Scouting Aurora Central-Marian Central
Class 3A Woodstock North sectional semifinal
Aurora Central Catholic (15-13) vs. Marian Central Catholic (14-16)
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Outlook: Having won its first regional title since 2008, Aurora Central advanced into what essentially is a Suburban Christian Conference crossover game. The Chargers, runner-up to Wheaton Academy in the SCC Gold Division, beat the SCC Blue's Marian Central 75-66 on Feb. 15 behind 25 points from guard Ryan Harreld, 14 from forward Tim Fernandez and 11 from forward Robert DeMyers. All three again reached double figures in ACC's 56-51 win over No. 1 seed Rochelle to win the Sycamore regional. DeMyers also blocked 7 Rochelle shots including one with 20 seconds left in the game. He then made 2 free throws after that block, a clutch effort for a player who usually makes about 41 percent from the line. Having DeMyers running the floor and getting inside looks early opens space for shooters like Harreld, who has made 71 3-pointers, guard Joey McEachern and 3-shooting forward Paul Kaminski, who comes off an effective bench that now includes young Anthony Andujar, who helps Joe Medgyesi handle defensive pressure. ACC will stick with its 2-3 matchup zone, placing an emphasis on Marian's two all-conference players, 6-foot-6 forward Ben Krol and particularly 6-2 point guard Jake Everly, who makes the Hurricanes spin. Everly scored 25 against ACC on Feb. 15, and led Marian to a 66-48 win over No. 4 seed Woodstock North and a 34-29 grinder over host No. 3 Woodstock for Marian's second straight regional title. The Hurricanes have never won a sectional they won district in 1971 and ACC's last came in 1988. Tonight's victor meets Rockford East, a 71-70 winner over Crystal Lake Central in OT on Tuesday. The only thing separating ACC from five straight wins is a 2-point overtime loss to St. Francis in the regular-season finale. "We're easily playing our best basketball of the season right now," said Chargers coach Nathan Drye. "This is where we wanted to be, this is where we expected to be, so I think we're ready to go."