Scouting the weekend in the Fox Valley
Today
South Elgin (14-7, 4-2) at Streamwood (6-12, 2-4): How well South Elgin's big men handle the Sabres' interior strength could determine the winner in this Upstate Eight Conference matchup between District U-46 schools.
South Elgin senior Sam Jordt (6-foot-4), junior Dillon Gardner (6-1) and sophomore Matthew Downing (6-6) will be tasked with limiting the production of Streamwood seniors Derrick King (6-3), Marcus Lewis (6-4) and Marcus Greene (6-4) and sophomore Lorenzo Mitchell (6-3).
Streamwood's athletic foursome is averaging 39 points and 23.1 rebounds per game.
South Elgin has a distinct advantage on the perimeter with guards Tommy Childs (18.3 ppg.) and Sam Sutter (12 ppg.).
The Storm, ranked No. 16 in this week's Daily Herald Top 20, snapped a 3-game losing streak on Wednesday with a 54-46 home victory against Barrington. The competitive Sabres dropped their last two games against Oswego East and Bartlett by a combined total of 5 points.
Protecting the ball will be a key for the Sabres. Streamwood commits an average of 14.7 turnovers per game, many of them unforced. South Elgin averages 13.6 turnovers. The Storm have limited opponents to 50 points per game. Streamwood scores 50.2 per outing.
Wheaton Academy (19-1, 6-0), at St. Edward (10-12, 2-5): The Green Wave will play on their home court for the first time since Jan. 6, the first of five straight home dates to close the regular season. All 19 of Wheaton Academy's victories have been by double-digit margins. The Warriors are ranked fourth in the Daily Herald Top 20.
Belvidere (8-12) at Hampshire (13-8): The Whip-Purs have rebounded to win two straight after dropping three in a row. Belvidere is in fifth place in the NIC-10 Conference with a record of 4-6.
Durand (5-15) at Westminster Christian (14-8): The Warriors face a fellow Class 1A team in the first of two nonconference home games this weekend. The Bulldogs' 2-6 record in the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference has them stuck in eighth place.
Saturday
Jacobs (3-16) vs. St. Charles North (13-10): The Golden Eagles and the North Stars kick off the first of three varsity games at the 17th Annual Batavia Night of Hoops ($5 admission) at 4:30 p.m. Jacobs has not faced St. Charles North, which lost in the title game of the Jacobs Holiday Tournament. Night of Hoops continues with West Aurora vs. Simeon at 6 p.m. and St. Joseph vs. Batavia at 7:30 p.m. Three sophomore games precede the varsity triple-header.
East Aurora (12-7, 5-0) at Larkin (7-13, 1-5): The Royals hope to snap a 10-game skid, a tall order against junior guard Ryan Boatright and the Tomcats, who are tied for first place in the Upstate Eight Conference. Game time is 2:30 p.m.
Elgin (5-16, 0-7) at Neuqua Valley (18-1, 5-0), 6 p.m.: The Maroons rallied past Larkin on Tuesday to end a 7-game losing streak. The Upstate Eight coleading Wildcats' only loss of the season was inflicted by Glenbard East in the title game of the Elgin Holiday Tournament.
Crystal Lake South (12-8) at Naperville North (15-5), 3 p.m.: The Gators, in a three-way tie for first place in the FVC Valley Division, play a nonconference road game against the talented Huskies. Naperville North will take the court 16 hours after hosting DuPage Valley Conference rival Wheaton Warrenville South.
North Boone (5-15, 1-6) at Burlington Central (9-11, 4-2): The Rockets attempt to rebound from Tuesday's 47-42 overtime loss at Big Northern East leader Richmond-Burton in a matchup against the last-place Vikings.
Luther South at Westminster Christian: Two former members of the Private School League face off in a nonconference affair in Elgin.