This is my third year doing All-Area and I have to admit it gets tougher every year. Thanks to all the coaches who sent in their statistics for their players. This year I'll do an honorable mention because so many players had big time seasons. I waited till the playoffs were over because big time players perform in big time games. Here we go:
BRADEN HUFF(Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn)- Player Of The Year and a repeat selection. Gonzaga commit. West Suburban Conference Player Of The Year. MVP of the Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament. Class 4A State Champion with a 37-1 record. 6'11" senior plays all positions and can shoot, pass, dribble, rebound, and rim protect. Very gifted averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds 3 assists ,1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, 70% from 2, 40% from three, 62% overall from the field, 78% from the free throw line. Runs the floor well on both ends of the court. 95th in the nation by 247 sports. Did not lose to an Illinois team this season.
XAVIER AMOS(Whitney Young, Chicago)- Northern Illinois commit. City Champ and Class 4A Runner-up. All Tournament at Proviso West Holiday Tournament. 6'8" senior forward averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks a game. He was Mr Reliable always showing up for not just the big games but every game. Great scorer from mid range, and in the post over his left and right shoulder. Can step out and hit the three, changes ends very well. The most consistent player for the Dolphins.
DARRIN "DAI DAI" AMES (Kenwood Academy, Chicago)- 6'2" junior is one of the top 50 players in the country by every scouting service. All tournament at Proviso West Holiday Tournament as the Broncos won the title. All City team. Sat out part of the season with wrist and ankle injuries. Averaged 24 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and shot 51% from three point range. He can get anywhere he wants on the floor with his slick ball handling, passing, and quick hands on defense.
ROBBIE AVILA(Oak Forest)- Indiana State commit. Repeat selection. Four year starter. All time leading scorer at Oak Forest. South Suburban Blue Conference Player Of The Year. 6'9"senior forward is an excellent shooter from three, posts up on the block and score, hits the boards very well. Averaged a double/double 23.9 points, 10.6 rebounds(double/double), 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals, 2 blocks. Shot 72% on twos, 41.9% on threes, 84.4% on free throws. He's slow motion and kills everyone else going too fast trying to guard him, but he still scores. Uses smarts to score and get defensive players out of position.
ANDRE CASEY JR (Whitney Young,Chicago)- Miami(FL) commit. Repeat selection. City Champ and Class 4A Runner-up. All City team. All Tournament at City Of the Palms and Proviso West Holiday Tournament. 6'8" senior is a four year varsity starter who's been a jack of all trades for the Dolphins. Averages 19 points, 10 rebounds(double/double), 4 assists, 3 blocks. Can fill a stat sheet with shots from mid range, hits an occasional three, and is an outstanding free throw shooter. He blocks shots, rebounds with authority, and runs the floor well.
CAMERON CHRISTIE(Rolling Meadows)- 6'6" junior guard led team to first Regional Title in 21 years. All Mid Suburban Conference. All Tournament at Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament. Has come into his own as a player. Averaged 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists. Shot 53% on twos, 42% on threes, and 93% from the free throw line. Scorer on all three levels with a nice two dribble pull up mid range jump shot. Excellent at drawing fouls and is almost automatic at the free throw line.
JAKEEM COLE(Leo Catholic,Chicago)- Uncommitted. Chicago Catholic League Player Of The year. Can score from anywhere on the court. 6'1" junior jet quick guard has quick hands gets multiple steals a game. Specialty is the knock down jumper from mid range, though he hits threes at a high clip too. Plays hard and is everywhere. Averaged 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Won Chicago Catholic League Title and Sectional Title.
DEANDRE CRAIG(Mount Carmel, Chicago)- 6'2" junior point guard was All Catholic League, All City team. MVP of Buffalo Grove Thanksgiving Tournament and Pekin Holiday Tournament. Averaged 21 points a game. Mount Carmel tied a school record for wins. Won a Regional Title. He can get to the basket anytime he wants, and can hit the three pointer. Is a creative finisher in the lane and has quick hands to get steals.
JAYLEN DRANE(Simeon Career Academy,Chicago)- Uncommitted. All tournament at Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Averaged 17.6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists. 6'3" senior guard helped Simeon to a 4th place finish in Class 3A. True point guard who can get into the lane and make plays for himself and his teammates. Good on ball defender who has leadership qualities.
BOBBY DURKIN(Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn)-Uncommitted. Class 4A State Champ and All- Tournament at Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament. Averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2 steals, 3 deflections, 65% from 2, 44% from three, 54% field goal percentage, 90% from the free throw line. Scored 30 points in state semifinals vs Bolingbrook. Tied record with 7 threes. 6'7" senior wing can score from three, on mid range pull-ups, and finishes at the rim. Good off the ball defender and rebounder. Decommitted from Army and has a couple of schools with strong interest. Did not lose to an Illinois team this season.
OWEN FREEMAN(Bradley Bourbonnais)- Iowa commit. 6'9" junior is a double/double machine who can step out and hit threes. He's good at passing out of the post. Runs the floor well and can score from mid range. Is good in the post at turning over either shoulder and shooting a jump hook. Averaged 19 points 10 rebounds(double/double) and 5 assists.
WILL GRUDZINSKI(Barrington)- Washington University of St Louis commit. Class 4A Third Place finisher. Won Mid Suburban Title. Most single season wins in school history. Can hit the three and score on hard drives to the basket. Rebounds well for his position. 6'6" guard is a jack of all trades player who plays well at both ends of the court. Averaged 19.1 points, and 5.0 rebounds. 47% from the field, 42% from three, 78% from the free throw line. Had 24 points vs Whitney Young in Class 4A Semifinal loss.
DAVONTAE HALL(Hyde Park Academy,Chicago)- Uncommitted. One of the most underrated players in Chicago Public League Red South/Central. All City team. 6'2" senior guard averaged 19.4 points, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals. Tournament MVP of the Big Dipper Holiday Tournament as he led Hyde Park to the title. Led Hyde Park to the Regional Title.
AHMAD HENDERSON II(Brother Rice, Chicago)- 5'11" junior point guard makes Brother Rice go. He's the leader who sets everything up for the shooters and the players inside the paint. Averaged 15.4 points, 4.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds, shoots 80% from the free throw line. Makes his size on the court not matter, and can get anywhere he wants with dribble drives into the lane.
NOJUS INDUSTRAITIS(Lemont)- 6'5" sophomore guard led Lemont to first Sectional Title since 1975. All South Suburban Blue Conference. He's an outstanding three point shooter, can create shots off the dribble, and mid range pull-up jump shots. Euro step around defenders to score layups and dunks. Rebounds position well. Averaged 21.6 points, and 6.3 rebounds. Outstanding free throw shooter.
CONRAD LUCZYNSKI(Bartlett)- All Upstate Eight. Posted more than a few triple doubles this season. 7'3" senior forward, Polish Hammer uses that hammer for a soft touch from three point shooting, mid range, and jump hooks in the lane over either shoulder. Great passer out of the post and mid post. Runs the floor very well, and calls for the ball in the post. Averaged 18.4 points, 12.6 rebounds(double/double), 4.2 blocks, and 3.2 assists.
NICK MARTINELLI(Glenbrook South, Glenview)- Elon commit. All Central Suburban Conference. Led team to first Sectional Title in school history. Won Central Suburban Title. Most single season wins in school history. Most Valuable Player at Wheeling Hardwood Classic. 6'7" senior forward carried his team at times this season. Could not keep this young man from scoring, as he's a three level scoring monster. Averaged 22.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists. Shot 67% from the floor, and 35% from three. Very intelligent player stayed out of foul trouble all season long.
CHRISTIAN MEEKS(Homewood Flossmoor)- Uncommitted. Most Valuable player at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament. Is not just an athlete anymore has expanded his game out to three point range. 6'6" senior forward is still a monster on the glass and dunking on unsuspecting victims. Averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds. All Southwest Suburban Blue.
JACKSON MUNRO(New Trier, Winnetka)- Darmouth commit. All tournament at Pontiac Holiday Tournament. All Central Suburban Conference. Won Regional Title. Carried the Trevians at times this season. 6'8" senior forward is a great passer out of the post, feeding three point shooters for open shots. Averaged 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists. Shot 64% from the field. Can step out and hit three pointers.
CADEN PIERCE(Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn)- Princeton commit. Class 4A State Champ and All- Tournament at Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament. Averaged 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.2 steals, 4.5 deflections. Shot 52% from the field, 37% from three, 73% from the free throw line. 6'6" senior guard is quick, smart on top of the 1-3-1 zone. Got a lot of deflections and fast break dunks out of it. Can hit the three and get into the lane with strong finishes. Did not lose to an Illinois team this season.
TY RODGERS(Thornton Township, Harvey)- Illinois commit. All Southland conference, all tournament at Big Dipper Holiday Tournament. Young man is an absolute warrior who plays hard at all times. A stat sheet stuffer in the highest order. 6'6" wing has racked up more than a few triple doubles and a ton of double doubles. Averaged 17.3 points, 15.4 rebounds, 8 assists, 3.3 steals, and 3 blocks. Won Regional Title.
JADEN SCHUTT(Christian, Yorkville)- Duke commit. Repeat selection. Class 1A State Champ against a tough schedule. 6’5” senior is schools all time leader in points, rebounds, and three pointers. Holds the single game record for three pointers with 17. Averaged 27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists. Shot 65% from two, 40% from three, 87% from the free throw line. Big time three point shooter who now can finish attacking the rim with dunks, and scoring off the post in mid range.
ASA THOMAS(Lake Forest)- North Suburban Conference Player Of The Year. 6'7" junior wing is a knockdown three point shooter. Moves well off the ball, and is a good passer to players cutting to the basket. Set single season school record for threes with 85. 1000 points scorer. Averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Shot 40% from three , and 83% from the free throw line. Regional Champ and won North Suburban Conference title.
BEN VANDERWAL(Timothy Christian, Elmhurst)- Furman commit. 6'7" senior wing is a stone cold versatile scorer from all levels of the court. Teams keyed up on him and still could not stop him from scoring and at an efficient rate. Averaged 26.4 points, 10 rebounds(double/double), 2.3 blocks, and 2.3 steals. Shot 66% from the field, 80% from the free throw line.
DAMARI WHEELER-THOMAS (Larkin, Elgin)- North Dakota State commit. Upstate Eight Player Of The Year. 5’11” point guard is a big time scorer and gets into opposing guards on defense. Played well in both matchups against Class 4A State Champ Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn). Averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Shot 53% from the field, 37% from three, and 88% from the free throw line. Sectional Champ and undefeated in Upstate Eight.
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