Dundee-Crown gets past scrappy Jacobs
Survive and advance.
Top-seeded Dundee-Crown could certainly attach that motto to its 41-28 win over upset-minded and seventh-seeded Jacobs in Tuesday's semifinal contest of the Class 4A Dundee-Crown regional held in Carpentersville Tuesday night.
The Chargers (26-6) will play for the regional title Thursday at 7 p.m. against Cary-Grove, a 49-45 win over South Elgin.
The Golden Eagles, who played without 4-year starter Liz Schwartz because of sickness, ended at 6-23.
D-C was able to advance to the regional title despite 17 missed layups, 15 turnovers and 0-for-8 shooting from 3-point range. The Chargers easily defeated the Golden Eagles in Fox Valley Conference play, 44-21 and 53-33.
"Jacobs was really physical and battled us," said D-C coach Sarah Miller. "They played like they had nothing to lose. If we make layups it's not a close game. We took care of business and get to play for a regional championship Thursday night."
The Chargers were able to finally get some breathing space early in the fourth quarter. Leading 29-19 after 3 quarters, D-C started the fourth quarter on a 4-0 run courtesy of baskets from Cassidy Randl and sub Erica Sanchez.
A driving layup by sophomore Mackenzie Leahy with 5:11 left pulled the Eagles within 33-21, but Jacobs couldn't get any closer.
The Chargers sealed the win with 6 free throws in the final 2 minutes, 2 each by Alyssa Crenshaw, Kate Raby and Katelyn Skibinski.
Crenshaw paced the Chargers with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
"Jacobs was very physical and they played better than they did the first 2 games we played them," said Crenshaw. "We finished strong and get a chance at a regional championship Thursday."
Skibinski added 13 points with 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Leahy was outstanding in a losing cause for the Eagles with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.
"Mackenzie accepted every physical and mental challenge we gave her and got better every game," said Jacobs coach Jon Reibel. "She was phenomenal tonight. She is headed in the right direction and has two more years to keep getting better.'
Despite not having Schwartz available, Reibel was happy with the effort.
"The girls executed the game plan and we wanted to play physical and we did," said the Jacobs coach. "We played so hard and with so much effort. Our lower levels did very well this season so we are happy with the direction the program is going."