Athlete of the Week
Brad Knoeppel
CL Central, sr.
Knoeppel was all over the place Friday as he helped the Tigers to a 66-56 victory over Hampshire in their pivotal Fox Valley Conference Fox Division matchup.
Knoeppel hit 8 of 11 field goals, with three 3-pointers, and finished with a career-high 24 points. He also handed out six assists.
Hampshire made a run at Central in the third quarter, cutting the lead to five, but Knoeppel hit three more shots late in the quarter to push the lead to 13.
“He really put us on his back in the third quarter,” Tigers coach Rich Czeslawski said. “He just decided to get us a bucket a few times.”
The victory puts Central (19-2 overall, 7-1 FVC Fox) in sole possession of first place with four remaining games. Hampshire is 17-4, 6-2.
Noteworthy
Buhrow on fire: Woodstock senior guard Andy Buhrow hit 9 of 18 3-pointers Friday night as the Blue Streaks defeated Johnsburg, 56-50, in overtime.
On a night when Woodstock's leading scorers Jordan Turner and Damian Stoneking were held to six points, Buhrow erupted with his career-high of 29 points. He also hit two 3s in the overtime to give Woodstock the lead.
Buhrow was overtaken last week by McHenry's Shane Varvil for the area lead in 3s, but now Buhrow is back in front with 52. Varvil has 45.
Back in time: The boys basketball game Feb. 15 with Jacobs hosting Prairie Ridge is being billed as “Back to the Future.” The game will be played in the Golden Eagles' old gym at the request of retiring Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle.
Fans may want to come early because the gym seats only 1,200 people, about half of what the new gym holds.
Awards will be given out to people wearing the best costumes from the movie “Back to the Future.”
This Week's Top Games
Richmond-Burton at Burlington Central
7 p.m. Friday
R-B had a rough first part of the season but is right with Burlington in the chase for the Big Northern Conference East Division title. R-B won at Burlington last year to clinch the championship.
Jacobs at McHenry
7 p.m. Wednesday
Wayne Messmer will sing the national anthem before this FVC Valley Division game. Messmer has sung at Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, Cubs and Chicago Wolves games.
Huntley at Dundee-Crown
7 p.m. Saturday
If Huntley wins at Crystal Lake South today, the Red Raiders can clinch their third consecutive FVC Valley Division championship with a victory at D-C. The Chargers are the only team with a realistic chance of catching Huntley.
– Joe Stevenson
joestevenson@shawmedia.com
