Henricksen: City/Suburban Hoops Report All-State Team

Every year for over two decades the City/Suburban Hoops Report has put together a 10-player all-state team. This 21st edition, regardless of class, includes just one repeat first-team all-stater, Belleville Althoff’s Jordan Goodwin, and only two juniors –– Goodwin and fellow Belleville native Javon Pickett of Belleville East.

Here is a look at the 2015-2016 City/Suburban Hoops Report All-State Team.

▪ Barret Benson, 6-10, Sr., Hinsdale South

The Northwestern recruit piled up more than 1,700 career points and over 1,000 career rebounds. This past season he led the Hornets to 22 wins and a regional championship while scoring 20.1 points, 11 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game.

▪ Devin Gage, 6-1, Sr., Curie

Evolved into a go-to player for the Class 4A champs. A four-year starter for coach Mike Oliver, the strong, physical, DePaul-bound guard averaged 15 points a game while leading Curie to 28 wins on the year. Gage also won the prestigious A.C. Williamson Award at Pontiac in December while leading Curie to a tournament title.

▪ Jordan Goodwin, 6-3, Jr., Belleville Althoff

The only Hoops Report repeat first-team all-stater, Goodwin led his team to a state championship after a state runner-up finish a year ago. Already has scored 1,700-plus career points after averaging 18.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game.

▪ Charlie Moore, 5-11, Sr., Morgan Park

A second-team Hoops Report all-state selection a year ago. Moore was named the Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year and Mr. Basketball after putting up big numbers (28 ppg, 7 apg) and winning the Proviso West Holiday Tournament title and both regional and sectional championships.

▪ Zach Norvell, 6-5, Sr., Simeon

This varsity veteran was a steady and consistent force for a Simeon team that won a city championship and reached Peoria before settling for third place in Class 4A. The Gonzaga recruit put up 16.5 points a game in helping the Wolverines to 30 wins on the year while leading the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and knocking down 60 three-pointers.

▪ Javon Pickett, 6-4, Jr., Belleville East

Efficient, productive and very versatile, the Illinois commit averaged 23.4 points a game while shooting nearly 55 percent from the field. He also put up 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and two steals a game for an 18-win team.

▪ Justin Pierce, 6-5, Sr., Glenbard West

Finished his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder while leading the Hilltoppers to its first conference championship in 43 years. Pierce, a William & Mary recruit, averaged 24.8 points and 11 rebounds a game for a team that won 25 games.

▪ Nick Rakocevic, 6-11, Sr., St. Joseph

Wrapped up his career by finishing fourth in the state in Class 3A after capturing a state title as a junior. The top uncommitted prospect in Illinois in the Class of 2016 was a regular double-double, averaging 20 points and 15 rebounds a game.

▪ Isaiah Roby, 6-7, Sr., Dixon

The silky smooth point forward filled a stat sheet. Roby, who has signed with Nebraska and is a top five prospect in the senior class, averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocks a game.

▪ Mike Smith, 5-10, Sr., Fenwick

He opened eyes with a monster week in January, which included a 38-point performance in beating Simeon. The catalyst for a Friars team that finished 28-3 record and won the Chicago Catholic League. A recruiting steal for Columbia in the Ivy League, Smith averaged 20 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals a game.