D-C continues magical run

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D-C, what?

No longer is that just the favorite cheer of Dundee-Crown's boisterous student cheering section. It's the question being asked by boys basketball enthusiasts all around the state after the Chargers stunned powerful Neuqua Valley 64-59 on Tuesday to win the NIU Class 4A Super-Sectional.

Folks, this wasn't just an upset. This was a complete shocker, and give D-C coach Lance Huber all the credit in the world for instilling what can best be described as a superhuman cool in his tough-as-nails players.

The Chargers seemed completely unfazed that Neuqua entered the game with only one loss and averaging 70 points per game. D-C never trailed, held the Wildcats to only 17 points in the first half and dictated the tempo from start to finish while ending Neuqua's winning streak at 23 games.

"We knew they wanted to come out and bury us," D-C senior Marcus Henry said. "We tried to come out and match their intensity, keep up the intensity, if not surpass their intensity. We did that."

The victory was Huber's 100th in his six seasons leading the Chargers. As far as milestones go, this is one that won't get lost in the shuffle.

As his players celebrated at halfcourt, Huber walked to the baseline near D-C's cheering section, grabbed his sons Kyle and Jason and carried them out to the floor. After a tight embrace, he set the youngsters down and with tears in his eyes took time to acknowledge the Chargers fans.

At the moment Huber seemed beside himself, too happy for words. He gave his heart and soul to this team this season, coaching his players up to being the state semifinalists they are now. D-C's players gave Huber the same in return, and because of that the Chargers are going where no Fox Valley Conference team has gone before.

First D-C set a school record for victories, now it is the first team from the FVC to ever advance Downstate. Give the Chargers credit for sticking to their roots and winning with defense, which is the calling card in the league.

"Our goal is just to practice 70 times, and we're going to be able to meet that tomorrow," Huber said. "It's great to be able to go Downstate and be in the Final Four. I think everybody's aspiration was to go out and do the best we can and go Downstate, but I just wanted play it one game at a time and have these guys get better. All the credit really goes to these guys."

Now D-C's postseason party rolls to Peoria, where the Chargers will take on a formidable Waukegan team in the state semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

When asked if reaching the State Finals was a dream come true, D-C's players said they had other plans.

"That's not the end dream," senior Charles Kimbrough said. "We're actually looking to go further. We're trying to get as far as we get. We're not ready for our season to end yet."

D-C's season will without a doubt end this weekend. There are two games left, but if we've learned anything during this run, don't count out the Chargers for bringing home the biggest surprise: A state championship.