Boys basketball/Fox Valley all-area team
Pat Azizi Hampshire
No player made a bigger jump in one season than this Hampshire senior. A junior varsity player last year, the 5-foot-10 guard stepped into the starting lineup over the summer and captained the Whip-Purs to an outright title in their final season in the Big Northern East. Azizi sank 64-of-141 attempts from 3-point range (45.4 percent) en route to scoring 293 points in 26 games (11.3 avg.). He also averaged 2.5 assists per game. “Great kid. Can't say enough good things about him,” Hampshire coach Bob Barnett said. “Once the summer started he was basically the leader of the team. It was a great find. He's got no pulse when it comes to pulling the three, and he's good at it.”
Kory Brown Elgin
Though projected as a guard in college, the 6-foot-4 junior played in the post for Elgin and led his team to its first title in the Upstate Eight Conference in a decade by averaging 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3 steals per game. A two-time All-area selection and the honorary captain of the 2010-11 Fox Valley All-area team, Brown scored a career-best 30 points in a win against Grayslake Central and he tipped in the winning basket at the buzzer to beat Dundee-Crown for the Maroons' first regional title in three seasons. He is equally dangerous in the open floor, in the low block or shooting from 3-point range. “We asked Kory to assert himself more as the season went on,” Elgin coach Mike Sitter said. “He basically put this team on his back in the month of February and carried us.”
Tyler Brunschon Huntley
A two-time All-area pick, this senior is the leading scorer (12.6 avg.) for a team that won the FVC Valley title and plays tonight for a sectional title. The 6-foot-3 guard is shooting 47 percent from 2-point range (81 of 173), 32 percent from 3-point range (43 of 135) and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line (66 of 82). Brunschon also averages 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and has 29 steals. “The greatest stride I saw in his overall game was his individual defense,” Huntley coach Marty Manning said. “He's easily the best all-around scorer on our team, and to have someone that committed to defense as well is good to be able to point out to the younger players.”
Matt Chaltin Bartlett
This junior became one of the area's most prolific scorers in his second varsity season. The 6-foot-3 guard was second on his team in scoring with 397 points (12.4 avg.), a total that included 62 3-pointers in 148 attempts (41.9 percent). “He had a real nice breakout season,” Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith said. “He learned how to free himself off picks, get to the basket and get to the line.” Chaltin sank 53-of-63 free-throw attempts (84.1 percent), dished 44 assists and pulled down 66 rebounds (2.5 avg.).
Jordan Dean Elgin
The only senior in Elgin's regular lineup, this 5-foot-10 guard elevated his play when it mattered most, scoring a team-best 29 points in two regional playoff victories. Also an All-area football selection who will play that sport at North Central College next fall, Dean played seven straight months of contact sports for two successful playoff teams yet still managed to sink 34 3-pointers and score 270 points for an average of 9.3 per game. “His body wore down at the end of the season, but he said out loud and through his play that he didn't want his season to end too soon,” Elgin coach Mike Sitter said. “His two games in the regional were two of his best games of the year.”
Ian Dutcher Westminster Christian
A two-time All-area selection also named first-team all-Northeast Athletic Conference, this 6-foot-8½ center led the area in rebounding (9.7 rpg) and blocked shots (58) and finished with the fourth-best scoring average (16.8). Dutcher, who in one stretch made 20 consecutive field-goal attempts, shot 64.5 percent from the field (202 of 313), a new school record. He also set the school's field-goal percentage record for a career. Dutcher committed this week to play college basketball at Taylor University. “He took his range out a couple more feet, and he will extend that even more in college,” Westminster Christian coach Bruce Firchau said. “Defensively, he didn't just block shots, he learned to rotate and play good post defense. He was a joy to coach.”
Michael Ellis St. Edward
A two-time All-area pick also named all-Suburban Christian Gold, this senior did it all for the undermanned Green Wave. Ellis nearly doubled his output as a junior to post an area-best scoring average of 20.2 ppg in 2010-11. The 6-foot guard also led the area in assists (5.4 avg.) and pulled down an average of 8 rebounds per game to finish in the top five in that category. “He was our team captain and our overall team MVP,” first-year St. Edward coach P.J. White said. “He's a great kid and positive role model. You hope your best player is your hardest worker and that was him.”
Justin Frederick Huntley
Huntley's 6-foot-2 forward plays bigger than he is. Through 29 games including Tuesday's sectional semifinal victory over Elgin, the junior was averaging 5.7 rebounds per game to go with 7.7 points. Huntley's balanced offense means this talented junior is but one of several scoring options. “I think he'd be averaging more points if we didn't have the team that we did,” Huntley coach Marty Manning said. “He's instrumental as our fourth scorer as a guy who can spread the floor with his shooting.” Frederick is shooting 88 of 181 from the 2-point range (48.6 percent), and he as buried 12-of-26 attempts from 3-point range (46.2 percent).
Nick Hofman Jacobs
Hofman returned from meniscus and ACL tears as a junior only to aggravate the knee early in the season. The 6-foot-3 guard played through the pain to post superb numbers in his senior season, finishing as the area's third-leading scorer with 523 points in 29 games (18.0 avg.). A 75-percent free-throw shooter (81 of 108), Hofman shot 32.4 percent from 3-point range (34 of 105) and pulled down 3.6 rebounds per game. “He put a lot of time at the gym to overcome those injuries,” Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle said. “He had a wonderful year. He maximized his positives without question. He's very crafty. He knows how to use screens to free himself up against much quicker opponents and made people pay when he had the shots.”
Ray Hunnicutt Burlington Central
A two-time All-area selection, the junior scored 440 points (16.3 avg.) and surpassed the 1,000-point plateau in a win at rival Hampshire. The 5-foot-10 guard also finished among the top 10 rebounders in the area with an average of 6.4 and made 73 assists in 27 games (2.7 avg.). Hunnicutt shot 66 percent from the free-throw line (128 of 194). “He impressed in most statistical categories, but he grew as a leader of our team and our program,” Central coach Brett Porto said. “If he continues to work at his game and gets batter in all facets at both ends of the court, he could be very, very scary,”
Sam Klein Burlington Central
A 6-foot-3 forward, Klein used pure grit to finish as the area's second-leading rebounder (8.7) and sixth-leading scorer (16.5 ppg). Klein shot 43.7 percent on 2-point attempts (157 of 359), 29 percent from 3-point range (36-of-125), 76 percent from the free-throw line (95 of 125) and he averaged 2.5 assists per game. “He was a big-game player for us,” Central coach Brett Porto said. “The best way to describe him is true competitor. It was outstanding the things he was able to do on the boards at his size. I liked for the kids to watch how hard he works in practice because it carried over to games.”
Jake Maestranzi South Elgin
This point guard's 5-foot-5 frame belies the pillar of strength he represents as the trigger man in South Elgin's dribble-drive offense. The sophomore handles the ball 60 percent of the time, yet he commits only 2.2 turnovers per game compared to 3.2 assists. Entering sectional play this week, he was second on his team with 209 points (7.9 avg.) and was shooting 34.4 percent from 3-point range (21 of 61). Maestranzi is the second-leading free-throw shooter in the area at 85.1 percent (74 of 87) and sank 2 free throws with 1.5 seconds left to beat Bartlett for the school's first regional title. “He brings so much to our team,” South Elgin coach Chaz Taft said. “He plays every single minute of the ballgame and I don't worry about him. I just know he's going to get it done for me. He brings things to the floor that most players don't have at that age because his basketball IQ and work ethic are unbelievable.”
Troy Miller Huntley
This 5-foot-11 guard spent time in the weight room to prepare for the increased workload in his second varsity season. “Troy made great strides over the summer in getting stronger and quicker so he could handle the basketball a little better at the point guard position,” Huntley coach Marty Manning said. “We always knew he was a good shooter, but to shoot the ball from three-(point range) around 40 percent for the entire year is pretty unbelievable. He's carried us in quite a few games with his shooting.” One such game occurred Tuesday, when Miller sank 6-of-8 attempts from beyond the arc and scored 22 points to advance Huntley to a sectional final. He has connected on an area-best 76 3-pointers in 184 attempts (41.3 percent). He is also the area's leading free throw shooter at 87.5 percent (49 of 56).
Dennis Moore Elgin
Elgin's athletic junior guard was a force for the UEC River champions on the perimeter and in the open court. Also an All-area safety for Elgin's playoff football team last fall, Moore scored 312 points to finish with the second-highest scoring average on a team that lost only 7 games and won a regional championship. His season highlight was a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime that lifted Elgin to win over Rockford Auburn in the semifinals of the Elgin Holiday Tournament. “He's a great athlete on the court, and his football skills transfer to basketball very well,” Elgin coach Mike Sitter said. “He's very strong with the ball and he finished well at the rim for someone who is only 5-foot-10. He scores in bunches and when he has confidence, we're pretty good as a team.”
Dylan Neukirch Huntley
This senior's return to the lineup from a wrist injury in December made Huntley's attack that much more formidable. A versatile 6-foot-3 forward who enters tonight's sectional final averaging 10.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, Neukirch also leads his team with 2.3 assists per game. “The great thing about Dylan is his court savvy and knowledge about how to play basketball,” Huntley coach Marty Manning said. “I don't think people truly appreciate how good he is unless they truly understand basketball. The passes he makes against any kind of defense — we get him the basketball and he makes the correct play.” Neukirch can score off the dribble, post up or shoot from 3-point range, where he has canned 24-of-67 attempts (35.8 percent).
Mike Peterson Jacobs
A four-year varsity performer, this 6-foot-3 senior was among the most effective ball distributors in the area. Jacobs' point guard used his experience and understanding of the game to finish second in the area with 5.1 assists per game compared to an average of only 2.3 turnovers a game. He also posted 10 points per contest. “I thought he really came along with his leadership,” Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle said. “He had a minimal amount of turnovers considering he had the ball in his hands almost every possession. He was very much willing to give it up. He matured a lot and had a really nice year.”
Bobby Post Streamwood
This 6-foot-7 center returned to basketball after a year away and developed into a force for the Sabres after he overcame some early season adversity. The senior suffered a partially torn knee ligament in the Upstate Eight Conference opener on Dec. 7. He returned to action on Jan. 13 after a rehabilitation stint to score 14 points and grab 8 rebounds in a 13-point victory over Larkin. In 20 games Post averaged 9.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. One of his best outings came in a 52-50 victory over Elgin in which he scored 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. “He wanted to come back out and play, and he made great progress,” Streamwood coach Tim Jones said. “His presence made a big difference defensively. He was able to get off his man and help. And he was just a tremendous rebounder.”
Nick Richter Cary-Grove
A two-time All-area pick, this point guard excelled in his senior season after returning from the broken leg that ended his junior campaign. He led the Trojans in scoring with 414 points (14.8 avg.) finished among the top playmakers in the area with an average of 2.96 assists to go with 58 steals and 3 rebounds per game. Richter sank 36-of-120 attempts from 3-point range (30 percent). “I thought Nick was one of the more complete guards in the area,” Cary-Grove coach Ralph Schuetzle said. “He was our primary ballhandler, our primary shooter, he was one of our better defenders out of the zone and he rebounded very well for a guard.”
Kevin Rogers Crystal Lake South
A two-time All-area selection, this forward is the only player in coach Dan DeBruycker's six seasons at CL South to be named all-FVC Valley twice. The senior shot 52 percent from 2-point range (66 of 126), 34.5 percent from 3-point range (57 of 165) and 75 percent from the free-throw line (39 of 52). Rogers led the Gators with 14.3 points per game and averaged 3.7 rebounds in 24 contests. “He was a guy our team looked to go to when we needed a basket,” DeBruycker said. “He'd probably tell you his 3-point percentage wasn't what he was hoping for, but it was still very good.”
Ryan Smith Dundee-Crown
This two-year starter at forward was the steadiest offensive performer for a team that came within a point of winning a regional championship. The 6-foot-4 senior led the Chargers with 334 points in 27 contests (12.4 ppg) and was second on his team in rebounding (5.0 avg.). Smith shot 68 percent from the free-throw line (93 of 137). “Ryan was instrumental for us,” Dundee-Crown coach Lance Huber said. “He was the most consistent player we had all year as far as an offensive weapon. He shows up every day whether he's sick or not sick. I don't think he's missed a practice in his high school career. He was just huge for us.”
Sam Sutter South Elgin
A two-time All-area selection, this guard stepped into the role of primary scoring option as a senior and upped his average to 18.4 ppg from 12.5 points as a junior. Heading into Wednesday's sectional semifinal, Sutter was shooting 55 percent from 2-point range (124 of 225), 33.7 percent from 3-point range (57 of 169), and 72.6 percent from the free-throw line (90 of 124). He was averaging 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. “He's been great the last two years,” South Elgin coach Chaz Taft said. “He comes in and works hard every day. He doesn't dwell on anything. It's on to the next play. He's very coachable.”
Tyler Watzlawick Hampshire
This 6-foot-7 junior added range to his jump shot in the off-season, which was bad news for Hampshire's opponents. The center shot 72 percent from the floor and scored a team-best 297 points in 23 games for an average of 12.9 per game. He also pulled down 198 rebounds (8.6 avg.). Watzlawick blocked 30 shots and made 72.2 percent of his free-throw attempts (65 of 90). “He took such a stride from his sophomore ear to his junior year,” Hampshire coach Bob Barnett said. “He got a lot stronger and quicker. He's still a junior, so if he makes the same kind of stride going into his senior year, he'll be something else.”
Arie Williams Elgin
Only a sophomore and already one of the area's leading 3-point shooters, this 5-foot-5 point guard added more than just a scoring touch for the Maroons with his 57 3-pointers and average of 10.3 points in 29 games. “He shot about 40 percent from 3-point range, and by that I mean from 23 feet,” Elgin coach Mike Sitter said of his long-range bomber. “But he's probably got our highest basketball IQ. Not only does he know where he's supposed to be, he knows where everyone else is supposed to be at all times on the court. Sometimes his size is a limitation, but he fights through that and plays bigger than he is. The sky is the limit for him.”
Lance Whitaker Bartlett
After working his way into the starting lineup late in his freshman year during Bartlett's run to the Elite Eight, this 6-foot-4 guard followed up with a fantastic sophomore season. Whitaker scored 529 points in 32 games (16.5 avg.), the fourth-highest single-season scoring output in school history behind Anthony Maestranzi (601), Marc Little (570) and Dante Frazier (546). “That's pretty select company for a sophomore, but he's more than just a scorer,” Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith said. “This kid is incredibly impressive as an overall athlete. By the time he graduates he will own just about every single record we have.” Whitaker also averaged 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists, blocked 39 shots and led the Hawks in charges taken (7) and steals (42).
2010-11 All-area roster
Player School Pos. Yr.
Pat Azizi Hampshire G Sr.
*Kory Brown Elgin F Sr.
Tyler Brunschon Huntley G Sr.
Matt Chaltin Bartlett G Jr.
Jordan Dean Elgin W Sr.
Ian Dutcher Westminster Christian C Sr.
Michael Ellis St. Edward G Sr.
Justin Frederick Huntley F Jr.
Nick Hofman Jacobs G Sr.
Ray Hunnicutt Burlington Central G Jr.
Sam Klein Burlington Central F Sr.
Jake Maestranzi Bartlett G So.
Troy Miller Huntley G Jr.
Dennis Moore Elgin G Jr.
Dylan Neukirch Huntley F Sr.
Mike Peterson Jacobs G Sr.
Bobby Post Streamwood F/C Sr.
Nick Richter Cary-Grove G Sr.
Kevin Rogers Crystal Lake South G Sr.
Ryan Smith Dundee-Crown F Sr.
Sam Sutter South Elgin G Sr.
Tyler Watzlawick Hampshire C Jr.
Arie Williams Elgin G So.
Lance Whitaker Bartlett G So.
* — Honorary captain
Honorable mention
Bartlett — Femi Oyewole (Sr., F)
Dundee-Crown — Jamel Kimbrough (Sr., C)
Elgin — Matt Andres (Jr., P)
Hampshire — Shane Hernandez (So., F/C)
Huntley — Bryce Only (So., F)
St. Edward — Ed O'Halloran (Jr., G)
South Elgin — Martin Duarte (Sr., F), Dillon Gardner (Sr., F)
Captains Honor Roll
1995-96 — Muamer Karamovic (St. Edward)
1996-97 — Kevin Jarm (Elgin)
1997-98 — Sean Harrington (Elgin)
1998-99 — Sean Harrington (Elgin) and T.J. Sportsman (Burlington Central)
1999-2000 — Marcus Smallwood (Elgin) and Marcus Howard (Elgin)
2000-01 — Jason Kalsow (Huntley) and Pat Kalamatas (Huntley)
2001-02 — Anthony Maestranzi (Bartlett)
2002-03 — Eric Vierneisel (Jacobs)
2003-04 — Eric Vierneisel (Jacobs) and Phil Wallace (Crystal Lake South)
2004-05 — Ryan Brown (Crystal Lake South) and Kas Wleklinski (Burlington Central)
2005-06 — Dayvon Ellis (Larkin) and Sam Lynch (Dundee-Crown)
2006-07 — John Moran (Jacobs) and Cully Payne (Burlington Central)
2007-08 — John Moran (Jacobs) and Mike McCurdy (Burlington Central)
2008-09 — Conrad Krutwig (Jacobs) and Marc Little (Bartlett)
2009-10 — Tommy Childs (South Elgin) and Luke Labedzki (Bartlett)
2010-11 — Kory Brown (Elgin)