Elgin-Huntley rematch at Sears Centre
The Integrity Group on Wednesday confirmed the pairings for next season’s High School Hoops Showdown. The nationally known event, which has averaged close to 5,000 fans, returns to the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. The triple-header is set for Saturday, January 21, 2012.
In Game 1, which will be a 4:30 p.m. tipoff, Elgin will meet Huntley in a rematch of the Class 4A Jacobs sectional semifinal, won by Huntley 57-46. Both schools are making their inaugural Hoops Showdown appearance, along with 13 of the 16 players who participated in the sectional game.
The Maroons (22-7), winners of the Upstate Eight River Division, lose one starter and will be led by 6-foot-4 Kory Brown (6-4, G), the 2010-11 honorary captain of the Daily Hera; d All-Area team. The Red Raiders (25-5), the defending Valley Division Champion of the Fox Valley Conference, return 6 of their top eight players.
The 6:30 p.m. game will pit Batavia against Geneva, giving the night an even heavier Upstate Eight flavor.
The Bulldogs (13-13) will feature Cole Gardner (6-5, F/C). The Vikings (12-17) will look to Brendan Leahy (6-4, G/F) for leadership, having graduated eight seniors. Batavia head coach Jim Roberts will be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on April 30. He was nominated by Geneva coach Phil Ralston, an IBCA Board Member.
Game 3 (8:30 p.m. tipoff) matches the two teams that figure to top the Daily Herald preseason polls, as Downers Grove South (25-4) clashes with Class 4A runner-up Warren (31-4, a school record for wins in a season). The Mustangs, making their inaugural appearance in the Hoops Showdown, will feature Jerron Wilbut (6-3, G), along with two other starters from a team known for playing tough defense. They’ll have their hands full going up against a Blue Devils team that loses only four players, and went undefeated in winning the North Suburban Conference. They will be led by Darius Paul (6-6, F), younger brother of Illinois star, and former Mr. Basketball winner Brandon Paul.
Tickets, priced at $12 for adults and $10 for students (18 and under), will be available at the schools and the Sears Centre box office.