Jacobs, Dundee-Crown set to lock it up again
Dundee-Crown enters tonight's District 300 boys basketball rivalry game against Jacobs on the heels of Tuesday's 11-point loss to visiting St. Charles East.
But previous results rarely have a bearing on how well the Chargers play against the Golden Eagles, according to Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle.
"Dundee-Crown will have their game of the year because they do every time they play us," Hinkle said. "I have scouted Dundee-Crown a dozen times in the last 10 years, and I have never seen them play as well as they do against us. We bring out their best. Hopefully, they'll do the same for us and it'll be a great game. We'd better be ready."
Jacobs (11-8, 3-0) has been ready of late, particularly on the road. The Golden Eagles have surged to the early lead in the Valley Division of the Fox Valley Conference on the strength of hard-fought wins at Huntley and Cary-Grove. Dundee-Crown (10-7, 2-2) can stay in the thick of the division title race with a win.
A key to Jacobs' recent success has been the quality play of veteran guards Nick Hofman and Mike Peterson, who entered this season with two and three years of varsity experience, respectively. Their ability to control the ball they average only 4 turnovers a game combined is a big reason the Golden Eagles are soaring.
"They have the ball in their hands most of the time, and they've shown great composure on the court," Hinkle said. "It's an invaluable asset to have two guards with all the experience they have, absolutely.
The Chargers must find a way to make Hofman, Peterson and company cough up the rock.
"I probably sound like an NFL coach, but whoever has the most turnovers is probably going to lose the game," Dundee-Crown coach Lance Huber said. "Jacobs does a good job with that. Their guards are playing really, really well.
"I like their team. I think Jim's doing a great job along with all their staff. They look well-prepared and he's really molding them into a nice unit. The pieces seem to fit well together from what I've seen of them. They all know and accept their roles, or so it appears from the outside looking in.
"That's awesome for them, but it's our job to figure out a way to get a victory."
The Chargers' strength lies in the frontcourt with seniors Jamel Kimbrough (6-foot-4), Ryan Smith (6-4) and Kevin Cronin (6-1).
Smith is the team's most consistent scorer, while Kimbrough is a dynamic leaper with multiple double-doubles to his credit this season.
"Smith is a very good player," Hinkle said. "He really hurt us last year. And Jamel, if he stays out of foul trouble, is a force. They're a real challenge. They're like all of us they can beat anyone or lose to anyone. We expect their best game."
The teams split two games last season. Jacobs holds a 17-13 series lead since the 1996-97 season.
Dundee-Crown will make a return trip to Jacobs on Feb. 18.