Fox Valley area weekend scouting report
Rivalries take center stage tonight as the boys basketball regular season enters the final stretch.
District U-46 schools South Elgin and Larkin meet in Elgin, Jacobs faces Dundee-Crown in a District 300 rematch in Carpentersville and Burlington Central and Hampshire clash on Rocket Hill.
Here's a look at the full slate of weekend matchups in the Fox Valley.
Today
Jacobs (6-18, 2-6) at Dundee-Crown (4-17, 3-5), 7 p.m.: It took Jacobs 21/2 months to earn its first 3 wins but only five days to double that total. The suddenly hot Golden Eagles have won three straight, beating Crystal Lake South, Libertyville and Valley Division leader Cary-Grove.
The Chargers are also rounding into form. They were victorious only once through Jan. 23 but have since won three of their last four, including a 60-52 overtime victory at Jacobs on Jan. 26.
Hampshire (14-9, 5-3) at Burlington Central (11-12, 6-2), 7:15 p.m.: The Rockets must win tonight and get some help if they are to catch league-leading Richmond-Burton (7-0) in the Big Northern East. Central has won seven of 11 in 2010. The Whip-Purs are hoping to bounce back strong after last weekend's disappointing loss at last-place North Boone. Hampshire defeated Central 69-53 on Jan. 16.
South Elgin (16-8, 5-3) at Larkin (7-17, 1-7), 7:30 p.m.: Larkin has lost 13 straight, but remains a competitive team. The Royals' last 5 losses were by 8 points or less, including back-to-back defeats by 2 points against Streamwood and Geneva. South Elgin has won three of its last four games.
Huntley (14-10, 3-5) at Cary-Grove (13-11, 7-2), 7 p.m.: The Trojans have already clinched a share of the Valley Division title in the Fox Valley Conference. They can celebrate an outright championship with a win in their league finale. Huntley has won two of its last three games and aims for consecutive wins for the first time since Jan. 9.
McHenry (14-8, 5-3) at Crystal Lake South (12-11, 5-4), 7 p.m.: The Gators once led the Valley Division of the Fox Valley Conference but have since lost five of six games, including three straight. The Warriors also led the Valley at one point but have dropped their last three contests. This is a playoff preview. These teams will square off in a Class 4A regional semifinal at CL South on March 2.
Bartlett (14-9, 6-2) at Lake Park (11-13, 3-5), 7:30 p.m.: The Hawks hope to strengthen their grip on third place in the Upstate Eight with a win in Roselle. The Lancers were within 4 points of league leader Neuqua Valley in the fourth quarter Saturday before the Wildcats pulled away late.
Waubonsie Valley (6-16, 3-5) at Streamwood (7-14, 3-5), 7:30 p.m.: The Sabres vie for back-to-back Upstate Eight Conference wins for the first time this season.
Immaculate Conception (12-13, 5-4) at St. Edward (10-15, 2-7), 7:30 p.m.: After three straight home losses to top-notch teams, the Green Wave look to get back on track in a Suburban Christian Gold contest against IC. The Knights defeated St. Edward 51-37 in Elmhurst on Jan. 15.
Saturday
York (16-8) at Streamwood, 1 p.m.: The Sabres play their second straight Saturday home matinee. The Dukes are tied with Proviso West for third place in the West Suburban Silver.
Dundee-Crown at Waubonsie Valley, 6 p.m.: Old friends, coaches Lance Huber and Steve Weemer, match wits in what has become an annual nonconference meeting.
IMSA (3-12) at St. Edward, 7:30 p.m.: The Green Wave would like to put a wrap on the regular season with a win in the second of back-to-back weekend home games.