By Mark Gregory
Editorial Director
@Hear_The_Beard
mark@buglenewspapers.com
Every year, there is only one team that can end the season in each class as a champion.
That team the past two seasons in Class 4A has been Belleville West. This year, the path to the repeat went through the Illinois State University Super-sectional where West defeated the Raiders.
The loss not only ended the dreams of the Raiders bringing another state trophy back to Bolingbrook, it also ended the career of two players who have been a huge part of the Raiders’ success the last four years in Tyler Cochran and Joseph Yesufu.
(File Photo)
On the season, Yesufu averaged 16.5 points, 3.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game, while Cochran, who was hurt for the early part of the season, averaged 14 points, 9.5 rebounds and two steals per contest.
Yesufu earned a pair of all-state honors as he was named to the Class 4A Illinois Basketball Coached Association second team and was honorable mention all-state by the Associated Press.
For their efforts, the Raider tandem have been named as 2019 Voyager Media Boys Basketball Co-Players of the Year.
“Tyler and I work out together a lot and our main goal is to get each other better and we constantly have pushed each other since freshman year to do that,” Yesufu said. “In middle school, we competed against each other and we were enemies, but we grew into being best friends.”
Early in the season it was Yesufu’s team to lead with Cochran injuring his finger the day before the opening game of the season.
Sitting out wasn’t how the Northern Illinois University-bound Cochran wanted to start his senior year.
“It was tough having to be basically a player coach while I was hurt early. I had to see things from the coaches’ perspective and help the guys either on the court or off – getting water or being there and telling them how I see it and helping them any way I can,” he said. “Coming back, I felt like I had something to prove. We gave it our all and it just wasn’t enough, but we lost to the best.”
The one thing that has been the same in both Cochran’s and Yesufu’s game since they cracked the varsity roster is their ability and willingness to do whatever is needed to help the team win.
“Ever since I was a freshman, coach (Rob) Brost has talked about being a good player and I feel I can do whatever he needs done no matter if it is to score 30, to score five or score none and get rebounds, getting steals and playing defense,” Cochran said. “Scoring is cool and all, but at the end of the day, it is all about getting the W and make sure I play my hardest – that’s what matters most to me.”
As sophomores, the duo earned third-place medals at the state tournament.
“We accomplished a lot as a team,” Yesufu said. “Although it didn’t end with a state championship, I feel we left a legacy at Bolingbrook.”
Other members of the first team are:
Trey Boston, Downers Grove North
Running mate to fellow first-teamer Semaj Henderson, Boston averaged 16.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while helping the Trojans win 22 games in the 2018-19 season, which is the most in school history.
He is a member of the Class 4A Coaches Association Honorable Mention list.
Filip Bulatovic, Maine South
Senior leader Bulatovic averaged 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for the Hawks in 2018-19. He also led his team to a 23-10 overall record. He is a member of the Class 4A Coaches Association Honorable Mention list.
Darius Burford, Bolingbrook
Junior guard led the Raiders 23-8 overall record, and to the Super-sectionals where they lost to the eventual state champions Belleville West. Was tops on the team in scoring with 17 points per game, while adding 4 rebounds and 1 steal.
He is a member of the Class 4A Coaches Association third team all-state.
Colin Crothers, Benet Academy
The 6-feet-7 inch junior who averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist per game led the Redwings to a 23-8 overall record in 2018-19. Crothers has an offer from Southern Illinois. He is a member of the Class 4A Coaches Association Honorable Mention list.
Semaj Henderson, Downers Grove North
Senior guard for the Trojans who averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Henderson has offers from North Dakota and Western Illinois University.
He is a member of the Class 4A Coaches Association Honorable Mention list.
Jamere Hill, Joliet West
Junior point guard that averaged 19.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game was a leader for the young Tigers all season.
Diamond Presniakovas, Plainfield South
Senior swingman shot 52 percent from the field, averaged 18.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game will be attending Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL this upcoming fall.
Kendrick Tchoua, Benet Academy
The 6-foot, 6-inch Tchoua averaged 16.8 points, 7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for the Redwings. Tchoua has offers from Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Valparaiso, Buffalo, Ohio and Northern Iowa.
He is a member of the Class 4A Associated Press honorable mention all-state team.
SECOND TEAM
Troy D’Amico, Notre Dame
All-Conference Selection in ESCC, Averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Made 66 three-pointers on the year at a 40 percent clip, and has 677 career points through his sophomore campaign.
Justin Eagins, Downers Grove South
Senior Mustang who averaged 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
He made 95 career 3-point field goals in his career, and scored more than 1,000 points in his two-year varsity career.
Essam Hamwi, Maine South
Senior guard averaged 13.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Also chipped in with 1.2 steals per game.
Wesley Hooker, Downers Grove South
Hooker averaged 14.1 points, 7.5 assists, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game while leading his team to a 23-8 overall record.
Dakoda Joachim, Joliet Central
Junior Steelmen who averaged 11.9 points, shot 44.9 percent from the field and shot 70.9 percent from the free throw line.
Maurice McCullum, Plainfield Central
Senior guard who averaged 14.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. McCullum is a verbal commit to play for the Spring Hill Badgers.
Ryan Menocal, Northridge Prep
Team Co-Captain and two-year varsity starter where he averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Two year First Team All-Conference Selection, and led the Knights to a 43-17 overall record in those two years.
Anthony Sayles, Notre Dame
All-Conference Selection in ESCC. He was second leading scorer in the league, despite having zero practices before the Thanksgiving Tournament. Averaged 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists and was clutch from the free throw line late in games shooting 80 percent.
He has 848 career points through his sophomore year. He is a member of the Class 4A Coaches Association third team all-state.
Yamani Shareef, Plainfield East
Senior guard who averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest. Also shot 40 percent from beyond the 3-point line, while shooting 80 percent from the free throw line.
Christian Shumate, Plainfield East
Junior big man who averaged 15 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and shot 59 percent from the field.