Hampshire surging at just the right time
The Hampshire boys basketball team has turned things around in a big way during the second part of the season.
Coach Mike Featherly's group was 2-10 at one point and now thanks to a 12-4 run since Christmas, finds itself 14-14 overall and 10-6 in Fox Valley Conference play to start the week. That momentum has the Whip-Purs feeling good heading into next Wednesday's Class 4A regional game at home against DeKalb.
"We have been playing better as the season progresses," Featherly said. "I like how hard our guys play, especially on the defensive end. We have been making teams uncomfortable in the half court, which has been our goal all season."
Senior forward Adam Ugochuwku leads Hampshire in scoring at 10.2 points per game.
Hampshire is the No. 6 seed in its subsectional, while DeKalb is the No. 2 seed. St. Charles North (No. 3) and South Elgin (No. 5) also will square off at Hampshire in the other semifinal.
Larkin update:
Seniors Damari Wheeler-Thomas (19 ppg) and Fernando Perez (15 ppg) continue to lead the way for Upstate Eight champion Larkin, which is now 27-3 and finished UEC play 18-0.
"We are defending at a high level and forcing a lot of turnovers," Royals coach Deryn Carter said.
The Royals are the No. 1 seed in their Class 4A subsectional and will await the winner of Saturday's Elgin (9) at Streamwood (8) game. The other regional semifinal at Larkin pits No. 4 Dundee-Crown against No. 7 St. Charles East.
Dundee-Crown update:
Speaking of the Chargers, Lance Huber's squad started the week 18-8 overall and 11-5 in FVC play thanks to a recent three-game winning streak.
Seniors Jason Huber (12 ppg), Kennon Cook (11 ppg, 10 rpg) and Zach Ryza (8 ppg, 6 rpg) lead the way for the Chargers.
"Like all teams, we want to keep improving each day and play our best basketball at the end of the season," Lance Huber said. "I like the fact our guys continue to work hard during individual and team practice segments in order to be the best they can be."
Huber noted his squad will encounter an improved East team in regional action. "St. Charles East is playing well," he said. "They just recently had a nice win against a very good St. Charles North team."
Streamwood update:
The Sabres (4-26, 3-15 UEC), who open regional play Saturday against Elgin, are led by Richard Santiago, who averages 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2.6 steals a contest.
Huntley update:
The Red Raiders earned a No. 2 seed in their Class 4A subsectional and open regional action next Wednesday against No. 8 McHenry at Jacobs.
"McHenry has played us tough both times this year," Huntley coach Will Benson said. "The other side has two teams in Jacobs and Rockford East that are both talented and well-coached, so I would say our regional is pretty wide open."
Huntley started the week 25-4 overall and was 14-2 as it wrapped up FVC play this week. The Red Raiders were on a seven-game winning streak to start the week.
"Our defense and rebounding have been pretty consistent," Benson said. "We are looking to play more consistent on offense like we have the last three halves of basketball we have played, the second half against McHenry and both halves at home against Crystal Lake Central."
Ben Ahmer averaged 13 points and is shooting 37% from 3. Benson noted to start the week Ahmer was two 3-pointers away from tying the school record for most in a single season (he had 77 at week's start).
Aiden Wieczorek averages 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, and is shooting 38% from 3. Adam Guazzo averages 7 points and 10 rebounds.
Jacobs update:
The Golden Eagles (6-23) are the No. 7 seed in their subsectional and open at home in Class 4A regional action against No. 3 Rockford East next Wednesday. Jacobs recently beat Dundee-Crown in FVC play.
"Rockford East plays in a good, deep league," Jacobs coach Jimmy Roberts said. "We hope to play well and be in the mix. We like that we are hosting the regional. We like that we have had our group together for a couple weeks now, healthy. Hopefully, we can get some momentum this week heading into next Wednesday."
Seniors Nick McCoy (11.4 ppg) and Isiah Jackson (10.3 ppg) lead the way for Jacobs, while Jackson Martucci is 60 of 151 from 3 and 30-for-33 from the foul line this season.
Geneva update:
The Vikings were 14-13 overall to start the week and had won three of their last four games. Junior point guard Mick Lawrence averages 11 points and 3.5 assists per game for Geneva, while senior power forward Chris Suger is at 8 points per game.
Geneva opens regional action at Wheaton-Warrenville South next Wednesday as a No. 10 sectional seed against No. 7 Bartlett.
"I think our young group is starting to play its best basketball of the season," Geneva coach Scott Hennig said. "The regional will be very difficult with Bartlett in the first round. The regional and sectional are loaded. Wheaton South, if they beat Glenbard East, will be very difficult to beat at home for the regional championship, and obviously Glenbard West is the favorite to win the sectional and state. My group is going to take it one game at a time."
Burlington Central update:
In Class 3A, Burlington Central is the No. 1 seed in its subsectional and faces No. 8 Cary-Grove next Wednesday in the Sycamore regional semifinals.
The Rockets clinched the FVC title outright earlier this week against McHenry and sit at 28-3 overall (18-0 FVC). The McHenry win was Central's ninth in a row.
"We hope to stay competitive and play our best basketball next week," Rockets coach Brett Porto said.
St. Edward update:
St. Edward was 21-9 after a tough double-overtime loss to Bishop McNamara earlier in the week that left it tied for first in the Metro Suburban Red at 9-1. Coach Andy Zielinski's squad is 11-4 since Christmas.
St. Edward heads to Woodstock next Wednesday as the No. 4 subsectional seed in Class 2A. St. Edward faces either No. 10 North Boone or No. 7 Marengo in the Marian Central regional. Top-seeded Rockford Lutheran, No. 9 Richmond or No. 8 Marian Central await in a regional final.
"The kids hit two of their goals this year, 20 wins and first in conference," Zielinski said. "The third goal is regionals. Overall, we have had a pretty solid year. I am proud of the guys. Rockford Lutheran is the team to beat at Marian Central, but there are a lot of solid teams. I told our kids no matter where we go, we will have to win two tough games to win a regional."
Senior guard Robert Wilson averages 15 points per game for the Wave, while junior guard Ben Zielinski is at 12 points and sophomore forward Kaden Dawson averages 10 points.
Crystal Lake South update:
The Gators, hosts of a Class 3A sectional, are the No. 3 subsectional seed and open play next Wednesday against No. 5 and regional host Marmion.
Cooper LePage (12.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.7 apg), Arnav Jain (11.5 ppg) and Isaiah Kirkeeng (11.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg) have paced the Gators (15-13 to start the week).
"Marmion is a very good team that plays in a very competitive conference," South coach Matt LePage said. "We'll need to play our best game to beat them on their home court."
Aurora Christian update:
In Class 2A, Aurora Christian is a No. 2 subsectional seed and will host a regional. Dan Beebe's crew opens play next Wednesday against either No. 11 Aurora Central Catholic or No. 6 Wheaton Academy.
Aurora Christian was 17-9 to start the week and was on a three-game winning streak.
"We are playing our best basketball of the year and are going into the playoffs right where we need to be," Beebe said.
Drew Meyers averages 16.5 points, 4.6 assists and 3.7 steals for the Eagles, while Danny New is at 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals per contest.
Harvest Christian update:
Harvest is the No. 2 subsectional seed and opens action next Wednesday at home in Class 1A regional play against either No. 8 Westminster Christian or No. 7 Schaumburg Christian.
Harvest started the week 18-10 overall and has been led by junior guard Ben Lothery, who averages 20.2 points per game and is one of the Top 5 3-point shooters in the state at 49.3%, according to one online statistical service, coach Bryan Bradshaw noted.
"We are playing well heading into regionals," Bradshaw said. "We have the No. 2 seed and are hosting. We have a great chance."