John Lee / baiduhaiCook averaged 22 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks as a senior, when he was named Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American. He lifted the Railsplitters to state with 19 points and 15 rebounds in a memorable 54-50 supersectional win against Peoria Manual. "He is almost 6-11 with the skills of a guard," Lincoln Athletic Director Darrell Hanslow said.
Phil Velasquez / baiduhaiThe muscular forward led Gordon to the championship game in 1990 before falling to mighty King. On the way there, he scored 34 against Eisenhower in the supersectional, 26 against Rolling Meadows in the quarterfinal, 38 against Quincy in the semifinal and 27 against King. He averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists as a senior and was named a McDonald's All-American.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiDriving force behind Stevenson's three straight trips to the state finals in Peoria and the first state championship won by a team from Lake County, Brunson, also an All-American and Mr. Basketball, averaged 21.1 points in his four-year varsity career.
BOB LANGER / CHICAGO TRIBUNEAs a senior, Anderson averaged 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks on his way to Mr. Basketball and McDonald's All-American honors. Averaged 19 as a freshman and 28 as a sophomore before transferring from Prosser.
Charles Cherney / baiduhaiGriffith was the star center for the last undefeated large-school champions. The Jaguars were in another league that season, winning their three games in Champaign by 28, 31 and 37 points. Griffith averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds and 7 blocks and was named Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American. The three-time All-Stater also helped King win state in 1990 as a freshman.
Jim Prisching / baiduhaiAfter leading her high school to a second consecutive state title, she became the only three-time Ms. Basketball winner. She averaged 24.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per game her senior season and finished her high school career with 2,758 points.
William DeShazer / baiduhaiThe 6-foot-2 Tuck became one of the most respected players in Illinois, first winning the Ms. Basketball of Illinois award as a 14-year-old in 2009 and then doing it again in 2012 after averaging 27.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.4 assists in her senior season.
Michael Fryer / baiduhaiThe three-time All-Stater and McDonald's All-American went neck-and-neck with Larry Johnson for national player of the year honors as a senior. As a junior, he led the Jaguars to the state title. They finished second the next year, but Liberty did his best in the championship loss to East St. Louis, going for 41 points and 15 rebounds.
FRED JEWELL / Associated PressCollins averaged 29.1 points per game as a senior for Benton, which had powerhouse teams in the mid-1960s and early 1970s under future Southern Illinois coach Rich Herrin, but was unable to put a great team around Collins, leading to his nickname as "The Lone Ranger."
JOSE OSORIO / CHICAGO TRIBUNEThe South Carolina native played only one year in Illinois, but what a year it was. He averaged 26 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 blocks while leading the Admirals to their first city championship since 1936. He was Mr. Basketball and the consensus national player of the year and was the MVP of the McDonald's All-American game before the Timberwolves selected him fifth overall, making him the first player drafted directly out of high school in 20 years.
Associated PressThe flashy shooter with flowing blond hair was a star sophomore for Lawrenceville's 1974 Class A state champs. As a senior in 1976, he scored 48 points in a semifinal loss to Oneida ROVA and 45 in a third-place win against Buda Western and totaled 157 points in 4 games (39.3 average). He finished with 2,183 points.
NUCCIO DINUZZO / CHICAGO TRIBUNEThe gentle giant's team is remembered for being on the losing end of one of the biggest upsets in state championship history. Few remember that Curry scored 32 points on 12 of 14 shooting with 12 rebounds in that 66-54 loss to Schaumburg in 2001. One of the most physically imposing players in state history scored 2,118 points, was named Mr. Basketball, a McDonald's All-American and the Parade national player of the year in 2001 and was taken fourth overall by the hometown Bulls in the NBA draft that year.
Ed Feeney / baiduhaiBrewer, a great leaper and intimidating defender, led the Pirates to their first state title in 1969. He had 17 points and 9 rebounds in a 58-51 victory over Peoria Spalding in final, but his seven-point, seven-rebound effort in the semifinals was just as impressive. Playing on a sprained ankle, he hit two free throws with 6 seconds to play to give Proviso a 37-36 victory over Champaign Central.
ANDY KING / Associated PressThe star of the first two of East St. Louis' three consecutive state titles, Ellis was a McDonald's All-American in 1988. Folks in the St. Louis area still talk about his performance in a 1987 shootout game against Chesapeake (Va.) Indian River, when he had 26 points and 19 rebounds to No. 1 national prospect Alonzo Mourning's 20 and 10.
JOSE OSORIO / CHICAGO TRIBUNEOne of the most electrifying players to lace them up in Illinois or anywhere else, the high-flying Fields teamed with Kevin Garnett for the 1995 team that many consider the best not to win a state title. He broke his neck in a car accident a week before the city playoffs as a senior in 1996, but not before totaling 2,619 points. The three-time All-Stater and Parade All-American was Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American in 1996, when he averaged 32 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 4.5 blocks and 4 dunks.
baiduhai historical photoDees was one of the nation's best players and was named MVP of the 1954 Parade All-American game. He led the Golden Aces to regional titles in the one-class tournament in 1953 and 1954 and finished with 2,823 points.
Scott Strazzante / baiduhaiThe 6-foot-9 combination of power and athleticism drew comparisons to high school versions of Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudemire. Transformed from promising prospect to indomitable force his senior year, averaging 21.3 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks. He was the Naismith national player of the year and a McDonald's All-American in 2014.
Associated PressThe only player to start for four state champions, the first under legendary coach Dick Van Scyoc and the last three for his father, Wayne. He was named Mr. Basketball in 1997, when he capped his career with 22 points in a 47-43 win against West Aurora. "There are a lot of guys in the state who come in with more natural talent," said Manual assistant coach Chuck Westendorf. "Serg is a self-made player."
Ed Wagner, Jr. / baiduhaiWilson, a 6-foot-8 guard/forward, was considered the No. 1 player in America when he was murdered in 1984 following an accidental run-in near the school eight months after helping Simeon win its first city and state championships.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiThe rare prep point guard who looked like he could step onto an NBA court, his speed, strength and skills were a package that was tough to beat. He ended the low-scoring 2006 final with a floater with 2 seconds left in overtime to beat Peoria Richwoods 31-29 that gave Simeon its second state title. The Wolverines won again the next year, when Rose was named Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American.
CHICAGO TRIBUNEThe two-time All-State center was the star for the first two teams from Chicago to win state titles, in 1958 and 1960, The 6-foot-8 center finished with 2,285 points for the Commandos.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiLivingston possessed magical court vision as a 6-foot-7 point guard and led the Lions to two state titles. As a junior he made the winning layup with 3.2 seconds left in the final against Thornwood, and he had 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks in the 2004 title game against Carbondale. He was picked fourth in the 2004 draft out of high school.
Seth Wenig / APThe first star for legendary coach Gene Pingatore was a McDonald's All-American and the consensus runner-up to Clark Kellogg for national player of the year. He led the Chargers to second place in 1978, a run that featured a memorable 63-60 quarterfinal win against Westinghouse when Thomas scored 26 points and Mark Aguirre had 28 for the Warriors.
JOHN LEE / CHICAGO TRIBUNEThe 6-foot-4 All-American point guard carried the Rams on his skinny shoulders as a senior. On a team that started five guards, Williams led the Rams in points (23 points a game), rebounds (8), assists (6) and steals (4) and was named Mr. Basketball. Before that he helped Manual win titles in 1996 and 1997, scoring 53 points in four games as a sophomore and 57 in four as a junior. He also was on the roster as a freshman for the 1995 state champs.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiTwo-time Ms. Basketball, Buss scored a state-record 4,897 points in her stellar high school career. Her senior year she averaged 45.8 points per game, second in the nation, to go with 6.7 steals, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiThe point guard displayed the smarts that made him an NBA champion coach. "Doc" was a three-time All-Stater and was the consensus national player of the year and a McDonald's All-American in 1980. The Pirates went 99-13 in his four years under Glenn Whittenberg but never won a sectional.
Jim Prisching / baiduhaiThe second-generation star led the state in scoring as a senior with 32.1 points per game while shooting 50 percent and making 94 of his 200 3-pointers. He led the Vikings to their first sectional title in 1992, when he was named Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American. "He was almost impossible to stop one-on-one because if you sag back, he'll hit the three," said Glenbrook North coach Brian James.
Associated PressKaufmann was nearly impossible to guard, with range that extended nearly to halfcourt combined with a physical post-up game. His 3,160 points are second all-time in the state, and his 912 free throws are an Illinois record.
PHIL VELASQUEZ / baiduhaiFirst player to twice win Ms. Basketball honor. Led Commandos to state title in 1999. Her senior season., she averaged a career-high 23.9 points a game for the 26-5 Public League champions and set a school scoring record with 47 points in a loss to Hanford, Calif., in the Nike Christmas Tournament of Champions in Chicago.
Ed Wagner / baiduhaiThe 6-9 forward was Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American in 1989, when he averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks while the Wolverines were undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state before falling to King in the city final. "He had all the tools to be one of the better players," said South Shore coach Don Pittman. "But he's also a very mild-mannered person. His success didn't surprise me at all."
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiA four-time state champion and the first two-time Mr. Basketball is perhaps the most accomplished player in state history. He was the Gatorade national player of the year in 2012 and the Morgan Wootten player of the year in 2013. He was touted as "The Best High School Basketball Player Since LeBron James" on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Charles Cherney / baiduhaiMarshall coach Courtney Hargrays during a Public League semifinal game in 2008.
Phil Mascione / baiduhaiThe first Mr. Basketball winner from a Class A school, Simmons led Lawrenceville to identical 34-0 state-title seasons in 1982 and 1983. He scored 245 points in 10 state tournament games, including 43 in a 56-54 win against Providence-St. Mel in the 1983 quarterfinals, when he scored all 23 of his team's second-half points.
Jim Prisching / baiduhaiFirst sophomore to win the Ms. Basketball title, leading her team in 1995 to the state crown. She moved to Texas the next year to be with her mom.
Associated PressThe future NBA All-Star led St. Anne to fourth place in 1973. In an 88-70 quarterfinal win against Cerro Gordo, he had one of the best individual performances in state tournament history with 36 points, 24 rebounds and 12 blocked shots. He averaged 25 points and 18 rebounds in the four state games.
JOHN LEE / CHICAGO TRIBUNEIllinois coach Bill Self said that "Dee Brown changes ends as fast as anyone in America." Brian Cook, Brown's future teammate in Champaign, described Brown as "the human fast break." Besides averaging 28 points, six assists and five steals for one of the top programs in the state, Brown fast became the darling of Illinois basketball with his fun-loving, high-energy appeal and genuine passion for the game. He was Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American in 2002, and his 499 steals are a state record.
PHIL VELASQUEZ / CHICAGO TRIBUNEThe McDonald's All-American led the Dolphins to the 1998 state title. He scored 86 points in four games, including 32 points with 16 rebounds in a quarterfinal against Elgin and 18 and 20 in the final against Galesburg. He also had 25 in the city final against Manley in 1997.
baiduhaiThe high-scoring forward helped put Westinghouse on the map, leading the Warriors to their first city final in 1977 and their first city championship the next year. He was the consensus national player of the year and a McDonald's All-American in 1978 and is in the discussion for the city's best all-time player.
Associated PressNational player of the year his senior year and led the Falcons to back-to-back state titles in 1971 (31-1), 1972 (33-0), one of the most dominant programs in Illinois history. Buckner had 28 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists while igniting an intimidating press when Thornridge destroyed Quincy 104-69 in the '72 title game.
baiduhai historical photoThe dominant center averaged more than 30 points per game during Lyons' drive to the state title in 1953, scoring 31 against DuSable, 38 against Decatur St. Teresa, 27 against Pinckneyville and 25 in the final against Peoria.
Bob Langer / baiduhaiThe ideal point guard excelled at all aspects of the game, averaging 21 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds as a senior on his way to Mr. Basketball and McDonald's All-American honors. Winning was his way, as the Blue Devils went 123-5 in his four years as he scored 2,040 points. Quincy finished second in 1979, won it all at 33-0 in 1981 and finished third at 32-1 in 1982 when its 64-game win streak was snapped in the state semifinals by Mendel.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiThe 6-foot-11 Okafor's pretty-yet-powerful post moves helped the Dolphins win the 4A title in 2014, when he was named Mr. Basketball, a McDonald's All-American and the USA Today national player of the year.
Jos M. Osorio / baiduhaiThe sharpshooting guard finished with the seventh-most steals, sixth-most assists and fourth-most points (3,034) in state history. The three-time All-Stater and McDonald's All-American averaged 29 points as a senior and led the Vikings to the state title in 2005. He scored 48 against Waukegan in a supersectional, and provided one of the state's first viral video moments when he scored 21 points in 75 seconds on his way to 52 points in a frantic loss at Proviso West.
baiduhai / baiduhaiSome say the three-time All-Stater and future baseball Hall of Famer was Illinois' first high-school basketball star. As a sophomore, he led the "Flying Clouds" to the state title with a 14-13 win against Springfield, and they finished second the next two years.
Andrew A. Nelles / baiduhaiThe twins starred in Illinois' version of Hoosiers, leading tiny Hebron to the single-class state title with a 64-59 overtime win against Quincy. The 98-student school's win came against a school with 1,035 students, or 300 more than the population of Hebron. Paul, a guard, scored 59 points in the 1952 tournament. Phil, a forward, added 46.
Ed Wagner Jr. / baiduhaiA four-year starter and three-time All-Stater for King's powerhouse program, Brandon played in 13 state tournament games, averaging 20.7 points. He led the Jaguars to the 1990 state title, scoring 26, 28, 27, and 25 points along the way and was named Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American. He finished with 3,174 points, second all-time in Illinois.
John Lee / baiduhai
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Cook averaged 22 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks as a senior, when he was named Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American. He lifted the Railsplitters to state with 19 points and 15 rebounds in a memorable 54-50 supersectional win against Peoria Manual. "He is almost 6-11 with the skills of a guard," Lincoln Athletic Director Darrell Hanslow said.
ExpandBy Dan McGrath
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The Marshall High School basketball family will step up for one of its own on Friday by staging a charity doubleheader at Marshall.
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Proceeds will benefit the family of Courtney Hargrays, a former Commandos player and coach who died in an auto accident in January.
The “Hoop Dreams” Marshall team from 1991, featuring Arthur Agee, co-star of the acclaimed Hoop Dreams documentary, will play a team of Public League Red-West all-stars from the era in the first game at 7 p.m. At 8, players from the Commandos’ 2008 state championship team will face a squad from the 2010 third-place finisher. A presentation to Hargrays’ family will be made between games.
Hargrays played on Marshall’s “Hoop Dreams” team and coached the 2008 state champions. On Jan. 17, a single-car crash on the Eisenhower Expressway near Western Ave. claimed the lives of his three passengers. Hargrays died of his injuries two weeks later. Event organizers hope to establish a college scholarship for a Marshall student in his name.