HighSchoolElite.com's 2003 first-team Class AA
all-state squad.
High School Elite
2003 Class AA All-State
He can't play
any defense. He isn't fundamentally sound. He's a ball-hog.
When you are playing on another
level from all of your competition, it is not uncommon to have people want to take you
down from your pedestal. For Proviso East guard Shannon Brown, he's seen, and heard, it
all.
With a 40-plus inch vertical, he's
an obvious athlete. But that's all he is, right? He scored 38 points in an overtime loss
to West Aurora in the most-hyped game of the year. But what can he do on defense? Scoring
all of those points, he probably doesn't pass the ball.
"There are some good players
in the state, but Shannon’s definitely the best," Proviso East coach Troy
Jackson said. "He’s a class individual, a great offensive player and he’s
going to be a great addition to Michigan State. I’ll be watching him on TV and
probably in a couple years I’ll see him in the NBA."
Averaging 28 points a game, the
only Illinois representative in the McDonald's All-American game, Brown also added seven
rebounds and four assists for a 25-4 sectional qualifying team.
Would a guy that's 'only an
athlete,' be able to shoot 39 percent from the three-point line? Would a guy that is only
a scorer average three steals a game? And if Shannon Brown never passes the ball, his
touches must be very minimal as he shot 53 percent from the field.
"He was all everything,
especially towards the end of the season," Jackson added. "We lost a couple of
quality guys off the bench from injuries and we weren’t getting enough production out
of our big people. So, from that standpoint, Shannon kind of made up for that and got his
points, then got another four or five points too. He just led us."
That's why Brown is the 2003
HighSchoolElite.com Player of the Year.
Headed to Michigan State next year,
a prosperous career in the Big Ten is undeniably foreseen.
And beyond that, well, we all can
flip on the tube along with Coach Jackson.
1st Team-
Brian Randle 6'8" Senior Peoria Notre Dame
Averaged 23 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks and three assists as the top player in the
Peoria Journal Star Area. This year, he had a triple-double -- by half-time. A power
forward, he is committed to Illinois. "Every time he’s out on the court,
he’s able to take control of a game," Peoria Notre Dame coach Eddie Mathews
said. "There’s no question that if you didn’t know who Brian Randle was
after looking out there after one play you'd certainly know. A 4.0 student and going to
Illinois for academics and basketball, that what separates him from the pack. If you ask
anybody at Notre Dame, they’ll say he’s one of the most well-respected,
well-mannered, hardworking you men in the school. If you want to be impressed with Brian
Randle go and watch him play, but if you really want to be impressed, go and have a
conversation with him. He’s a class act."
Richard McBride 6'3" Senior Springfield Lanphier
Coming off a second place finish at the Class AA State Tournament, the Lions came back
with little beside McBride. A four-year starter, McBride averaged 24 points, eight
rebounds and five assists. A strongly built shooting guard, he is committed to Illinois.
"He has a tremendous ability to create shots," Springfield Lanphier coach Craig
Patton said. "He’s really stepped up his defense this year. He’s become a
leader for us vocally and he’s carrying us right now. He’s a tremendous ball
player and he’s going to be a tremendous college player, too."
Dameon Mason 6'5" Senior West Aurora
Moved from Kansas City, MO after his freshman year to attend Waubonsie Valley. After a
year there, he transferred to West Aurora. Averaged 21 points on 60 percent field goal
shooting along with a career-high 41 points in an overtime win against cross-town rival
East Aurora. As a wing player, he will play at Marquette next season. Improved his outside
shooting to the tune of 40 percent from the three-point line. Had a coming out game
against Proviso East at Northwestern where he led his team to an overtime victory while
torching the nets for 34 points.
Shaun Livingston 6'6" Junior Peoria Central
Played his first two years at Peoria Richwoods while cursed with injuries and was never
able to get going. Transferred to Peoria Central for this season and helped the Lions to a
state title as its most gifted player. Averaged 15 points and eight rebounds for a 31-1
team. Suffered only an early season loss to Limestone, but from then on were on a rampage
to get to the state championship. "He’s got a great feel for the game,"
Peoria Central coach Chuck Buescher said. "A point guard but can also play the wing.
He can impact the game in every area. There isn’t anything in the game that he really
can’t do."
Shannon Brown 6'3" Senior Proviso East
Had 23 points in the McDonald's All-American Game. Will head to Michigan State next year
where he will do battle with former Proviso East teammate and future Big Ten rival,
University of Illinois' Dee Brown. "Shannon’s Shannon; if you put him on the
floor, he’s going to get his points," Jackson said. Will also play in the Jordan
Capitol Classic on April 17 in Washington, DC. Averaged 28 points, seven rebounds, four
assists and three assists for a 25-4 team that made it to the sectional semifinals.
2nd Team-
Jimmie Miles 6'3" Senior Rich Central
The term "all-around" may be an understatement for Miles, who led his team in
every statistical category possible except for blocked shots. Committed to Valparaiso.
"I haven’t seen a better point guard this year in high school basketball than
Jimmie," Rich Central coach Glen Hefferman said. "There might people that score
more than him, but not a better point guard where he can go out and score points, get
assists, rebound and play defense. His attitude and his work ethic; you take a guy who is
extremely talented, then he comes to practice and works his [butt] off every day.
It’s a hard combination to beat. He wins all the sprints, he works hard in the
shooting drills and everything he does." Transferred to the Olympians after his first
three years at Homewood Christian. Finished the year with one quadruple double and three
triple doubles. Averaged 23 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals for a
20-9 team. Shot 92 percent from the free-throw line, 51-percent from the floor and 44
percent from the three-point line.
Shelby Jordan 6'3" Senior Hillcrest
The leader of a young and inexperienced team, he averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds and
five assists for a 27-2 team. Wasn't healthy down the stretch of the season. Started as a
freshman at Hillcrest, then moved to Nebraska for a year only to return. A versatile
swingman capable of playing all the positions on the floor, he is uncommitted.
"Shelby is an all-stater, he gives us leadership and he does it in all different
ways, not just scoring," Hillcret coach Tom Cappel said.
DeAaron Williams 6'5" Junior Bartonsville
Limestone
The leader of the only team to top the state-champion Peoria Central Lions. Averaged 22
points and nine rebounds for a 27-2 team. One of the finest athletes the state has.
"There’s about three things that would qualify DeAaron," Limestone coach
Dave Mott said. "One: As we’ve found out with him, the bigger the game the
bigger he plays. Two: He makes his teammates around him better because he’s
unselfish. Three: Going hand in hand, he’s a competitor. Then, you add to it all the
obvious talents."
Jamarcus Ellis 6'5" Junior Westinghouse
When he gets on a roll, there are few people who are going to stop him on the offensive
or defensive end. Was left somewhat alone as the only returning starter and after losing
his head coach, Chris Head, who took the Proviso West job. He still managed to average 21
points, 13 rebounds and six assists for the returning state champions.
Anthony Harris 6'3" Senior Whitney Young
In an injury plagued season for both himself and his team, he still helped them to a
27-2 record. Averaged 21 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. A scoring-point
guard, he is uncommitted. "I think Anthony is one of the best in the state primarily
because he comes to work everyday, whether it be practice or a game," Whitney Young
coach Ron Branch said. "He’s a good student of the game. When he comes to the
floor, he can do much more than what we see because he holds back a little for the team.
He does everything; he plays defense well, offensively he has one of the purist shots that
we know, he can finish and is strong. I don’t think anyone can defend him one-on-one
in the state; I haven’t seen anyone. He’s got the full package. I call him The
Real Deal."
3rd Team-
Colin Falls 6'3" Senior Loyola Academy
A sharp-shooting two guard, Falls averaged 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Committed to Notre Dame. One of the state's premier scorers, he raised his points per game
from 21 as a junior. As a four-year starter, he finished up his stay as a Rambler with
2,045 career points. The Catholic League's top player, he set a single-game school mark of
51 points against Prospect.
Jerrah Young 6'7" Senior St. Rita
On a team with three Division I players, he distinguished himself as the team's
go-to-guy this year. A long and lanky player, he plays a very aggressive brand of ball,
which, combined with his athleticism makes him an imposing figure on both sides of the
ball. The No. 2 player in the Catholic League, this power forward averaged 18 points, 15
rebounds and five blocked shots. One of the state's premier defenders, he is committed to
West Virginia.
Florentino Valencia 6'5" Senior Crane
Called the heart and soul of his team by his coach Anthony Longstreet, he is committed
to Toledo. Averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds for a 26-1 team that won the City
Championship, but was upset in the regionals by St. Ignatius. "Tino is the guy that
does the grunt work and he doesn’t have any problem with that," Longstreet said.
Ben Rand 6'5" Senior Rochelle
Averaged 22 points and nine rebounds for a team that returned only two starters from a
sectional qualifying squad a year ago. A strongly built shooting guard with good
versatility, he is committed to Iowa. "He’s the best I’ve ever coached,
there’s no doubt about that," Rochelle coach Russ Zick said. "He got a lot
of box-in-ones and sometimes they go triangle-and-two and put two on Ben. He rebounds,
loves to pass and he’s a great scorer."
Dan Ruffin 5'8" Senior Peoria Central
Averaged 13 points and five assists as a veteran of the team. Called the leader of the
team by Peoria Central coach Chuck Buescher. One of many point guards on the Class AA
State Champions, he is committed to Bradley. "I think personally, was the best senior
point guard in Illinois," Buescher said. "He’s quick and he makes plays
that win games."
