MSL Basketball: Boys All-Conference Teams 1979-80 to 1998-99
MSL All-Conference Project
Presenting the All-MSL boys basketball teams from 1979-80 through the 1998-99 season as part of the MSL All-Conference Project. Change came with the closings of Arlington in 1984 and Forest View in 1986, which brought the league to 12 teams, and major division realignment from North-South to East-West in for the 1998-99 school year. It also brought momentous breakthroughs as Fremd (1993) and Schaumburg (1999) finished fourth for the MSL’s first boys basketball state trophies.
An asterisk * denotes the player was a Paddock/Daily Herald All-Area selection. The selection of these teams has changed through the years in terms of numbers of players and coverage areas. There are instances where a player did not make all-conference but made all-area and those players are listed in that category. There were also some years where an honorable mention group was listed.
One note about the selection of all-conference teams is coaches had/have different approaches where some might nominate only seniors for the honor. We are not saying there is any perfect or “right/wrong” method but it is the case in various sports.
The division’s players and coaches of the year are listed where that information was available. Some notes are also included.
Information is from Paddock Publications/Daily Herald and the Chicago Tribune. If you have any questions, corrections or suggestions please contact Marty Maciaszek at marty.maciaszek@gmail.com.
1979-80
ARLINGTON - Scott Staeck (Sr., F, 6-2)
BARRINGTON - *Tim Millay (Sr., G, 5-9), John Trautwein (Sr., G, 6-3)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Ed Williams (Sr., G, 5-11), Paul Heesch (Jr., F, 6-5)
CONANT - *Ron Schimbke (Sr., F, 6-5), *Glenn Weeks (Sr., C, 6-6)
ELK GROVE - Scott Kobus (Sr., F, 6-3)
FOREST VIEW - *Mike Matella (Jr., F, 6-3), Mike Collins (Sr., G, 5-9)
FREMD - *Ken Boeckh (Sr., G, 6-0)
HERSEY - *Dave Gilbreth (Jr., G, 6-1)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Dave Spaeth (Sr., C, 6-4)
PALATINE - Jeff Foster (Jr., F, 6-4), Steve Sievers (Sr., G, 6-2)
PROSPECT - Frank Apuzzo (Sr., C, 6-4)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Todd Broeker (Sr., C, 6-5)
WHEELING - Lou Bambini (Sr., C, 6-5)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Ed Williams (Buffalo Grove)
NOTES
- Ron Schimbke and Glenn Weeks led Conant to its second trip to the Sweet 16 in Dick Redlinger’s final season as head coach.
- Barrington’s John Trautwein pitched 9 games with the 1988 AL East champion Boston Red Sox. His brother Dave (1984-85 all-MSL) also pitched professionally.
1980-81
ARLINGTON - Ted Wolfe (Jr., C, 6-7)
BARRINGTON - *Dan Hale (Sr., F, 6-4)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Paul Heesch (Sr., C, 6-6), Jeff Pease (Sr., F, 6-3), Bob Berg (Sr., F, 6-3)
ELK GROVE - *Dave Otto (Jr., C, 6-6)
FOREST VIEW - *Mike Matella (Sr., F, 6-4), Kevin Murray (Sr., F, 6-4), *Jeff Schmidt (Sr., C, 6-8)
HERSEY - *Dave Gilbreth (Sr., G, 6-2)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Ken Jackson (Sr., C, 6-4)
PALATINE - *John Kelley (Sr., C, 6-8)
PROSPECT - Tim Philipp (Jr., C, 6-3), Brett Muffie (Jr., F, 6-3)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Jack Miller (Sr., F, 6-2)
SCHAUMBURG - Ken Jacobsen (Sr., G, 6-1)
WHEELING - Dave Bencko (Sr., C, 6-5)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Dave Gilbreth (Hersey)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Tim Monson (Buffalo Grove, Jr., 6-1, G)
NOTES
- Elk Grove two-time all-MSL and all-area pick Dave Otto won 10 games in 8 MLB seasons, including his last with the 1994 Cubs. Otto also led the 1982 Elk Grove baseball team to the Class AA state quarterfinals.
- John Kelley led Palatine and coach Ed Molitor to the first of consecutive Sweet 16 trips.
1981-82
ARLINGTON - *Chris Berg (Jr., G, 6-6), Don Frankel (Sr., F, 6-5), *Larry Tellschow (Sr., G, 6-0), *Ted Wolfe (Sr., C, 6-8)
BARRINGTON - *Jeff Condill (Sr., G, 6-3), Craig Cmiel (Sr., F, 6-4)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Tim Monson (Sr., G, 6-1), Jim Topole (Sr., C, 6-6)
ELK GROVE - *Dave Otto (Sr., C-F, 6-7), Tim Olrick (Sr., C, 6-4)
FOREST VIEW - Greg Schreiber (Jr., F-C, 6-3)
FREMD - *Greg Hamill (Sr., C, 6-5)
PALATINE - *Rick Brandt (Sr., F, 6-3), Todd Peterson (Sr,. C, 6-6)
PROSPECT - *Brett Muffie (Sr., F, 6-3), *Dave Fuerst (Sr., G, 6-1), Tim Phillip (Sr., F, 6-4), Gene Thiem (Sr., C, 6-5)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Dave Kane (Jr., G, 5-9)
WHEELING - Steve Steinberg (Sr., F, 6-2)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Dave Otto (Elk Grove). Also All-Area basketball captain and Athlete of the Year.
NOTES
- Arlington, with all-MSL picks Chris Berg, Don Frankel, Larry Tellschow and Ted Wolfe, joined Hersey as the second MSL team to make the state tournament in Champaign, where it lost to eventual AA champion East St. Louis Lincoln in the quarterfinals. George Zigman’s Cardinals joined Arlington and Prospect from 1974-75 with four all-MSL picks in the same season.
- Rick Brandt and Todd Peterson led Palatine to a repeat Sweet 16 trip.
1982-83
ARLINGTON - *Chris Berg (Sr., G, 6-6), *Rick Elkins (Sr., F, 6-2), *Todd Wolfe (Soph., G, 6-4)
BARRINGTON - Kevin Lorenz (Sr., F, 6-4)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Scott Carter (Sr., F,. 6-3), *Paul Petersen (Jr., G, 6-2)
ELK GROVE - Bill Elke (Sr., C, 6-6)
FOREST VIEW - *Ken Szady (Sr., G, 5-10), *Gregg Schreiber (Sr., C, 6-5)
FREMD - Doug Gavigan (Sr., G, 5-10), *B.J. Jenkins (Sr., F, 6-4), *Joe Youman (Sr., C, 6-4)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Gary Ostopchik (Sr., F, 6-2)
PALATINE - Ed Cheatham (Sr,. G, 6-2)
PROSPECT - *Erik Bulmahn (Sr., C, 6-6), Marty Doyle (Sr., G, 5-8), *Jeff Fuerst (Sr., F, 6-5)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Doug Kane (Sr., G, 5-10)
SCHAUMBURG - *John Stulas (Sr., G, 6-2)
WHEELING - Mike Germann (Sr., C, 6-4)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Chris Berg (Arlington)
NOTES
- Arlington returned to the Sweet 16 led by Chris Berg, one of the best and most exciting players in MSL history, Rick Elkins and Todd Wolfe. Berg went to Northwestern but a suffered a devastating knee injury his freshman year.
1983-84
ARLINGTON - *Todd Wolfe (Jr., G, 6-5), Walt Sierocki (Jr., F, 6-5)
BARRINGTON - Dave Trautwein (Sr., G, 6-5)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Brian Coderre (Sr., G, 6-3), *Paul Petersen (Sr., G, 6-3)
ELK GROVE - *Craig Kincaid (Sr., C, 6-5)
FOREST VIEW - *Joe Guin (Sr., G, 6-0), Jim Collins (Sr., G)
FREMD - Dave Eck (Sr., G, 5-9), Jim Kating (Sr., F, 6-4)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Gary Ostopchik (Sr., F, 6-2), Tom Labno (Sr., C-F, 6-3)
PALATINE - Rick Soja (Sr., F, 6-3)
PROSPECT - *Jeff Francis (Sr., F, 6-4), *Jeff Fuerst (Sr., C, 6-6), *Scott Moehling (Sr., F., 6-3), *John Simios (Sr., G, 6-2)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Dan Klug (Sr., C, 6-6)
WHEELING - *Ken Brons (Sr., C, 6-5), *Tom Roszak (Sr., F, 6-5)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Brian Coderre (Buffalo Grove)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Dan Klug (Rolling Meadows)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Brian Coderre (Buffalo Grove)
NOTES
- Todd Wolfe and Walt Sierocki were Arlington’s last all-MSL players before the school closed in June. Both players would go to Prospect for their senior years.
- Barrington’s Dave Trautwein pitched for 6 years in professional baseball. Older brother John (1979-80 all-MSL) pitched for the 1988 AL East champion Red Sox.
- This was the first year Division Players of the Year were listed with the all-conference selections.
- Buffalo Grove reached the Sweet 16 wtih Brian Coderre and Paul Petersen in Paul Grady’s final season as head coach.
- Prospect became the fourth team with four all-MSL picks. Jeff Francis would go on to play quarterback at Tennessee and for 1 game with the 1990 Cleveland Browns.
- Three-sport all-MSL picks Dave Eck and Jim Kating led Fremd to the AA baseball Elite Eight in the spring. Kating played five seasons in the minor leagues and won 300-plus games as South Elgin’s only baseball coach from 2007-25. His 2013 team took third in the state in 4A and his last team before retirement reached the supersectional.
1984-85
BARRINGTON - Don Ahmer (Sr., F, 6-3)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Ken Kozemzak (Sr., G, 6-2), Mike Lach (Sr., F, 6-5), *Brian Korbel (Jr., F, 6-3)
CONANT - Brian Sterrett (Sr., F, 6-4)
ELK GROVE - *Shawn Tuttle (Sr., F, 6-2)
FOREST VIEW - Tom Best (Sr., G, 6-0)
FREMD - *Jim Weil (Jr., F, 6-2)
HERSEY - *Brian Gregory (Sr., G, 5-10), *Rick Hall (Sr., F, 6-7)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *John Farrell (Sr., G, 6-0), Scott Garner (Sr., F, 6-3)
PALATINE - Tom Schager (Sr., G, 6-0)
PROSPECT - *Dan Raupp (Sr., C, 6-7), Bob Blackwood (Jr., F, 6-5), *Todd Wolfe (Sr., G, 6-5)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Tim Leslie (Sr., G, 6-0)
SCHAUMBURG - Brian O’Connell (Jr., F, 6-3), Mike Schubeck (Sr., G)
WHEELING - *Tom Stothoff (Jr., G, 6-3)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Brian Gregory (Hersey)
NOTES
- Hersey would reach the Elite Eight for the second time in school history behind Brian Gregory, who missed much of his junior year with a broken leg, and Rick Hall and new head coach George Zigman. Gregory played with Hall of Famer David “The Admiral” Robinson on Navy’s 1986 Elite Eight NCAA team before playing his final three seasons at Oakland (Mich.) University. Gregory had a long college coaching career and was named Phoenix Suns GM in 2025.
- Todd Wolfe went to Michigan State to play for Jud Heathcote and assistant coach Tom Izzo.
1985-86
BUFFALO GROVE - *Brian Korbel (Sr., F, 6-3)
CONANT - Kurt Stromberg (Sr., G, 6-4)
ELK GROVE - Cory Creager (Jr., G, 6-2)
FOREST VIEW - *Dave Brush (Sr., G-F, 6-0)
FREMD - *Jim Weil (Sr., F, 6-3), *Jason Joseph (Soph., G-F, 6-3), Jeff Mironcow (Jr., C, 6-8)
HERSEY - *Bill Markham (Jr., C, 6-10), *Jeff Peistrup (Sr., G, 6-1)
PALATINE - *Claude Royster (Sr., F, 6-4), Lou Schager (Sr., G, 6-0)
PROSPECT - *Bob Blackwood (Sr,. F, 6-5), *Jeff Moehling (Jr., F, 6-5), *Eric Rombach (Sr., C, 6-7)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Kevin Gallagher (Sr., C, 6-6), Barry O’Connor (Sr., F, 6-1)
SCHAUMBURG - *Brian O’Connell (Sr., G, 6-4), *Marcus Green (Sr., G, 6-2)
WHEELING - *Tom Stothoff (Sr., G-F, 6-4), Randy Peterson (Sr., C, 6-4)
MSL PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Bob Blackwood (Prospect)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Jim Weil (Fremd)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Bob Blackwood (Prospect)
NOTES
- Fremd made the first of five Class AA Sweet 16 trips under coach Mo Tharp with Jim Weil, Jeff Mironcow and Jason Joseph, who became the school’s career scoring leader and played at Loyola.
1986-87
BARRINGTON - Tony Mazur (Sr., 6-5), Mark McKenna (Sr., 6-1)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Mark Benson (Sr., F, 6-4), Kevin McDonald (Sr., 6-0)
ELK GROVE - *Cory Creager (Sr., G, 6-2)
FREMD - George Poorman (Jr., 6-2), *Jason Joseph (Jr., F-G, 6-4), *Jeff Mironcow (Sr., C, 6-8)
HERSEY - *Bill Markham (Sr., C, 6-11), Tom Kelly (Sr., F, 6-9)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Scott Bils (Sr., 6-5), Bob Coakley (Jr., G, 6-0)
PROSPECT - *Jeff Moehling (Sr., F, 6-5), Bruce Biedar (Sr., G, 6-1)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *John Wallace (Sr., G, 5-11), Keith Herrmann (Sr., G, 6-2)
SCHAUMBURG - *Mike Everitt (Sr., C, 6-4), Terry McGovern (Sr., 6-3), Kevin Romejko (Sr., F, 6-4)
WHEELING - Steve Jemilo (Sr., 6-6)
MSL PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Jeff Moehling (Prospect)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Bill Markham (Hersey
SOUTH PLAYERS OF THE YEAR - Mike Everitt (Schaumburg), Jeff Moehling (Prospect)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Kurt Granzetto (Barrington, 5-11, Sr., G)
NOTES
- Mark Benson quarterbacked the 1986 Buffalo Grove football team to a 6A state title and 14-0 record.
- Fremd three-sport standout George Poorman played football at Notre Dame.
1987-88
BARRINGTON - Jody Armetta (Sr., G)
BUFFALO GROVE - Dave Pike (Sr., C, 6-6), Al Shields
CONANT - *Mark Waters (Sr., G, 6-1), *Dave Cross (Sr., F, 6-6)
ELK GROVE - *Bill Kohnke (Sr., G, 6-1)
FREMD - *Jason Joseph (Sr., G-F, 6-4), *George Poorman (Sr., F, 6-2), *Todd Leslie (Jr., G, 6-4)
HERSEY - *Jim Wolek (Sr., F, 6-4)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Bob Coakley (Sr., G, 6-1), *Todd Maurer (Sr., F, 6-4), Kevin Wayer (Sr., G, 6-2)
PALATINE - *Bill Lange (Jr., C, 6-7), *Ed Molitor (Sr., G, 6-0)
PROSPECT - Mark Hoder (Sr., F, 6-3), Frank Humay (Sr., G, 6-0)
ROLLING MEADOWS - Zach Remis (Sr., G, 6-2)
SCHAUMBURG - *Kevin Hartsburg (Sr., G, 6-2), Scott Farnam (Sr., F, 6-2)
WHEELING - Darren Carpizo (Jr., F, 6-2)
MSL PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Jason Joseph (Fremd)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Jason Joseph (Fremd)
NOTES
- Fremd made its second trip to the AA Sweet 16 with Jason Joseph, George Poorman and Todd Leslie, who would go on to play at Northwestern.
- Schaumburg’s Scott Farnam was one of the more unique all-MSL picks as he didn’t make the team as a junior and played in a church league.
- Palatine’s Ed Molitor Sr. and Jr. became the first father/son, head coach/all-MSL player duo in boys basketball.
1988-89
BARRINGTON - Chris Schubbe (Sr., F, 6-3), Joe Sloan (Sr., G, 6-2)
BUFFALO GROVE - Mark Lestina (Sr., F, 6-5), *Doug Carr (Sr., C, 6-8)
ELK GROVE - *Kyle Ingibrigtsen (Sr., G-F, 6-5)
FREMD - *Todd Leslie (Sr., G, 6-5), John Tharp (Sr., F, 6-5), Darby Veeck (Sr., F, 6-5)
HERSEY - Steve Rodgers (Sr., G)
PALATINE - Bill Lange (Sr., C, 6-7), Ken Olsen (Sr., G)
PROSPECT - *Scott Quade (Sr., G, 6-0), Bill Brennan (Sr., G, 6-0)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Aaron Williams (Sr., C, 6-7), Brad Martin (Sr., F-G, 5-11), Ryan O’Connor (Sr., G, 5-11), *Mike Lipnisky (Jr., G, 6-2)
SCHAUMBURG - *Drake Carpenter (Sr., F, 6-3)
WHEELING - *Darren Carpizo (Sr., C, 6-2), Brett Pollard (Sr., G)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Todd Leslie (Fremd)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Scott Quade (Prospect)
NORTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Mo Tharp (Fremd)
SOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Hank Szymanski (Rolling Meadows)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Todd Leslie (Fremd)
HERALD ALL-AREA ONLY - Blair Ackman (Conant, 6-0, Sr., G)
NOTES
- Rolling Meadows became the fifth school to have four all-MSL picks. Late-bloomer Aaron Williams played at Xavier and averaged 6 ppg and 4 rpg in a 14-year NBA career with 10 teams. Williams helped the New Jersey Nets reach the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2004.
- Meadows’ Ryan O’Connor became the winningest coach in Buffalo Grove history (207 in 13 years from 2000-13). O’Connor won 5 MSL East and 3 regional titles.
- Fremd made its third Sweet 16 trip in four years as head coach Mo Tharp’s son John was all-MSL along with Todd Leslie and Darby Veeck.
1989-90
BARRINGTON - *Jason Armetta (Jr., G, 5-10), Jason Schumaker (Sr.)
BUFFALO GROVE - Brian Hansen (Sr., F, 6-5), Eric Millstone (Sr., G, 5-8), *Rob Paolillo (Sr., F, 6-2)
CONANT - Brian Calderaro (Sr., G), *Matt Maras (Sr., F, 6-6)
ELK GROVE - Scot Lundquist (Sr., F, 6-2), *Matt Roszak (Jr., F, 6-5)
FREMD - *Ken Fiedler (Sr., G-F, 6-2)
HERSEY - John Barnes (Jr., F, 6-2), Brad Krause (Sr.), *Dimitrious Kouzoukas (Jr., F, 6-3)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Lashon Ludington (Jr., F, 6-4)
PALATINE - Jason Francl (Sr., F, 6-3½)
PROSPECT - Greg Dye (Sr., G), *Jack Ecker (Jr., F, 6-6)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Brian McIntyre (Sr., G, 5-11), *Mike Lipnisky (Sr., G, 6-4), Steve Thompson (Sr., F, 6-1)
SCHAUMBURG - *Vinny Wroblewski (Sr., C, 6-5)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Ken Fiedler (Fremd)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Mike Lipnisky (Rolling Meadows)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Mike Lipnisky (Rolling Meadows)
NOTES
- Rolling Meadows and first-year head coach Dave Brown became the fourth MSL team to reach the state quarterfinals behind Mike Lipnisky, one of the most dynamic players in league history. Lipnisky scored 37 in a supersectional win over Hersey and retiring head coach George Zigman and 43 in a quarterfinal loss to Gordon Tech and future DePaul standout Tom Kleinschmidt. Lipnisky played on Northern Illinois’ 1991 NCAA tournament team. Teammates Brian McIntyre and Steve Thompson were also all-MSL.
- Conant also made the Sweet 16 for the third time behind all-MSL picks Brian Calderaro and Matt Maras for head coach Tom McCormack. It was part of a remarkable turnaround for a program that won 13 games in 7 seasons (1980-87) and went 2-48 in McCormack’s first two seasons.
- Hersey’s John Barnes, Brad Krause and Dimitrious Kouzoukas gave George Zigman a coaching farewell trip to the Sweet 16. Zigman would tragically pass away a little more than a year later after complications following heart surgery.
- Buffalo Grove’s Eric Millstone has been Palatine’s head coach since 2008-09. His 2024 team took fourth in state in Class 4A and repeated as MSL champions. The Pirates hadn’t won the MSL since 1993.
1990-91
BARRINGTON - *Jason Armetta (Sr., G, 6-0), Ben Boka (Sr., F, 6-4), Chris Egan (Sr., F, 6-3)
BUFFALO GROVE - Chris Bouchard (Sr., G, 5-9), Eric Carew (Sr., G, 6-1)
CONANT - *Vaurice Patterson (Sr., G, 6-1), *Brett Sharkey (Jr., G, 5-10)
ELK GROVE - Brian Dalbke (Sr., G, 6-1), *Matt Roszak (Sr., F, 6-5)
FREMD - Bill Tharp (Jr., G, 6-2)
HERSEY - *John Barnes (Sr., G, 6-2), *Dimitrious Kouzoukas (Sr., F, 6-3)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Lashon Ludington (Sr., F, 6-4)
PALATINE - *Ed Parsons (Sr., G, 6-3)
PROSPECT - Keith Dunn (Jr,. F, 6-5), *Jack Ecker (Sr., C, 6-7)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Pat Dudle (Sr., G, 5-10), Jason Lee (Sr., F, 6-4), *Zoran Nikolic (Sr., F, 6-4), Andy Thomas (Sr., F, 6-4)
SCHAUMBURG - *Eric Jelen (Sr., G, 6-1)
WHEELING - *Will Watson (Sr., G, 6-0)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Will Watson (Wheeling)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Vaurice Patterson (Conant)
RICK GABLENZ NORTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Paul Gillette (Barrington)
RICK GABLENZ SOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Dave Brown (Rolling Meadows)
NOTES
- The MSL Coach of the Year awards were named after former Hoffman Estates head coach and Fremd athletic director Rick Gablenz, who was tragically killed in a car accident where he was hit by a drunk driver. Gablenz was 93-93 at Hoffman from 1980-87 with the program’s first 2 regional titles and sectional final trips in 1984 and 1985.
- Prospect made its first Sweet 16 trip under coach Glen Elms behind the inside duo of Keith Dunn and Jack Ecker, the son of long-time Wheeling head coach Ted Ecker. Jack Ecker played at North Park and his 54 points vs. Carthage in 1994-95 is still the single-game school record.
- Conant’s Vaurice Patterson would be a successful two-sport athlete in football and basketball at Northern Illinois.
- Rolling Meadows became the sixth school with four all-MSL picks. Pat Dudle has coached the Buffalo Grove girls soccer program for 20-plus years with a fourth-place 3A state finish in 2013. Dudle was also the girls basketball head coach for 4 years after serving as an assistant to Tom Dineen.
- Barrington’s Ben Boka was taken in the 4th round of the 1991 MLB Draft by the Pirates and played 4 seasons in the minor leagues.
1991-92
BARRINGTON - *Marc Wilson (Sr., F, 6-3)
BUFFALO GROVE - Steve Jackson (Sr., C, 6-6½), Marc Thorstenson (Sr., G, 5-10)
CONANT - *Mike Brown (Sr., C, 6-7), George Credle (Sr., F, 6-1), *Brett Sharkey (Sr., G, 5-10)
ELK GROVE - *Fred Malinowski (Sr., G, 5-10)
FREMD - Mike Mangan (Jr., F, 6-4), *Bill Tharp (Sr., G, 6-3)
HERSEY - *Mike Brown (Sr., G, 5-11), *Dan Larson (Sr., C, 6-6), Jason Matthews (Sr., G, 6-2)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Todd Stennett (Sr., G, 6-0)
PALATINE - *Marc Boone (Jr., G, 5-10), Ed Lowitzki (Sr., G, 5-11)
PROSPECT - *Keith Dunn (Sr., F, 6-6), Chad Freeman (Sr., G, 5-10)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Tosc Askew (Sr., F, 6-4), Andy McIntyre (Sr.. G, 5-10)
SCHAUMBURG - Craig Resch (Sr., G, 6-1), *Greg Teele (Jr., G, 6-3)
WHEELING - Joe Litka (Sr., F, 6-3)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Dan Larson (Hersey)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Brett Sharkey (Conant)
RICK GABLENZ NORTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Don Rowley (Hersey)
RICK GABLENZ SOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Tom McCormack (Conant)
NOTES
- Fremd made its fourth Sweet 16 trip as coach Mo Tharp’s son Bill made all-MSL along with Mike Mangan.
- Chad Freeman started at guard for Prospect’s 1990-91 Sweet 16 team.
- The 1991-92 all-MSL and all-area team had the unusual name game of two Mike Browns from Conant and Hersey. Another Mike Brown would be a three-time all-MSL pick at Schaumburg (1995-97).
1992-93
BUFFALO GROVE - Brett Ratay (Sr., F, 6-1), Jason Strojinc (Soph., G, 6-1)
CONANT - *Corey Brown (Jr., G, 6-4), Mike Tierney (Jr., F, 6-4), *Matt Walsh (Sr., G, 6-0)
ELK GROVE - Tim Gera (Sr., C, 6-8)
FREMD - Keith Lozowski (Sr., C, 6-3), Mike Mangan (Sr., F, 6-4), Steve McGrath (Sr., F, 6-3)
HERSEY - Jake Olson (Jr., G, 6-1), *Cyrus Turner (Sr., F, 6-3)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Brian Wayer (Sr., F, 6-4)
PALATINE - *Marc Boone (Sr., G, 5-10), Carlos Gonzalez (Sr., F, 6-1), Tony Harvey (Sr., F, 6-3), Del Washington (Sr., G, 6-1)
PROSPECT - *Chris Smolak (Sr., F, 6-4)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Marty Maher (Sr., F, 6-2), Dan O’Connor (Sr., G, 6-0)
SCHAUMBURG - Jamie Schuster (Sr., G, 6-0), *Greg Teele (Sr., G, 6-4)
WHEELING - Mark Samuels (Jr., G, 5-11)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Marc Boone (Palatine)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Corey Brown (Conant)
NORTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Ed Molitor (Palatine)
SOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Tom McCormack (Conant)
NOTES
- Keith Lozowski, Mike Mangan and Steve McGrath led Fremd and coach Mo Tharp to the MSL’s big breakthrough as the first to claim a boys basketball state trophy with a fourth-place AA finish. The Vikings made an incredible 25-point second-half comeback to beat Naperville Central in the supersectional and Lozowski’s tip-in at the buzzer beat Bradley-Bourbonnais in the quarterfinals. They lost 60-58 to Rockford Guilford in the semis and 42-36 to Danville and future NBA player Keon Clark in the third-place game.
- The state trip was part of an amazing senior year for Lozowski. He was all-MSL and all-area for an unbeaten regular-season football team and he won the state shot put and discus titles in track and field. He played on Northwestern’s 1995 Rose Bowl team and went to training camp with the New York Jets.
- Palatine was the seventh team with four all-MSL picks as it won its first MSL title and first crown in any league since 1963.
- Conant’s Matt Walsh had a successful coaching career at Schaumburg and his alma mater. Walsh won three MSL West, three regional and two MSL titles in five years at Schaumburg.
1993-94
BARRINGTON - *Ryan Schumaker (Sr., F, 6-4)
BUFFALO GROVE - Jim Harker (Sr., C, 6-4), *Jason Strojinc (Jr., G, 6-3)
CONANT - *Corey Brown (Sr., G, 6-4), Ryan Johnson (Sr., F, 6-5), *Rick Kaye (Sr., F, 6-4)
ELK GROVE - *Tim Gera (Sr., C, 6-8), Jeff Jost (Sr., G, 5-11)
FREMD - *Chris Loughlin (Sr., G, 6-2), Matt Panzino (Sr., G, 5-9)
HERSEY - *Jake Olson (Sr., G, 6-2), *Thomas Rodgers (Sr., F, 6-3), Mark Schuler (Sr., F, 6-3)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Rich Brumbaugh (Sr., G, 6-1), Jayson Kohn (Sr., F, 6-5), *Steve Raethz (Sr., G, 5-11)
PALATINE - Matt Marzec (Jr., G, 6-0)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Glenn Olson (Sr., G, 6-0), Rich Wheeler (Sr., F, 6-3)
SCHAUMBURG - *Jack Michaels (Jr., C, 6-6), Tim Thorsen (Jr., F, 6-8)
WHEELING - *Mark Samuels (Sr., G, 6-0)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Jake Olson (Hersey)
SOUTH PLAYERS OF THE YEAR - Corey Brown (Conant), Rick Kaye (Conant)
NORTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Don Rowley (Hersey)
SOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Tom McCormack (Conant)
NOTES
- The dynamic Divison I duo of Rick Kaye (Eastern Illinois) and Corey Brown (New Orleans) led a Conant team that was arguably the most exciting in MSL history to the AA Elite Eight, where it lost in the quarterfinals to Lyons Township. Kaye was named to the Ohio Valley Conference 75th anniversary basketball team and played professionally overseas. Ryan Johnson and 1993 all-MSL pick Mike Tierney were also starters.
- Fremd’s Chris Loughlin and Matt Panzino were instrumental in the 1993 fourth-place finish. Loughlin’s 3-point shooting sparked the huge supersectional comeback over Naperville Central and Panzino was the starting point guard.
- Hoffman Estates’ Steve Raethz built the Huntley girls program into a powerhouse after winning 2 games in his first year in 1999-2000. Raethz has won 500-plus games in an IBCA Hall of Fame career with a fourth-place 4A finish in 2013, a 2025 team that was unbeaten until losing in the supersectional and 12 regional and 4 sectional titles.
- Rolling Meadows’ Glenn Olson was also an all-MSL second baseman for the 1994 league champs that reached the sectional finals. Olson went on to a successful career as a boys coach for two years at Maine East and at Niles North since 2009. He is closing in on 400 wins and has won 6 regional titles and a sectional at Niles North.
- Palatine’s Matt Marzec starred in baseball at Eastern Illinois and is in the school’s Hall of Fame.
1994-95
BARRINGTON - Amir Smajic (Sr., G, 6-1)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Jason Strojinc (Sr., G, 6-3), Brad Verber (Sr., G, 6-2)
CONANT - Jeff Bergmann (Jr., G, 6-3), *Dave DuBois (Sr., 6-3, G), Bill Krutsch (Sr., F, 6-2)
ELK GROVE - *Tony Alvarado (Jr., G, 5-7)
FREMD - John Benedetti (Jr., G, 6-0), *Paul Tharp (Jr., G, 6-3)
HERSEY - *Brad Bowsher (Sr., G, 6-2), Michael White (Jr., F, 6-2), *Paul Wolf (Sr., G, 6-2)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Nick Abruzzo (Jr., C, 6-7), *Mark Ganek (Jr., F, 6-4), Marty Manning (Jr., G, 5-8)
PALATINE - Matt Marzec (Sr., G., 6-0)
PROSPECT - *Kevin Kolman (Jr., F, 6-5)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Quinn Chism (Jr., G, 6-1)
SCHAUMBURG - Anthony Bagnole (Sr., G, 6-2), *Mike Brown (Soph., G, 6-1), *Jack Michaels (Sr., C, 6-6)
WHEELING - *Jesse Pinkston (Sr., F, 6-3)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Paul Wolf (Hersey)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Jack Michaels (Schaumburg)
NORTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Pat Doyle (Wheeling)
SOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Bob Williams (Schaumburg)
NOTES
- Brad Bowsher, Michael White and Paul Wolf led Hersey and coach Don Rowley to its third state tournament trip, where it lost in the quarterfinals to Peoria Manual, which was on the way to the second of its historic four-peat of titles. It was also the last tournament in Champaign until 2021 as it moved to Peoria from 1996-2020.
- Conant’s Jeff Bergmann was a state medalist long jumper who played at Davidson.
- Fremd’s John Benedetti was a 10th-round MLB draft pick of Tampa Bay in 2000 out of Augustana and he pitched professionally for 5 years.
- Fremd’s Paul Tharp played at North Carolina-Wilmington and was the third son of head coach Mo Tharp to make all-MSL.
- Schaumburg three-time all-MSL pick Mike Brown played at Northern Illinois. The long-time assistant coach took over the Fremd program in 2024-25 and won MSL West and regional titles.
1995-96
BARRINGTON - Pat Mohr (Jr., G, 6-3)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Jason Siok (Sr., G, 6-1)
CONANT - *Jeff Bergmann (Sr., G, 6-3), Todd Bergmann (Jr., F, 6-7)
ELK GROVE - David Stopka (Sr., F-C, 6-3)
FREMD - John Benedetti (Sr., G, 6-0), *Paul Tharp (Sr., G, 6-4)
HERSEY - Chris Nowinski (Sr., C, 6-5), *Michael White (Sr., G-F, 6-2)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Nick Abruzzo (Sr., C, 6-7), *Mark Ganek (Sr., F, 6-4), *Marty Manning (Sr., G, 5-9)
PALATINE - Steve Cromar (Sr., F, 6-4), *Jared Sherman (Sr., G, 6-0), *Keith Peterson (Jr., F, 6-3)
PROSPECT - Mike Adams (Sr., G, 5-11), *Kevin Kolman (Sr., F, 6-4)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Justin Griffiths (Sr., F, 6-4)
SCHAUMBURG - Mike Brown (Jr., G, 6-1), *Jeff Reichardt (Sr., G, 6-2)
WHEELING - *Jason Ball (Sr., G, 6-3), *Paul Wallace (Sr., F, 6-2)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Paul Tharp (Fremd)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Mark Ganek (Hoffman Estates)
NORTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Ed Molitor (Palatine)
SOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Bill Wandro (Hoffman Estates)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Mark Ganek (Hoffman Estates)
NOTES
- The trio of Nick Abruzzo, Mark Ganek and Marty Manning led Hoffman Estates to the first AA state tourney in Peoria, where it lost by 1 point in the quarterfinals to Westinghouse. Abruzzo played football at Indiana, Ganek was a state discus medalist and Manning had a successful coaching career with the Huntley boys program before taking over as Schaumburg’s athletic director.
- Hersey’s Chris Nowinski was also an all-MSL football pick who played football at Harvard and became a professional wrestler. A series of head injuries led him to become a prominent international advocate for head-injury awareness as the co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation.
- Palatine’s Keith Peterson was the boys head basketball coach at Buffalo Grove from 2013-22 and his 2020 team won the MSL East.
1996-97
BARRINGTON - *Pat Mohr (Sr., G, 6-2), Mark Stahl (Sr., F, 6-4)
BUFFALO GROVE - *Jason Wiertel (Jr., F, 6-5)
CONANT - Todd Bergmann (Sr., F, 6-7), *Mike Roberts (Sr., G, 6-1)
ELK GROVE - *Scott Madden (Sr., G, 5-10)
FREMD - Andre Duncan (Jr., G, 6-0), *Eddie Hebert (Jr., G, 6-3), Jeff Heinzl (Sr., C, 6-5), *Nick Panzino (Sr., G, 6-0)
HERSEY - *Steve Koliopoulos (Sr., G, 6-0)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - Kevin Reeves (Sr., F, 6-1)
PALATINE - Andy Bohn (Jr., F, 6-5), *Keith Peterson (Sr., F, 6-3)
PROSPECT - Aaron Adams (Jr., F, 6-4), *Erik Faust (Sr., C, 6-6), *Mike Reuter (Sr., G, 6-2), Matt Walpole (Jr., G)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Rob Garnes (So., F, 6-3)
SCHAUMBURG - *Mike Brown (Sr., G, 6-1), Jason Edwards (Jr., F, 6-2)
WHEELING - Jaime Velasquez (Sr., G, 6-1)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Nick Panzino (Fremd)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Mike Brown (Schaumburg)
NORTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Mo Tharp (Fremd)
SOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Glen Elms (Prospect)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Mike Brown (Schaumburg)
NOTES
- Todd Bergmann and Mike Roberts led Conant, which finished last in the MSL West, to become the lowest-seeded team to win a AA sectional title. Tom McCormack’s Cougars lost to West Aurora in the supersectional.
- Erik Faust became the third player from Prospect to play for an NCAA Final Four team with 2000 Wisconsin. The others were George Pomey (1964 and 1965 Michigan) and Tom Bergen (1976 Michigan).
- Two-time all-MSL pick Jason Wiertel of Buffalo Grove, three-time pick Rob Garnes of Rolling Meadows and 1999 all-MSL pick Antoine McDaniel of Schaumburg would lead Carthage College to a third-place NCAA Division III finish in 2002.
- Kevin Reeves, one of the top reserves on Hoffman Estates’ 1996 Elite Eight team, was a relay medalist as the boys track team finished second in the state in Class AA. It is the MSL’s only boys team to win a top-three state track trophy.
- Fremd and Prospect made it nine teams with four all-MSL picks.
1997-98
BARRINGTON - Todd Moser (Jr., G, 5-11)
BUFFALO GROVE - Jeff Siok (Sr., F, 6-3), Dan Tiltges (Sr., G, 6-1), *Jason Wiertel (Sr., F, 6-6)
CONANT - *Pat McCormack (Sr., G, 5-11), Russ Michna (Jr., F, 6-3)
ELK GROVE - Mark Hedman (Sr., G, 5-11), *Jason Rojek (Sr., G, 6-1)
FREMD - *Andre Duncan (Sr., G, 5-11), *Eddie Hebert (Sr., F, 6-4), Roy Pederson (Sr., G, 6-3)
HERSEY - *Mike Kulbeda (Sr., F, 6-5)
HOFFMAN ESTATES - *Chris Sigl (Sr., F, 6-5)
PALATINE - *Andy Bohn (Sr., F, 6-5), Dan Gavin (Sr., F, 6-5)
PROSPECT - *Aaron Adams (Sr., C, 6-4), Matt Walpole (Sr., G, 6-0)
ROLLING MEADOWS - *Rob Garnes (Jr., F, 6-4), Glenn Paddack (Sr., G, 5-11)
SCHAUMBURG - *Jason Edwards (Sr., F, 6-4), Isaac Holloway (Sr., G, 6-1)
WHEELING - *J.P. Calandra (Jr., F, 6-3)
NORTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Eddie Hebert (Fremd)
SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Rob Garnes (Rolling Meadows)
NORTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Mo Tharp (Fremd)
SOUTH COACH OF THE YEAR - Dave Brown (Rolling Meadows)
DAILY HERALD ALL-AREA CAPTAIN - Eddie Hebert (Fremd)
NOTES
- Conant’s Pat McCormack, the son of head coach Tom, and Russ Michna were starters for the 1997 sectional champions. Michna was a three-sport standout who was a star quarterback at Western Illinois, went to NFL training camps, played in the CFL and was an Arena League standout.
- Matt Walpole was the boys basketball head coach for 3 years at Metea Valley (2016-19).
1998-99
