W. Aurora- Romeoville will have ramifications
No. 1
There will be higher- ranked teams, bigger- named players and more weighty matchups in this year’s When Sides Collide Shootout than what the West AuroraRomeo ville game will offer. But in this loaded field of nonconference showdowns Saturday at Glenbard East, there might not be a more important game.
Romeoville and West Aurora have hardly scuffled — they’re a combined 27- 7 at the midway point of the season — but the loser will lose a little luster after both came into the season with lofty expectations.
Both are on top of their respective conferences, but they need a résumé- building- type win after missed opportunities in holidaytournament play. Romeo ville and West Aurora lost twice at the Big Dipper and Pontiac, respectively, and they will be jockeying for position in the same sectional this March.
This game presents an opportunity to build momentum for a secondhalf run and to add some pop come sectional seeding time in a couple of weeks. A win would help avoid likely having to face favorite Bolingbrook in the sectional semifinal.
West Aurora faces Romeoville in the last game of the event at 7 p.m. Evanston plays DePaul Prep at 1 p.m ., followed by Glenbard EastDowners Grove North at 2:30 p.m ., Young-Bloomington at 4 p.m. and Morgan Park-Fenwick at 5:30 p.m.
No. 2
After winning 25 games last season, along with the program’s first sectional championship since 1998, Naperville North might be better this season.
“I think one difference between this team and last year’s is we’re getting after it defensively a little more, contesting shots better,” coach Jeff Powers said.
The well- balanced Huskies ( 14- 1), who have a key DuPage Valley Conference game Saturday at Wheaton South, are big and long with 6- 7 Chris Johnson ( 13 ppg), 6- 7 Tom Welch ( 13 ppg), 6- 4 Ryan Laurenzo ( eight ppg) and 6- 6 Marcus Lemanski, who just recently returned from injury.
But unheralded senior guard Jack Hill ( 11 ppg) has been given more freedom to show off his skills, and he has taken full advantage. Hill has been steady in handling the ball as the lead guard and has become a knockdown perimeter shooter.
No. 3
While the Central Suburban League South has grabbed the headlines and been embedded in the rankings, there is a nice story developing in the less advertised Central Suburban League North.
After a 1- 4 start, Maine West has rattled off nine victories in 11 games, with the lone losses coming in overtime to Prospect and a onepoint loss to Hersey. Along the way, the Warriors beat talented St. Viator and secured a key CSL North win against Glenbrook North.
Last year was a sign that this Maine West team could do some damage. The Warriors finished 17- 11 ( 6- 4 in the CSL North) after com- bining to go 12- 46 the previous two seasons.
Tom Prokopij, in his second season as coach, has a balanced attack. Seniors Julian Dones ( 13 ppg), Jack Collins ( 14 ppg, nine rpg), Darrington Bates ( seven ppg) and Milos Dugalic ( 11 ppg) have been the backbone.
The Warriors will host conference front- runner Highland Park on Friday.