, slick drives to the basket and everything in between, the 5-foot-9 senior guard averaged 22.6 points. "He's a small package but he figures out a way to put the ball in the hole," coach Wade Hardtke said.
Frank Toohey, York
The 6-foot-8 senior center, a four-year varsity player committed to Air Force, excelled in the post. Beyond scoring and rebounding, though, his passing ability was tremendous. Toohey averaged 13.9 points and 7 rebounds while leading the Dukes in assists. "He's a big kid who loves being physical in the post," coach Vince Doran said.
Connor VanderBrug, Timothy Christian
With a flurry of 30-point games, VanderBrug soared past the 1,000-point mark. The 6-foot-6 senior forward was a nightmare matchup for opponents having to respect his perimeter shooting and post-up game. He averaged 22.1 points and 8.8 boards. "He's so important to our success in so many ways," coach Jack LeGrand said.