With the conclusion of the 2015-16 IHSA boys basketball season, it's time to hand out the third annual @CSNPreps All-Area Team.
This year's 15-man, three-team group is led by Player of the Year Charlie Moore, as the Morgan Park senior point guard was the easy choice after his outstanding season. Moore is joined on the first team by four other seniors, including three players who recently went to Peoria for the Class 3A and Class 4A state tournament.
The other two teams of players in the All-Area team were much tougher to decide, as the list of viable candidates was longer than ever this season. Selections for the @CSNPreps All-Area team are based both on regular season and postseason accomplishments, since many players are remembered by what they did in the playoffs.
THIRD TEAM
Antonio Williams, Proviso East senior guard: After missing the first part of the season while dealing with eligibility issues, the 6-foot-0 Williams burst into the season with a strong performance at Proviso West. Williams ended up as an All-Conference selection in the West Suburban as he put up 24 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals per game.
Sam Taylor III, Thornton senior guard: The most surprising inclusion on this year's All-Area team, the 5-foot-11 Taylor was a first-year starter with minimal fanfare entering the season. Taylor emerged into a force for one of the area's best teams, averaging 19 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Nojel Eastern, Evanston junior guard: One of the area's best juniors, Eastern returned from an offseason ankle injury to average 14.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. The 6-foot-5 Eastern can play both guard spots and has multiple Division I high-major scholarship offers.
[MORE PREPS: CSN Preps Basketball Final Power Rankings]
Micah Bradford, Bradley-Bourbonnais senior guard: A Valparaiso commit, the 6-foot-0 guard averaged 19.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3 steals per game. Bradley-Bourbonnais' all-time leading scorer, Bradford was a two-time SouthWest Suburban All-Conference selection.
Justin Smith, Stevenson junior forward: Taking over for Jalen Brunson and Connor Cashaw as the go-to guy at Stevenson wasn't easy, but the high-flying 6-foot-6 junior made a smooth transition into the spotlight. Smith came on strong at the end of the season as he averaged 17 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 52.2 percent shooting.
SECOND TEAM
Barret Benson, Hinsdale South senior center: A 6-foot-10 center heading to Northwestern, Benson has been one of the area's best post players the last three seasons. Benson averaged 20.1 points, 11 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 59 percent from the floor. Hinsdale South's career leader in scoring, rebounding and blocks, Benson was an All-Tournament selection at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic.
Lorenzo Edwards, Lake Forest senior forward: After playing in the shadow of former CSN All-Area selection Evan Boudreaux, the 6-foot-7 Edwards had a monster senior season. The unsigned forward put up 19.1 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks per game while shooting 56 percent from the field. In Lake Forest's 26 games this season, Edwards had double-doubles in 20 of them.
Justin Pierce, Glenbard West senior forward: Pierce was one of the area's breakout stars as a senior as he averaged 24.7 points, 11 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game on 50 percent shooting. The 6-foot-6 William & Mary commit helped Glenbard West win their first conference title in 43 years as he became Glenbard West's all-time leading scorer.
James Jones, Bogan senior guard: One of the area's most electric players, the 6-foot-3 Jones is headed to Buffalo next season. As a senior, Jones averaged 19.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as he's been one of the city's best players the last two seasons. Jones helped Bogan capture the Public League Playoffs as a junior when he teamed with former CSN All-Area selection Luwane Pipkins.
Nick Robinson, Kenwood senior forward: Over the past few years the 6-foot-6 Robinson has helped put Kenwood on the city basketball map as he averaged 17 points, 9.3 rebounds and three assists as a senior. One of the area's best unsigned seniors, Robinson was previously committed to Indiana State and will be a big target for colleges this spring.
FIRST TEAM
Player of the Year: Charlie Moore, Morgan Park senior guard: The Memphis commit averaged 28 points, seven assists and five steals per game for one of the area's best teams. A four-year varsity player, the 5-foot-11 Moore reached Peoria three times and won two state titles during his career. Moore earned the MVP of the Proviso West Holiday Tournament this season and was the area's toughest player to stop. Two-time CSN All-Area selection after making the second team last season.
Mike Smith, Fenwick senior guard: A recent commit for Columbia, the 5-foot-9 Smith was sensational in his senior season for the Friars, averaging 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals per game while shooting 43 percent from 3-point range. The Chicago Catholic League Player of the Year, Smith was an All-Tournament selection at Proviso West. Smith was at his best against the area's best as he had 38 in a win over Simeon as his signature performance.
Devin Gage, Curie senior guard: A strong postseason and Class 4A state title catapulted the DePaul commit onto the first team as the 6-foot-2 Gage averaged 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals per game for the Condors. Also the A.C. Williamson Award winner at Pontiac, Gage was one the area's most clutch players this season, making multiple game-winning shots.
Zach Norvell, Simeon senior guard: Headed to Gonzaga next season, the 6-foot-5 Norvell was one of the toughest covers in the area as he put up 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game. Norvell helped Simeon make it down to Peoria this March and he was an All-Tournament selection at Pontiac in December. Also won the Public League Playoffs as a senior and a Class 4A state title as a freshman.
Nick Rakocevic, St. Joseph senior center: The only senior on St. Joseph this season, Rakocevic and the Chargers returned to Peoria this season after last season's Class 3A state title. Uncommitted for next season, the 6-foot-11 Rakocevic averaged 19.8 points, 15.1 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game this season. Rakocevic is now a two-time CSN All-Area selection after making the third team last season.