Boys basketball: Week 9 MVP

Larkin freshman Christian Negron has earned Daily Herald MVP honors for his recent basketball performances.

Christian Negron, Larkin: This 6-foot-5 freshman forward helped Larkin repeat as Upstate Eight River champs by notching consecutive double-doubles in road wins at St. Charles East and St. Charles North. Negron scored 10 points and led all rebounders with 14 in a 64-55 win over the second-place Saints. Two days later he scored 13 points and snared 10 rebounds in a title-clinching 62-55 win against the North Stars, capped by his tip-in dunk in the final minutes.

Mark Konkle, Metea Valley: Out injured much of his sophomore year, the 6-foot-5 junior center had his best weekend on the varsity. He scored 22 points with 8 rebounds in a 66-63 win over East Aurora and added 15 points, 5 rebounds in a 70-69 win over West Chicago. Overall, Konkle made 15 of 19 field-goal attempts.

Ryan Noda, Grant: No doubt, Noda has been noticeable. After his team-high 22 points nearly helped the Bulldogs upset North Chicago, the senior guard was wheeling and dealing again against Wauconda. His 19-point effort included a steal and dunk and double-spin move that resulted in another basket, as Grant won 59-48.

John Pruett, Kaneland: The 6-foot-3 senior swingman led the Knights to a 65-55 victory over St. Edward, in the gym where Kaneland coach Brian Johnson played in high school. Pruett scored a career-high 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds, 5 of them offensive boards. Pruett added 2 blocked shots.

Charlie Quilico, Schaumburg: Schaumburg got back to playing its familiar winning brand of basketball in an MSL West contest against Barrington, and the junior guard had a lot to do with the turnaround. Quilico scored 20 points, with 8-for-12 from the field including 4-for-6 from 3-point range as the Saxons answered a late challenge and won 47-42.