2021 Herald-News Boys Basketball All-Area Team

All-Area Team

Ashawn Burbridge, Joliet West, Sr., Forward: Burbridge was a solid interior player for the Tigers, despite being undersized against many opponents Burbridge had a knack for collecting rebounds in bunches.

Brandon Ceylor, Dwight, Guard/Forward: Ceylor put together a strong season for the Trojans. One might think his 18.1 points a game scoring average would indicate a player that thinks scoring first, but Ceylor also averaged about five assists a game.

Troy Cicero, Joliet Central, Guard: Cicero was a consistent scoring threat for the Steelmen, finishing with a team high 13.8 points a game scoring average. He also scored in key situations, including 33 in a win over West Aurora and 17 in an upset win over rival Joliet West.

Carlos Conley, Plainfield North, Guard: Conley was an all-around performer for the Tigers and a team leader in about every statistical category. Also a top defender, Conley was the sort of glue player that kept his team in many games this season.

Mekhi Cooper, Bolingbrook, Guard: Cooper surged at the end of the season for the Raiders finishing with a 14 points a game scoring average. He finished with a flourish, netting 22 and 23 points in Bolingbrook’s final two games.

Matas Deksnys, Lockport, G-F: Deksnys’ sharpshooting abilities caused opponents to spend a lot of defensive energy trying to slow him down. Deksnys made 48 3-pointers, and he tied the school record of seven 3s in one game. He averaged 14.5 points and 4.6 rebounds a game.

John Ehrsam, Joliet Catholic, Guard: The Hilltoppers faced a rigorous schedule, but Ehrsam brought a strong effort to the floor every night. Ehrsam routinely led the team in scoring and finished with a 9.8 points a game scoring average.

Jacob Faron, Minooka, Guard: Faron was a big part of Minooka’s resurgence this season. Faron chipped in about 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals a game.

Trevor Hudak, Minooka, Guard: Few area players could shoot from long range like Hudak. He led Minooka in scoring (13.9 a game), while connecting on 39% of his 3-pointers. Hudak shot 85% from the free-throw line.

Kyle Kostes, Lemont, Guard: Lemont had the best team winning percentage, and Kostes was a big part of that. Kostes averaged 18.5 points a game, along with about six assists a game.

Ben Kreitz, Wilmington, forward: Double-Doubles are relatively rare, but not for Kreitz. He averaged a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds a game for the season. He was a big part of one of the Wildcats best seasons in recent memory.

Jaiden Lee, Joliet West, Guard: When Lee was on his game he was a nightmare matchup for opponents. He led the balanced Tigers with a 13 points a game scoring average, but may have had even more value to Joliet West as a rebounder and defender.

James Ogrodnik, Lincoln-Way Central, Forward: Ogrodnik proved to be a scoring threat inside and out for the Knights. He finished second on the team in scoring with a 14 points a game scoring average. The 6-foot-7 Ogrodnik also was a presence on the glass.

Michael Osei-Bonsu, Bolingbrook, Forward/Center: Osei-Bonsu frequently recorded a double-double or narrowly missed. He almost averaged double-digit rebounds a game, with a season high of 18.

Cooper Schmid, Plainfield South, Guard/Forward: After an injury plagued career (broken arm sophomore year, torn ACL junior year) it was nice to see Schmid conclude his high school career with a flourish. Schmid averaging 21 points a game as he was a big reason the Cougars reached the Southwest Prairie Conference title game.

Connor Steichen, Gardner-South Wilmington, Forward: Steichen was a scoring machine for the Panthers at 19.1 points a game, and he was a key rebounder as well (6.7 rpg).

Kyonte Thomas, Bolingbrook, Guard: Thomas proved himself a leader. He picked up SouthWest Suburban Conference Player of the Year honors as well as Herald-News Player of the Year honors. The Trinity International bound Thomas averaged 15 points and four assists a game.

Nick Tingley, Lincoln-Way Central, Guard/Forward: Tingley started the season with a big scoring night and never really stopped. An Elmhurst College commit, Tingley averaged 21 points and six rebounds a game .

Angelo Vassilakis, Lockport, Guard: Depending on what the Porters needed on a given night it seemed that Lockport relied on Vassilakis to supply it. Vassilakis provided a mix of statistical support and plenty of defensive energy, often against an opponent’s top scoring threat.

Jack Wajda, Providence, Guard/Forward: The rigors of the Chicago Catholic League meant Wajda had to bring his “A” game every night. For the most part he was up to that task, averaging 13.1 points a game and posting 20-plus points in four games.


Special Mention

Drew Buss, Joliet Catholic; Ricky Hill Jr., Minooka; Mason Kibelkis, Peotone; Bryce Shoto, Plainfield Central; Trayton Trice, Romeoville.

Honorable Mention

Donovan Brown, Plainfield Central; Kyle Burch, Coal City; Frank DeCarlo, Lincoln-Way Central; Jaydin Dunlap, Bolingbrook; Lucas Foote, Reed-Custer; Ethan Gallagher, Lockport; Dylan Garrelts, Reed-Custer; Lavelle Hughes, Joliet Central; Andrew Johnson, Joliet West; J-Heir Jones, Lincoln-Way East; Jake McPherson, Reed-Custer; Tyson Meents, Wilmington; Terrance Moncrief, Joliet West; Luke Morrow, Joliet West; Anthony Munson, Lockport; Riley Ponio, Coal City; Kobe Reed, Plainfield East; Wyatt Thompson, Dwight; Jacob Vassalla, Plainfield Central; Jack Vegter, Lincoln-Way East; Donaven Younger, Bolingbrook;