Rockford top games to watch include battle for NIC-10 lead, No. 2 vs. No. 6 team in state

Matt Trowbridge, Rockford Register Star

The NIC-10 is nearing the midpoint of its season, yet already Guilford has a chance to put a stranglehold on only its second conference boys basketball title in over 20 years. But they have to get past one huge obstacle first. Here is a look at that game and Rockford’s other top boys and girls basketball games this week:

BOYS

Guilford at Auburn, Wednesday

Defending champion Guilford (14-4, 9-0) would open a two-game lead on Auburn (11-6, 7-1) and at least three games on everyone else if it can knock off the preseason favorite Knights in their own gym.

“It’s a huge game for both programs,” Guilford coach Chris Dixon said. “We could create some space if we win. It’s an even bigger matchup for them to close the gap and try to tie it back up.

“We have to take care of the basketball. “Auburn can get teams to speed up and create havoc and turnovers. We have to take care of the basketball and execute in our half-court sets.”

Guilford's head coach Christopher Dixon gives his team pep talk during a game against Belvidere North on Jan. 3, 2024 at Belvidere North High School.
Guilford's head coach Christopher Dixon gives his team pep talk during a game against Belvidere North on Jan. 3, 2024 at Belvidere North High School.

More: From the hunter to the hunted: Guilford stays on top of NIC-10 boys basketball race

Rockford Christian at Rockford Lutheran, Wednesday

Lutheran (12-6, 2-0) is the four-time defending unbeaten Big Northern champ. Rockford Christian (10-3, 2-0) finished second last year, but this game doesn’t count in the BNC, which plays only nine league games. But this rivalry is too good to only play once a year so they play a second Crosstown Classic game with the winner keeping the traveling trophy for a year. RC has it and Lutheran wants it. Lutheran should have the advantage inside with Vontez Dent, but RC has a pair of high-scoring 5-10 guards in Christian Cummings and Elijah Daugherty.

“The rivalry has gotten bigger and bigger since they joined the Big Northern,” Lutheran coach Tom Guse said. “The kids love it. Both student sections love it. It’s a lot of fun.

“The speed that they have, you know you are going to play a fast game. They lack size, but they always seem to play bigger than they are.”

More: Lutheran vs. Boylan is Rockford private school basketball royalty showdown

Eastland at Fulton, Wednesday

Eastland (11-5, 3-0 NUIC South) takes its five-game win streak to defending league champ Fulton (11-5, 2-0), which was state-ranked earlier in the year and is led by Baylen Damhoff, a 6-6 second-team All-State forward.

Pecatonica at Dakota, Wednesday

Pecatonica (11-3, 1-0 NUIC North) is ranked No. 6 in the state in Class 1A, but has lost its last two games, most recently to No. 4 Aurora Christian in overtime. Dakota is only 8-8 overall, but is 3-0 in the league. Pec may need a win here to claim its third consecutive outright NUIC North title.

GIRLS

Guilford at Hononegah, Tuesday

Hononegah (16-3, 7-0 NIC-10) has won 45 conference games in a row, since a 38-35 loss to Guilford late in the COVID season. That is Hononegah’s only conference loss the last four years. Hono also holds a 13-point win over Boylan (17-2, 9-1). But it barely beat Guilford (12-8, 7-2) in their first matchup, despite a torrent of Viking turnovers.

“We have to take care of the ball,” Guilford coach Mike Jamerson said. “We had 41 turnovers; you aren’t going to beat anybody in the country doing that. Offense is going to be hard to come by against them. It’s going to have to be more of a defensive game. If we stick with our defensive principles and take care of the basketball, it can be an interesting game.”

Pecatonica at Orangeville, Thursday

Orangeville (20-1, 5-0 NUIC North) is ranked No. 2 in Class 1A. Pecatonica (18-2, 3-1) is No. 6. Orangeville has ruled the conference three years in a row, but Pec has been a strong challenger behind junior guard Elaina Rager, who unseated Orangeville forward Whitney Sullivan as league MVP last year.

“We have to control their athleticism,” Orangeville coach Jay Doyle said. “They are very athletic and very fast. On our end, we just have to focus on what we do well, what we have done all year.”

Contact: mtrowbridge@rrstar.com, @matttrowbridge or 815-987-1383. Matt Trowbridge has covered sports for the Rockford Register Star for over 30 years, after previous stints in North Dakota, Delaware, Vermont and Iowa City.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford's best games to watch: Rivarly game, NIC-10 lead, ranked foes

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