Scouting the weekend in the Fox Valley
It's another important weekend for area boys basketball teams as league races heat up, particularly in the Fox Valley Conference. Here's a look at what to expect in those matchups as well as some intriguing nonconference games.
Friday
Elgin Academy (4-13) at Northridge Prep: The Hilltoppers are the only area team in action tonight. Elgin Academy snapped an 8-game skid last Saturday with a win over Luther East. Senior guard Paul Leonardis (13.8 ppg.) leads the Hilltoppers.
Saturday
Bartlett (10-5) vs. Hyde Park (8-5) at East Aurora Hoopsfest: The Hawks open the inaugural Tomcat Hoopfest with a 6:30 p.m. nonconference opponent from the Chicago Public League. Expect a high score: the Hawks lead the 15 Fox Valley schools in average points scored per game (67.4) and they allow the most (65.2). Senior guard Luke Labedzki (17.2 ppg.) leads Bartlett.
Huntley (12-5, 1-1) at McHenry (10-5, 2-1): Huntley hits the road for a key game in the Fox Valley Conference's Valley Division. The Red Raiders have won 5 of their last 6, led by junior guard Tyler Brunschon (17.5) and junior forward Dylan Neukirch (10.1). The Warriors have several key players back from last year's regional title team, but they fell out of first place in the Valley Division on Wednesday with a loss at Cary-Grove.
Dundee-Crown (1-15, 0-3) at Crystal Lake South (9-6, 2-0): The suddenly hot Gators have won 6 straight and find themselves alone in first place in the Valley Division of the Fox Valley Conference. Dundee-Crown has lost 14 in a row. The Chargers, who score an average of 43.5 points per game, will be challenged by a CL South zone defense that holds opponents to 44.7 ppg. Junior forward Kevin Rogers 13.3 ppg., 42-of-108 3-pointers) leads the Gators. Dundee-Crown guard Sean Bernhard (10.5 ppg.) is the only senior on the Chargers' roster.
St. Edward (9-11, 1-4) at Aurora Christian (7-11, 2-3): The Green Wave put their 2-game win streak on the line in Aurora as the second round of Gold Division games gets underway in the Suburban Christian Conference. The Eagles topped St. Edward 56-41 in the division opener on Dec. 4. Junior guards Mike Ellis (10.4 ppg.) and senior guard D.J. Byrnes (28 3-pointers) lead the Wave.
Hampshire (10-5) at Kaneland (11-5): A couple of big bodies will collide in the low block when Kaneland senior David Dudzinski (6-9) and Hampshire sophomore Tyler Watzlawick (6-7) square off in a 4:30 p.m. game in Maple Park. The Whip-Purs, led by senior guards Justin Bieber (16.6 ppg) and Shyler Ralphs (12.3), are on a 3-game winning streak.
Sycamore (4-11) at Burlington Central (7-9): A backyard brawl pits the improving Rockets against the struggling Spartans. Guard Ray Hunnicutt has emerged as an offensive force. The sophomore is sixth in area scoring with 14.8 points per game. The Rockets had won 3 straight before they fell to Hampshire last Saturday.
Westminster Christian (11-7) at Grant Park: The Warriors look to spark a new winning streak after their 5-game roll was slowed with a loss to Aurora Christian on Monday. Junior center Ian Dutcher (6-81/2) leads Westminster in scoring (12.3) rebounding (8.9) and blocked shots (49).