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Tri-Cities All-Area boys team

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Nolan Block

Geneva

%%%%Geneva's best on-the-ball defender, its top scorer and best assist man, Block's consistency stabilized the Vikings. A sixth-man last season, he moved to point guard and earned Western Sun All-Conference honors. The 5-foot-10 senior was also all-tournament at Hoops for Healing and at DeKalb. Through 27 games he averaged 11.6 points, 5.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds. Vikings coach Phil Ralston called Block a relentless, in-your-face defender who plays hard constantly and runs a crisp offense. "He's one of the most consummate team captains I've ever had," Ralston said.

Ricky Clopton

Batavia

%%%%A repeat All-Area pick and three-year varsity starter, one area coach simply called the 6-foot-5 forward "a load." Clopton reached 30 points twice and scored at least 20 in 10 regular-season games plus Batavia's regional-opening win. The senior averaged 17.8 points and 7 rebounds entering the playoffs, and went to the foul line 174 times. Strong on the defensive glass and anywhere from the arc to the lane, he was all-tourney at Elgin. "I think he's a tough guy to guard because he can mix things up facing or playing with his back to the basket," said Bulldogs coach Jim Roberts.

Jesse Coffey

Batavia

%%%%Recognized as one of the top juniors in the Western Sun Conference, Coffey ran the point for the Bulldogs. At 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds he had the size and the guts to penetrate and either pass or score. Aided by his free throw marksmanship of 92 percent (55 of 60 in the regular season), Coffey was second on Batavia in scoring with 11.2 points per game. He scored 25 and 24 points, respectively, in wins over Rochelle and St. Charles East. "He's shown a tremendous amount of growth this year," said Batavia coach Jim Roberts. "He hit some big-time shots for us throughout the year."

Dave Dudzinski

Kaneland

%%%%Captain of the Tri-Cities All-Area Team in his third All-Area season, the 6-foot-9 shot blocker's next stop will be Holy Cross. Through 25 games Dudzinski averaged 18.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.9 blocks. Kaneland's two-time MVP and a three-time All-Western Sun Conference choice, he was named MVP at Plano after 32 points with 13 rebounds to beat Rockford Christian for the title. In a 41-36 win at Glenbard South he notched 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 blocks. "He has unbelievable footwork for a kid of his size and the position he plays," said Knights coach Brian Johnson.

Joey Guth

Aurora Central

%%%%"I thought he'd be good this year," Chargers coach Nathan Drye said of the 6-foot-2 senior guard, "but he's been great." All-conference in the Suburban Christian Blue and the Sandwich tourney MVP, the tenacious team co-captain's 21.8-point average came on 48 percent shooting, 44.7 percent on 3-point shots. Second on his team with 5 rebounds a game, Guth made a school-record 100 3's entering the playoffs, among the top 37 in state history. His 10 treys for a career-high 41 points beat Aurora Christian. "He maximizes every single ounce of his ability," Drye said.

David Johnson

St. Charles North

%%%%Since being entrusted to take the North Stars' last shot in the 2009 sectional final, the 5-foot-11 guard continued to mature. The quick, versatile senior with a team-first ethic added ball-handling to his roles of defense and perimeter shooting while still the one to take the big shot. In the regular season Johnson produced nearly a 2-to-1 assists-turnover ratio. He averaged 10.3 points, canning 41 3-pointers and 93 of 113 free throws (82 percent) while averaging 3.7 rebounds and 3 assists. "He put the work in to succeed in a larger role," said North Stars coach Tom Poulin.

Josh Mikes

St. Charles North

%%%%"Everyone talks about his athleticism," said coach Tom Poulin, "but I like to speak about his consistency." Like 61 percent field goal shooting, which does include the jams he'll display at the state dunk contest. A two-year starter who through 27 games averaged 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds, he's added perimeter touches to his game. All-tourney at St. Charles East and at Jacobs, the 6-foot-5 junior has soft hands, great touch and has made great strides. "He's grown academically, socially and athletically," Poulin said, "and that's what we wanted - for him to find a balance."

Mark Peters

Marmion

%%%%The fantastic forward can do it all - hit the 3, drive for the jumper, finish at the rim. "He's a complete high school basketball player," said Cadets coach Rashon Burno. Entering regional semifinals the 6-foot-6 Peters averaged 18.3 points on 54 percent shooting, and 8.2 rebounds. He also led Marmion in assists and steals. The consistent senior, named all-tourney at Hoops for Healing and at Waubonsie Valley, had three 30-point games and was named Suburban Christian Blue player of the year. "He's a tremendous basketball player," Burno said, "but he's a nicer person."

Juwan Starks

West Aurora

%%%%A two-time all-DuPage Valley Conference selection and still a sophomore, this 6-foot-4 forward may one day join Wheaton North's Kent Graham as the DVC's only four-time all-conference picks, said Blackhawks coach Gordie Kerkman. A repeat All-Area pick and second-team all-tourney at Pontiac, entering the playoffs Starks led West Aurora with 12.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and made 78 percent of his foul shots. He scored 26 points on Wheaton North, 25 on Glenbard North. Athletic with a great upside, best of all is Starks' attitude. "He's very much a team player," Kerkman said.

Drew Vazquez

St. Charles East

%%%%When the Saints needed something - like a game-winning shot against Lake Park - coach Brian Clodi called this 6-foot-2 senior guard. Vazquez was St. Charles East's leading scorer with an 11-point average, averaged 4 rebounds, was its top steals man and wore a path to the foul line while guarding the opponent's best player. Returning little playing experience his work ethic still earned the team captain vote. Vazquez's 24 points against St. Francis were well below his 34 ACT score. "He's probably the most selfless player I've ever coached," Clodi said. "He's going to be missed."

Special mentionRyley Bailey (Sr., G, Kaneland), Brandon Beitzel (Sr., F, Geneva), Steve Hollon (Sr., G, Aurora Central), Dan Trimble (Jr., F, Geneva), Elliott Vaughn (Jr., C, Batavia).Honorable mentionGreg Askwith (Sr., G, Marmion), Beau Blakeley (Sr., G, St. Charles North), Ryan Brown (Sr., C, St. Charles North), Zack Burns (Sr., G, St. Charles East), Tyrone Carey (Sr., F, West Aurora), Chris Conrad (Jr., G, St. Charles North), Chaon Denlinger (Jr., F, Kaneland), Tyler Hlavac (Sr., G, Marmion), Josh Haugen (So., G, Aurora Christian), J.P. Landry (Sr., G, Geneva), Adam LeTourneau (Sr., G-F, Batavia), Nick Marema (So., G, Aurora Christian), Joey McEachern (So., G, Aurora Central), Kyle Nelson (So., C, St. Charles North), Kendall Stephens (Fr., G, St. Charles East), Jess Striedl (Sr., C, St. Charles East), D.J. Vaughn (Sr., G, West Aurora), Scott Wendt (Sr., G, Geneva), Donavan Williams (Sr., G, Kaneland). DuPage | Lake | Fox Valley | Tri-Cities