The DuPage County All-Area Boys Basketball Team

Trey Boston, Downers Grove North

Through three varsity seasons

Boston always had the skill to compete at a high level. This senior year the 6-foot-2 guard used his talents to make everyone else on the court better. Super athletic to the rim and showing the ability to consistently connect from the perimeter, Boston averaged 16.9 points and 4.3 rebounds. He also defended multiple positions. "He's always working on his game here at school," coach Jim Thomas said. "The key for him has been blending with other styles and other players."

Marcus Bult, Wheaton Academy

It's great when a team's best player is its hardest worker. Warriors coach Steve Thonn said that's the case with this 6-foot-4 junior guard. A two-time all-Metro Suburban Conference pick and this year's MSC Red MVP,

Bult averaged 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and made 69 3-pointers. MVP at East Aurora, Bult led the Warriors in scoring 23 of 28 games attacking the rim or hitting from the arc. He scored a season-high 25 points at Romeoville and made six 3s against Marmion in the playoffs. "His overall game improved a lot from his sophomore year," Thonn said.

Eric Cannon, Waubonsie Valley

Floor leader of a 27-5 team that won a regional title for the first time in 11 years. The 5-foot-11 senior is a four-year starter, first-team all-DuPage Valley Conference the last three years. A repeat All-Area guard who made a program-record 80 3-pointers as a junior,

Cannon brought grit and maturity, plus 11.7 points per game and 67 3s. He shot 39 percent on 3s, 65 percent on 2-pointers, 80 percent on free throws. MVP at Batavia and all-tournament at Jacobs, Cannon will play at Rochester. "He was All-Area last year and he is better this year," coach Jason Mead said.

Erik Cohn, York

When Cohn got hot from the perimeter, there was no better shooter. And it happened a lot this season. The 6-foot-3 senior guard, a three-year starter, knocked down 44 percent of his 3-pointers - 85 total - while hitting 58 percent of his 2-point attempts.

Cohn played his best basketball late in the season as the Dukes claimed a regional championship. He averaged 13.3 points and 3.6 rebounds. "He's one of the best shooters I've coached," coach Vince Doran said. "You just can't leave him open out there."

Colin Crothers, Benet

A third-year varsity member as a junior,

Crothers continues to impress with his development and his consistency. The 6-foot-8 center was a devastating low-post scorer and a menace on defense underneath the basket. Crothers rounded out his game by knocking down 3-pointers and bringing the ball up the court after grabbing a rebound. Crothers averaged 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds while hitting 60 percent of his shots from the field. "As good as he's been, he made huge strides for us this season," coach Gene Heidkamp said.

Justin Eagins, Downers Grove South

Make no mistake,

Eagins could flat-out score. He's a two-time All-Area selection who, in only two varsity seasons, managed to top the 1,000-point mark. The 6-foot-2 senior guard added strength and maturity, allowing him to improve in just about every facet of his game. All of Eagins' numbers improved from a year ago - 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 95 3-pointers. "He's obviously a very skilled offensive player," coach Kris Olson said. "He put it on his shoulders to make all his teammates better."

Cole Hardtke, Glenbard South

In 1990 Raiders coach Wade Hardtke was DuPage County All-Area captain. Now a son of his, 6-foot-4 senior forward Cole, is an All-Area selection. After starting one game as a junior, he broke out as the top rebounder and scorer on Glenbard South's Class 3A supersectional squad. All-Upstate Eight Conference and all-District 87,

Hardtke opened the playoffs scoring 29 points against Kaneland. Hardtke averaged 12.2 points and 5.5 rebounds, about a third of them offensive boards. "He's become a multidimensional player both inside and outside," Wade Hardtke said.

Ethan Helwig, Metea Valley

The 6-foot-4 senior wing rewrote Mustangs records. A Merrimack College commit, he set all-time marks with 1,272 points and 189 3-pointers, 590 points and 87 3s in a season, and 38 points in a game. Averaging 20.3 points, 3.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds,

Helwig earned second straight All-Area, all-DuPage Valley and team MVP honors. A gym rat, he added lift to his jumper and improved his ability to get to the rim; he shot 164 free throws and made 75 percent. Coach Matt Walpole called him a team-first player: "He plays with a fire and attitude that's contagious to others."

Sema'j Henderson, Downers Grove North

There were few players better with the ball in his hands in transition. Seemingly speeding at 100 mph for 32 minutes a game,

Henderson made the most of his three varsity seasons. Extremely physical in the backcourt, the 6-foot-2 senior overpowered opposing guards on offense and on the ball on defense. Henderson averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and took 212 free throws. "Sema'j has got such a strong will and a passion for the game," coach Jim Thomas said. "I'll always appreciate that from him."

Nick Kosich, York

It'll be pretty strange not seeing

Kosich in a York uniform next year. A varsity member since his freshman season, the 6-foot-2 senior guard surpassed the 1,000-point mark by scoring in just about every conceivable way. But it was the intangibles Kosich brought to the program that allowed him to be a part of two regional championship teams. He averaged 11.7 points, 3 rebounds and a team-high 3.1 assists. "He's an incredibly bright player," coach Vince Doran said. "He's a special player I'll always remember."

Jeff Kratz, WW South

Heading into this season, the Tigers returned only their sixth man. That player -

Kratz - wound up leading the team to a surprise 20-win campaign. The 6-foot-1 senior guard helped form another strong defensive unit, but Kratz was invaluable because of his explosive offense. He knocked down 93 3-pointers while averaging 15.6 points. Kratz also dished 3.2 assists a game and snared 2.5 steals. "We gave him a lot of freedom out there, and deservedly so," coach Mike Healy said. "We don't win half as many games without Jeff."

John Poulakidas, Neuqua Valley

The DuPage Valley all-conference selection entered the season with two college scholarship offers, uncommon for a sophomore. Then

Poulakidas did things no Neuqua sophomore had done. A 30-point game, for one, and his 15.5-point average made him the Wildcats' first scoring leader as a soph. The 6-foot-4 wing's improved post-up and driving abilities led to better rebounding and 55-percent 2-point shooting, on top of 72 3-point baskets and 79 percent foul shooting. "He's got a special shooting touch that comes around about once every 10 years," coach Todd Sutton said.

Deng Reng, Wheaton North

Few players improved as much as

Reng did since his freshman season. The 6-foot-8 senior forward was a late bloomer who was promoted to varsity his sophomore year, Reng gradually gained strength and developed into one of DuPage County's top players. A good shooter who thrived getting to the basket, this season Reng became more of a threat with his back to the rim. He averaged 15 points and 7.1 rebounds. "He always shows great effort, but getting stronger made a big difference," coach Dave Brackmann said.

Luke Sgarbossa, Lake Park

As the Lancers smashed last year's win total by 17 and claimed a regional title, they leaned on

Sgarbossa. Up on varsity as a sophomore, the 6-foot junior guard did it all for his team during a tremendous regular and postseason run. Able to score at all three levels, especially on drives to the basket, Sgarbossa's improved midrange jumper made him even more effective. He averaged 15.5 points and 2.1 assists. "Just a great overall player," coach Billy Pitcher said. "He doesn't care if he scores. Just as long as we win."

Marcus Skeete, Waubonsie Valley

The 6-foot-5 junior wing consistently presented matchup problems, hurting teams inside and out. A two-time all-DuPage Valley Conference pick, the Burlington Central MVP and all-tourney at Jacobs,

Skeete averaged 14.8 points, 8 rebounds. He led Waubonsie with 50 steals and made 35 3s but also went to the foul line 164 times. Skeete scored 29 points with 12 rebounds against Hampshire and scored 23 points in the playoffs against Lincoln-Way East. "I really liked that once he got the rebound he was able to push the ball," said Warriors coach Jason Mead.

Everett Stubblefield III, Willowbrook

Brought up to varsity late in his sophomore year, it didn't take long for

Stubblefield to become the program's second-leading all-time scorer. The 5-foot-10 junior guard had a monster season while scoring off the dribble, in transition thanks to his defense, on the perimeter ... pretty much everywhere. Stubblefield averaged 19.2 points, 3 assists and 3.1 steals. "He made a big leap for us this season," coach Chris Perkins said. "He was able to make the right decisions at the right time out there."

Evan Taylor, Glenbard West

The Daily Herald's DuPage County All-Area Captain committed to Southern Illinois University after considering numerous other offers.

Taylor ended a three-year varsity tenure as Glenbard West's all-time leading scorer with 1,479 points. The 6-foot-6 senior wing led DuPage County with 21.7 points and 10.2 rebounds a game and also averaged 3.8 assists as the Hilltoppers' primary ballhandler. "I knew he was going to have a great year, but that's a lot of points to score in a single season," coach Tim Hoder said.

Kendrick Tchoua, Benet

Talk about instant impact.

Tchoua moved in from Maryland and helped the Redwings maintain their streak of 10 straight 20-win seasons. The 6-foot-7 senior forward was an automatic finisher around the basket and unstoppable in transition. Tchoua, who holds offers from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Indianapolis, scored 16.4 points a game - making 60 percent of his field goals - and averaged 7 rebounds. "He had a tremendous ability to impact the game in many different ways," coach Gene Heidkamp said.

Sam Walsh, York

He might not have looked the part, but

Walsh was the area's most effective post player this season. Walsh, a 6-foot-5 senior forward, dazzled with a variety of moves with his back to the basket, providing the Dukes with the perfect counter to their four-guard offense. He proved especially unstoppable in a 29-point, 15-rebound performance in the sectional semifinals against Young. Walsh averaged 12.8 points on 66 percent shooting, and 5.9 rebounds. "He improved as much as anyone we've had," coach Vince Doran said.

Tom Welch, Naperville North

Not bad for an all-state soccer goalkeeper. As good as

Welch was on the pitch, the 6-foot-8 senior wing will play basketball at Loyola. Welch missed five games due to soccer commitments and nagging injuries, but he still managed to lead the Huskies to a DuPage Valley Conference championship as the league MVP and lone returning starter. Welch averaged 21 points and 8.6 assists while shooting 60 percent from the field. "He's such a versatile player and impacts the game in so many ways," coach Gene Nolan said.

Honorable mention

Caden Anderson (Westmont, sr., F), Cameron Dougherty (Naperville Central, jr., G), Billy Durkin (Hinsdale South, jr., G), Kevin Enright (Glenbard South, sr., G), Kai Evans (Montini, so., G), DaRon Hall (Glenbard East, jr., G), Manny Hess (Metea Valley, sr., F), Wes Hooker (Downers Grove South, sr., G), Diamon King (Fenton, jr., F), Matas Masys (Willowbrook, sr., G), Jay McGrath (Lisle, sr., F), Trevor Montiel (Lake Park, jr., F), Alijah Nelson (Glenbard East, jr., G), Isaac Nelson (West Chicago, sr., G), Matt Owens (Timothy Christian, jr., G), Sam Ricci (West Chicago, sr., F), Matt Rush (Hinsdale Central, sr., G), Jacob Schauer (Wheaton North, sr., G), Nate Shockey (York, jr., G), Aaron Tims (Hinsdale South, jr., F).