Host Jacobs will cruise into the championship bracket at the Hinkle Holiday Classic running like a finely tuned machine after easily knocking off Tilden 78-58 on Thursday night. The Golden Eagles finished pool play undefeated at 3-0 and will play Carmel in the championship bracket semi-finals at 7:30 on Friday. Larkin and Zion-Benton play in the other semi-final game at 6:00.
Freshman Cameron Krutwig had 19 points and nine rebounds to lead Jacobs.
“We felt coming into the tournament that if we played the way we are capable of playing that we would be right there in the championship bracket,” said Jacobs coach Jimmy Roberts. “And we have done exactly what we set out to do. These are about the three cleanest games we could have played. We have really executed well.”
The Golden Eagles (5-3) did not have a three-pointer in the game, but they didn’t need one as they shot a red hot 70 percent (26-of-37) from inside the arc. Krutwig was the story in the first half with his strong moves in the post as he scored all 19 of his points to help the Golden Eagles build a 38-29 advantage.
“You don’t see a lot of kids these days still playing with their back to the basket the way he can,” said Roberts. “He is about as skilled a post player that I have ever been around. You also have to hand it to our other guys for doing a great job of getting him the ball.”
Krutwig made 8-of-9 shots from the field.
“We felt coming in we were one of the four best teams in the tournament, but not a lot of people knew about us,” said Krutwig. “We are just trying to get on the radar and put ourselves on the map.”
The Golden Eagles went on a 16-3 run in the third quarter to open up a 54-34 advantage. Ben Murray finished with 13 points for the Golden Eagles. Chris Orange had nine points in the second half and Robert Grant added 8 points off the bench.
Michael Winfield had 19 points to lead Tilden (5-6). Carl Jackson added 18 points
“We had some nice runs offensively,” said Tilden coach Keith Johnson. “We just couldn’t get enough stops on defense. There big fella wore us out.”
