High school boys basketball: Postseason opens with Cary-Grove, Huntley hoping to capitalize on strong seasons

The seasons Cary-Grove and Huntley have put together are strikingly similar.

Both teams are led by two standout players surrounded by solid supporting casts.

Cary-Grove broke its school record for victories and won its first Fox Valley Conference title since 2010.

Huntley can tie its school record with two more wins and split its FVC games with C-G.

Now, both are looking to further validate their seasons with regional titles, both playing on their home courts.

The Classes 3A and 4A boys regionals start across the state on Monday, with C-G (28-3) and Huntley (25-6) each hosting a 4A regional. Woodstock North, which equaled its school record at 17-11, hosts a Class 3A regional and is trying to win back-to-back regional titles.

“Our team, our fans and our parents, everybody would be disappointed if the season came to an end anytime soon,” C-G coach Adam McCloud said, “just because the expectations are so high. Our guys have done a great job all year of staying focused on winning the game in front of them and preparation. We really didn’t talk much about the conference. It was out there and they knew, but we just tried to win every game.

“They’re focused on making the season go as long as they can. It’s just win and keep going.”

The Trojans beat the 2001 team’s school record (26-5) and will try to join that team as the only other regional champ in C-G history.

Guard Beau Frericks (NCAA Division II Lewis University) leads the area at 20.2 points a game and has an area-high 84 3-pointers. Frank Jakubicek, C-G’s 6-foot-8 forward, averages 15.1 points and 8.0 rebounds a game. Jakubicek will play at D-I Belmont.

C-G, the top seed in its sub-sectional, opens with Larkin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Elroy Fitzgerald Gymnasium.

Huntley coach Will Benson is thrilled with his team’s strong finish. The Red Raiders were 16-2 in the FVC, good enough to win in a lot of seasons, but one game behind C-G.

“I feel like our kids have worked so hard to turn this thing around,” said Benson, whose team was 6-23 two years ago. “They deserve to cut down the nets on their home court, that would be a perfect moment. I know we’re playing well and our fight and toughness give us a chance.”

Guard Uchenna Egekeze (14.6 ppg., 7.1 rpg.) and forward Ryan Sroka (15.6, 6.8, 59 3s) lead the Raiders. Those two and guard Ryan Crosby were prominent in the rotation two seasons ago.

Huntley was seeded No. 3 in its sub-sectional, Jefferson got the No. 2 seed. Huntley meets No. 6 Harlem at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“If we can get to a fourth quarter and it’s a possession or two game, I’ll take our guys over anybody,” Benson said. “They’ve found a way to get it done.”

Burlington Central (22-9) is the top seed in its own regional, where Crystal Lake South (16-13) is No. 6. The Gators have won six of their last seven games, with one of those wins over Huntley. South plays Marmion (10) in a play-in game at 7 p.m. Monday.

“We’ve been playing better lately,” LePage said. “We’ll have to play our best game to advance in this tough regional.”

Hampshire (19-11) is a No. 2 sub-sectional seed and the top seed at the Plano Regional. The Whip-Purs have lost five of their last six, but they present a tough matchup size-wise with all five starters 6-3 or taller.

“We match up well in our regional,” Whips coach Mike Featherly said. “We need to get back to the team-first attitude in order for us to be successful.”

Woodstock North finished second in the Kishwaukee River Conference to Marengo. The Thunder won a regional for the first time in school history last season.