High school basketball: Games to watch for week of Jan. 15-19
Want to know where and when the best hoops action is this week? You've come to the right place. Here are five games you won't want to miss.
Girls basketball
Oregon (17-4) at Lutheran (15-3)
When: 7:15 p.m. today
Where: Lutheran High School, Rockford
BNC West: Oregon 5-0; Lutheran 5-2
On the line: Hawks looking to keep lead in BNC West
Players to watch: Devyn Absher, Oregon sr. F; Sam Lambrigtsen, Oregon jr. G; Rachel Konieczki, Lutheran sr. G; Sam Rundblade, Lutheran sr. G; Abby Woollacott, Lutheran fr. F; Emylyn Wright, Oregon so. G
Outlook: Lutheran is coming off a come-from-behind win in Rock Falls on Saturday. The Hawks are unscathed thus far in conference and will need to control the tempo like they have against other opponents with more size. If Oregon makes it a track meet , Lutheran will be hard-pressed to keep up.
SVM pick: Oregon
Boys basketball
Kewanee (15-2) at Erie (12-7)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Erie High School
Three Rivers: Kewanee 7-0; Erie 4-2
On the line: Erie looking to keep Three Rivers hopes alive.
Players to watch: Matt
Gustafson, Kewanee sr. G; Dayton Ince, Kewanee sr. G; Jacob Johnston, Erie sr. G; Donovan Oliver, Kewanee fr. F; Connor Saad, Erie sr. G; Rhett Stover, Erie sr. F
Outlook: The whole conference will be looking toward Erie to knock off the Boilermakers, who are undefeated in the Three Rivers. Kewanee has experienced guards in Ince and Gustafson to go with a very talented freshman in Oliver. Erie will need Johnston to have one of those big nights he’s known for.
SVM pick: Kewanee
Boys basketball
Polo (11-5) at South Beloit (4-5)
When: 7:15 p.m. Wednesday
Where: South Beloit H.S.
NUIC East: South Beloit 4-1; Polo 4-2
On the line: Third place in the NUIC East standings
Players to watch: Brady Bushman, Polo sr. G; Brady Cleveland, South Beloit sr. F; AJ Dollmeyer, Polo jr. F;
Austin Reeder, Polo sr. F; Edgar Robles, South Beloit jr. F; Matt Saari, South Beloit sr. G
Outlook: While the Sobos have struggled out of conference, they will still be a force to reckon with in the NUIC East. Saari is a top-notch scorer who the Marcos will need to focus on in order to win. Polo been consistent, despite a young lineup. Brady Bushman and company will need to continue that to best the SoBos.
SVM pick: South Beloit
Girls basketball
Dixon (6-13) at Sterling (11-11)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Musgrove Fieldhouse
NIB-12 West: Dixon 2-3; Sterling 5-0
On the line: Sterling trying to stay unblemished in NIB-12.
Players to watch: Brooke Bailey, Dixon jr. G; Kacie Dillow, Dixon sr. F; Darianne Edwards, Dixon sr. F; Kiara Harris, Sterling jr. F: Stephanie Kester, Sterling sr. G; Bailey Oetting, Sterling sr. F
Outlook: The Golden Warriors are looking for a third victory over Dixon this season. Harris is coming off an ankle injury that limited her last week. Dixon has not been a pushover during conference play and would love nothing more than to upset the Warriors.
Twitter: Brian Weidman (@BrianWeidman)
SVM pick: Sterling
Boys basketball
Lutheran (11-3) at Rock Falls (14-4)
When: 7:15 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tabor Gym, Rock Falls
BNC West: Lutheran 4-0; Rock Falls 3-2
On the line: Position among top teams in BNC West
Players to watch: Steven Armoska, Rock Falls sr. F; Austin Babcock, Rock Falls sr. G; Thomas Kopleman, Lutheran jr. G; Connor Olson, Rock Falls sr. F; Tarence Roby, Lutheran sr. G; Nate Wieting, Lutheran so. C
Outlook: Lutheran ends a tough week against a hot Rock Falls team. The Crusaders play at Oregon on Tuesday and host undefeated Winnebago on Thursday. The Rockets will need to shoot well against a very athletic Lutheran squad.
Twitter: Ty Reynolds (@STyReynolds)
SVM pick: Rock Falls
