Glenbard West's Pierce earns Week 1 MVP honor

Glenbard West senior forward Justin Pierce has earned Daily Herald MVP honors for his recent boys basketball performances.

Justin Pierce, Glenbard West: Pierce led the Hilltoppers to a 4-0 record including the District 87 championship and a tournament crossover win over Hinsdale South. The 6-foot-6 senior wing, committed to William & Mary, averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds. He notched back-to-back 36-point efforts to start the season.

Bennett Fuzak, Geneva: This 6-foot-8 forward stayed hot throughout Geneva's push for a second straight Thanksgiving tournament title at Crystal Lake Central. The senior opened the season with a career-high 27-point performance against Huntley and went on to score 82 of his team's 218 points (37.6 percent) in 4 victories. Named all-tournament, Fuzak fought through foul trouble in the championship game against Barrington to lead the Vikings with 13 points and 6 rebounds in a 45-43 overtime victory.

Will Reinhard, Barrington: The 6-foot-5 senior center was a model of consistency in tournament play, leading his team in scoring in all four tournament games at Crystal Lake Central. He scored 20, 16 and 18 points in pool-play wins before getting 15 points in an OT loss to Geneva in the championship.

Jamal Thomas, Grayslake North: The transfer from Michigan has adjusted quickly to his new surroundings. In helping lead the Knights to the championship of the Johnsburg/wqwRichmond-Burton tournament, he averaged 15.3 points in four games. He had a triple-double of 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a title-clinching win over Crystal Lake South.