Boys basketball: DuPage all-area team

John Bagge, Wheaton North

Twice named to the All-Area Team, the all-DuPage Valley Conference team and all-tournament teams at St. Charles East and Elgin, Bagge capped a three-year career by helping the Falcons to their first DVC title since 1986 and being named co-player of the year. The 6-foot-7 senior forward averaged 17.5 points and 8 rebounds while hitting 75 percent of his free throws. "He always gets the job done in pressure situations," coach Jim Nazos said.

Chris Chana, Hinsdale Central

A three-year starter, Chana's 905 points ranks fifth all-time for the Red Devils. A pure shooter with great rotation, the 6-foot-3 senior guard averaged a team-high 14.7 points and 4.5 rebounds, made 81 percent of his free throws, 40 3-point shots and averaged 3 assists. All-West Suburban Silver, Chana was unselfish almost to a fault. "To me," coach Ed Lynch said, "he's everything that we would like Hinsdale Central basketball to emulate."

Milton Colbert, Willowbrook

Colbert's second season as a starter featured another year of post dominance by the 6-foot-5 senior forward. All-tournament at Stagg and York and all-conference in the West Suburban Gold, he averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds while hitting 55 percent of his shots. Colbert's thunderous dunking ability showcased his tremendous athleticism. "Watching him develop as a player and a person has been a joy," coach Tim Lavorato said.

Drew Crawford, Naperville Central

Crawford twice has been named to the all-DuPage Valley Conference team. The epitome of clutch, the 6-foot-4 junior guard and forward hit three game-winning shots while carrying the Redhawks to a share of their first conference title since 1994. An adept rebounder and ballhandler, the co-player of the year in the DVC averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds. "He gets it done, but he also gets his teammates involved," coach Pete Kramer said.

Josh Daniels, Waubonsie Valley

The two-year starter and three-year varsity guard drew coach Steve Weemer's praise as "one of the best on-the-ball defenders I've coached." The 5-foot-10 senior's lateral quickness and intensity kept people in front of him and contributed to the Warriors' 224 steals. Plus, heading into the sectional semifinals he led Waubonsie in scoring with a 13.8 average, including a career-high 28 points in the regional final win over York. "He brings effort every day," Weemer said.

Ben Euler, Wheaton Academy

Always accurate up to 23 feet, the three-year starter and two-time all-Private School Leaguer displayed midrange, post and point elements while averaging 17.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. Made 62 3-pointers on the year, 186 in his career. In his final home game the 6-foot-3 guard scored a career-high 29 points including his 1,000th. Coach Paul Ferguson said, "He spent a lot of time shooting in that gym, so that was a nice finish for him."

Steve Ganser, York

Called a "classic overachiever" and "true warrior" by his coach, this 6-foot-4 senior forward went from scoring 2 points as a junior to all-West Suburban Silver. Ganser's buzzer-beating three-point play edged Neuqua Valley, and he scored a career-high 26 points against Streamwood. This team captain paired intelligence with hard work, leading York with averages of 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. Coach Al Biancalana said, "I don't think I've ever had a better leader than Steve."

Malcolm Herron, Downers Grove South

A first-year starter, Herron developed into one of the area's premier junior players. The 6-foot-4 guard earned all-West Suburban Gold honors and was named to Downers South's all-tournament team at Thanksgiving. Herron averaged 16.7 points with an array of offensive moves and added 5 rebounds. He led the area with 88 percent free-throw shooting. "When he gets it going, he's tough to stop," coach Paul Runyon said.

Jake Lindfors, Driscoll

The Albany-bound 6-foot-10 senior's statistics? Astronomical. The Suburban Catholic Conference co-player of the year averaged 25.9 points and 11.9 rebounds, claiming Highlanders all-time honors in those categories. He scored a career-high 42 points against Montini and averaged 28.5 points at the Bloomington tournament, third all-time. A repeat all-SCC and All-Area pick, powerful Lindfors attempted 267 free throws yet also made 41 3-pointers. Coach Nick Latorre said, "This year he really blossomed into a complete threat."

Andy Manson, Glenbard South

If you're looking for a reason why the Raiders improved by 11 wins, look at Manson. The 6-foot-6 senior center stormed through the second half of the season with smooth post moves and deceptive midrange shooting ability. A 59 percent field-goal shooter, Manson doubled his scoring average to 15 points per game and added 8 rebounds as an all-Western Sun Conference pick. "He just kept getting better and better," coach Wade Hardtke said.

Brian McMahon, St. Francis

This 6-foot-3 forward senior simply became a force. All-Suburban Catholic Conference, he averaged 18.3 points and an area-high 12.4 rebounds with double-doubles in 25 of 27 games entering sectionals. The aggressive, instinctive athlete led the Spartans in assists, steals and charges; he ran the offense, broke the press. He scored a career-high 31 points against Marmion, 22 points with 11 boards against St. Joseph. Coach Shawn Healy said, "I thought we always had a chance because we had Brian."

Dan Pawelski, Neuqua Valley

This 6-foot-8 senior center ranks third all-time among Wildcats scorers and stands No. 1 on the program rebounding list with 421 over his two-year starting career. Entering sectional play he averaged 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds this season, and he had made 53.6 percent of his shots. All-tournament at York and Elgin, Pawelski was a unanimous all-Upstate Eight Conference pick. Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton said, "He has been the big man that anchors the team."

Dave Pilalis, Wheaton North

Pilalis had one of area's top games when his eighth 3-pointer came at the buzzer to give Wheaton North a triple-overtime win at West Aurora and clinch for the Falcons a share of the DuPage Valley Conference title. Behind his 59 3-pointers, the 6-foot-2 senior guard averaged 11.5 points. He also led the team by adding 5.5 assists per game. "He's one of the better shooters we've had," coach Jim Nazos said, "but he's also a very unselfish player."

Derek Raridon, Neuqua Valley

North Central College coach Todd Raridon's son made three all-tournament teams as he went from sixth man for last year's sophomores to all-Upstate Eight Conference. The 6-foot-5 junior forward entered sectional play averaging 12.6 points, with 50 3-point shots on awesome 45.9 percent shooting from the arc. Overall Raridon shot 55.4 percent from the floor, 81.8 percent from the line. Led Neuqua with 53 steals. "He is (team) captain," coach Todd Sutton said, "because he works the hardest."

David Schwabe, Driscoll

This 6-foot-1 senior guard is a winner. Three years on varsity and twice all-Suburban Catholic Conference, Schwabe's heart, desire and smarts produced averages of 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.6 steals. In the 10 games he missed due to Driscoll's football run and a sprained ankle, the 21-8 Highlanders went 4-6. Bound for baseball at University of St. Francis, coach Nick Latorre called Schwabe "the best three-sport athlete we've ever seen at Driscoll."

John Shurna, Glenbard West

Captain of the All-Area Team, the 6-foot-8 forward rewrote Glenbard West's record book. The Hilltoppers' sole returning starter and two-time all-West Suburban Silver pick set single-season and career records for points, rebounds and blocked shots. His season ended in sectionals having averaged 22.9 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks. His 573 points broke a 28-year-old record. Bound for Northwestern. Coach Tim Hoder said, "I don't think there's any doubt he can play at that level."

Derak Stanback, Glenbard East

The Rams' lone returning starter, Stanback emerged as one of the DuPage Valley Conference's most effective players. Aggressive to the basket and a dangerous perimeter shooter, the 6-foot-1 senior guard earned all-DVC honors. All-District 87 at Thanksgiving, Stanback averaged 15.4 points and hit 73 percent of his 211 free throws. "We asked him to take on a whole lot more responsibility this year, and he did it," coach Scott Miller said.

Eric Travis, Hinsdale South

A four-year varsity player for the Hornets, Travis twice earned all-West Suburban Gold honors. This season the 6-foot-4 senior forward also was named most valuable player at the Riverside-Brookfield Thanksgiving and the Lemont holiday tournaments. Travis averaged 14.5 and 11.3 rebounds while hitting 55 percent of his shots. "What he's done for our program has been tremendous," coach Vince Doran said.

Gozie Umeadi, Fenton

Umeadi did whatever possible to make the Bison better. Taking on more ball-handling duties in his fourth varsity season, the 6-foot-5 senior guard averaged 3.6 assists. The three-time all-Metro Suburban Conference pick and two-time All-Area honoree also averaged 6.4 rebounds and 15 points, most effectively with lightning drives to the basket. "He's been a good leader for us ever since he was a sophomore," coach Dennis Cromer said.

Kevin VandenBerg, Waubonsie Valley

This all-Upstate Eight Conference point guard was the engine who drove the Warriors' offense. A two-year starter and three-year varsity guard, the strong 6-foot senior posted averages of 4.9 assists to just 2.7 turnovers and contributed 9.8 points and 3.0 rebounds entering the sectional semifinals. Court vision, defensive anticipation and quickness earned him a team-high 56 steals. VandenBerg's 268 assists rank fifth all-time at Waubonsie. "He dictates the tempo and controls the game," Weemer said.