Braden Huff put team success over individual glory while leading Glenbard West to the Class 4A state championship and one of the most dominant seasons in Illinois high school basketball history.
The individual accolades still came.
Huff, a 6-foot-11 senior forward who is headed to Gonzaga, was voted Mr. Basketball of Illinois for 2022.
Barrington junior guard Sophie Swanson, a Purdue recruit, took home the title of Ms. Basketball of Illinois. She led Barrington (30-6) to the first state trophy in program history with a runner-up finish in Class 4A.
“It’s really a blessing because of how hard I’ve worked,” Swanson said. “I had all these goals that I set, and to be able to achieve them is really surreal.” Swanson showcased her skills on the big stage when she scored 35 points in a state semifinal win against Bolingbrook.
Huff averaged 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists, statistics that easily could have been higher if he did not play so unselfishly, according to Glenbard West coach Jason Opoka.
“It’s nice to see that winning matters, even if you’re not putting up the biggest numbers,” Huff said. “You don’t have to be a selfish player and focus on your stats to get the individual accolades.
“We were able to meet our ultimate goal of winning a state championship and still recognized individually. That’s the cool part about this.”
“Those kids have been playing together forever,” Opoka said of his senior class. “They’ve learned from an early age to trust each other and to sacrifice for the good of the team. That’s blatantly obvious with Braden.
“He could have scored a lot more points. He could have taken more shots. But he trusted his teammates and his overall goal was to win a state championship.”
The Hilltoppers (37-1) won the program’s first state championship, capping a dominant postseason in which they won all six games by at least 22 points.
Along the way, Huff became quite a celebrity in Glen Ellyn.
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“It was definitely surreal,” he said. “After our first game at home, we finished up and all of a sudden there were all these kids around us asking for autographs and photos and all that. I’d have to cut it short to go talk with the team in the locker room but then I’d come back out and there were still people there.
“I enjoyed every second of all that. That was a really cool thing that I could have never imagined.”
The awards are voted on by a statewide poll of coaches and media and are presented by the Tribune in conjunction with the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Players received five points for a first-place vote, three for second and one for third.
Huff and Swanson will be honored Saturday evening at the IBCA Hall of Fame Banquet at Illinois State’s Redbird Arena.
Huff was named on 100 of 123 ballots and received 84 first-place votes to easily win the award with 473 points. Yorkville Christian’s Jaden Schutt (192 points, 15 first-place votes) was the runner-up, followed by Thornton’s Ty Rodgers (135, 13).
“It’s crazy,” Huff said. “It’s always been a goal of mine to win this award. It’s a very prestigious award. To be in the company of all those great basketball players is a really cool thing for me and a great accomplishment.”
Swanson, meanwhile, won a much closer race for Ms. Basketball.
She received 13 first-place votes and was named on 29 of 76 ballots, finishing with 95 points to edge Kenwood senior Brianna McDaniel. McDaniel, who was named on 18 ballots, received 15 first-place votes and 82 points. Stevenson’s Simone Sawyer was third with nine first-place votes and 60 points.
Swanson led Barrington (30-6) to the first state trophy in program history with a runner-up finish in Class 4A.
She averaged 21.4 points and 5.2 rebounds, breaking school records for points in a season (750) and a game (40).
Swanson showcased her skills on the big stage when she scored 35 points in a state semifinal win against Bolingbrook.
“That was really cool,” she said. “It was a really fun environment. It was definitely like a preview of college. I really enjoyed it.
“The state experience, the playoff experience was unforgettable. We had so much fun as a team.”
Swanson’s ability to score in so many ways is what sets her apart, according to Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro, who has led the Broncos for 30 years.
“In the open court, she’s got another gear that makes her really hard to defend,” Barreiro said. “If you do step in to stop her, she can pull up and shoot the ball. Then she’s got that step-back 3-pointer where she steps in and pops back. I joke that it’s almost indefensible. It’s really special.”
By winning Ms. Basketball as a junior, Swanson has a chance to join even rarer company. Four players have won the award in back-to-back seasons, including three-time winners Candace Parker and Brea Beal.
“It’s so exciting,” Swanson said. “It’s really an honor to win this award and to be up there with all those big names. I’m going to keep getting in the gym, keep developing myself as a player and the goal is to get back to state next year.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
2022 Mr. Basketball of Illinois voting
123 ballots cast; first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 vote value
1. Braden Huff, Glenbard West: 473 (84)
2. Jaden Schutt, Yorkville Christian: 192 (15)
3. Ty Rodgers, Thornton: 135 (13)
4. Nick Martinelli, Glenbrook South: 46 (2)
5. AJ Casey, Young: 40 (1)
6. Robbie Avila, Oak Forest: 12 (1)
7. Ethan Hefel, Galena: 10 (2)
8. Caden Pierce, Glenbard West: 7
9. Ben VanderWal, Timothy Christian: 6 (1)
10: Benjamin Vandigo, Scales Mound: 6
Others receiving multiple votes: Will Grudzinski, Barrington, 5 points; Zach Hawkinson, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 5; N.J. Benson, Mt. Vernon, 4; Darrin Ames, Kenwood, 2; Dawson Feyen, East Dubuque, 2.
Receiving one vote: Lucas Foote, Reed-Custer, 5 points (1); Brock Harding, Moline, 5 (1); David Hise, Knoxville, 5 (1); Zack Schroeder, Metamora, 5 (1); Cameron Christie, Rolling Meadows, 3; Zach Cleveland, Normal Community, 3; Jake Hamilton, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 3; Kellen Henze, Eastland, 3; Nojus Indrusaitis, Lemont, 3; Taj McKinney, Wayne City, 3; Tysen Meents, Wilmington, 3; Trey Pettigrew, Kenwood, 3; Lashawn Pollard, Vocational, 3; Cale Steinbaugh, Georgetown-Ridge Farm, 3; Jeremiah Talton, Quincy, 3; Damari Wheeler-Thomas, Larkin, 3; Devonte Hall, TF North, 1; Cason Headley, Coal City, 1; Wes Hunt, Peoria Christian, 1; Victor McGill, Litchfield, 1; Jackson Munro, New Trier, 1; Amarion Nimmers, Rock Island, 1; Michael Osei-Bonsu, Bolingbrook, 1; Levonte Pointer, Thornridge, 1; Jalen Quinn, Tuscola, 1; Patrick Robinson, Oswego East, 1; Tommy Zimmer, Illinois Lutheran, 1.
2022 Ms. Basketball of Illinois voting
76 ballots cast; first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 vote value
1. Sophie Swanson, Barrington: 95 points (13)
2. Brianna McDaniel, Kenwood: 82 (15)
3. Simone Sawyer, Stevenson: 60 (9)
4. Katie Krupa, Morton: 47 (5)
5. Abbey Schreacke, Quincy Notre Dame: 39 (4)
6. Katy Eidle, Hersey: 37 (3)
7 (tie). Kenzie Hare, Naperville North: 33 (5)
7 (tie). Janae Kent, Oak Forest: 33 (5)
9. Ella Lune, Brimfield: 28 (3)
10. Lenee Beaumont, Benet: 19
Others receiving multiple votes: Camille Jackson, Butler College Prep: 13 (1); Amiah Hargrove, Christopher: 11 (2); Jordan Wood, Carmel; 10 (1); Katie Baker, Serena: 8 (1); Kammie Ludwig, Geneseo; 8; Taylor Charles, Burlington Central: 7 (1); Lisa Thompson, Joliet West, 7; Faith Feuerbach, Sycamore, 6; Bella Finnegan, Mother McAuley, 4; Sydney Harris, Edwardsville, 4; Mallory Ramage, Mattoon, 4; Emily Fisher, Libertyville, 2; Brynn Haas, Stockton, 2; Grace Sullivan, Carmel, 2.
Receiving one vote: Bailey Berry, North Greer, 5 (1); Kloe Froebe, Lincoln, 5 (1); Gracie Furlong, Galena, 5 (1); Brooklyn Gray, Rockford Auburn, 5 (1); Anna Liaromatis, Wilmington, 5 (1); Shakara McCline, East St. Louis, 5 (1); Grace Nelson, Altamont, 5 (1); Lisa Thompson, Joliet West, 5 (1); Miyah Brown, Winnebago, 3; Maggie Furlong, Galena, 3; Shamiyah Godfrey, Orr, 3; Riley Guy, St. Anthony, 3; Alayna Kraus, Okawville, 3; Alyssa Latham, Homewood-Flossmoor, 3; Ashley May, Fieldcrest, 3; Claire McDougall, Washington, 3; Alexis Pohlman, Greenfield, 3; Molly Stiles, Coal City, 3; Tatiana Thomas, Bolingbrook, 3; Haley Warren, Rockton Hononegah, 3; Ava Bardic, Stevenson, 1; Joy Bergstrom, St. Viator, 1; Shelby Bowman, West Central, 1; Ella Goodrich, Fieldcrest, 1; Jillian Hamilton, Pena, 1; Brooklyn Harding, Reed-Custer, 1; Alexa Jamison, Salt Fork, 1; Kennedi Perkins, Bolingbrook, 1; Sydney Richards, Neoga, 1; Mya Wardle, Peoria Notre Dame, 1
List of winners
Mr. Basketball of Illinois
2022: Braden Huff, Glenbard West
2021: No award (COVID-19)
2020: Adam Miller, Morgan Park
2019: EJ Liddell, Belleville West
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2018: EJ Liddell, Belleville West
2017: Mark Smith, Edwardsville
2016: Charlie Moore, Morgan Park
2015: Jalen Brunson, Stevenson
2014: Jahlil Okafor, Young
2013: Jabari Parker, Simeon
2012: Jabari Parker, Simeon
2011 (tie): Ryan Boatright, East Aurora and Chasson Randle, Rock Island
2010: Jereme Richmond, Waukegan
2009: Brandon Paul, Warren
2008: Kevin Dillard, Homewood-Flossmoor
2007: Derrick Rose, Simeon
2006: Jon Scheyer, Glenbrook North
2005: Julian Wright, Homewood-Flossmoor
2004: Shaun Livingston, Peoria
2003: Shannon Brown, Proviso East
2002: Dee Brown, Proviso East
2001: Eddy Curry, Thornwood
2000: Darius Miles, East St. Louis
1999: Brian Cook, Lincoln
1998: Frank Williams, Peoria Manual
1997: Sergio McClain, Peoria Manual
1996: Ronnie Fields, Farragut
1995: Kevin Garnett, Farragut
1994: Jerry Gee, St. Martin de Porres
1993: Rashard Griffith, King
1992: Chris Collins, Glenbrook North
1991: Howard Nathan, Peoria Manual
1990: Jamie Brandon, King
1989: Deon Thomas, Simeon
1988: Eric Anderson, St. Francis de Sales
1987: Marcus Liberty, King
1986: Nick Anderson, Simeon
1985: Ed Horton, Springfield Lanphier
1984: Brian Sloan, McLeansboro
1983: Marty Simmons, Lawrenceville
1982: Bruce Douglas, Quincy
1981: Walter Downing, Providence
Ms. Basketball of Illinois
2022: Sophie Swanson, Barrington
2021: No award (COVID-19)
2020: Angela Dugalic, Maine West
2019: Brea Beal, Rock Island
2018: Brea Beal, Rock Island
2017: Brea Beal, Rock Island
2016: Kathleen Doyle, Benet
2015: Haley Gorecki, Fremd
2014: Tyra Buss, Mount Carmel (Ill.)
2013: Tyra Buss, Mount Carmel (Ill.)
2012: Morgan Tuck, Bolingbrook
2011: Ariel Massengale, Bolingbrook
2010: Tricia Liston, Fenwick
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2009: Morgan Tuck, Bolingbrook
2008: Sarah Boothe, Warren
2007: Brittany Johnson, Olney East Richland
2006: Theresa Lisch, Belleville Althoff
2005: Lindsay Schrader, Bartlett
2004: Candace Parker, Naperville Central
2003: Candace Parker, Naperville Central
2002: Candace Parker, Naperville Central
2001: Cappie Pondexter, Marshall
2000: Cappie Pondexter, Marshall
1999: Molly McDowell, Nokomis
1998: Allison Curtin, Taylorville
1997: Courtney Smith, Carlyle
1996: Tauja Catchings, Stevenson
1995: Tamika Catchings, Stevenson
1994: Michelle Hasheider, Okawville
1993: Kim Williams, Marshall
1992: Tammy Van Oppen, Bartonville Limestone
1991: Megan Lucid, Mother McAuley
1990: Courtney Porter, Hume Shiloh
1989: LaTonia Foster, Marshall
1988: Nancy Kennelly, Maine West
1987: Cindy Kaufman, Seneca
1986: Doris Carie, Teutopolis