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Scouting Tri-Cities area boys basketball sectionals

By Dave Oberhelman

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

Class 3A Rochelle sectional semifinal

Marengo (26-5) vs. Aurora Central Catholic (15-14)

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Outlook: Two teams led by coaches named Nathan, two teams that enjoy similar offensive styles. As with Aurora Central coach Nathan Drye's Chargers, Marengo coach Nate Wright's Indians favor the 3-ball. Most specifically Marengo junior guard Zach Knobloch, who extended his season state record to 153 3s in Friday's 62-48 win over Woodstock to win the Marengo regional.

The Northwest Herald's Joe Stevenson reported it was Marengo's most wins and first regional title since 2000 and that the Indians made 3-pointers on 11 of their 17 field goals. Nearly as young as Aurora Central, Marengo's top three scorers against Woodstock were Knobloch, junior guard Craiton Nice and sophomore guard Mike Volkening. "I'd assume there's going to be a lot of 3-pointers chucked up on Tuesday night," Drye said.

It doesn't sound like the Chargers will have to drill on a totally different system, then. Aurora Central, which beat Montini then No. 1 Marmion and No. 3 Glenbard South to claim the IMSA regional title, takes about 39 percent of its shots from 3-point range. Guards Brett Czerak and Mac Cowen and forward Evan Schuetz all are over 41 percent from the arc and 6-4 Mario May can hit a key 3 as well.

What's more, while ACC runs its 2-3 zone full-time, Drye said Marengo runs that defense about two-thirds of the time, as well as a man-to-man defense. Of interest, Glenbard South ran several players at Czerak (16.3 points per game) during the regional final, limiting him to 9 points all in the fourth quarter - yet with big games by Schuetz, May, Cowen and Kyle Czerak the Chargers still won.

"If we shoot it well I think we have a pretty decent chance," Drye said.Advancement: The winner advances to play Wednesday's winner between Hampshire and Rockford Lutheran in Friday's sectional title game.

Class 4A DeKalb sectional semifinal

Rockford Jefferson (23-8) vs. Geneva (27-3)

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Outlook: The good news for Geneva is Rockford Jefferson plays a similar defensive style to that of St. Charles East. The bad news is Rockford Jefferson plays a similar defensive style to that of St. Charles East. In Geneva's 73-70 win over the Saints to claim a second consecutive regional title Geneva turned the ball over 19 times - an improvement over the Upstate Eight River foes' two prior games. The Vikings advanced with the help of Nate Navigato, Mike Landi, Stephen Moyer, Daniel Santacaterina and Sean Chambers helping point guard Pace Temple break the Saints press, often capitalizing on the offensive end.

Geneva will maintain its season-long advantage, that of height, over the J-Hawks, who the Rockford Register Star said equaled its program wins record with the Class AA fourth-place 2005 team. Geneva coach Phil Ralston - who split meetings with Jefferson coach Todd Brannan at DeKalb's holiday tournament in 2008 and 2009 - cited 6-5 Corey Smith as a glass-crasher and likened Montel Brown to Batavia's Chasen Peez as a post-to-perimeter player. However, Ralston said players such as M.L. Moore, Kaveon Rogers and point guard Chris Ellis enjoy a free-flowing offensive game heavy on pushing the tempo and creating transition.

The coach said the J-Hawks will press or trap in the full- or half-court, man or 1-2-2, and bring Lamar Upshaw and Stephan Hunter off the bench to "create havoc on defense." Maintaining its own pace, executing its half-court sets and getting the ball inside will be key to Geneva's advancement.

Geneva can't take its height advantage for granted. Twice in the final seconds of the fourth quarter in Rockford Jefferson's 55-53 overtime victory against Crystal Lake South to win the Huntley regional title the J-Hawks followed their own missed free throws with offensive rebounds to inevitably force overtime.

Geneva also will have to keep its fouls in check against the quick Jefferson squad, and get scoring from multiple players. Against St. Charles East Navigato surged in the second half for the bulk of his 31 points; without Landi's 11 points or Temple breaking down the Saints defense for most of his 14 points in the first half on drives to the hoop, the outcome may have been different.

"We have to keep them on the perimeter, make them shoot contested 3s and beat them on the boards. If we do those things I think we'll win," Ralston said.

Advancement: The winner advances to play Tuesday's winner between Rockford Auburn and Larkin in Friday's sectional title game.

Class 4A East Aurora sectional semifinal

No. 6 West Aurora (20-8) vs. No. 7 York (18-12)

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Outlook: Benet, evidenced by 4-of-19 3-point shooting, became the latest team to struggle against York's 1-2-2 zone defense in the Dukes' 39-31 win in the Glenbard West regional championship. It helped the Dukes dictate the pace at both ends, something that won't be as easy against West Aurora's pressure.

"I think we have to adjust to their style of play, not that we necessarily have to play that way," said West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman, who directed the Blackhawks to their 40th regional title with a 65-50 win over Wheaton North at West Aurora.

"They play a sort of slowdown game, very patient, and I think that really threw Benet off," Kerkman said.

York guard Jayvon Thomas, a two-year starter and 6-foot senior, is one of the sectional's top scorers, averaging almost 19 points. He'll need help - especially on the perimeter. Usually that help comes in the form of senior guard Luke Libert, junior guard Jack Morrissey and 6-2 junior forward Joe Pierotti.

Kerkman suspected he'd have either point guard Matt Dunn or even 6-6 Roland Griffin on Thomas. The Dukes should go as Thomas goes.

In the wake of Marquis Howard's 14 3-point baskets and 46 points on Feb. 20, and the continued focus on Griffin, who averages about 17 points, Tommy Koth has enjoyed a renaissance. The senior forward opened the playoffs with 17 points against Naperville North and matched his season high of 20 against Wheaton North. In a game that demands patience and smart shots, the experience of Blackhawks seniors Howard, Griffin, Reggie Jordan and particularly Dunn and do-it-all Koth is a good thing. (Incidentally, if Howard makes one more 3-pointer he'll have broken the program record of 77 in a season he shares with Jontrell Walker.)

"We just have to keep playing the way we've been playing - tough defense and doing a better job on the boards," Kerkman said.

Advancement: The winner advances to play Tuesday's winner between Metea Valley and Hinsdale Central in Friday's sectional title game.

- Dave Oberhelman

Kevin Schmit contributed to this report

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