Schwartz heats up in Jacobs' win

With Johnsburg's zone defense collapsing on Jacobs junior standout center Cameron Krutwig, the Golden Eagles were able to get an abundance of open 3-point opportunities.

Junior Cooper Schwartz took advantage of the open shots, connecting of 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. He scored 17 points to lead Jacobs to a hard-fought 50-35 win over the Skyhawks in second round action of the Hinkle Holiday Classic hosted by Jacobs in Algonquin Monday night.

"We know teams are going to try to deny Cam the ball and collapse their defense on him," said Jacobs coach Jim Roberts. "Johnsburg did a great job of defending Cam. We are going to get a lot of good looks from 3-point range and we are going to have make them. We have a lot of shooters who can make 3's. Tonight was a good night for Cooper."

Schwartz felt he had the hot hand early.

"Because of Johnsburg collapsing on Cam I was able to get some good looks," said Schwartz. "I hit some 3's early which gave me a lot of confidence."

For the game the Golden Eagles (10-1) made 8-of-16 from 3-point land for 50 percent. Ryan Phillips collected a pair of treys in scoring 8 and Loen Nelson's only 3 points came on a 3 in the third quarter.

Krutwig, who was held scoreless until he connected on a putback with 1:22 left in the third quarter, ended the game with 8 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 blocked shots.

"Cam did a great job of not forcing his shots," said Roberts. "He did a great job of getting the ball to the open shooter."

Johnsburg coach Mike Toussaint believes his team defended Krutwig well.

"You have to collapse on Krutwig because he is such an inside force," said Toussaint. "The trade off is you give up the open 3."

Holding a tenuous 32-25 lead after 3 quarters, Jacobs was able to seize control of the game by scoring the first 10 points of the final 8 minutes.

Three baskets for 6 points by Krutwig and Schwartz's fifth and final 3 of the night keyed the run. Jacobs extended a 7-point lead to 17, 42-25 with 3:44 left in the contest.

Johnsburg (5-5), which made 6-of-15 from 3-point range for 40 percent was led by Bryce Smith with 3 treys for 9 points and Mike Shelton also chipped in 9 with a 3.