Jacobs has chance to make statement
Competing in a boys basketball sectional game is part of the postseason rhythm to which Rockford Boylan has become accustomed.
It's a whole new dance step for Jacobs (26-2).
Boylan (24-2) has won 17 sectionals and has made eight appearances in the Elite Eight since 1971.
Jacobs has never won a sectional.
The two teams meet in the sectional round for the third time in 11 years at the Class 4A Jacobs sectional tonight at 7:30 p.m. Boylan blew Jacobs out in the previous sectional meetings in 1997 and 1998.
"What we get a chance to do once in a lifetime, they have every single year," Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle said. "We have to make the best of what we've got. They are one of the top teams in the state and have been for years. It's a good opportunity for us to measure up against one of the premier programs. They're always loaded."
Boylan coach Steve Goers, who needs 13 wins to surpass Dick Van Scyoc as the IHSA's all-time leader in boys basketball coaching victories, returns four of the top six players from a team that advanced last season to the state quarterfinals in Peoria.
The Titans lost star forward Tori Boyd (UIC) to graduation, but return starters Zach Opheim (6-foot-5, 12.2 ppg.), 6-4 forward Stephon Valentine (10.6), 6-2 forward Michael Edwards (11.5) and 6-6 senior Phil Riggs, the team's sixth man a year ago.
Another big contributor is 6-2 senior guard Austin Morman (9.6 ppg.). Felled last season by an ACL injury, Morman scored 19 points to stave off a comeback attempt by Auburn in Boylan's 59-57 regional title victory on its home floor last Friday.
Edwards has connected on 52 of 143 attempts from 3-point range (36.3 percent), Morman has shot 45 of 108 (41.7 percent).
They'll face a Jacobs team led by Northern Iowa recruit John Moran (17 ppg.) that has yet to lose at the new Eagles Nest, which opened this season.
"They have the home court in a sectional situation, which is an advantage for them," Goers said of Jacobs. "We have to go in there and we have to play very disciplined basketball. John Moran is certainly a terrific player, his brother (Tim) is back from mono and is a very good rebounder, (Conrad Krutwig) is a good inside player and (Zack) Peterson is a good outside shooter.
"They have different weapons; It's not just John Moran, though he makes them go. He's very unselfish. He gives up the ball and handles it well. He's a very electric scorer. It's a tough team to play at home in March, so it's a tall order for us."
Boylan's only losses were to Auburn, a defeat it avenged twice, to Hononegah by 2 points, to Homewood-Flossmoor -- the top ranked team in Class 4A -- and to Peoria Limestone.
Jacobs was defeated by Quincy and Fenwick, losses that kept the Golden Eagles from gaining greater respect statewide. Beating Boylan would enhance Jacobs' basketball reputation throughout the Land of Lincoln.
"We need to make a statement and we've got the opportunity," Hinkle said. "We've got the opportunity. I'm kind of looking forward to it."
Tickets ($5 all ages) are available for presale during school hours Tuesday at the high school. The gym has a capacity of approximately 2,000 and Hinkle said he expects the event to sell out.