Dundee-Crown amped up over Chargers basketball

The halls in Dundee-Crown High School were more crowded than usual after school let out Wednesday following the school's surprise win over No. 2 ranked Neuqua Valley the night before.

Many students in the Carpentersville high school made a beeline for the ticket counter, where they bought tickets for the Class 4A boys basketball Final Four in Peoria this weekend.

"It's definitely a chance to portray our school in a positive way," Algonquin resident and Dundee-Crown senior John Heavey said. "It's a history-making event. I want to be there to root on our team."

The Chargers' win over Neuqua Valley earned the squad a spot in the Final Four for the first time in the 26-year history of Dundee-Crown. Students lined up around the corner from the ticket counter and down the hall to witness the Chargers' big game in person.

Heavey and his friends said the success of their team had given them pride in their school and that they hoped the team could counter some of the wider public's negative perceptions of the school.

"Even if we lose both the games, it's more than we've done in the past," West Dundee resident Nick Price said. "We still made it down here, despite some of our economic disadvantages."

Even students who do not typically follow sports - like Algonquin resident Leona Quist - are rallying around the Chargers.

"I'm really pumped because I'm usually not a sports fan," Quist said. "The fact they've come this far is remarkable. It'll be cool to be a part of it."

While their classmates clamored for tickets, the Chargers basketball team assembled in the main gym, warming up before their afternoon practice. Center Charles Kimbrough of Carpentersville laced up his sneakers as he reflected on his charmed senior year.

"It really hasn't settled in right now," Kimbrough said. "I just never thought that Dundee-Crown would be one of the top teams in Illinois."

At the other end of the court, star point guard Jeff Beck said the success was bittersweet for many of the departing seniors.

"We knew we wanted to finish it doing something big like this," Beck said. "It's sad at the same time. No matter what happens this weekend, win or lose, it'll all be over."

As he prepared for Thursday afternoon's practice, Coach Lance Huber said he appreciated all of the positive vibes he has gotten from students, alumni and the community.

"I think it's great for our school," Huber said. "One of the things I'm looking forward to is walking in and seeing all the fans in their section."

Among those wishing the team luck Wednesday were Algonquin Village President John Schmitt and Carpentersville Village President Bill Sarto.

"It would be great if they could win the championship, but either way, getting to the Final Four is pretty cool," Sarto said. "They have been knocking off teams much higher ranked, and they have really done a terrific job."

Schmitt, whose town accounts for about 40 percent of Dundee-Crown's students, said he's excited, too. "It's just really neat. I certainly wish them luck and all success."

Despite the electricity running through Dundee-Crown, the school is waiting until the season is over to mark the basketball squad's achievements.

"We'll say goodbye and good luck," Principal Lynn McCarthy said. "We'll celebrate when they get back."

• Daily Herald Staff Writers Lenore Adkins and Larissa Chinwah contributed to this report.

<p class="News"><b>Parade planned</b></p> <p class="News">The Dundee-Crown Chargers will get a warm welcome when they return home from the Final Four of Class 4A boys basketball in Peoria.</p> <p class="News">On Sunday, police from five towns that send students to Dundee-Crown will escort the team bus on a parade from Sleepy Hollow to the Carpentersville high school.</p> <p class="News">By knocking off No. 2 ranked Neuqua Valley this week, the Dundee-Crown Chargers earned a place in the Final Four for the first time in the 26-year history of Dundee-Crown.</p> <p class="News">The parade will start around 2 p.m. on Route 72 in Sleepy Hollow and go through East Dundee, West Dundee and Algonquin before ending in the Dundee-Crown parking lot.</p>