The Times All-Area Boys Basketball Team: Talent-filled squad made for exciting hardwood season

The area was blessed with a plentiful amount of boys basketball talent — whether it was at the guard spots or forwards slashing from the wings or big men battling in and around the paint — and nearly two dozen of those players took their skills to a higher level.

Honoring those efforts, here, as voted on by The Times Sports staff, is The Times 2022 Boys Basketball All-Area Team:

First Team

Alex Krejci, Somonauk, sr.

The Bobcats guard was a repeat unanimous All-Little Ten Conference pick, an all-tournament selection at the Marseilles Holiday Tournament and named the MVP at the Seneca Thanksgiving Tournament. He averaged 17.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals per contest this season, finishing his career with 1,253 points. Somonauk finished 27-6 on the year, including a 19-game winning steak, and won both the LTC Tournament and regular-season titles.

Krejci, one of two unanimous Times All-Area First Team picks this year, was previously a Second Team honoree in 2021 and a Third Team selection in 2020.

Jack Haynes, Streator, sr.

The Bulldogs big man was a First Team All-Illinois Central Eight Conference honoree, named IBCA Class 3A Special Mention All-State and named The Times 2022 Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Haynes averaged a double-double of 18.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game to go along with 1.2 assists. He finished third in program history with 1,110 career points and helped the Bulldogs claim the ICE regular-season championship (13-1) and finish with an overall record of 21-9.

Haynes, one of two unanimous picks, makes his third appearance on The Times All-Area First Team, also being honored in 2020 and 2021.

Luke Cushing, Ottawa, sr.

The Pirates guard was a First Team All-Interstate Eight Conference selection, IBCA Class 3A Special Mention All-State, and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Plano Christmas Classic. Cushing posted norms including a team-leading 14.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.9 assists during the season. He helped his club to a 17-11 overall record and 10-4 mark in the I-8, good for a second-place tie with Kaneland.

Cushing was a Second Team selection in 2021.

Tyler Pfaff, Flanagan-Cornell, sr.

The Falcons guard was a Second Team All-Heart of Illinois Conference pick, a selection to the Route 17 Classic All-Tournament team, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Marseilles Holiday Tournament after helping his team capture the title. Pfaff helped the Falcons finish 23-7, averaging 15.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and closed his FCHS career with 1,034 points and 244 made 3-pointers.

Pfaff was a The Times All-Area Second Team honoree in 2021.

Zach Pfeifer, Seneca, sr.

The Fighting Irish guard was a First Team All-Tri-County Conference pick along with being named the league’s Most Valuable Player, and was selected to both the Seneca Thanksgiving and Marseilles Holiday all-tournament teams. Pfeifer averaged 17.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game, helping his team to a 23-9 overall record, the title at Seneca and runner-up finishes at the TCC Tournament and Marseilles. He also set a program record with eight made 3-pointers in a game.

Pfeifer was an All-Area Third Team honoree in 2021.

SECOND TEAM

Braiden Miller, Ottawa, sr.

Camden Figgins, Serena, jr.

Christian Benning, Streator, so.

Griffin Cook, Earlville, so.

Sam Jones, Flanagan-Cornell, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Tommy Durdan, Marquette, jr.

Anthony Miller, Ottawa, sr.

Beau Ewers, Marquette, sr.

Brendan Roberts, Somonauk, sr.

Brock Zimmerman, Somonauk, sr.

Jack Starkey, Streator, sr.

JD Ruddy, Flanagan-Cornell, sr.

Landon Modro, Fieldcrest, jr.

Noah Quigley, Seneca, sr.

Paxton Giertz, Seneca, fr.

Phoenix Cooper, Woodland, sr.

Zach Carlson, Newark, jr.