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The Daily Herald DuPage County Boys Basketball All-Area Team

Marcus Bult, Wheaton Academy

A repeat All-Area pick and a three-year starter for the regional champion, the 6-foot-4 senior wing could finish at the rim or hit the high-pressure, contested 3. Bult averaged 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals. The Calvin College recruit made 66 3s and scored his 1,000th point at East Aurora, where he was named tourney MVP. "I've said this all along, he is our hardest worker in practice, all the time," said Warriors coach Steve Thonn.

A.J. Carlson

A.J. Carlson, Addison Trail

The Blazers didn't win much, but no one worked harder than Carlson in his third season on varsity. The 6-foot-1 senior guard was the only returning starter and shifted his game after previously being primarily a perimeter shooter. Carlson averaged 17.8 points, hit 56 3-pointers and got to the line 146 times. "He was a marked man every night," coach Brendan Lyons said. "For him to put up those numbers so consistently was pretty impressive."

Colin Crothers

Colin Crothers, Benet Academy

How do you sum up a four-year varsity tenure on one of the state's top programs? How about 98 victories? Despite missing the first eight games due to injury, the 6-foot-8 senior center - a Johns Hopkins commit - led Benet to its 11th straight 20-win season with Crothers being the sole returning starter. He averaged 14.8 points, 8.4 boards and hit 61 percent of his shots. "He's been remarkably consistent," coach Gene Heidkamp said.

Cam Dougherty

Cam Dougherty, Naperville Central

Committed to Harvard to play water polo, Dougherty was also courted to play college basketball. The 6-foot-6 senior wing was a three-year starter and two-time all-DVC pick who surpassed 1,000 varsity points. Dougherty helped this season by playing the point when injuries struck the team. He averaged 17.9 points and 5.5 rebounds while hitting 82 percent of his free throws. "He could have played any position on the court," coach Pete Kramer said.

Billy Durkin

Billy Durkin, Hinsdale South

Durkin came a long way from being a sophomore who only shot 3-pointers. In three varsity seasons the 6-foot-4 senior guard was part of two of the program's most successful teams, including this record-breaking 30-win season featuring a WSC Gold and regional title. Durkin averaged 13.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and hit 87 percent of his 130 free throws. "He just wants to do things to help the team win," coach Brett Moore said.

DaRon Hall

DaRon Hall, Glenbard East

Upstate Eight Conference MVP, the 6-foot-1 senior guard averaged 21.4 points and made 75 3-pointers, shooting 40 percent beyond the arc. A repeat all-UEC pick, all-tourney at York and a 1,000-point scorer, Hall's 41 points against Batavia lifted the Rams to a regional title. A team co-captain, he made 55 percent of his 2-point shots, got to the foul line 182 times and averaged 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists. "Probably the most efficient scorer I've ever coached," Scott Miller said.

Braden Huff

Braden Huff, Glenbard West

The shame of a season cut short by injury couldn't detract from Huff's arrival as a bona fide college prospect. The 6-foot-8 sophomore forward is already a two-year varsity member, although he missed the final nine games with a knee injury. After being a freshman role player, Huff became a floor leader by averaging 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.5 assists. "I really think Braden's going to be special," coach Jason Opoka said.

Ryan Isaacson

Ryan Isaacson, Hinsdale Central

If Isaacson got the ball anywhere near the basket, it was likely going through the net. Committed to Merrimack College, the 6-foot-8 senior forward was a three-year varsity member who overcame injuries the last two seasons to make 61 percent of his 2-pointers and 80 percent of his free throws. He averaged 18.1 points and 5 rebounds. "You could see his confidence growing," coach Nick Latorre said. "His efficiency was really off the charts."

Demetrius King Jr.

Demetrius King Jr., Lisle

Kicking off the Lions' season by scoring his team's first 14 points, the two-year starting guard led Lisle to a share of its first conference title since 2004. A unanimous Illinois Central Eight pick, the fearless and athletic 5-foot-11 senior led Lisle in nearly every statistical category - even blocked shots and charges taken - including 16.3 points, 3 assists and 7 rebounds a game. "We win a share of the conference because of him," said Lisle coach Mark LaScala.

Diamon King

Diamon King, Fenton

The 6-foot-2 senior forward became Fenton's all-time leader with 1,208 points and 697 rebounds. Recording 11 double-doubles, King earned those records with games like 26 points, 14 rebounds and 8 steals against Walther Christian, or 14 points and 23 rebounds against Glenbard South. All-Upstate Eight, the three-year starter was a positive, no-excuses leader of a Bison team whose 21 wins tied the program record. "He just came every day to work," said Fenton coach Chaz Taft.

Brandon Malone

Brandon Malone, Glenbard South

The 6-foot-3 senior guard transferred from St. Joseph to rejoin his feeder program teammates. His scoring ability helped the Raiders win the Upstate Eight, their first conference title since 2009, and a program-record 24 regular-season wins. The all-UEC pick averaged 15.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, made 42 percent from 3-point range and also showed a strong driving and midrange game. "We were very fortunate that he walked in the door," coach Wade Hardtke said.

Trevor Montiel

Trevor Montiel, Lake Park

No area player rounded out his game more in the last year than Montiel. Starting in the Lancers' regional title run last year and continuing through a repeat run this season, the 6-foot-5 senior forward could score from nearly everywhere inside the half-court line. Becoming more athletic and more explosive, Montiel averaged 15 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3 assists and he took 28 charges. "He's the toughest matchup in the conference," coach Billy Pitcher said.

Robert Nocek

Robert Nocek, St. Francis

A repeat all-Metro Suburban Blue selection and all-tournament at York, the 6-foot-4 senior forward ruled the paint. Nocek shot 65 percent from 2-point range, averaging 14.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. A calm team leader who dunked fluidly, Nocek had games of 30, 29 and 26 points and ended his season by scoring 22 points with 8 rebounds in a sectional semifinal. Numerous Division III schools are after him. "He's a total, complete student-athlete," said Spartans coach Erin Dwyer.

Matt Owens

Matt Owens, Timothy Christian

A gutty point guard with an old-school fadeaway, the 5-foot-10 senior set up the Trojans' first state trophy bid since 1979. A three-time all-Metro Suburban Red pick and its 2019-20 MVP, Owens made the Class 2A all-state second team averaging 12.2 points, 4.6 assists and 1.8 steals. He scored 23 points with 10 assists in the sectional finals and finished with a 2.24 assist-to-turnover ratio. "He's become a man in the three years I've known him," said coach Scott Plaisier.

John Poulakidas

John Poulakidas, Neuqua Valley

A two-time all-DuPage Valley Conference pick, after three seasons the 6-foot-5 junior guard is 70 points from Neuqua's record of 1,291 points. He scored a program-high 49 points against Bolingbrook, 36 against Normal and 31 in the Wildcats' regional title win over Plainfield North. The smart (4.4 GPA) lefty shooter averaged 17.5 points and 4.4 rebounds and made 76 3s. "He's one of those who can do just about everything," said Neuqua coach Todd Sutton.

Ben Schwieger

Ben Schwieger, Waubonsie Valley

The 6-foot-5 junior wing made a huge leap from being the Warriors' eighth man as a sophomore. Named all-DuPage Valley Conference and all-tournament at Batavia, Jacobs and Burlington Central, the highflying dunker shot 69 percent from 2-point range yet maintained his perimeter touch. Schwieger averaged 16.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists and became a stronger defender inside and out. "The sky's the limit for what he can accomplish," coach Jason Mead said.

Luke Sgarbossa

Luke Sgarbossa, Lake Park

A three-year varsity member and two-time All-Area pick, Sgarbossa was critical during the Lancers' drive to consecutive regional titles. A pure scorer, the 6-foot-1 senior guard shot the 3, drove and finished and also sported a devastating pullup jumper. Sgarbossa averaged 15.7 points and made 80 percent of his 133 free-throw attempts. "He's a natural scorer," coach Billy Pitcher said. "It makes it pretty difficult for teams to match up with him."

Nate Shockey

Nate Shockey, York

Described as a "blue-collar competitor," Shockey was the lone returning starter from a 29-win team that didn't miss a beat with 28 wins this season. The three-year starter, committed to the University of North Dakota, surpassed the 1,000-point mark. A 6-foot-2 senior guard, Shockey accounted for nearly 50 percent of the Dukes' scoring. He averaged 20.9 points and hit 69 3-pointers. "He really rose to the occasion this season," coach Vince Doran said.

Marcus Skeete

Marcus Skeete, Waubonsie Valley

The 6-foot-5 senior wing player is captain of the 2019-20 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Boys Basketball Team. A three-time all-DuPage Valley Conference pick and this season's MVP, Skeete's 41 points against Cary-Grove tied a Waubonsie Valley record from 1979. He averaged 17.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals and made three all-tournament teams. Skeete improved in every facet, including leadership. "He cares about the team," coach Jason Mead said.

Everett Stubblefield III

Everett Stubblefield III, Willowbrook

What program scoring record didn't Stubblefield break? He's the all-time and season scoring leader. He holds the record for 3-pointers in a season and all-time steals. The 5-foot-10 senior guard, a three-year varsity member, had unlimited range with his shot but was more dangerous driving to the basket. Stubblefield averaged 21.2 points, hit 89 3-pointers and averaged 3.1 steals. "It's hard to keep track of all his records," coach Chris Perkins said.

Honorable mention

Myles Barry (Naperville North, sr., G), Parker Brown (Wheaton Warrenville South, jr., G), Chris Conway (Naperville Central, sr., C), Deon Cook (Glenbard East, sr., G), Qati Dalipi (Westmont, jr., C), Connor Davis (Neuqua Valley, jr., G), Jeff Grace (York, jr., G), Josh Harris (Timothy Christian, jr., F), Garrett Horner (Wheaton North, sr. G), Grant Johnson (Naperville North, jr., F), Zach Jordan (IC Catholic Prep, sr., G), Kymari McBride (Metea Valley, sr., G), Jack Mielke (Downers Grove North, jr., F), Diallo Phillips (Glenbard West, sr., G), Alex Pietrzak (Westmont, sr., G), Jack Prock (Benet, sr., G), Andre Reed (Fenton, sr., G), James Ruzicka (Hinsdale South, sr., G), Aryton Temcio (Glenbard South, jr., G), Aaron Tims (Hinsdale South, sr., F).

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