Games to watch for Jan. 7-12
Boys
Oregon (9-6) at Rock Falls (12-4)
When: 7:15 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Tabor Gym, Rock Falls
Big Northern West: Oregon 0-3; Rock Falls 1-2
On the line: Neither team can afford another BNC West loss to stay in tough race.
Players to watch: Jace Anderson, Rock Falls sr. G; Steven Armoska, Rock Falls sr. F; Alex Cain, Oregon sr. G; Alex Leaf, Rock Falls sr. G; Jessie McKinley Jr., Oregon jr. G; Caleb Mowry, Oregon sr. F
Outlook: Game features matchup between two of the best post players in the area in Armoska and Mowry. Both have had games of 30-plus points. Winner of game will be which team does a better job denying ball to post.
Twitter: Dan Woessner (@DanWoessner)
SVM pick: Rock Falls
Girls
Newman (11-7) at Prophetstown (18-3)
When: 7:30 p.m Thursday
Where: Prophetstown H.S.
Three Rivers: Newman 7-1; Prophetstown 6-1
On the line: First place in the Three Rivers
Players to watch: Rachel Hageman, Newman sr. F; Jaimie Hurd, Newman sr. G; Clare Kramer, Prophetstown so. F; Mary Alice Oswalt, Newman jr. F; Cassie Reiley, Prophetstown sr. G; Riley Walters, Prophetstown sr. F
Outlook: The Comets and Prophets meet for the second straight week, and for the second time with the Prophets coming off a loss to Riverdale. Newman held tough for a quarter in Sterling last week, but ultimately, the Prophets cruised to a 56-33 win.
SVM pick: Prophetstown
Boys
Sterling (7-9) at LaSalle-Peru (8-5)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: LaSalle-Peru H.S.
NIB-12 West: Sterling 2-1; LaSalle-Peru 4-0
On the line: Sterling needs win to draw closer in Cavs in NIB-12 West
Players to watch: Zack Everett, Sterling sr. F; Cornell Hartz, Sterling sr. G; Cameron Hight, LaSalle-Peru sr. G; Noah Lamboley, LaSalle-Peru jr. G; Zach Rehmert, Sterling sr. G; Jens Soderholm, LaSalle-Peru sr. F
Outlook: The Cavaliers have a little bit everything with a solid post in Soderholm and quick, good-shooting guards like Hight and Lamboley. The Warriors philosophy of using line-changes will need execute at its highest level to wear down the high-octane Cavs.
Twitter: Larry Brennan (@LarryBrennan)
SVM pick: LaSalle-Peru
Boys
Newman (11-3) at Prophetstown (9-7)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Prophetstown H.S.
Three Rivers: Newman 3-1; Prophetstown 3-1
On the line: Winner keeps pace with undefeated Kewanee in Three Rivers
Players to watch: Carter Ames, Prophetstown sr. F; Devin Johnson, Prophetstown sr. G; Zach Inskeep, Prophetstown sr. F: Kyle Moore, Newman sr. F; A.J. Sharp, Newman jr. G; Lucas Terveer, Newman sr. G
Outlook: The Prophets are looking to right the ship after a disappointing showing at the Newman tournament. The Comets struggled out of the gate after the gates in a loss to Aquin, and a narrow win over Polo at the Rock Falls Shootout. Both teams will want to avoid falling two games behind conference leader Kewanee.
Twitter: Brian Weidman (@BrianWeidman)
SVM pick: Newman
Girls
Rockford Lutheran (11-3) at Rock Falls (7-11)
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tabor Gym, Rock Falls
BNC West: Lutheran 3-2; Rock Falls 1-3
On the line: Chance for Rockets to climb back into BNC West race
Players to watch: Jordan Giddings, Rock Falls sr. F; Rachel Konieczki, Lutheran sr. G: Morgan Mammosser, Rock Falls sr. G; Sam Rundblade, Lutheran sr. G; Bailey Schrader, Rock Falls so. F; Abby Woollacott, Lutheran fr. F
Outlook: The Crusaders had not lost a conference game in two seasons until Oregon dropped on Dec. 4. However, Rock Falls did upset Lutheran in a sectional semifinal game last year. The Rockets have not had the season they expected, but there is still plenty of time to turn the ship around. A win over Lutheran would be a step in the right direction.
SVM pick: Lutheran
