Streamwood (0-5, 0-1) at Elgin (1-3, 0-0), 7:15 p.m. Friday
Key players
: Streamwood — Brendon Marton, 6-3 F; Cole Seger, 6-4 F. Elgin — Lavion Baldwin, 6-2 G; Desmond Douglas, 5-7 G.
Outlook
: Two teams in big need of a win. Streamwood hasn’t won in the series since the 2010-11 regular-season finale. Maroons’ win was at Richmond-Burton Tournament over Guerin, a 434-student school — and Elgin scored just 37 points. Baldwin averaged 7.6 points at Richmond-Burton to lead Maroons. Streamwood played a solid defensive game Wednesday against Larkin and Marton, a freshman, stepped up with 15 points. Streamwood also had a strong effort from junior guard Alexander Bonds while hanging around with the Royals before getting pushed aside in the fourth, 60-40.
West Aurora (2-2, 0-0) at Bartlett (4-0, 0-0), 7:15 p.m. Friday
Key players
: West Aurora — Roland Griffin, 6-6 F; Tommy Koth, 6-3 G. Bartlett — Ryan DiCanio, 6-3 G; Jason Hasenberg, 6-4 C.
Outlook
: Bartlett takes big step up in competition level after winning the Wheaton Academy Tournament as both teams open Upstate Eight Valley play. West Aurora started at the tough Rock Island Tournament. It’s a typical West Aurora team with rangy, speedy players who are disciplined under coach Gordie Kerkman. DiCanio averaged 21 points and 5.7 rebounds and Hasenberg 5.5 boards and 7.5 points in the tourney win, and the Hawks handily outrebounded foes. But hitting the boards against West will be much more difficult.
Glenbard East (2-2, 0-0) at South Elgin (2-2, 0-0), 7:15 p.m. Friday
Key players
: Glenbard East — Patrick Peterkin 6-6 F; Adam Eboli 6-4 F. South Elgin — Matt Smith 5-11 G; Tyler Hankins 6-10 C.
Outlook
: Glenbard East plays its first Upstate Eight Valley game and Peterkin has been the player whose scoring dictated their success. The Rams beat Glenbard North and South in the District 87 tourney. Peterkin can hit the three as well as go to the basket. South Elgin’s lack of depth could be a problem against a Glenbard East team that uses eight or nine players effectively, like the Storm would like to do. South Elgin handled Fenton and Holy Trinity without problem in the Fenton Tournament, but suffered a blowout loss against Lake Park and a convincing loss to Elk Grove. Smith is averaging 13.7 points, but South Elgin needs others to step up.
St. Charles East (3-1, 0-0) at Larkin (4-1, 1-0), 7:15 p.m. Friday
Key players
: St. Charles East — Cole Gentry 5-11 G; Jeremy Champine 6-0 G. Larkin — Christian Negron 6-6 F; Daniel McFadden 6-5 C.
Outlook
: Battle between two teams hoping to challenge Geneva for Upstate Eight River title. Saints can light up the scoreboard with three-point shooters like Gentry, Jake Clodi and Jake Asquini. They hit 29 three-pointers at their own Thanksgiving tourney while registering impressive wins over St. Charles North, East Aurora and Schaumburg. Larkin’s quickness at guard is a big plus, but Royals have suffered from backcourt inexperience. McFaddon, Negron and Tanner Gardon can attack Saints inside, but someone has to get them the ball. Larkin has won the last four games in the series.
Hampshire (3-1) at Burlington Central (3-1), 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Key players
: Hampshire — Matt Bridges 6-2 F; Drew Doran 5-11 G. Burlington Central — Ryan Fitzgerald, 6-5 F; Stefan Jochum, 6-0 G.
Outlook
: Hampshire has won four of last five in this battle between rivals separated by only a few miles but now also by conferences. However, Burlington won 64-51 last year. The teams didn’t get to meet last week in the Strombom tourney, but both lost by 11 to Rockford Jefferson, Hampshire in the title game and Burlington in the semifinals. Fitzgerald is coming off an area-best 37-point night against Byron. The Whip-Purs can surround him down low with 6-5 Jake and Luke Tuttle and 6-6 Daniel Duchaj. It could be how well the Rockets’ guards can do against Doran and Ajiri Oghale in the backcourt.
