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Boys basketball: DuPage County All-Area team

Brock Benson

Hinsdale South

Benson became “Mr. Double-Double.” The 6-foot-8 junior, a third-year starting center, posted several high point and rebound games as he attracted Division I college attention. An all-West Suburban Gold pick, Benson averaged 12.2 points and 7.5 boards while shooting 60 percent from the field. “His best days are ahead of him,” coach Vince Doran said.

Josh Fleming

Glenbard North

The flashes Fleming showed last year blossomed into consistency this junior season. The 6-foot-6 forward garnered unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference honors with strong perimeter and post play. Fleming made 51 percent of his shots while averaging 17.7 points. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds. “He played real well for us on both ends of the court,” coach Joe Larson said.

Johnny Hill

Glenbard East

At times the 6-foot-3 senior forward was a man among boys. The Illinois State recruit was named the DuPage Valley Conference's player of the year in his third starting season. Hill averaged 20.4 points with a vast array of offensive ability. He added 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists. “He's got that mentality where you can't stop him,” coach Scott Miller said.

Jakobi Johnson

Waubonsie Valley

A “refuse-to-lose” type, this 5-foot-9 senior guard did a little bit of everything for Waubonsie. The two-year starter averaged 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals, and ended the season scoring 24 points against Glenbard West. All-tourney at Waubonsie Valley, he'll play football at Princeton. “He is the glue of our team,” said Warriors coach Steve Weemer.

Luke Johnson

Wheaton Academy

The Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division player of the year dominated the middle. The 6-9 senior averaged 16.2 points, 10 rebounds, 4.7 blocks. He's a good passer and press-breaker and was all-tourney at Wheaton Academy and the Glenbard West tourney MVP. Johnson has drawn Division I interest and was nominated for the McDonald's All-American game. ”He's come a long way,” coach Paul Ferguson said.

Sam Johnson

Neuqua Valley

Neuqua's sole returning starter boasted a diverse game. He drove to the basket, hit 3s, dunked in transition. The 6-foot-3 senior forward had a 21-point quarter against Bolingbrook. Johnson averaged 15.6 points and 4.2 rebounds and made 67 3-pointers. He was all-tourney at Hononegah and the Elgin tourney MVP. “He just puts it all on the line every night,” said coach Todd Sutton.

Frank Kaminsky

Benet

Kaminsky developed into one of the state's elite players. The Co-Captain of the All-Area Team and East Suburban Catholic Conference player of the year, the 7-foot senior Wisconsin recruit was unmatched in the post. Kaminsky averaged 14.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists. “He made a tremendous impact on both ends of the court,” coach Gene Heidkamp said.

Wes Koral

Wheaton Academy

Koral's athleticism boosted the Warriors after transferring from Joliet Catholic. The 6-foot-3 senior guard's 40-inch vertical leap produced exciting dunks in overtime wins over Aurora Christian and Downers Grove North. All-Suburban Christian Gold, all-tourney at Glenbard West and MVP at Wheaton Academy, Koral averaged 17.4 points on 66 percent shooting. “He's a great finisher,” coach Paul Ferguson said.

Michael Mache

Glenbard West

Immensely effective around the basket, the 6-foot-6 junior forward hit an amazing 85 percent of his 151 free throws and averaged 19.7 points and 6.3 rebounds as an all-West Suburban Silver honoree. Mache also improved his midrange game in his second starting season. “He has great determination attacking the basket,” coach Tim Hoder said.

Zach Miller

Glenbard East

A four-year varsity point guard, Miller earned All-Area and unanimous all-DuPage Valley Conference honors for a third year. The 5-foot-9 senior Northern Illinois recruit owns every program assist record and averaged 8.4 this year. Miller scored 12.6 points per game and hit 55 3-pointers. “He's done a great job taking control out there for us,” coach Scott Miller said.

Dan Montano

Fenton

After becoming the first Fenton player to score 600 points in a season, Montano will graduate as the program's third all-time leading scorer and rebounder. Twice selected to the all-Metro Suburban Conference team, the 6-foot-3 senior forward averaged 20.9 points and 8.5 rebounds. “The better the competition, the better he played,” coach Dennis Cromer said.

David Niggins

Naperville Central

On any given night Niggins was capable of exploding for 30-plus points. A tremendous athlete at 6-foot-6, the senior forward garnered all-DuPage Valley Conference honors by creating offensive options from the basket to the perimeter. Niggins averaged 17.8 points and 6.5 rebounds. “David gave teams a lot of matchup problems,” coach Pete Kramer said.

Kenny Obendorf

Metea Valley

Metea Valley's MVP excelled in the biggest wins — a season high 34 points against East Aurora, 21 at Bolingbrook. All-tourney at Joliet West, the 6-2 junior guard averaged 14.9 points on 54 percent shooting, 74 percent on free throws, plus 3.6 rebounds. Obendorf also guarded the opponent's top player. “He exceeds your expectations quite a bit,” said coach Bob Vozza.

Reilly O'Toole

WW South

A three-year starter and three-time All-Area pick, O'Toole is the DuPage Valley Conference's all-time leader in 3-pointers with 97. The 6-foot-4 senior point guard did it all for the Tigers while averaging 15.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4 assists. He made 81 percent of his free throws. “He's as good a student-athlete as we've had come through this school,” coach Mike Healy said.

Matt Parisi

Benet

Few area players displayed Parisi's skilled combination of instant offense and lock-down defense. First-team all-tournament at Proviso West and twice all-East Suburban Catholic Conference, the 6-foot-1 senior guard knocked down 75 3-pointers while averaging 12.7 points. “He's had one of the better Benet careers in quite a while,” coach Gene Heidkamp said.

Ziggy Riauka

Downers South

Riauka made a huge impact in the Mustangs' lineup in his only year as a starter. The 6-foot-8 senior center could score inside and out, but he was also a tremendous passer and post defender. The all-West Suburban Gold honoree averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. “Ziggy's probably our MVP this season,” coach Jay Baum said.

Dave Sobolewski

Benet

Three-time All-Area and all-East Suburban Catholic Conference, Sobolewski is the Co-Captain of the All-Area Team. The Proviso West and Plainfield North tournament MVP, the 6-foot-1 Northwestern-bound senior point guard overcame a back injury to average 14 points and 6 assists. “Dave's done unbelievable things for the program,” coach Gene Heidkamp said.

Jim Stocki

Neuqua Valley

A great shooter and passer with a good basketball IQ, the 6-foot-4 senior forward averaged 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and made 41 percent of his 3-point shots, 81 percent from the foul line. All-tourney at York and Elgin, Stocki scored a career-high 32 points against St. Charles North. “He doesn't really have a weakness,” said Wildcats coach Todd Sutton.

Will Sullivan

York

As York's all-time leading scorer, Sullivan's numbers speak volumes. Overcoming injury to guide the Dukes to a 20-win season speaks to the 6-foot-3 senior guard's competitiveness. The all-West Suburban Silver pick scored in every way, averaging 22.2 points to accompany 6.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists. “He's a tireless worker,” coach Dominic Cannon said.

Jerron Wilbut

Downers South

Perhaps the area's most explosive player, Wilbut showed uncanny ability to take over games. The 6-foot-3 junior guard, selected to the all-West Suburban Gold team, added great defense this season to complete his game. Wilbut averaged 15.2 points while hitting 55 percent of his shots. “He has the whole package on offense,” coach Jay Baum said.

Honorable mention

Dante Bailey (Glenbard East, jr., F), Jared Brownridge (Waubonsie Valley, so., G), David Cohn (York, so., G), Ryan Coyle (St. Francis, jr., F), Eric Eichholz (Lake Park, sr., G), Tom Garvin (Hinsdale Central, jr., F), Phil George (Hinsdale South, jr., G), Jovonn Griffin (Naperville North, sr., G), Joe Harks (Glenbard South, sr., G), Dan Jurgutis (Downers South, sr., G), Anthony Keener (Glenbard North, sr., G), Matt LaCosse (Naperville North, sr., F), Jamall Millison (Downers South, jr., G), Demetrius Mobley (Immaculate Conception, sr. F), Justin Mundt (West Chicago, jr., F), Mike Pizzello (Timothy Christian, sr., F), Jeff Schalk (Wheaton North, sr., G), Mike Scholl (St. Francis, sr., G), Dominique Spencer (Lake Park, jr., F), Chris Wray (Lisle, sr., F).

Benet's Kaminsky, Sobolewski together again

Josh Fleming
Johnny Hill
Jakobi Johnson
Luke Johnson
Sam Johnson
Frank Kaminsky
Michael Mache
Zach Miller
Dan Montano
David Niggins
Kenny Obendorf
Reilly O'Toole
Matt Parisi
Ziggy Riauka
Dave Sobolewski
Jim Stocki
Will Sullivan
Jerron Wilbut