Jacobs vs. D-C: Potential for a great one
For 10 months they've simmered.
Tonight, the boys basketball team from Jacobs finally gets another chance to stir the pot.
Jacobs was 26-1 and a heavy favorite last March 2 when its season was cut short with a 43-41 loss to experienced Dundee-Crown in a regional title game.
With four starters returning from that Jacobs team, including point guard John Moran, the Golden Eagles (18-2, 4-0) will attempt to strengthen their grip on first place in the Valley Division of the Fox Valley Conference with a victory tonight over Dundee-Crown (10-8, 3-1), which is tied for second place with Cary-Grove.
Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle said his team is approaching its District 300 rival the same way it approaches every opponent. Sort of.
"Honestly, we haven't said one word about it," Hinkle said in reference to the March 2 game. "We're just getting ourselves ready. We don't talk about any opponent. We talk about what we need to do to get ready and that's the truth of the whole thing.
"But will the kids be ready to play? I mean, c'mon."
Dundee-Crown, which has 13 juniors on the 16-man roster, has won six of the last eight meetings between these schools.
The Chargers have won five of seven games in 2008 since they turned in a 1-3 performance at the Elgin Holiday Tournament.
With no starters returning from last year's regional title team, this new batch of Chargers is beginning to round into form, led by junior Jeff Beck (12.1 ppg.).
"We're playing better," D-C coach Lance Huber said. "I think we're making some strides. We're not all the way to where we're going to be, to where I hope we'll be, but we're getting better.
"To be in this position (second place) after where we were when we lost to Hoffman (Estates) at Elgin says a lot about the way our guys have worked and accepted coaching. They're doing the little things they need to do.
"It will be interesting to see how we measure up. We'll see if we're ready to be at that level yet. Hopefully, we'll be there at the end with a chance to win it. If we are, that's all you can ask for."
Jacobs has made a lineup change since losing 66-57 to Fenwick at the Sears Centre on Jan. 19: Junior guard Patton Hofer has been inserted into the starting lineup at shooting guard, a position where Hinkle has used three seniors this season.
Senior guard Eric Schmidt has returned to his role as sixth man, a job he excelled at last season. In two starts against Woodstock and McHenry, Hofer scored 6 and 9 points respectively.
"He's been champing at the bit for months, trying to get a minute here or there," Hinkle said of Hofer, a solid ballhandler who possesses the strength to defend against post-ups. "He finally got his opportunity and he's really making the most of it."