High school basketball: Five games to watch this week
Boys
Amboy (6-14) at Prophetstown (10-10)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Prophetstown High School
Three Rivers: Amboy 2-7, Prophetstown 4-4
On the line: Prophets look to get a different streak going
Players to watch: Carter Ames, Prophetstown sr. G; Drew Fordham, Amboy sr. F; Ethan Howard, Prophetstown jr. F; Zach Inskeep, Prophetstown sr. F; Devin Johnson, Prophetstown sr. G; Tyson Powers, Amboy sr. G; Damon Quest, Amboy jr. G;
Outlook: The Prophets snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 53-42 win Friday in Morrison. They were 9-3 before the skid. Tyson Powers ranks third in the area in scoring (19.3 ppg). The Clippers had won three straight before dropping their last two.
SVM pick: Prophetstown
Girls
Stockton (16-5) at Eastland (17-7)
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Eastland High School
NUIC West: Stockton 8-0, Eastland 6-2
On the line: Season series and West title for Blackhawks
Players to watch: Brooke Beneventi, Stockton sr. C; Hannah Hake, Eastland jr. F; Emily Langfield, Stockton sr. G; Sarah Nadig, Stockton sr. F; Ashley Nepean, Eastland sr F; Izy Todd, Eastland jr. G
Outlook: Lexi Macomber could be done for the season with a broken bone in her foot. Eastland missed her in a 64-53 loss last Tuesday in Lanark to East Dubuque. Teams have split two games thus far, both mounting fourth-quarter comebacks. Stockton is balanced and perimeter-oriented team with two big posts who rebound well.
SVM pick: Stockton
Girls
Sterling (14-11) at Ottawa (15-5)
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Kingman Gym, Ottawa
NIB-12 West: Sterling 7-0, Ottawa 6-1
On the line: Warriors’ shot at 2-game lead in league
Players to watch: Jasmine Bailey, Ottawa sr. G; Kaitlyn Bauer, Sterling jr. F; Kiarra Harris, Sterling jr. F; Stephanie Kester, Sterling sr. G; Jaleesa Kindred, Ottawa sr. F; Cassidy Rice, Ottawa jr. G
Outlook: Sterling won six of last seven meetings, including last three at Kingman, a notoriously unfriendly venue to visit. Bailey hit seven 3s in the teams’ first meeting this season, which Ottawa led 28-23 at the half. Both teams are hot: Ottawa has won nine of 10, Sterling three straight.
Twitter: Ty Reynolds (@STyReynolds)
SVM pick: Ottawa
Boys
Dixon (3-15) at
Sterling (8-11)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Musgrove Fieldhouse, Sterling
NIB-12 West: Dixon 1-4,
Sterling 2-2
On the line: Bragging rights, Sterling’s NIB-12 West life
Players to watch: Laron Carr, Dixon so. G; Matt Coffey, Dixon so. G; Cal Jarrett, Dixon so. G; Zach Rehmert, Sterling jr. G; Alex Soriano, Sterling jr. G/F; Tre Whittaker, Sterling sr. F
Outlook: Dixon starts four underclassmen and is prone to 34-turnover nights like they had in a 70-51 home loss to Sterling on Dec. 8. They only turned it over 19 times in a 53-30 Sauk Valley Shootout loss Nov. 23 at Musgrove. If Rehmert gets hot, this could become a rout.
Twitter: Ty Reynolds
(@STyReynolds)
SVM pick: Sterling
Girls
Oregon (18-5) at Rock Falls (11-12)
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tabor Gym, Rock Falls
BNC West: Oregon 6-1, Rock Falls 4-4
On the line: Title-hopeful Hawks can’t afford a loss
Players to watch: McKaylee Beeter, Oregon jr. G; Jordan Giddings, Rock Falls sr. F; Sam Lambrigtsen, Oregon jr. G; Morgan Mammosser, Rock Falls sr. G; Bailey Schrader, Rock Falls so. F; Emylyn Wright, Oregon so. G
Outlook: The young Rockets are settling into roles, and Mammosser’s on a tear. There might not be a better guard duo in the area than Lambrigtsen-Wright. If they dictate tempo, look out. See: Oregon’s 64-48 victory over Rock Falls on Dec. 21, fueled by 27 Rock Falls turnovers.
Twitter: Larry Brennan
(@LarryBrennan)
SVM pick: Oregon
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