Basketball Recap: Jacobs Comes Up Short

Jacobs played a tough contest on Friday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They were beaten by the Central Rockets 71-44. While losing is never fun, the Golden Eagles can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 228th, while the Rockets are ranked 85th).

Jordan O'Connor

Points (Career)

02/14/25 @ Central	10
01/27/24 vs St. Charles East	7
01/10/25 vs Dundee-Crown	6
11/26/24 vs Lake View	6
01/24/25 vs McHenry	5

Jacobs' defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jordan O'Connor, who posted ten points. Those ten points gave O'Connor a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Ben Jurzak, who put up 11 points and five rebounds.

Central was led to victory by Jacob Johnson and Patrick Shell. Johnson went 8-for-14 en route to 19 points in addition to seven boards and three steals, while Shell went 8-for-14 on his way to 17 points along with six rebounds and five steals. Shell is also on a roll when it comes to field goal percentage, as he's posted one of at least 46% in the last six games he's played. Another player making a difference was Patrick Magan, who went 6-for-9 to rack up 13 points.

Jacobs has traveled a rocky road recently having lost nine of their last 11 matches, which has put a noticeable dent in their 15-14 record this season. As for Central, they pushed their record up to 21-8 with the win, which was their fifth straight at home.

Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Jacobs will face off against Crystal Lake South at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. One thing working in Crystal Lake South's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last five games. As for Central, they will challenge Hampshire at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Central is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 59.9 points per game this season.