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Cary-Grove ends 6-year skid to Jacobs

The drought is finally over.

After losing 13 straight games to Jacobs, Cary-Grove broke the 6-year dry spell with a hard fought 56-47 Fox Valley Conference win over the Golden Eagles in Cary Wednesday night.

“This win for all the other players before,” said Cary-Grove coach Adam McCloud. “The kids were really motivated and pumped up to win this game. This is a big program win. (Jacobs coach) Jimmy's (Roberts) teams play such good defense. They are the best perimeter defensive team in the conference. It was a dogfight for 4 quarters. We played well when we had to in the fourth quarter.”

Cary-Grove had a narrow 38-37 lead over the upset-minded Golden Eagles after 3 quarters of play.

Junior standout Beau Frericks, who scored a game-high 24 points, scored 5 points as the Trojans (12-5, 4-3) started the fourth quarter on a 9-3 run and led 47-40 with 5:09 left in the contest.

Jacobs sophomore Zach Leahy responded with a conventional 3-point play and the visitors from Algonquin trailed 47-43 with 4:18 left.

Jacobs (8-10, 2-5) couldn't get any closer.

Frericks scored on a layup and connected on 2 free throws for 4 points and LJ Waco made both of his charity tosses as the Trojans closed out a 9-point win.

“Beau's our Mariano Rivera,” said McCloud. “He is our closer. With the game on line we want him with the ball.'

Waco backed Frericks with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists for the winners.

“We were really hyped and motivated for this game,” said Waco. “It had been a long time since we beat Jacobs. I got some great passes from my teammates and got a lot of easy layups.”

Waco was a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor.

“LJ was our MVP tonight,” said McCloud. “He had an amazing game at both ends.”

Frank Jakubicek scored 13 with 12 boards and 3 assists for the Trojans.

Matt McCoy scored 17 with 3 3's and Jaden Henderson tallied 14 for the Golden Eagles.

“Matt always played hard and shot the ball well and Jaden had a very good game.” said Roberts. “Jaden wore down because he had to guard 2 (Frericks) at the other end. He is a very good player and is a tough player to guard.”

Roberts has seen the Golden Eagles melt down in the fourth quarter many times during the 2018-2019 campaign.

“Repeat rinse, repeat rinse,” said the Jacobs coach. “We have proven we are not capable of playing 32 minutes against good basketball teams. We can't do it. We don't have the toughness to do it.”

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