The DuPage County Boys Basketball All-Area Team
David Buh, Benet
Buh's versatility guided Benet to a ninth straight 20-win season. The 6-foot-4 senior wing led the team with 13.2 points and 3 assists a game while also grabbing 2.2 rebounds. Buh made nearly 40 percent of his 3s and thrived while guarding opponents' best perimeter player. "He was extremely valuable in every facet of the game," coach Gene Heidkamp said.
Eric Cannon, Waubonsie Valley
Work ethic, discipline, improvement and being coachable typify the two-time all-DuPage Valley Conference junior guard and team captain. The 6-foot Cannon averaged 15 points, 3 assists and made 41 percent of his 3-point shots. He scored 27 points against Maine West and made six 3s with 9 assists at Neuqua Valley. "He's not just a typical jock," coach Jason Mead said. "He cares about school, he cares about being a good teammate."
Colin Crothers, Benet
Watching his skill in the post, it's easy to forget Crothers is only a sophomore in his second varsity season. The 6-foot-8 center rarely could be contained 1-on-1. Playing his best during a 14-game win streak, he averaged 10.4 points and 6 rebounds. "He had a strong season overall but especially in the second half of the season," coach Gene Heidkamp said.
Justin Eagins, Downers Grove South
It's bad enough Eagins could knock down 3-pointers - more than 80 - with the best of them. His ability to drive to the basket made him a devastating offensive player. The 6-foot-1 junior guard averaged 17 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists while making 74 of his 101 free-throw attempts. "He can really score in a variety of ways," coach Kris Olson said.
Jason Gimre, West Chicago
This 5-foot-10 senior guard ranks among the purest outside shooters in DuPage County. Gimre set Wildcats season and all-time records for 3-pointers with 98 and 181, respectively. Averaging 18.9 points, he converted 45 percent of his 3s but also went to the foul line 143 times, hitting 85 percent. DeKalb all-tourney and all-Upstate Eight Valley, Gimre torched Ridgewood with 39 points. "He leaves his heart on the floor every single game," coach Bill Recchia said.
Zion Griffin, Hinsdale South
The Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Team Captain is committed to Iowa State University. The 6-foot-5 senior forward transformed from a post player into a force who can play anywhere. Griffin scored 1,000 points in two seasons, averaging 21.1 points and 9 rebounds this year. "I hope I'm lucky enough to coach another player like Zion," coach Brett Moore said.
Jake Healy, WW South
A bulldog competitor who led the Tigers to back-to-back 20-win seasons, Healy had to improve his game quite a bit to keep the team successful. The 6-foot senior guard was the Tigers' best defender as well as their leading scorer and rebounder with 13.3 points a game and 3.3 rebounds. "He had a target on his back and still had a really good year," coach Mike Healy said.
Ethan Helwig, Metea Valley
An early 30-point game foreshadowed this 6-foot-3 junior guard's all-DuPage Valley Conference season. A gym rat with court awareness and versatility, Helwig could play - and defend - point guard to power forward. He averaged 16.3 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals with a team-high 61 3s entering regional semifinals. "We ask him to do a whole lot but honestly he takes on the challenge, he wants it," coach Matt Walpole said.
Sema'j Henderson, Downers Grove North
Evidenced by offers from Northern and Western Illinois, Henderson is definitely a player on the rise. The 6-foot-1 junior guard is a student of the game who spends significant time studying film and even more time honing his craft on the court. Henderson averaged 18.2 points and 5.4 rebounds. "He's been a joy to work with," coach Jim Thomas said.
Chris Johnson, Naperville North
The Most Valuable Player in the DuPage Valley Conference has been at the heart of the Huskies' success for three seasons. The 6-foot-7 senior was an adept post scorer, a sneaky distributor and a standout defender. Johnson averaged 12.9 points, 8 boards and 2.8 assists. "He's the best defensive big man I've coached in 29 years," coach Jeff Powers said.
Nick Kosich, York
A varsity member since his freshman year, Kosich's maturity has allowed him to become a valuable leader for a young Dukes team. The 6-foot-1 junior guard is known for his clutch 3-point shooting, but Kosich isn't afraid to mix it up inside. He averaged 12.4 points while making more than 70 3-pointers. "He loves taking the big shots," coach Vince Doran said.
Matas Masys, Willowbrook
Masys could fill it up in a hurry. A 6-foot-1 junior guard who's been contributing on varsity since his freshman year, Masys is a pinpoint perimeter shooter who adds something to his game each season. He averaged 12.3 points while making more than 60 3-pointers. "He's continuously evolving," coach Chris Perkins said. "It's been exciting to see him develop."
Tyler O'Brien, Naperville Central
O'Brien would have been a key member of last year's team if not for injuries, but the 5-foot-11 guard made up for lost time this senior season. O'Brien was by far the Redhawks' best ballhandler and made the offense run. He averaged 11.9 points, making more than 60 3-pointers, and 3 assists. "When he's hot, he can hit from anywhere," coach Pete Kramer said.
Brandon Orange, Timothy Christian
The 6-foot-7 center was voted Metro Suburban Red MVP, his second all-conference honor. The Wheaton College recruit's footwork and multiple moves - up-and-under, spin, power dribble, hook - required double-teaming. He averaged 14.3 points and 9.8 rebounds and shot 53 percent from the field. Orange registered 15 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists at Illiana Christian, among 12 double-doubles. "His leadership for us this year was tremendous," coach Scott Plaisier said.
Ethan Schuemer, Willowbrook
Not only did Schuemer become the first player in program history to score 1,000 points, he's also the Warriors' all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots. The 6-foot-6 senior post player, a three-year starter, averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds. "He's been our rock for three years," coach Chris Perkins said. "He's a walking double-double."
Josh Sorenson, Wheaton North
After moving up to varsity midway through his sophomore year, Sorenson came off the bench as a junior. This season the Falcons were at their best with their 6-foot-7 senior forward on the court as much as possible. Sorenson averaged 13.4 points and 8.1 rebounds. "He's gotten better with the more opportunities he's gotten," coach Dave Brackmann said.
Evan Taylor, Glenbard West
With six Division I offers already in hand and a great junior season in the book, expect to see many more colleges buy into Taylor's game this off-season. The 6-foot-6 wing led his team with 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists while working everywhere from the post to the point. "We ask him to do so much for us," coach Tim Hoder said.
Tom Welch, Naperville North
An All-Area goalkeeper from the Huskies' state title-winning soccer team, Welch is developing into a top-notch basketball player who's drawn offers from Eastern Illinois and Kent State. The 6-foot-6 junior forward led Naperville North with 13.4 points a game and averaged 6.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. "Tommy's athleticism is off the charts," coach Jeff Powers said.
Brandon Whiteside, Glenbard South
The 6-foot-1 senior guard averaged 18.5 points with a high of 32. The Raiders' leader in rebounds, steals and 3s got to the foul line nearly 200 times. The repeat all-Metro Suburban Blue pick was all-tourney at District 87 and Glenbard West. Long and strong defensively, Whiteside was dynamic from perimeter to rim. "He doesn't necessarily want to be the focal point but he just does his thing," coach Wade Hardtke said.
Jayston Williams, Wheaton Academy
Transferring back to Wheaton Academy after two years at Montini, the 6-foot-3 senior guard's scoring ability unlocked the Warriors' potential. A three-time all-conference pick spanning the Chicago Catholic League and Metro Suburban Blue, Williams averaged 17.6 points with 68 3s and 73 percent free-throw shooting entering regional finals. He excelled spotting up or driving. "He was a consistent scorer for us the whole year and we needed it," coach Steve Thonn said.
Honorable mention
Caden Anderson (Westmont, jr., F), Robert Barnes (Hinsdale South, sr., G), Kevin Cheng (IC Catholic, sr., G), Erik Cohn (York, jr., G), J.D. Gunn (Wheaton Academy, sr., G), Trevor Hamilton (Hinsdale Central, sr., G), Andrew Harvey (St. Francis, sr., F), Jack Hill (Naperville North, sr., G), Wes Hooker (Downers Grove South, jr., G), Angelo Martucci (York, sr., G), Jay McGrath (Lisle, jr., G), Alex Meurer (IC Catholic, sr., F), Matthew Myers (Willowbrook, sr., F), Alijah Nelson (Glenbard East, so., G), James Peterkin (Glenbard East, sr., F), Amari Reed (Fenton, sr., G-F), Deng Reng (Wheaton North, jr., F), Parker Robinson (Wheaton Warrenville South, sr., G), Marcus Skeete (Waubonsie Valley, so., F), Ben Wolf (Naperville Central, sr., C).
Editor's note: The 20 All-Area players and 20 honorable-mention players are selected from the 29 high schools in DuPage County. They are listed alphabetically.