Athlete of the Week Nick Geske C
Athlete of the Week
Nick Geske
Crystal Lake South, sr.
Geske, a 6-foot guard, took over the Gators’ opener in the Jacobs Holiday Classic against Johnsburg, scoring 14 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter.
Geske hit two 3-pointers to keep South close in the third quarter, then erupted in the fourth.
With the Gators trailing 51-46, Geske hit a 3, converted a three-point play after an offensive rebound basket, missed a shot and grabbed the rebound for an assist, then made two more driving layups.
By the time Geske’s flourish was done, South, which was on a three-game skid, was in control of the game.
“Nick just took over the game when we needed it,” Gators coach Matt LePage said. “If there ever was a must-win this early in the year, this was it for us.”
Noteworthy
History makers: McHenry’s shooting performance in Saturday’s 89-48 victory over Round Lake ranks as one of the best in state history.
According to IHSA.org, the Warriors’ 18 3s ties for eighth on the state’s all-time list with five other teams.
Guard Shane Varvil led McHenry with six 3s. The Warriors shot 62.1 percent (18 of 29) from behind the arc.
Varvil, by the way, has been one of the area’s hottest players with games of 24, 25, 29 and 25 points in his past four games.
Speaking of history: Huntley’s 2005 team is one of the five tied with McHenry for hitting 18 3s in one game.
The Red Raiders pulled off that feat against Dundee-Crown on Feb. 12, 2005.
Prairie Ridge is one of eight teams tied at 13th with 17 3s in one game.
The Wolves hit those against Crystal Lake Central on Dec. 14, 1999.
This week’s
tournament games
Jacobs Holiday Classic
Wednesday through Saturday
Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, Jacobs, Johnsburg, Marian Central and Prairie Ridge are the local teams competing in the tournament.
Elgin Holiday Tournament
Wednesday through Saturday
Dundee-Crown (8-1) is the only local team competing and earned the No.. 3 seed in the tournament.
DeKalb Chuck Dayton
Classic
Wednesday through Friday
Hampshire (9-1) is the only local team competing and won its first-round game Saturday.
Bloomington State Farm Holiday Classic
Wednesday through Saturday
Huntley plays at this tournament, which features a tough field. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, big man Amanze Egekeze will not be back for a couple of more weeks after knee surgery.
Marengo E.C. Nichols
Tournament
Thursday through Saturday
Woodstock had a strong start on Saturday with two wins. Marengo, Harvard and Woodstock North also are in the tournament.
Grant Holiday Tournament
Wednesday through Saturday
McHenry and Richmond-Burton are the local teams in the field.
– Joe Stevenson
joestevenson@shawmedia.com