Royals out to restore order

Elgin senior Tom Roth (right) and the Maroons visit Larkin tonight for a non-conference contest.
Michael Smart | Staff Photographer

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Expect some normalcy to return to the boys basketball rivalry between Elgin and Larkin this year.

A season ago the Maroons enjoyed their most successful campaign in a decade while the Royals limped to a 1-25 record, and the discrepancy was apparent on the court as Elgin won by 31, 28 and 16 points in the three games between the teams.

However, the competitive rivalry area hoops fans have come to know and love should be back.

After losing most of the key players from last year's team to graduation, the Maroons will be hard pressed to continue the string of blowouts against an improved Royals squad in tonight's non-conference game at Larkin. The two teams both sport 2-2 records coming into the contest, which tips off at 7:30 and is the first of two scheduled meetings this season.

"(Larkin) won two games over the holidays and so did we, so they're playing just as well as we are," Elgin coach Mike Sitter said. "They return a lot more players this year than we do, so they have a lot more kids with experience in this rivalry. Hopefully we can step up and match their intensity."

By knocking off Round Lake and Woodstock in last week's Hoops for Healing Tournament, the Royals quickly managed to double their win total from a year ago.

Senior Terrell John averaged 11.5 points and junior Ryan Smith tallied 10.8 points per game to pace a balanced attack during the tournament.

Now Larkin hopes to carry that momentum forward, and coach Larry Hight said he welcomes the early test against the Maroons.

"It's a pressure game for the kids, so it will show me a lot," Hight said. "I welcome playing Elgin early every year because big games gauge how you coach."

Elgin leads the all-time series 71-39. The Maroons have won six in a row against the Royals and will be vying for the first seven-game win streak in the series since Larkin won seven straight from 1990-93.

Senior guard Tom Roth is the one main holdover from last year who will be in uniform for Elgin tonight. He tallied 18 points per game last week at the Buffalo Grove Tournament as the Maroons rebounded from a pair of losses to start the season by beating Holy Trinity and Lakes.

Senior guard Al Kanlic is averaging 8.8 points for Elgin, which expects to be without seniors Marcus Redburg and Steve Edwards as they continue to face indefinite suspensions.

Despite the different look for his team, Sitter expects the same level of excitement for tonight's game.

"We get to play Larkin twice, and that's the only team we get to play twice during the regular season," Sitter said. "The kids really like the atmosphere of playing a home and home with them, and there's nothing better.

"No matter the record, the crowds are always great and you see it's a who's who of Elgin. It's a great game to be at, and there will definitely be a good atmosphere at Larkin (tonight)."