Aurora Central @ St. Francis

Aurora Central (8-0, 2-0) at St. Francis (4-1, 2-0)

Is there a shift in the balance of power in the Suburban Catholic Conference -- for at least this year? St. Francis, which has won at least a share of four of the last five SCC titles, will try to prove otherwise. Under coach Nate Drye, Aurora Central is off to the best start in school history, though none of the Chargers' prior opponents is of St. Francis' caliber. As Drye stated, "We will have to play very well just to be competitive with St. Francis." They have thus far. The 6-foot-3 Adams brothers -- Mark and Mike -- have cut a swath along with 6-6 Nick Czaja, who should match up with St. Francis' 6-6 Bob Vonderhaar. Anthony Kelley and Joey Guth round out the top contributors for ACC, but as he was in football, senior Mark Adams is the engine that must be slowed. He scored 34 points with 8 rebounds in a win over St. Edward. Likewise, the Chargers must put a body on 6-3 Spartans senior Brian McMahon, who nearly bagged triple-doubles in each of last week's wins over Marian Central and Montini. St. Francis coach Shawn Healy stressed the need for defensive rebounding, which is the work of Vonderhaar, McMahon and 6-3 Jeff Howe. The Spartans, who veered away from their trademark halfcourt trap early, also need perimeter defense and scoring from Jack Purdom and Dan McCoy, who scored a career-high 20 points against Marian Central.