Early exit last year has Somonauk

Lesson learned Early exit last year has Somonauk focused entering postseason

SOMONAUK -- They're a senior-dominated team that, if they must go out, would like to go out in style. To do that they know, from experience, they can't look past anyone.

"It's not fun to talk about (last year)," said senior guard Scott Powers, who spearheads the Somonauk attack with a 16.6 scoring average.

The Bobcats' season ended prematurely last year when they lost 66-52 to Ottawa Marquette in their playoff opener. It was the same Ottawa Marquette they had beaten 72-46 just 12 days earlier.

"We had handed it to them pretty well (the first meeting) but they came out to play," said Powers.

"I think we realize, you lose one game you're out. This is no time to make mistakes. We have to go out and play hard each game."

The Little Ten Conference regular season and tournament champs will carry a 22-3 record and the third seed into their postseason opener tonight at the Streator Woodland Regional, where they meet 12th seed Dwight of the Interstate Eight at 8 p.m..

If they win, they would meet a familiar foe. The winner of Little Ten rivals Hinckey-Big Rock and Leland/Earlville would be the second round opponent with second seed Donovan (22-1) looming on the horizon in Friday's title matchup.

Somonauk is ranked ninth in Class 1A in the state by the Associated Press, while Donovan is listed among others receiving votes. Still, Donovan does have a 43-41 win over St. Anne, which is the top seed in the lower half of the bracket that feeds into next week's Somonauk Sectional. And St. Anne is ranked fifth in 1A.

"Last year certainly left a bad taste in the kids' mouths," said Somonauk coach Ron Hunt. "We had won 11 in a row in January. And here we are, having put together a pretty good season so far. We don't want to quit and we don't want to repeat (last year)."

The Bobcats aren't big, but come at teams with an up-tempo three-guard attack. It includes senior Josh Rivera (8.2 ppg) and junior Shayne Peterson (10 ppg) teamed with Powers, who also leads Somonauk rebounders with a 4.5 average even though he doesn't top 6-foot.

Seniors Steve Weismiller and Jared Josefchuk are likely to comprise the front line but senior Mitch Bunkofske (9.6 ppg) is counted on to provide a spark off the bench, as is senior Matt Houghtaylen.

Several players on the team also play soccer and were key contributors to the team that placed second in state two years ago.

Hunt hopes that experience pays dividend in the postseason run in the new four-class system.

"It gives us more confidence knowing there are fewer teams from bigger schools that we can run up against," said Powers.

"But we also know we've gotta go out and perform and give it our all every night."

Class 1A Boys Basketball: Somonauk Sectional