Inside boys basketball

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Athlete of the Week

JACOB TONKIN

Marian Central, sr.

Tonkin, a 6-foot-3 forward, was instrumental in the Hurricanes’ 56-52 victory against St. Francis on Friday in a pivotal Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division game.

Tonkin scored 13 of his team-high 17 points in the first half as Marian built a 32-18 lead. He hit 7 of 14 field goals and was 3 of 3 at the free-throw line.

Marian needed the victory to tie St. Francis in the loss column in the division standings.

Noteworthy

Showdown brewing: One of the most intriguing games of the year is Feb. 23 when Johnsburg visits Marian Central at 7 p.m.

Johnsburg and Marian have been the area’s top two teams this season. Johnsburg is 19-1 and Marian Central is 17-7, each with a 6-1 record against Fox Valley Conference teams.

Both teams have important division games this week. Unless both teams make it to the Class 3A State Tournament semifinals, this will be their only meeting.

With one more win, Marian will equal its best record since 1997 (18-9).

Streaking Rockets: Richmond-Burton has the longest winning streak among area teams at eight games going into its home contest with Johnsburg on Tuesday. The last time the Rockets lost was to Johnsburg, 53-34, at the Grant Holiday Tournament.

R-B defeated Burlington Central, 52-47, last week to stay unbeaten in the Big Northern Conference East Division and stretch the string to eight games. R-B is 14-6 overall, 6-0 in the BNC East.

This week’s

top games

Crystal Lake South

vs. Cary-Grove

7 p.m. Tuesday, Elroy Fitzgerald Gymnasium

The Gators and Trojans are tied atop the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division with McHenry. C-G’s Class 6A state champion football team will be honored by Maxpreps.com and the National Guard with a 2009 Tour of Champions trophy as one of the nation’s top teams.

Grayslake Central

vs. Johnsburg

7 p.m. Friday, at Johnsburg

The Rams won the earlier matchup on their homecourt, 65-59, for Johnsburg’s only loss of the season. The Skyhawks will be trying to grab at least a share of the FVC Fox Division lead with a victory.

Marian Central vs. Marmion

7:30 p.m. Friday, in Aurora

The Hurricanes can take a share of the SCC Blue Division title if they win their final two road games. Marian defeated Marmion earlier on a last-second shot.

– Joe Stevenson

jstevenson@nwherald.com