Intriguing matchups will take place early this year

We're well into Year Two of the four-class state tournament, and the new format has at least one fan.

"A lot of people talk about the four-class system. I kind of like the four-class system for the little guys," East Aurora coach Wendell Jeffries said. "What good is it going to do for a giant like us to play IMSA in the first game? Give IMSA a chance to win.

"What it does with the 4A schools, the first-round game in regional is like a regional championship, so you better be ready to play. There's nothing wrong with that. I like it."

That's what basketball fans have to look forward this coming week. Instead of waiting for that first Friday in March to see a regional championship caliber game, get out to DeKalb Tuesday, or over to Batavia Wednesday.

If St. Charles East beats Larkin Monday, DeKalb will be the site Tuesday of a Saints-North Stars rematch. The following night, Geneva will go for a third win over Batavia.

Four classes might make it awfully hard to win a sectional - let alone a regional - but it sure creates some marquee matchups right off the bat.

At DeKalb, the big men will be plentiful and easy wins in short supply. The host's Jordan Threloff, St. Charles East's Kevin Senechalle, St. Charles North's Mike Kastel and South Elgin's Daniel Lopez (questionable with ankle injury) all stand at least 6-7.

"Anyone in that tournament can win it," St. Charles East coach Brian Clodi said. "DeKalb is playing well. It's going to be wide open."

Senechalle hopes to cap what has been an outstanding senior season with a good run. If the Saints (9-17) do get a rematch with the North Stars (19-8), he'll hope to be on the court more than the first meeting - a 53-42 victory.

Senechalle missed much of the first half in foul trouble and eventually fouled out. The Saints were within 2 points in the fourth quarter before fading - a theme throughout the year.

"Close games can make you tougher," Senechalle said. "We'll be ready come regionals."

St. Charles North enters as the No. 1 seed but coach Tom Poulin has called South Elgin the best team in the regional. The Storm has beat every team in the field, including a recent win over St. Charles North last Friday.

The North Stars own a school record for wins (19). They also have a few question marks, with Jonathan DeMoss' elbow causing problems and Josh Mikes missing their last game for academic reasons. Poulin said he hopes to have both back Tuesday.

"Ideally we wouldn't (have those problems) but a little bit of adversity creates some character," said Poulin.

South Elgin (18-8) will try to do something Wednesday that none of the top teams in the Western Sun Conference - Geneva, Glenbard South and Batavia - could do: Win on DeKalb's home court. The Barbs enter at 16-10.

At Batavia, all eyes will be on the third meeting between the Bulldogs and Vikings. Geneva (21-6) has won the first two meetings and has the No. 8 seed, but No. 9 Batavia (18-7) has the homecourt advantage.

Look for the Bulldogs to try to get to the basket more than the last meeting, a 40-38 loss when they relied on the outside shots and attempted just 1 free throw.

"We're all happy to hear that we get another chance," junior Adam LeTourneau said. "We've got to hit our shots, drive to the basket more. We want to get to the free-throw line more."

Geneva won the first game 50-39 at Batavia, then needed a last-minute rally to edge the Bulldogs.

The Vikings can't wait for a chance to try and go 3-0 this year against a team in the past that often has had their number.

"As much as I could look forward to a basketball game," Geneva senior Rob Tauscher said. "A playoff game at Batavia, third time in a year, it doesn't get better than that. There's the old sports adage it's hard to beat a team two times let alone three times. But we have confidence we can do it, we need to go out hard and play strong."

The winner likely gets No. 1 seed Neuqua Valley, who beat Geneva 64-45 on the Vikings' home court. That's one of 19 straight wins.

"I'm hopeful we get a shot at them too," Geneva coach Phil Ralston said. "I'd like to see us play a little better. That may have been our worst effort all season."

Jeremy D'Amico might be the only Geneva player averaging in double figures while three Bulldogs - David Bryant, Ben Potter and Ricky Clopton are all there - but the Vikings counter with role players who have done what it takes to win: Last-second star Christian Frederking, Tauscher, Sean Grady and Tyler Scofield, among others.

"Each one of our starters have a role on our team and they usually do a tremendous job filing that role," Ralston said.

East Aurora is the only team to beat Neuqua Valley all the way back on Dec. 20, 74-70 in overtime.

"They are the clear-cut (sectional) favorite," Jeffries said. "If you are 27-1 that's a no-brainer. The one advantage we had the first time we played them is we had them on our home floor. If we are lucky enough to play them again it's going to be on a neutral court. That's too far to think about."

Elsewhere in Class 4A, West Aurora (19-7) heads to Naperville Central where the Blackhawks could see several familiar DVC foes. The Blackhawks open Wednesday against a Wheaton Warrenville South team they split with during the regular season, and a win could give them a third shot at DVC champ Naperville Central.

"It's going to be a tough tournament," West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman said. "Been two good games with Wheaton Warrenville South.

"If we are fortunate enough to win that game I think we have a shot at Naperville Central. They are a very good team, but we played them down to the wire. We have to worry about Wheaton Warrenville South first."

And No. 2 seed Naperville Central (24-2) might have to worry about Marmion (13-14) first, if the Cadets can win their play-in game over Willowbrook Monday. Sean Fichtel, Bryce Emory and company already have a stunner over East Aurora this year and were handed Aurora Central its only Suburban Catholic loss; a win over Naperville Central could trump them both.

In Class 3A, Aurora Central and Kaneland both have the opportunity to make a run.

The Chargers take the area's best record - 23-3 - to Oswego, where they could see the hosts in a regional championship game. They will try to repeat last year's regional crown, and if they do, they won't see Marshall in the sectional semifinals like they did a year ago. The IHSA has sent Aurora Central west this year to Rochelle.

Chargers coach Nate Drye, whose team opens against Sandwich Tuesday, said if his team does play Oswego for the title, they will see a team that shoots it well, has size and one other advantage.

"They're very good and it worries me playing them at (their) home," Drye said.

Seniors Mike Adams and Anthony Kelley lead an Aurora Central team that is 48-8 the past two years with two conference titles - that after they went 15-15 and 12-20 their first two years on varsity.

Kaneland (13-12) is doing what every team wants to do: peak heading into the tournament. The Knights had a 5-game winning streak snapped last week against Geneva in a 1-point loss in the final seconds. Then Batavia followed with another 1-point win over the Knights on Friday in a controversial finish.

Kaneland opens with Hampshire. A win likely will give them a chance to knock off top-seed Wheaton Academy in the regional championship game.