Boys Basketball All Area Team:
Andrew Casey, Vandalia – The junior guard was again a key piece in the scoring attack of the Vandals and despite missing time with an ankle injury this season, Casey held his true sharp shooting form and averaged 12.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Casey also averaged 3.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Casey was named the Vandalia Holiday Tournament’s All Tournament Team and was also named Second Team All Conference for the South Central Conference.
Cooper McManaway, Altamont – The sophomore guard picked up where he left off from a breakout freshman season and for the second season in a row averaged double digit scoring to start his high school career. McManaway averaged 13.3 points per game as well as 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1 steal per game. McManaway was named to the National Trail Conference All-Tournament Team and was named Second Team All Conference for the NTC during postseason awards.
Westin Neilson, South Central – In a rebuilding season under a new coaching system, the Cougars junior guard and already established offensive threat quickly became the team’s scoring leader and went on to average 18.5 points per game that was anchored by Neilson’s 101 3-ponters made on the season. He also averaged 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on the season. Neilson crossed the 1,000 career point mark on January 13 with a left wing three against Windsor/Stew-Stras. He was named to the Mulberry Grove Thanksgiving Tournament, Dieterich Holiday Tournament and the National Trail Conference Tournament All-Tournament teams and was named Second Team All Conference for this season.
Graidon Wilhour, SEB – A junior guard, Wilhour was a mainstay atop the scoring list for the Eagles, leading the team with 14.2 points per game in his third season. He also averaged 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Wilhour was named MVP for the Egyptian Illini Conference as was named Honorable Mention for the National Trail Conference’s season end All-Conference Team.
Lucas Bowers, Vandalia – The junior forward really broke out in his third year, stepping up unto the starting lineup and quickly becoming known for his ability to get a little space in the paint and slam home a dunk. Bowers finished the season averaging 11 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He was named to the Vandalia Holiday Tournament’s All Tournament Team and was named Second Team All Conference for the South Central Conference.
Conner Hartmann, Mulberry Grove – The senior shooting guard was looked upon to be a big leader in his final season, especially in the scoring column and did so leading the team in scoring with 18 points per game and finishing the season with 469 points, more than doubling his best season point total from his junior year of 221 points. Hartmann also averaged 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 assists per game. He was named Second Team All Conference for the Egyptian Illini Conference.
Hagan Henrichsmeyer, Mulberry Grove – Often looked upon for his defensive skills in his first three years, Henrichsmeyer became a dual threat in his senior year with a career high season scoring 394 points, averaging 15.2 points per game as well as averaging 2.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 steals per game. Henrichsmeyer was named to the Mulberry Grove Thanksgiving and St. Elmo Holiday Tournament’s All Tournament teams and was named Second Team All Conference for the Egyptian Illini Conference.
Griffin Vaughn, CHBC – A junior point guard and shooting guard, Vaughn led the Bobcats in several major categories as he averaged 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Vaughn was named to the St. Elmo Holiday and Dieterich Holiday Tournament All Tournament teams and was named First Team All Conference for the Egyptian Illini Conference.
Remington Howell, CHBC – The Bobcats shooting guard and small forward took a big jump in his junior season with a four point increase in average scoring per game as he finished the season averaging 11.1 points per game this season as well as 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.1 assists per game. Howell was named Second Team All Conference for the Egyptian Illini Conference.
Aaron Trexler, Ramsey – On a Rams team looking to find its identity for the season, the junior shooting guard averaged double digit scoring for the second season in a row, averaging 14.2 points per game and also averaged 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Trexler was named Second Team All Conference for the Egyptian Illini Conference.
Benji Lowe, SEB – The junior small forward and shooting guard continued to build on a breakout sophomore season in 2025-2026 and was second on the Eagles in scoring with 9.9 points per game, led the team in rebounds with 168, averaging 4.3 per game, and also averaged 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Lowe was named to the Mulberry Grove Thanksgiving Tournament All Tournament Team and was named First Team All Conference for the Egyptian Illini Conference.
Zaine Miller, Altamont – Miller was a strong and quiet leader for the Indians often quietly racking up double digit scoring before opposing defenses realized it averaging 9.5 points per game while also being second on the team in rebounds with 160, an average of 4.6 per game, along with picking up an average of 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Miller was a key part of the Indians defense able to guard in the paint while also being able to quickly step out and close off offensive threats on the perimeter creating turnovers.
I70Sports Best of 2025-2026 is brought to you by FNB Community Bank of Vandalia, Ramsey, Mulberry Grove, Patoka and Greenville
Comments