Scouting the weekend in the Fox Valley
Friday
Upstate Eight Conference
Bartlett (10-6, 2-2) at Streamwood (6-11, 1-4), 7:30 p.m.: Make sure the scoreboard is in working order - Bartlett leads the area in scoring (68.9); Streamwood is third (63.5). Bartlett is also last in team defense (64.0) and Streamwood is next-to-last (62.9). Hawks senior guard Marc Little leads the area in assists (4.8 avg.) and is second in scoring (22.4).
East Aurora (14-4, 3-0) at Elgin (8-10, 2-2), 7:30 p.m.: The UEC-leading Tomcats invade Chesbrough Field House. Elgin is fresh off road wins at St. Charles East and Cary-Grove. The Maroons' switching man-to-man defense led to a pair of Steve Edwards breakaway slams in the fourth quarter against Cary-Grove Tuesday. The talented Tomcats frontcourt doesn't rattle as easily.
Neuqua Valley (20-1, 5-1) at South Elgin (10-5, 3-1), 7:30 p.m.: Another big test for the Storm. The winner stays within arm's reach of the UEC lead and could grab a share of first place if East Aurora falters at Elgin. The Wildcats have won 12 straight since losing to East Aurora in overtime on Dec. 20.
St. Charles East (3-14, 1-5) at Larkin (6-11, 1-3), 7:30 p.m.: The Saints and 6-foot-7 senior center Kevin Senechalle are better than their record. Larkin is 2-3 this season on its home floor. Royals senior Terell John is averaging 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Big Northern Conference-East
Burlington Central (9-7, 3-2) at Hampshire (11-6, 4-0), 7 p.m.: BNC-East-leading Hampshire looks to maintain its grip on first place by sweeping the rival Rockets. The Whip-Purs won 58-42 in Burlington on Jan. 17.
Private School League
Luther North (5-12, 1-3) at Westminster Christian (12-7, 1-4), 7 p.m.: The Warriors are 11-3 outside the PSL, but conference games have been a challenge thus far. Sophomore 6-7 center Ian Dutcher is averaging 8.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Independent School League
Elgin Academy (3-13, 1-6) at U-High (14-3, 8-1), 6:30 p.m.: The Hilltoppers won back-to-back games in mid-December but have since dropped 6 straight.
Saturday
Fox Valley (Fox)
Crystal Lake Central (3-15, 0-2) at Huntley (11-7, 1-1), 7 p.m.: The Red Raiders saw their 4-game win streak snapped last Saturday at defending Fox champion Grayslake Central. Huntley sophomore Tyler Brunschon shooting 39.7 percent from 3-point range (23-52).
Fox Valley (Valley)
Dundee-Crown (11-4, 2-0) at McHenry (8-8, 1-1), 7 p.m.: Another tough road test for the Chargers, who won last week at CL South. D-C senior guard Jeff Beck averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds.
Crystal Lake South (10-8, 0-2) at Cary-Grove (11-8, 0-2), 7 p.m.: Both teams look to right the ship after consecutive losses to open the Valley schedule. Cary-Grove junior Chad McCarron is second in the area in rebounds per game (7.3). CL South senior Eric Wilde leads the area with a free-throw percentage of 88.1 percent (59 of 67).
Jacobs (16-2, 2-0) at Woodstock (4-11, 1-1), 7 p.m.: Opponents should pay attention when Mike Barch lines up the long ball. The junior leads the area in 3-point percentage (60.6) after sinking 20-of-33 attempts. Jacobs center Conrad Krutwig improved his rebounding average in the last 5 games from 9.4 to 9.7. He is averaging 22.7 points per game.
Suburban Catholic Conference
St. Edward (6-13, 2-7) at Driscoll (9-9, 3-5), 7:30 p.m.: The first of two matchups between the Green Wave and the Highlanders. St. Edward has dropped 5 in a row in the Suburban Catholic.
Upstate Eight Conference
Bartlett at Larkin, 6 p.m.: Frigid weather delayed this game, which was originally scheduled during the cold snap two weeks ago. Each team will be playing its second game in 22 hours.
Nonconference
Glenbard North (5-11) at South Elgin, 6 p.m.: The Storm must avoid a letdown after the intensity of Friday's Upstate Eight game against Neuqua Valley.
Kaneland (8-8) at Hampshire, 3 p.m.: The Knights beat the Whip-Purs 51-43 at the Marengo Holiday Tournament. These teams could face each other a third time in regional play.
Burlington Central at Sycamore (7-8), 7 p.m.: A possible playoff preview. These nearby schools have been assigned to the Class 3A Burlington Central regional.