Krutwig makes a big difference for Jacobs
Here is this week’s threepointer:
No. 1
A point guard usually is considered to be the one player on the floor that can control the game and make those around him better. Cameron Krutwig of Jacobs is a 6- 8 big man who brings those attributes to his team.
Krutwig was dominant ( 40 points, 31 rebounds, four blocks, eight assists) last week in two regional wins over Larkin and DeKalb. He also surpassed 1,000 career points. Jacobs will play Rockford Auburn in the sectional semifinal Tuesday at Rock Valley College.
Like a talented point guard, Krutwig is more than just numbers. He’s a constant presence as a low- post scorer, defender and rebounder, and he is a terrific passer, too. Krutwig demands the attention of the defense because of his basketball IQ. He’s patient in the post when he needs to be, or he’s quick on the block with back- to- the- basket moves.
Krutwig, who is one of the City/ Suburban Hoops Report’s top- 10 prospects in the junior class, fills a stat sheet like no other big man in the state. He is averaging 17.5 points, 13 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.5 assists.
No. 2
A wide- open season full of parity and surprises has led us to several feel- good stories in March.
Minooka and Glenbard West have surpassed expectations and are doing things that haven’t been done in their respective programs in four decades.
Minooka’s win over Bolingbrook on Friday night gave the Indians their first regional championship since 1977. Justin Pierce led Glenbard West to its first conference championship in over 40 years. The Hilltoppers have set school records for wins, points and rebounds.
Coach Tai Streets returned to his almamater and has led Thornton to a 24- 3 record and sectional appearance in his first season with a relentless and scrappy team. Proviso East’s storyline now includes the emotional return of its coach, Donnie Boyce, just before the start of regional play.
Then there are the low- seeded teams that emerged from regional play: a trio of No. 6 seeds in Crete- Monee, Proviso East and York; No. 7 seed Joliet Central; No. 8 seed Antioch; and the biggest underdog still playing — Hoffman Estates— a 13th seed in the Fremd Sectional.
No. 3
Make no mistake about it, R. D. Lutze has been Aurora Christian’s rock all season. The physical shooting guard has produced, averaging 17 points while making big shots from all over the floor. None were bigger than his threepointer with 18 seconds remaining to lift the Eagles to a 59- 58 Class 2A sectional final win over Reed- Custer.
However, the emergence of sophomore Jake Wolfe over the second half of the season has lifted Aurora Christian ( 25- 5) to a new level. Wolfe is a skilled, justbeginningto- bloom 6- 3 shooting guard who has steadily climbed the City/ Suburban Hoops Report Class of 2018 player rankings. In four Aurora Christian tournament wins, Wolfe has averaged 19.5 points.
The Eagles face Rockridge in the supersectional Tuesday at Northern Illinois.