Ben Jurzak’s scoring continues; Jacobs, Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South open Hinkle Holiday Classic with wins

ALGONQUIN – Jacobs senior guard Ben Jurzak returned to his home court Saturday morning and continued to do what he’s done since he was a varsity player as a freshman.

He scored, showed off Steph Curry range and helped the Golden Eagles win 49-35 over South Elgin on Day 1 of the Hinkle Holiday Classic.

Mind you, the last time Jurzak stepped on Jacobs' court – eight days earlier – he scored his 1,000th career point. For a guy with “volleyball line” range, the milestone bucket might have been too easy, or at least too close to the basket. He entered the game with 998 points in an Eagles’ uniform.

“It was nice to get it out of the way,” said Jurzak, who hit 1,000 points with a layup on the Eagles’ first possession of their Dec. 13 game against Cary-Grove. “I wasn’t really aware [that 1,000 points is a milestone] until I got to high school. As soon as I knew it was a thing, it was always a goal. So it’s nice to be able to get there.”

Against South Elgin, Jurzak scored nine of his 12 points in the second half. Nolan Roper had a team-high 13 points, all in the first half, as Jacobs (7-2) opened the tournament by winning for the fourth time in its past five games. Emaan Thomas added 10 points, and Samson Averehi had six points and 10 rebounds.

Jurzak sank three 3-pointers, two of which came from well beyond the arc. Shooting from 25-plus feet out has become a big part of his game.

“I try to work on it as much as I can,” Jurzak said. “When we play teams like this (South Elgin) that try to take me away from the three-point line, sometimes I got to step back a little bit and shoot it. That’s just developed over time where [the shot] has progressed to further out every year.”

Jacobs coach Jimmy Roberts calls the 6-foot Jurzak his team’s best offensive player and best defender, and credits him for taking care of his body.

“He’s always had the work ethic, but he’s also always had a good body,” Roberts said. “That’s what allowed him to play up as a freshman.

“He doesn’t get tired,” Roberts added. “We have a weight-lifting competition – two of them every fall – and he’s won the last six or eight of them. So on top of his ability to shoot it and handle it and all of those things, what he’s done with his body and the shape that he’s in, that’s what really allows him to be the player that he is.”

Jurzak and his teammates showed their muscle at both ends of the court in the second quarter against South Elgin (3-9), outscoring the Storm 24-6. Jurzak and Thomas hit 3-pointers.

His team’s defense is what drew Roberts' attention.

“We’re trying to re-emphasize the defensive end of the floor,” Roberts said. “For years and years that was our calling card – we guarded. For whatever reason, I just don’t think we’ve been as good defensively this year and in recent years. We’ve tried to make a concerted effort to get back to our core principles."

Jacobs next plays Barrington at 3 p.m. Monday.

Cary-Grove 56, Johnsburg 42: Adam Bauer had a career-high 24 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals as the Trojans rolled.

Bauer scored eight points in the first quarter in helping Cary-Grove (8-3) build a 12-9 lead. He had 16 points, including a 3-pointer, at halftime as the Trojans extended their lead to 33-17. Bauer, who threw down a two-handed dunk in the third quarter, shot 11 of 14 from the floor and made his only free throw. He sat out most of the fourth quarter with C-G comfortably ahead.

Brady Bauer (eight points) and Brady Elbert (six points, eight rebounds) gave the Trojans production off the bench.

Johnsburg (3-7) was led by JT Schmitt’s eight points (two 3s). Ashton Stern (two 3s) and Josh Kaunas (seven rebounds) each had six points.

C-G, which has won four straight, plays Waubonsie Valley at 4:30 p.m. Monday. Johnsburg plays Elk Grove at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Crystal Lake South 55, Bartlett 40: The Gators received double-digit scoring performances from AJ Demirov (team-high 17 points), Cooper Buelna (13) and Nick Stowasser (10) in their first-round win over the Hawks. South held Bartlett to three points and no field goals in the fourth quarter.

South, winners of four in a row, advance to play Naperville North at 6 p.m. Monday.

Bartlett was led by Colin Taylor with a game-high 19 points and three 3s.

Barrington 65, Prairie Ridge 45: The Wolves fell behind 10-2 and couldn’t keep up with the Broncos in their opening-round loss.

Oliver Gray, a 6-foot-6 junior, scored 32 points to lead Barrington (5-3). Gray was 12 of 19 from the floor, including two 3-pointers and a dunk late in the game, and 6 of 7 from the foul line

Prairie Ridge (3-7) was led by Ben Gablenz’s 23 points (three 3-pointers) and four rebounds. Elijah Loeding had eight points (two 3s) and four steals for the Wolves, who play South Elgin at 9 a.m. Monday.