Boys basketball: Northwest all-area team

Matt Acevedo Maine WestBrought up to the varsity team in his final month of his sophomore season, Acevedo has been steadily contributing ever since. The only returning senior, he averaged 17.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He has 8 20-plus scoring games with a season-high of 35 and set a school record with 128 three-pointers. "Matt has been a marked man this year," Maine West coach John Bongiorno said. "He is a threat to score anytime he has the ball."

Scott Bennett BarringtonCame up huge when the Broncos needed a play, especially down the stretch of the season. Bennett scored 16 points in the MSL title game and averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds. "He was really considered our 6th starter and stepped in admirably as a starter throughout the season when others were injured," Barrington coach Bryan Tucker said. "He is one of our best athletes."

Kyle Beyak ProspectA consummate leader and playmaker for the Knights, Beyak was averaging 15.7 points per game on 51 percent shooting and 44 percent from outside the 3-point line before Tuesday's regional matchup against St. Viator. He also averaged 2.2 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 3.4 assists per game. "Kyle pushes himself on a daily basis to excel at whatever task is in front of him," Prospect coach John Camardella said. "He did an incredible job running the point these last two years at Prospect."

Adam Braxton Jr. LeydenBraxton has exploded in his first year as a varsity player. He is averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1 steal for a Leyden team that has won 17 games this season. "Adam has come in and has done everything we have asked of him," Leyden coach Bill Heisler said. "He has been a standout for our team and in a very tough league. His best basketball and a bright future are still in front of him."

Sal Cannella St. ViatorCannella made huge strides in his game from a year ago to average 12 points and 7 rebounds this year. Also an all-area football player, Cannella is committed to Scottsdale College. "Sal is a talented multi-sport athlete who really excelled this year in basketball due to his diligence and hard work," St. Viator coach Quin Hayes said. "Sal's growth has been a key element to our success this season. "

Justin Chaney PalatineChaney has improved his game to make huge contributions this season. Chaney averaged 13.2 points and 3.1 rebounds while converting 43 percent from the 3-point line. He will play at Harper next year. "His shot selection was much better this year and once he gets going he's as good a shooter as there is in the area," Palatine coach Eric Millstone said. "Anytime he's on the floor you're never out of a game because of his ability to shoot the ball."

Joe Coffaro HerseyCoffaro stepped up huge in his first season as a varsity player. He scored 263 points with 73 rebounds, 33 steals and 51 steals entering the postseason. "Those are pretty incredible numbers for a 5-foot-7 sophomore in his first varsity season," Hersey coach Steve Messer said. "Joey is a fearless competitor and he provides incredible energy and enthusiasm to our lineup."

Collin Dekorsi Buffalo GroveDespite his youth, Dekorsi has come up big for the Bison. He led his team with 10 points per game to go with 3 assists and 3 steals. "Collin has been improving greatly," Buffalo Grove coach Keith Peterson said. "He works extremely hard and is a student of the game. We have put a lot of responsibilities on him, and he has handled them very impressively."

Jalen Dennis WheelingDennis got called up from the sophomore team right after Thanksgiving and stepped right into a key starting role, averaging 9 points and 2 assists. "Jalen may only be a sophomore, but he was one of our fiercest competitors, day in and day out," Wheeling coach Anthony Como said. "His ability to quickly pick up our sets and systems on both sides of the court helped prove why he was one of our floor leaders the second half of the season."

Payton Haas HerseyNamed MVP in the MSL East, Haas helped lead the Huskies to a conference title. A three-year starter and a pure all-around player, Haas averaged 14.3 points, 3 rebounds and 2.5 assists entering regional play. Haas is being recruited by numerous Division III programs and hit 53 percent of his shots, including 34 percent from outside the arc which helped account for his 726 career points. "He has a beautiful shooting stroke," Hersey coach Steve Messer said. "But he is a scoring threat going to the basket and pulling up as well."

Dan Hadler Elk GroveHadler made the Grenadiers go, averaging nearly 4 assists to go with his 12.3 scoring average heading into postseason action. He has committed to play at Harper next year. "He has truly developed into one of our best point guards and leaders of this team," Elk Grove coach Anthony Furman said. "His game continues to improve and I know the younger plays have gained valuable experience from what he reflects on throughout the season."

Max Heeren HerseyA three-year varsity player and an assist monster, Heeren has been a key to the Huskies offense. Heeren averaged 5.5 assists and 6.4 points while helping the Huskies to the MSL East crown - and he's also an assistant coach on the Hersey 8th grade feeder team. "Max has great court vision," Hersey coach Steve Messer said. "He is a true point guard and floor general. His ability to create off the dribble is unmatched. Max has rounded his game out by adding defense, passing, shooting."

Tyler Ingebrigtsen Elk GroveA three-year starter, Ingebrigsten averaged 12.3 points along with 8 rebounds and 2 assists per game in the regular season. He'd hit 28 3-pointers entering regional play, and he'll compee at Carroll College next year. "He has brought a relentless work ethic to our program," Elk Grove coach Anthony Furman said. "He has demanded the attention of multiple defenders in each game we have played."

Rapolas Ivanauskas BarringtonThe captain of the all-are ateam has developed into one of the top juniors in Illinois. Coaches scheme to stop him, but in spite of that Ivanauskas has averaged 18 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. "Rap has put up big numbers every night, despite the opponents game=planning to stop him," Barrington coach Bryan Tucker said. "He gets the attention of all five of the defenders when he has the ball."

Chris Lester BarringtonMade teams pay when they concentrated on Ivanauskas. A deadly 3-point shooter, Lester has hit 40 percent of his shots outside the arc while averaging 13.5 points. 5.8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Lester's play has drawn interest from some Division I schools. "He is a versatile defender with his size and athleticism and he's able to defend a post player or a perimeter player," Barrington coach Bryan Tucker said. "Chris has had stellar offensive numbers."

Chris Macahon PalatineStarted every game for the Pirates since joing the varsity team as a sophomore. Macahon is the driving force for Palatine's success this season. He averages 10.8 points, 3.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Macahon is also an all-area baseball player. "Chris' role has changed each year he's been on varsity, and it takes a mature kid to be able to deal with those changes," Palatine coach Eric Millstone said. "Because we had other offensive options this season, Chris adjusted his role and became a facilitator and got everyone involved."

Pat McNamara St. ViatorA deadly 3-point shooter, McNamara led the Lions by averaging 18 points this season. A varsity player for three seasons and a starter for two, McNamara had 29 points in a game twice this season. He is committed to Lindwood University. "Pat was a team captain who led his teammates on and off the court with his unselfishness and team first attitude," St. Vitor coach Quin Hayes said. "It was a true pleasure to coach him and watch him develop into a great, all-around player the past two years."

Jared Murphy Rolling MeadowsA pure scorer, Murphy topped 30 points twice this season. He averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds in his first season of varsity hoops. "Jared has improved his game tremendously during the course of the year and continues to only get better," Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich said. "He gets the other team's best defender and has started to adapt to that throughout the year."

Jason Schoo SchaumburgIn his first year on the varsity squad, Schoo has been terrific as a shooter and leader for the Saxons. He has converted over 40 percent from outside the arc and is a 59 percent shooter from the field while averaging 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and assists per game while hitting 88 percent from the free throw line. "He has been our most consistent player on the basketball floor," Schaumburg coach Marty Manning said. "His leadership and all-around game have been extremely beneficial to our team."

R.J. Smith PalatineSmith turned up the offense this year and it paid huge dividends for the Pirates. Smith averaged 12.2 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field. He will play at Harper next year. "RJ was always one of our most versatile defenders, but this year he made it a priority to become relevant offensively as well," Palatine coach Eric Millstone said. "He came in during the off-season and completely rebuilt his shooting form."

Danny Sotos ConantA three-year starter an all-area player a year ago, Sotos was the lone mainstay for the Cougars this year. He is averaging 14 points and 5 rebounds and is highly sought by many Division III schools. "Danny is a third-year varsity player whose leadership has meant everything to the team," Conant coach Tom McCormack said. "His patience and direction with the other less experienced guys was crucial to our development as a team."

Jimmy Sotos ConantAn energetic force that gets the Cougars running, Sotos has been a stalwart at the point this season. His 4-to-1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio is even more amazing considering his age and lack of varsity experience heading into this season. He also averages nearly 90 percent from the free throw line. "As a sophomore, Jimmy has done a tremendous both leading and playing. He is a terrific ball handler and decision maker that you can't foul at the end of a game."

Jorden Thornton Hoffman EstatesAlthough still young, Thornton has accomplished much as a two-year starter for the Hawks. He averaged 15.6 points while converting 30 percent from the 3-point range. He also was 70 percent from the free throw line while averaging 2.5 assists and a steal per game. "Jorden has been a constant for us this year," Hoffman Estates coach Luke Yanule said. "He's a physically tough kid who we look to for energy and direction regardless of his scoring prowess."

Paul Weiss Christian LibertyWeiss posted 12 double-doubles and is a two-year starter and who will attend Wisconsin-LaCrosse next year. He averaged 13.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. "Paul is the most versatile player on the team," Christian Liberty coach Jed Bennett said. "He has a nice post game and the ability to handle the ball and shoot from the outside as well."

Xavier Williams Fremd

A three-year varsity player whose team won over 60 games in that span, Williams averaged 12.4 points per game. He hit some dramatic shots including a game-winner at Evanston. A solid defender as well, Williams would often guard the other team's best offensive player. "His strength and athleticism has set him apart from others," Fremd coach Bob Widlowski said. "He has been an integral part of our success the past few seasons."

All-area roster

Matt Acevedo Maine West Sr. G

Scott Bennett Barrington Sr. G

Kyle Beyak Prospect Sr. G

Adam Braxton Jr. Leyden Sr. G.

Sal Cannella St. Viator Sr. C

Justin Chaney Palatine Sr. F

Joe Coffaro Hersey So. G

Collin Dekorsi Buffalo Grove So. G

Jalen Dennis Wheeling So. G

Payton Haas Hersey Sr. G

Dan Hadler Elk Grove Sr. G

Max Heeren Hersey Sr. G

Tyler Ingebrigtsen Elk Grove Sr. F

*Rapolas Ivanauskas Barrington Jr. F

Chris Lester Barrington Sr. F

Chris Macahon Palatine Sr. G

Pat McNamara St. Viator Sr. G

Jared Murphy Rolling Meadows So. F

Jason Schoo Schaumburg Jr. G

R.J. Smith Palatine Sr. F

Danny Sotos Conant Sr. G

Jimmy Sotos Conant Sr. G

Jorden Thornton Hoffman Estates Jr. G

Paul Weiss Christian Liberty Sr. F

Xavier Williams Fremd Sr. G

* All-area team captain

Honorable mentionKyle Bradley, Conant; Zak Cooper, Hersey; Chris Dolce, Conant; Mark Falotico, St. Viator; Joey Gatziolis, Elk Grove; Hans Haller, Buffalo Grove; Marcos Herrera, Leyden; Jake Jordan, Wheeling; Frank Mack, Prospect; Ricky Muench, St. Viator; Brendan Parker, Schaumburg; Jack Schoessling, Rolling Meadows; Zack Schoffstall, Fremd; Kyle Sliwa, Fremd; Ben Weber, Barrington; Mike Williams, Palatine

Special mentionTristen Becker, Barrington; Dante Cleveland, Hoffman Estates; Julian Dones, Maine West; Dylan Draka, Wheeling; Brandon Hall, Hoffman Estates; Jordan Hughes, Conant; Nick Janulis, Wheeling; Payton Kim, Fremd; Mike Lelito, Hersey; Josh Mailloux, Hersey; Grant Miller, Prospect; Kevin Monson, St. Viator; Conner Reid, Buffalo Grove; Sam Silva, Christian Liberty; Jovone Stricker, Palatine; Matt Ulrich, Palatine; Matt Wojcik, Rolling Meadows; Marquis Woodard, Schaumburg

Selections and profiles by Dick Quagliano