Burlington Central's Schutta merits MVP selection

Burlington Central senior guard Zach Schutta has earned Daily Herald MVP honors for his recent high school boys basketball performances.

Zach Schutta, Burlington Central: This 6-foot-1 guard not only was named all-tournament at the Plano Christmas Classic for the fourth straight season, he was selected tournament MVP. The senior averaged 17.5 points and 5 rebounds per game for the top-seeded Rockets, who defeated Peoria Notre Dame 44-39 in overtime for the title. Schutta scored a team-high 12 points in the final, including the go-ahead free throws in overtime.

Jeff Bikus, Mundelein: At 9-4, the Mustangs are having their best season in five years, and the 6-foot-5 senior forward has helped lead the way. He averaged 13 points per game, shooting 54 percent from the floor and 53 percent from 3-point range, as the Mustangs went 3-1 and finished third in DeKalb's Chuck Dayton Holiday Classic. He was named to the all-tournament team.

Ben Schols, Conant: The Cougars repeated as Jack Tosh Holiday Classic champs. Forward Ryan Davis was at the top of his game in earning MVP honors, and his senior teammate Schols was steady through all four games, finishing with averages of 9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3 assists. Most crucial may have been Schols' accuracy from 3-point range. With double teams regularly heading Davis' way, he shot 46.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Evan Taylor, Glenbard West: Taylor led the Hilltoppers to their eighth championship at the Glenbard West Holiday Classic. In four games and four victories, the 6-foot-6 junior guard averaged 16 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.3 blocks while earning all-tournament honors. Taylor tallied 11 points in a 53-51 title game victory over Willowbrook.