Jacobs denies Crystal Lake South
With Nick Hofman and Mike Peterson handling most of the scoring for Jacobs, senior guard Matt Ehrhardt is left doing the dirty work for the Golden Eagles.
Ehrhardt handles the ball, dishes out assists and plays tenacious defense. He scores a little to help lessen the load for Hofman and Peterson.
When Ehrhardt scores in double figures, Jacobs is hard to beat.
Scoring a career-high 12 points to go along with 4 assists and 3 steals, Ehrhardt helped the Golden Eagles to a 54-43 win over Crystal Lake South in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division boys basketball action in Algonquin Wednesday night.
“Matt is stronger than he looks and he does a lot of things well, “said Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle. “With (Peterson) out we needed him to score more.”
Peterson, who missed most of the second quarter with a dislocated finger, returned in the third quarter and ended with 10 points including two 3-pointers.
Hofman paced the Golden Eagles (10-8, 2-0) with 15 points and 6 rebounds.
Tied at 23 at halftime, Jacobs broke the game open in the third quarter against the short-handed Gators (9-8, 0-3).
Holding a slim 29-27 lead, the Golden Eagles seized control of the game with an 8-0 run. Peterson and Hofman each had a pair of baskets as Jacobs extended a 2-point lead to 10, 37-27, with 3:22 left in the third quarter,
The Gators, who played without suspended starters Kevin Rogers and Ethan Breitenstein along with injured key subs Trevor Thompson and Will Ahsmann, got to within 4, 44-40, after a 3-pointer by Robbie Lemke with 4:46 left. The Gators couldn't get any closer.
Jacobs closed the game out with 6 free throws in the final 2 minutes. Hofman, Peterson and Alex Glover each made 2-of-2 from the line as Jacobs held on for the win.
It was Jacobs' sixth game in 6 days.
“We were physically tired, but we were tough mentally,” said Ehrhardt. “Coach told us at halftime we needed to cover their 3-point shooters better. We were more aggressive on defense.”
Gavin Rubin led the Gators with 14 including four 3-pointers.
“The kids are practicing hard and continue to work on their game,” said South coach Dan DeBruycker. “We just wear down at the end of games.”
McHenry 55, Cary-Grove 45: Nick Richter had 12 points for Cary-Grove (7-10, 1-1) in this FVC Valley loss at McHenry.