Jacobs trips up Huntley for 5th straight win
Ok, so the chances of Jacobs posting 3 upset wins to claim the Class 4A Crystal Lake South next week are unlikely.
Or are they?
The Golden Eagles enter postseason play as the one of the area's hottest teams after winning their fifth straight game, 46-42, over Huntley in a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division game in Algonquin Friday night.
The two teams will play again Monday in an opening round game of the CL South regional at 7:30 p.m.
"I am so proud of the kids," said Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle. "They have battled through so much adversity but they have hung in there and have learned to win. We have been playing great defense during the streak and we played well defensively tonight. We are going to have to play well again Monday against Huntley. We are evenly matched."
With the score tied at 36, the Golden Eagles (8-18, 4-6) rode the hot hand of Sean Meyer to seize control of the game. Meyer nailed a long 3-pointer from the left corner, which was followed by a 10-footer in the lane as the Eagles ripped off 5 straight points to take a 41-36 lead with 1:39 remaining.
Huntley (14-12, 3-7), which played without center Richard Gonzaga, got to within 3, 45-42, when Mason Kaniewski tossed in a 30-footer with 7.3 seconds left in the game.
"We hung in there and were right there to win at the end of the game, but we couldn't get over the hump," said Huntley coach Marty Manning. "The kids gave a great effort. Richard will play Monday and that should give us a presence in the middle. We feel the two teams are pretty evenly matched. We need to play a little better to win Monday."
Junior Mike Peterson led the Golden Eagles with 14 points and 4 assists.
"Coach told us once we win the first game we will get on a streak," said Peterson. "We are coming together as a team and are playing really well at the defensive end. My shot is finally going down and I feel good when I shoot. We know we need to play well again to win Monday. ''
Meyer, who scored all 11 points in the second half, tallied 7 crucial points in the fourth quarter. The senior forward also grabbed 8 boards.
Tyler Brunschon, who made 3-of-5 from 3-point range, led the Red Raiders with 17 points.