By Scott Taylor
Sports Editor
Plainfield North’s Kevin Krieger is the 2015 Voyager Media Player of the Year (Scott Taylor)
Sometimes statistics don’t tell the entire tale of a player.
For Plainfield North senior Kevin Krieger, his stats were the best in the area. He averaged 22.3 points per game, an area best, to go along with 7.2 rebounds, 48 assists, 47 steals and 62 blocks. He also shot 87.3 percent from the foul like and sank 40 three-pointers. All of this was while guarding the opponents’ best player just about every night.
“He is at the top of every statistical category in the area, which is a credit to him considering every time we played he was the sole focus of the opponents team,” North coach Bob Krahulik said. “No other player in the area was beat up more, grabbed more and face guarded more than Kevin, and he still averaged 22.3 points while shooting in the upper 40 (percent).
Those marks were the obvious. Less obvious was the medical problems he had off the court.
At three times during the year, he had throat surgery, yet still played in the next game, including in the Pontiac Holiday Tournament.
Being able to overcome his medical troubles to still post the best numbers across the area has led Krieger to be named the 2016 Voyager Media Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
“He is a tough kid,” Krahulik said. “No one knows but he played in the regional final after being in the hospital the night before having minor surgery on his throat. The doctor told him to take it easy for over a week. He played anyways. This was the third time he had to have this surgery this year, but still played. He may not have scored like we needed him to, but it is his presence on the floor.”
The rest of the members of the Voyager Media All-Area team are:
First Team
Trevian Bell
Joliet West junior posted 15 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for the sectional champs.
“Trevian continues to develop into an overall good high school basketball player,” West coach Nick DiForti said. “Nearly every team we played focused their attention to him. He was our leading scorer in most games. If we weren’t such a balanced scoring team, he would easily average over 20 points a game. His statistics are easily why he is considered one of the best in his class.”
Joe Butler
Butler, a senior from Minooka, helped guide the Indians to their first regional title since the 1970s. He averaged 15.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while posting 49 assists and 49 steals.
“I believe that Joe Butler is one of the best players in the state of Illinois,” Minooka coach Scott Tanaka said. “This year he helped lead our team to a 23-9 record, our first SPC Conference championship and our first regional championship since 1977. We play a slow tempo defensive style of basketball and thus Joe’s numbers are not as gaudy as they should be.”
Elyjah Goss
Plainfield East senior averaged 13.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 53 percent from the floor. He was also a force defensively, blocking 63 shots and had 45 steals.
“We are proud of the strides that Elyjah has made not only this season but over his four-year varsity career,” East coach Branden Adkins said. ‘He really pushed himself in practices and games to show how dominant he can be as a player. He set or broke many PEHS records this season on both ends of the floor. We are excited for him at IUPUI and know that with continued hard work and his consistent great attitude that he will be the same outstanding player that he was in the SPC and in the state.”
Jalen Jackson
Jackson finished the year averaging 18.4 points per game, while coming up with 37 steals and making 77 three-pointers for Joliet Catholic.
Second Team
Devin Blake
Downers North senior had 14.9 points and five rebounds per game, while making 71 three-pointers.
“Devin was a valuable member to our team and program from the standpoint that he led by example on the floor,” Downers North coach Jim Thomas said. “He has taught other players what it means to play hard and tough at the same time. Statistically he has been our best player for the past three years. He will be missed.”
Jacob Buchner
Plainfield South senior had 16.3 points and six rebounds per game. He also drilled 32 three-pointers to go along with 30 steals for the Cougars.
“Jacob was a great leader. He led by example,” South coach Tim Boe said. “Every day in practice and just as important he led in the off season. He was there every day. That’s what it takes to become a good basketball player, and that is what is expected from senior leaders.”
Matt Cappelletti
Senior from Romeoville averaged 16.9 points and seven rebounds per game, while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the free throw line.
“Matt has been a outstanding student athlete both on the court and in the class room averaging a 3.50 GPA,” Romeoville coach Marc Howard said. “His work ethic is second to none. Matt has sacrificed for his team and displayed the characteristic the embody RHS basketball. Matt’s was the first Spartan to be named to the first team SPC all conference.”
Malik Fuller
Joliet Central senior finished season averaging 12.5 points and 10 rebounds a game.
“I can’t say enough about him,” Central coach Jeff Corcoran said. “He was a kid that came to practice every day and worked harder than everyone else knowing that on Tuesday and Friday nights that he was going to defend another post player who was bigger and stronger than him.
“With that being said Malik had a motor that just wouldn’t quit, he has a knack for finding the ball around the rim. He is an all around great kid who has a bright future.”
Dan Sobolewski
Sobolewski, a Benet senior, averaged 10.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, leading the team with 100 assists.
“Danny often had to guard the post player from the other team,” Heidkamp said. “He made up for his size disadvantage with heart and toughness. He was an excellent shooter, passer, and rebounder, and was a great leader for our team.”
Third Team
Nana Akenten
Bolingbrook junior contributed 14 points and seven rebounds per game for the Raiders. He is getting looks from multiple D-I schools.
“Nana is one of the most talented kids we have had in our program and is only going to get better,” Bolingbrook coach Rob Brost said. “He is an outstanding student-athlete who represents everything that is good about BHS.”
Jon Arenas
Arenas, a senior from Maine South, finished the season with 14.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while totaling 101 assists and 57 steals.
“Jon was a three-year starter that helped us win 25, 26 and 21 games,” Maine South coach Tony Lavorato said. “In his senior year, he led our team on and off the floor with his dedication and passion for our program. Jon was always a natural scorer, but developed himself into an all-around player throughout his career.
“His greatest impact to our program was his character. He has influenced many future Hawks with his dedication and approach.”
Ammar Becar
Becar, a senior from Notre Dame, finished the season averaging 15 points and four rebounds per game for the sectional champs.
Anthony D’Avanzo
Senior from Notre Dame averaged 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocks per game, while shooting 80 percent from the free throw line.
Teyvion Kirk
A junior from Joliet West, Kirk had 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while totaling 145 assists and 42 steals.
“Teyvion’s skills are overwhelming as a point guard,” DiForti said. “In today’s game, some would call him a combo guard. But watching him play, anyone would notice how much he gets his teammates involved in the offense. His statistics indicate that he played both ends of the floor. His ability to control an offense and guard the other team’s best ball handler make him the guard every coach wished they had.”
Fourth Team
James Dockery
Benet senior averaged 12 points and 4.9 rebounds per game to go along with 96 assists and 36 three-pointers.
“James was an important player for us on both ends of the floor,” Benet coach Gene Heidkamp said. “We relied on him to score and create shots, as well as guard one of the top players on the other team. His play was a major reason for our success.”
Sam Ebersold
Downers South senior point guard averaged 12.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game to go along with 94 assists and 47 steals.
Scott Gustafson
Plainfield Central senior tallied 13.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while knocking down 58 three-pointers, while shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc.
“Team leading scorer and rebounder for 2015-16,” Central coach Steve Lamberti said. “One of the best shooters in the area, he is a competitor that used his size and strength to be a quality scorer and rebounder. Scott was a competitor that our opponents had to game plan for.”
Evan Hines
A senior from Niles West, Hines averaged 14 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
“He was chosen our team MVP and carried the team offensively in several games,” Niles West coach Bob Williams said. “He played his best basketball down the stretch of the season and scored 24 points in his last high school game.”
Brad Perry
Maine South senior center posted 13.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game for the Hawks, while adding 62 blocks.
“Brad was a three year varsity player that dedicated himself to getting better each day,” Lavorato said. “As a 6-foot, 11-inch player, Brad took a while to develop his body, his skill, and his speed.
“His full potential will not be reached until college, but his improvement on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor enabled him to help us win 21 games.”