ROCHELLE — Only two players received unanimous First-Team All-Conference approval from the Northern Illinois Big 12 West this season, and Rochelle varsity basketball player Johnny Beck earned one of those honors after leading the Hubs in scoring, rebounding and blocking this winter.

The 6-foot-8-inch forward scored 18.0 points per game while grabbing 7.8 rebounds per game and blocking 2.4 shots per game. Beck’s season-high 40 points propelled Rochelle to an 86-73 win over Kaneland earlier this season, and the junior forward said he was excited to hear the All-Conference news after completing his second varsity basketball season.

“It’s an honor knowing that my hard work paid off,” Beck said. “I just need to work harder and try to do even better next year.”

Rochelle senior guard Angel Aguirre also received First-Team All-Conference recognition for his performance this season. Aguirre averaged 11.2 points per game while shooting 36.7 percent from 3-point range, and he led the Hubs in assists per game with 4.3. Both Beck and Aguirre are first-time All-Conference players.

“It feels great,” Aguirre said. “Especially knowing that other players in the past like Caleb [Gould] who had done great things for our team had earned those honors. I didn’t score much last year but I needed to come in this year and be more of a scorer and do more things to help my team win.”

Aguirre is one of six seniors who will graduate from the Rochelle varsity basketball program this school year. The 6-foot guard will depart Rochelle Township High School with just over three years of varsity basketball experience, and his presence at the point guard position will be missed as the Hubs prepare to retool their roster for next season.

“I wasn’t very confident in my shot last year and I played somewhat scared sometimes,” Aguirre said. “This year I was much more confident and I thought I could do anything on the court whenever I wanted. I’m going to miss my teammates and my coaches for sure. I appreciated coach [Tim] Thompson and everything he did for me.”

Beck will return next season to take on what will likely be a larger role than he played for the Hubs this winter. But after establishing himself as one of the Northern Illinois Big 12’s top talents this season, the left-handed forward said he’s looking to improve his physical game for the next school year.

“I want to get stronger and get more rebounds,” Beck said. “I want to play better defense next year and just become a better all-around player.”