Jakubicek becomes Cary-Grove's all-time leader
Sure, Cary-Grove senior Claire Jakubicek would have liked to have broken Eve Barry's school record for scoring with a spectacular baseline move or a long 3-pointer.
But, the Northern Illinois University-bound forward settled for 2 free throws with 5:06 left in the third quarter for her 1,232nd and 1,233rd points to eclipse Barry's previous mark of 1,232. Barry is a 1988 graduate of Cary-Grove High School.
More importantly, Jakubicek racked up 30 points with 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals to lead the Trojans to a 67-52 win over Johnsburg in Fox Valley Conference crossover action in Cary Saturday night.
"It is thrilling to break the record," said an ecstatic Jakubicek. "I couldn't have done it without my teammates. They were awesome. But it was exciting to play well tonight as a team. It was one of our best games of the year. We beat a very good Johnsburg team."
Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert was happy for Jakubicek.
"She has been so consistent for four years," said Saffert. "Tonight, she did everything well. Claire is very deserving of being the top scorer in school history."
Leading the entire game, the Trojans (7-1) finally seized control of the game in the third quarter.
Holding a 41-33 advantage midway through the quarter, Cary-Grove reeled off 8 straight points. With Megan Straumann connecting on a 3-pointer along with a pair of layups from Jakubicek, the Trojans doubled their 8-point lead to 16, 49-33, with 1:11 left in the third quarter.
The Skyhawks (4-4) climbed to within 9, 56-47, on a 3-pointer from Iowa recruit Melissa Dixon with 4:22 remaining but couldn't get any closer.
Connecting on 10-of-12 free throws in the final 2 minutes, Cary-Grove sealed the win.
Straumann and Jakubicek made 3-of-4 from the line while Johanna Geegan connected on both of her attempts as the Trojans cruised to a 15-point win.
Straumann backed Jakubicek with 14 points, 8 assists and 4 steals while Olivia Jakubicek garnered 12 points with 8 boards.
Guarded mostly by Paige Lincicum, Dixon scored 14, well under her average of 27. Susan Conroy added 10 for the Skyhawks.
"Give Cary-Grove credit, they played well and Claire was on a mission and played great," said Johnsburg coach Mike Toussaint. "But we have beaten better teams. We didn't match their intensity. We take a step forward, then two steps back. Tonight, we took two steps back."