Elgin hosts Harper in Region IV playoff

A pair of close-to-home teams will meet in Elgin on Wednesday as action begins in the NJCAA Region IV men's basketball tournament with second-seeded Elgin Community College hosting No. 7 seed Harper.

Harper (6-23) enters the tournament having lost six straight and will be without Elgin alum Isaiah Butler, who's second on the team in points scored.

ECC finished the regular season 25-5 and topped Harper 80-64 on Nov. 3.

The Spartans are 4-2 against North Central Community College Conference opponents this season.

Gatziolis gets recognition: Freshman Joey Gatziolis was named a second team all-conference pick; the Elk Grove alum was the only Hawks selection.

"Joey did everything to be successful," first-year coach Sean Stochl said.

In 25 games this season, Gatziolis was the Hawks' leader in total points and average 13.8 to go with 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Of his freshman's success this season, Stochl said, "He does everything he is supposed to."

Kuhn to enter hall: On Monday, the NJCAA announced that Jolier Junior College men's basketball coach Joe Kuhn will be inducted into the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame.

In 20 seasons with the Wolves, Kuhn guided the program to the 2010 NJCAA Division III national titles along with runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2008. Joliet has won at least 20 games in 13 of the last 14 seasons.