Leahy's 26 lead Jacobs past South Elgin

Zach Leahy savors his role as instant offense off the Jacobs bench.

Leahy. 6-of-8 from beyond the 3-point arc, scored 26 points to lead the Golden Eagles to a 54-37 win over South Elgin in third round action of the Hinkle Holiday Classic hosted by Jacobs in Algonquin Thursday night.

The Eagles (9-3) advance to the championship bracket of the tournament and will take on Waubonsie Valley at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Leahy, who was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, dished out 4 assists with 3 steals.

"I credit my teammates to getting me the ball in perfect position to shoot the ball," said the Jacobs junior. "I got in a good rhythm early and made some 3s early. I am fine coming off the bench. I just want to help the team win."

Jacobs coach Jimmy Roberts enjoys having Leahy in the sixth man role.

"Zach actually came to me this summer and said he was OK coming off the bench," said Roberts. "He is like a sixth starter. He is a great and unselfish kid and it was fun to watch him have a great game. Most high school teams put a kid in off the bench to spell a starter. Zach comes in the game and adds something to the team."

With Leahy scoring 14 including four 3-pointers, the Eagles grabbed a 26-12 halftime lead.

Along with Leahy's sizzling shooting, Jacobs held the Storm to only 5 baskets in 25 attempts for 20 percent.

"We came out flat, lazy and with no energy to start the game," said South Elgin coach Brett Johnson. "We are a very young team and Jacobs is a very physical team. We didn't handle their physicality very well. This is something we can learn from. We need to do the simple things better."

South Elgin whittled away at the Golden Eagles' lead to start the third quarter, getting within 41-35 with 5:11 remaining in the contest on a 3-pointer from Drew Cwik. South Elgin (5-7) couldn't get closer.

A 5-0 run courtesy of a 3-pointer and 2 free throws from Leahy gave the Eagles a 46-35 lead with 4:18 left,

Jaden Henderson added 9 points and Robert Pennel 8 for the winners. Along with Leahy's effort from 3-point land, Henderson, Pennel and James Hayes also collected 3s.

Playing without sophomore standout Lane McVicar for most of the fourth quarter with a rolled ankle, the Storm was led by Wyatt Steurer with 10 points and Joe Zydbel had 8.

"I didn't want to take a chance with Lane's ankle," said Johnson. "We have too much season left."