Repeating as Tri-County male Athlete of the Year, Peoria Manual high school star Sergio McClain simply drove the Rams to their fourth consecutive state championship in Carver Arena last March.

Voted Mr. Basketball for the 1996-97 season, McClain overcame a shoulder injury to drive his Ram teammates to yet another state crown.

With Harvey Thornton threatening to oust Manual in the semi-final game, McClain ignored his injury to lead the Rams on a 25-1 run in nine and a half minutes, scoring 11 points in a row during one stretch.

He was named to every All-State team in the state and was named to play in the Magic Roundball Classic.

The Peoria Journal Star declared Sergio was the "most successful prep basketball player in United States history."

McClain is now a key part of the University of Illinois basketball team as a freshman.