Jacobs’ Elijah and Malachi Bell could have followed their dad to Marian Central this year.

Instead, the brothers, transfer students whose basketball skills have been on display this week in Lakes’ Hoopsgiving Tournament, chose to stay close to home. It was a choice their dad, Lafeyette, who’s the new coach at Marian Central, encouraged.

“My dad wanted to let us spread our wings and trust somebody else’s leadership,” said Malachi Bell, a 6-foot-2 freshman guard. “He put us in the right hands with Coach Jimmy Roberts.”

Roberts, Jacobs’ coach, has welcomed the talented Bell brothers with open arms. Roberts’ Golden Eagles improved to 2-0 Tuesday night, rallying in the fourth quarter to edge Buffalo Grove 45-42 in Lake Villa.

Elijah Bell, a 6-3 junior guard who played for his dad at Harv

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