High school boys basketball: Cary-Grove tops Jefferson, earns chance to defend Hinkle title

ALGONQUIN – Cary-Grove once again has settled nicely into its home-away-from-home.

The Trojans made their first seven field-goal attempts and kept their distance on Jefferson the rest of the way in a 58-46 victory Friday in their championship bracket semifinal at Jacobs’ Hinkle Holiday Classic.

C-G (12-1) won its 10th consecutive game and advanced to the title game to meet Waubonsie Valley (11-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in a rematch of last year’s championship. C-G won that game, 55-50, and is 8-1 in its past nine tournament games at the Eagles’ Nest.

“It’s always nice to set the tone early,” said forward Ryan Weaver, who hit three of those early buckets. “I don’t know if it’s flexible rims, but it was a great team win. We keep saying, ‘Win the day,’ and we’ve been doing that a lot.”

Guard Beau Frericks hit his first three shots, two of which were 3-pointers, and finished with a game-high 17 points. Weaver and Frank Jakubicek each scored 11.

“It’s awesome [to be back in the championship],” Frericks said. “It’s what we came here knowing we could do. Everyone played within themselves. It’s nice to come out hot.”

Jefferson (11-3) was the last team to beat C-G in the tournament, in pool play last year. The J-Hawks did not have enough early offense to keep up with the Trojans, who shot 66.7% (12 of 18) in the first half.

“Our first quarters have been special,” Trojans coach Adam McCloud said. “It’s good for us to get out. Their pressure didn’t really bother us today. It’s awesome. [The championship] is where you want to be. I’m really happy with the string we’re on.”

Weaver, a 6-foot-2 junior, hit 5 of 6 shots and led C-G with seven rebounds, while drawing two charging fouls.

“He may set the school record for drawing charges,” McCloud said. “He was ‘the guy’ in his own class, then he gets here and we have Frank and Beau. He’s a selfless kid who just finds ways to contribute.”

Weaver scored 14 points in Thursday’s 69-57 win over Barrington to get into the championship bracket.

“With Beau and Frank, they’re great players, and we have to get them the ball,” Weaver said. “My role changes from game to game. Defensive rebounds is one of my main points.”

Jefferson never got C-G’s lead to less than 10 points in the second half. Midway through the fourth quarter the Trojans built the lead up to 58-38.

Latrell Graham led the J-Hawks with 13 points, and Antonio Leavy added 10.