The battle for Elgin decided tonight
Ultimate bragging rights are on the line tonight when Elgin hosts Larkin in a crosstown boys basketball matchup at Chesbrough Field House that will decide the season series, sans an unlikely postseason meeting.
The first two contests were competitive. Larkin (6-12) won the designated Upstate Eight meeting on the city's west side, 66-60, on Dec. 5.
Elgin (8-11), which didn't have its full complement of players available for that first game, gained a measure of revenge with a 48-43 victory at the Elgin Holiday Tournament on Dec. 26.
The rivals have been assigned to separate regionals this season, making it highly unlikely they will face each other a fourth time. Thus, the winner of tonight's nonconference game will clinch the season series.
"I've got a lot of friends over at Elgin," Larkin junior forward Garrett McDaniel said Saturday night after the Royals lost to Bartlett 63-58. "They're trash talking with me already. We have to do better against Elgin."
To beat Elgin, McDaniel and fellow forwards Brandon Cooks and Terell John must have an impact against Elgin's 6-foot-5 center, Marcus Redburg. Redburg and senior teammate Steve Edwards missed the first Larkin game due to suspensions, but they combined for 15 rebounds in the rematch and Redburg led all scorers with 15 points.
McDaniel (6-2) was ineligible for the first two meetings, but he has become a key player in Larkin's rotation in its last three games, playing important minutes in the post well into the fourth quarter. McDaniel could help Cooks and John defend Redburg, who led the Maroons in scoring in their last two games with 14 and 16 points, respectively.
"We are very guard-heavy and post-light," Larkin coach Larry Hight said on Monday. "We've been trying to manage with one (post player), but we're going to have a couple of guys inside because we're getting out-physicaled. So we're looking to work some of our bigger guys inside and make them more a part of our game plan.
"I thought we had a decent showing Saturday (against Bartlett) and not so decent on Friday (in a 60-53 loss to St. Charles East), but the guys are confident. They know the last game at Elgin was a close game that could have gone either way even when they had their two (starters) back. Confidence is not what we're lacking."
Larkin junior guard Jermaine Clements has also joined the rotation since gaining his eligibility this semester. He scored 6 points against Bartlett on Saturday.
Elgin has played well in its last three games, all on the road. The Maroons beat St. Charles East 49-45, throttled Cary-Grove 57-33, then played competitively after a slow start at UEC-leading East Aurora in a 66-57 loss on Friday.
"We have seen some significant improvement since Christmas, and I hope we keep improving," Elgin coach Mike Sitter said. "I'd like to see that continue through the last month of the season.
"In the midst of a lot of conference games, I don't know how emotional this one's going to be. The kids weren't any different in practice (Monday), and they weren't talking about it a lot. For our seniors its their final time to play Larkin because we're not in a regional with them, so I hope they come out and with a little added incentive, a little added emotion."
The Maroons have been getting a lift lately from a pair of reserves who are earning more playing time.
"Timmy Newcombe and Nikil Satish have really stepped up and give us two more guys coming off the bench," Sitter said "Hopefully, that rotation can increase as we go toward the end of the season and we'll have nine or 10 guys who are ready to play."
Francis Parker 57, Elgin Academy 44: Paul Leonardis led Elgin Academy (3-14, 1-7) with 16 points in this Independent School League loss. Javon McDonald added 13 points for the Hilltoppers.