St. Francis @ Aurora Central

St. Francis (11-5, 6-1) at Aurora Central (18-1, 8-0)

The first time they played we asked: Is there a shift in the balance of the Suburban Catholic Conference? It seems likely if Aurora Central, seeking its first SCC boys title in any sport, sweeps the two-game series tonight. A split still gives St. Francis a shot at its fourth straight title and sixth in nine seasons. On Dec. 14 ACC -- whose sole loss was 58-50 at Waubonsie Valley -- held the Spartans to their lowest point total, 53-30 in Wheaton. Since then St. Francis has gone 7-3, including Saturday's 56-48 loss to Wheaton North. In that game guard Dan McCoy scored a career-high 22 points; he's hit 53 3-pointers on the year. Brian McMahon, an athletic 6-foot-3, averages 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds and nearly 3 steals. Six-six Bob Vonderhaar is the key big man against ACC's front line that goes 6-6, 6-3, 6-3. Coach Shawn Healy hopes his boys play more physically this time against ACC yet control the ball and remain patient against its 2-3 and 1-3-1 zone defenses. Aurora Central's Mark Adams, averaging 19.6 points, can dominate. St. Francis aims to take away either him, his brother Mike Adams or 6-6 Nick Czaja, and limit the other two. Chargers coach Nathan Drye is wary of St. Francis' tight defense, but point guard Steve Hollon and assists leader Anthony Kelley are solid. Overall, Healy seeks a more mature effort: "We want to show people we've gotten a lot better."