Boys basketball: Jacobs switches Hinkle Holiday Classic format

Jacobs announced that the format of the Hinkle Holiday Classic will be changed next year from five games to four.

For most of its history, the Hinkle Holiday Classic has started with three days of pool play, then finished with two days of bracket play in a five-game format.

The tournament now will follow the traditional 16-team, single-elimination bracket. Locally, Jacobs, Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South, Johnsburg, Marian Central and Prairie Ridge are the teams that participate at the Hinkle.

“We’ve contemplated it for years,” Jacobs boys basketball coach Jimmy Roberts said. “We just think it’s a better, cooler format. Next year’s calendar makes it a good year to do it. We would have had to play five days in a row, that gets to be a lot. I think it will bring some excitement.”

Larkin beat Barrington in this season’s Hinkle Holiday Classic championship. Jacobs also announced that Hoffman Estates and Elk Grove have been added to next year’s field, while Waubonsie Valley and Loyola are leaving.

Roberts said Waubonsie Valley was looking to not travel as far, while Loyola coach Tom Livatino, a close friend of Roberts, needed a one-year deal. Loyola traditionally travels to Florida for a holiday tournament.

Roberts thought most coaches were fine with the format change.

“People are happy and excited,” Roberts said. “They like the change.”