Elgin 70, Rockford Boylan 67
Armani Williams will have better shooting nights.
The Elgin High School senior 4-year starter was only 6-of-18 from the floor and 4-of-13 from 3-point range in scoring 19 points.
All the individual achievements don't matter to the Elgin senior guard.
The Maroons are headed to the supersectional for the first time in 10 years.
Elgin outslugged a physical Rockford Boylan team 70-67 to claim the Class 4A Jacobs sectional Friday night in Algonquin.
"Four years of hard work was all worth it," said Williams. "It is an amazing feeling. I can't describe how I feel. I missed some open shots because of nerves. This team has picked up each other all year. We stayed together all year because we are family."
The Maroons (21-9) will play at the Northern Illinois University supersectional in DeKalb Tuesday night at 8 p.m. against Zion Benton. The Zee-Bees defeated Schaumburg 54-41 to win the Barrington sectional Friday.
"I came in this year and didn't need to do much coaching," said Elgin first-year coach Mike Sitter. "Rob Brault (previous coach) did a great job of bringing these kids along. We have a lot of experience and lot of senior leadership. I told them it is now or never and they got the job done."
The Maroons grabbed a 70-67 lead when Kenny Williams made 1-of-2 free throws with 11.5 seconds left.
The Titans moved down the court quickly and Michael Edwards got a open 3-pointer from the top of the key, but the ball bounced high off the rim and was grabbed by Elgin junior Marcus Redburg, who was fouled with 1.8 seconds left. Redburg could have sealed the win but missed both free throws. Boylan had one last chance to tie the game, but couldn't get a shot off.
"We just shot ourselves in the foot down the stretch," said Boylan coach Steve Goers. "We missed some easy shots and layups. But the six seniors had a great run and I am very proud of the players.
Despite the 2 missed free throws, Redburg came off the bench to score 11 points including a banked in 3-pointer to end the first half which gave the Maroons a 37-34 advantage heading into the locker room.
"The guys off the bench try to come in and just contribute," said Redburg, a junior. "It is the greatest feeling to win a sectional for the seniors. They are a great group and we don't want this end for them."
Elgin senior Jeremy Granger, who didn't take a shot or score a point in the first half, scored all 11 of his points in the second half.
"They played a triangle-and-two on us in the first half and I just couldn't get my shot," said Granger. "I was more aggressive in the second half and got some open shots. Our hard work and dedication has paid off. This is a great win for this team and the Elgin community.
Derell Howse added 10 points with a pair of 3-pointers for the winners.
"Wednesday was a fun game to be in," said Sitter. "Tonight was more like a ugly hockey game. We had to scrap all night to win this game."
Zach Opheim paced the Titans, who out-rebounded Elgin 33-20, with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Stephon Valentine scored 15 and Phil Riggs scored 14 with 7 boards.