Basketball Recap: Jacobs Proves Higher State Rank Is No Mistake

Jacobs won the last time they faced Crystal Lake Central and things went their way on Thursday too. The Jacobs Golden Eagles took down the Crystal Lake Central Tigers 62-45. Given the Golden Eagles' advantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 230th, while the Tigers are ranked 531st), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Ben Jurzak

Field Goal Percentage

02/20/25 vs Crystal Lake Central	44%
02/18/25 vs Crystal Lake South	36%
02/14/25 @ Central	25%
02/11/25 @ Hampshire	11%
02/08/25 @ Mundelein	40%
+ 15 more games

Jacobs had a senior duo take command as Nolan Roper went 7-for-11 on his way to 19 points and Ben Jurzak went 7-for-16 to rack up 20 points. What's more, Jurzak also posted a 44% field goal percentage, which is the highest he's achieved since back in December of 2024. Another player making a difference was Connor Goehring, who posted six points and five boards.

Jacobs now has a winning record of 16-15. As for Crystal Lake Central, they are on a 14-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 6-25.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Jacobs will venture away from home to square off against McHenry at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Jacobs is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 52.1 points per game this season. As for Crystal Lake Central, they will challenge Prairie Ridge at 7:00 p.m. on Monday.