The Redhawks (23-11) will face defending state champion Mother McAuley (21-7) in the semifinals on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. at Stevenson High School. The Mighty Macs beat Central 8-5 in Naperville on April 29.
Powerhouse Fenwick (26-4), last-year's state runner up and the winner of three of the six IHSA titles, will play Stevenson (28-6) in the other semifinal.
The championship is at 8 p.m. and the third-place game is at 5 p.m.
After taking a pair of games from rival Naperville Central on Thursday, Naperville North can win the DuPage Valley Conference baseball title outright with another victory against the Redhawks today.
If the Huskies do claim the DVC title - is it the kind of momentum-builder that can help them dethrone defending state champ Neuqua Valley and win a sectional title?
Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis expounded on a variety of topics during a visit to Wheaton for an alumni event Wednesday. Here's what he had to say:
On sophomore center Bill Flavin, a walk-on and Benet graduate:
"When guys come out as a walk-on here, we don't just let them out on the team. They go through a testing program so when we put them out there ... the last thing I want to do is put somebody out there that can get hurt while they're out there. I think that would be a little hypocritical on my part to do that. So he got through that program without any problems, is doing well in school, doesn't get in any trouble. And when a kid comes out and walks on for us, they have a significant role in practice just like everyone else does. Now, their significant role might be showing the other team's offense, but it's still a significant role."
On his upcoming trip to the Middle East as part of the NCAA Football Coaches Tour through Armed Forces Entertainment:
"(I've) never been to the Middle East. I'm looking forward to it. I already got my shots. You have to take typhoid shots; you have to get all these immunizations before you go. I haven't had a passport since I was a sophomore in high school, so I had to go through that process, too, so I'm well-prepared."
On potential dangers of going to the Middle East:
"(I'm) not too (worried), but you figure you're going with the military so security has to be a major deal. They said to be patient when you go through customs and things like that. When they check your stuff, just roll with the punches. But I'm really looking forward to (the tour). In just a small way you're paying these guys back for what they do for us. But anyone who's asked to do this I'm sure would jump on this opportunity."
On his friendship with President Bush:
"He's a guy that you could see yourself sitting around with, just watching a ballgame, just talking about life in general. Big sports fan. College football and pro baseball are his two passions. He's a big UT fan, (and is) close with (Texas coach) Mack Brown. I just think he's a good guy."
On whether a Texas-Notre Dame series would be in the works:
"You're talking to the wrong person. I've got enough problems worrying about playing the games let alone worrying about scheduling them. I stay out of that stuff."
On whether college football should have a playoff system:
"I'm not really sure what the stand of Notre Dame is on plus-one or whatever. I'm not really sure what their stand is, but I come from a background of playoffs, so for me I've always been a fan of playoffs. The problem with playoffs, whether it's a four-team playoff, six-team playoff, eight-team playoff, there's always going to be an argument about the last two teams. So if there's a four-team playoff, instead of it being about who's second or who's third, it'll be about who's fourth and who's fifth. So no matter how many teams you put in there, because college football can be so subjective, there's always going to be an issue of that last team who ends up getting in. no matter where it is."
The Heat Index wonders if Naperville North seniors Jon Bunge and Dan Orna have injuries that will prevent them from playing when the state playoffs begin next week.
Maybe they played on Thursday night in a loss to Wheaton Warrenville South. I don't know because I was in Stevenson for the boys water polo state shindig (not that I would have gone to watch North when Central was playing for a share of the DVC, but this is not the point, don't ruin my momentum). Since the Huskies lost 21 and 21, I doubt they did play.
This just in from our roving reporter: Bunge out with a high ankle spain. OH Dan Orna #2 out as well....
...I sent North coach Roger Strausberger an email Thursday morning asking if it is true that Bunge and Orna recently were injured. No response.
A source on Thursday afternoon did confirm that yes, the two seniors were in fact hurt. That's where the information train ran out of coal.
How hurt? How long will they be out? Did they play on Thursday?
UPDATE: Strausberger said in his email response Friday morning that Bunge and Orna did suffer ankle injuries. Orna played on Thursday, but Bunge did not. As for the playoffs for Bunge?
"It's a pretty good sprain and hope to have him back for sectionals," Strausberger wrote.
Naperville Central is a team built on pitching and defense, two pillars that collapsed in the sixth inning of Thursday's 9-8 loss to Naperville North.
The Redhawks were cruising in a continuation of game suspended after four innings two days earlier, with Central leading 4-2. North had just committed two errors in the top half of the sixth, allowing four runs to score, and it was almost as if Central couldn't handle it.
"8-2 lead, it seems like we did kind of loosen up there a little bit when they started (rolling), getting a few runs here and there," Central catcher John Holm said. "There was a couple double play balls in that inning that just didn't hop for us."
North converted three hits, three walks and an error into six runs and a tie ballgame. The pressure tilted all the way back to Central once Ben Kelsey delivered that walk-off hit in the seventh, and Jake Naumann, the North ace who pitched a perfect inning in relief to earn the victory, walked out for game two.
"I was hopin' the whole game I'd have enough to finish off the second one," Naumann said. "Got some guys swingin' at first pitches, and it worked out for me."
Naumann knew he would be used in game one if the Huskies tied the game or took the lead, and the junior allowed only four hits and an unearned run in eight innings on Thursday.
"What wasn't workin' for Naumann today?" North catcher Mike Nodzenski said, flipping a reporter's question. "He was able to spot the fastball. He was able (to) throw his breaking ball for strikes at different speeds (and) in particular today he was able to throw a split-finger (fastball) to put guys away with two strikes."
Central threatened in the sixth, loading the bases on an error, two walks and a fielder's choice. Holm drove in Central's run with an infield single to make it a 4-1 game, but Naumann next induced an inning-ending double play ball from Marc Mantucca. It was the only inning Naumann allowed more than four hitters to the plate (six).
"You know when (Naumann's) on the mound that we got to play tough D and just scratch (out) runs here and there," Holm said. "We didn't do that today."
For the second time this season, the Naperville Central boys water polo team will play Glenbrook South. This match -- Saturday in the semifinals of the IHSA state tournament -- will be significantly more important than their regular season clash.
Central (27-4) beat Glenbrook South 8-7 in that match, which was in pool play of Central's Best of the West Tournament on April 11, to give the Titans (29-1) their lone loss.
So the teams are acquainted. Here's what you have to know (or remember if you must) about the Titans: they are the champions of the Glenbrook North Sectional and the champions of the Central Suburban Conference. OK, you don't really need to know that, but it's true, and slightly impressive.
The Friars, whom have won five of the six IHSA state titles, will play Sandburg in the semifinals on Saturday. Naperville Central will play Glenbrook South in the other semifinal.
For a spot of perspective, this was the fifth match this season where Fenwick (30-1) has scored 20 or more goals. The other seven state finalists combined to do that once this year.
Following Neuqua Valley's 5-3 loss to Downers Grove South on Thursday, Neuqua coach Michelle Schmidt made a good point about how, once the season starts, there's hardly any down time to work out a team's kinks.
"There's no time to work on what you want to work on," she said. "We've had two practices since April 1."
It's frustrating for all teams, but exacerbating the grueling schedule has been this season's weather. As Lake Park coach Cray Allen pointed out last Monday, many teams have been unable to get into a rhythm. Squads play two games and then get rained out. So, there is down time, just not the kind that coaches can really use to their benefit.
Allen thinks the weather craziness has created execution problems for many teams. Coaches and players can't get on the same page when it comes to pulling off the little things that win games. Allen went as far to say that the teams that have been on a roll the last couple weeks may be the ones that hang around the longest during the postseason. I agree. I also think this is great news for Neuqua.
The playoffs are always about momentum, but it seems that this season it's even more important than ever. Neuqua Valley has been playing as good as anyone over the last few weeks. The Wildcats have beaten all the teams they were supposed to beat and hung tough with big name squads like Bartlett, Lake Park and Downers Grove South, losing those games by a combined four runs. After a slow start, the Wildcats have jelled at just the right time, which makes them a scary "cinderella team." And I use that term lightly, because Neuqua is much better than the 11 seed it drew.
"We are 100 percent capable of winning this regional, but we've got to play our game," Schmidt said.
With the exception of the sacrifice bunt and a few gaffes on defense, the Wildcats have been playing their game extremely well as of late. I think an upset of the Mustangs in a regional title rematch is entirely possible. What do you think? Are any other "cinderella teams" on a roll, ready to make some noise?
Crawford, who was The Sun's MVP this past season as a junior, is No. 29 on the 30-player list. He is the only player from the DuPage Valley Conference that was included in the rankings dominated by players from Chicago schools.
Warren Township guard Brandon Paul is No. 1 on the list.
For quite a while, Country Lakes Golf Course had been fighting a losing battle to try and keep the course maintained. From a lack of ball washers to poorly maintained grounds, to debris and refuse strewn all over the course, it's safe to say it had hit rock bottom in recent years.
But the new management seems dedicated to changing all that. It has a long way to go, but at least it can no longer be described as unkempt, and the fairways and greens are gaining consistency. After speaking with some of the staff members, they seemed genuine in saying all the right things, and I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that the worst is behind them.
The clubhouse still needs some work. When I was there this week, the lights were off everywhere but the pro shop and bathrooms. Yet from what I understand, that project is up to the course managers over at Royce Realty, and not in the hands of the golf staff.
What's most important to you when choosing a golf course? Price? Quality of the grounds? Challenging layout? A place to relax after your round?
This week's edition of The Hole Picture zeroes in on No. 9 on the Lakeside Course at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton. What's really interesting about this hole is that it features a fairway bunker in the shape of Dick Tracy's head, which you can see pretty well in this image.
Let me shed some light on that. The first thing you need to know is that Cantigny is built on the estate of Robert R. McCormick, the first publisher of the Chicago Tribune. And the Tribune employed both Dick Tracy creator Chester Gould as well as one of its longtime illustrators, Naperville resident Dick Locher, hence the nod to the comic strip detective.
Now I'll throw this out there: If you could pick someone's visage to be replicated in a bunker, who would it be? Maybe Naperville Mayor George Pradel? Or how about one in the shape of the Millenium Carillon?
With the boys water polo state quarterfinals set to begin Thursday night, four-time defending state champion Fenwick is obviously the heavy.
If you ask the Friars, as the Sun-Times did, that leaves Naperville Central as the team that could give Fenwick the most trouble.
Friars utility man Chris Wendt said even though Fenwick already has beaten four state qualifying teams -- Naperville Central, York, Lyons and Stevenson -- a five-peat isn't a lock.
''We think Naperville Central will be the best game,'' Wendt said. ''All the teams are good. We have to play every game with a high intensity.''
The Redhawks (26-4) play tournament host Stevenson (18-14) in the first quarterfinal at 4:30 p.m.
Benet baseball is already preparing for the regional semifinal it will be hosting on May 22. The seventh-seeded Redwings will play the winner of the No. 9 Plainfield North-No. 23 East Aurora game, but it's clear where their focus is right now.
"We've seen Plainfield North last few days. We got a group of people there (against Romeoville) today," Benet coach Jeff Bonebrake said after Wednesday's 7-6 victory over Marian Catholic. "We'll see. They're very good."
Bonebrake described Plainfield North as a team with a strong pitching staff, and a lineup that hits in spots.
"I think they're a lot like us," Bonebrake said. "It'll be a battle for us."
It's been a while since the Naperville Central and Naperville North girls soccer teams faced each other this season. But even if they'd met in the past week, the previous game would have little to no bearing on Friday's matchup in the Naperville Central Regional final.
That's because -- as has been said many times, and again by North coach Brent Terada on Wednesday night -- you can throw the records out when these rivals meet.
Just for fun, I'll take a look back anyway. Central (19-5) won the earlier meeting 1-0 against the Huskies (7-7-4) at North. Casey Short scored in the 10th minute for the game's only offense. Goalie Hannah Oppenheimer needed five saves -- all in the second half -- for the shutout.
Redhawks coach Ed Watson was critical of his team's play that night after Short's goal, feeling his team sat back too much. Expect the Redhawks to continue applying pressure if they're able to grab another early lead.
The Huskies are a defense-first team, so they'll have to take advantage of whatever offensive opportunities present themselves. After scoring four goals against West Aurora on Wednesday, North's confidence got a boost.
If the Huskies are looking for even more revenge, they can harken back to 2006 when the Redhawks downed them 3-1 in the regional final, which also happened at Central's Memorial Stadium.
But no matter what, just remember you can throw the records out. Now where have I heard that before?
Not long ago, I overheard a parent suggest that a tournament between teams from the Upstate Eight Conference and the DuPage Valley Conference should be staged at the start of the season. The parent in question was just making a casual remark, but I think it's a really good idea.
A single elimination, bracket-style tournament could take place over the weekend at Neuqua Valley, where the numerous park district fields could be utilized to host simultaneous games. Having some of the best talent in the state gathered in the same place for a day of softball games would definitely attract a crowd. Two conference schools could act as hosts and split the revenue from concession sales and admission. Not to mention, intriguing matchups like Naperville Central vs. Lake Park and Neuqua Valley vs. West Aurora could play out.
If only the Redwings (23-11, 7-2 ESCC) could have back their loss at Joliet Catholic on April 22. Their loss to Mundelein two days later was understandble, not for how Benet played that night, which was best described as horrible, but because Carmel is a solid team.
But thanks to that ugly two-game loss at JCA, Marist won the ESCC with an 8-1 record. That one loss came thanks to Benet.
So as Benet coach Amy Van Eeckeren told The Heat Index on Wendesday night, the Redwings could have won the title, "If we hadn't been stupid."
I wouldn't have been that harsh, but I'm not going to argue with a pregnant woman.
For their efforts in the championship games of the Neuqua Valley Sectional on Saturday, Sam Virella and Max Saltzman were given Super Baller honors by illpolo.com.
Sam Virella made 15 saves in Naperville Central's 8-5 win over Neuqua Valley, which qualified the Redhawks for the state tournament. Virella did not allow a goal in the first half.
I watched the game and counted 13 saves, but Virella was indeed solid. The sophomore said she was "terrified" about the prospect of playing in the state finals. Somehow I think she will get past that fear when Loyola starts whipping the ball at her goal.
Max Saltzman scored the game-winning goal in the final minute to give Naperville Central a 9-8 win over Neuqua Valley in the Sectional finals.
Saltzman's goal was impressive, coming on a lob pass from Bobby Rickert. Saltzman had defenders around him and was still able to redirect the ball into the net past Neuqua's Brad Kay when the pressure was on. Max celebrated the game-winner with an emphatic double-armed slap of the water.
That's how Neuqua Valley pitcher Ian Krol described the atmosphere on Tuesday in Naperville -- an overcast sky, a gathering storm and the sound of sirens. Krol blocked it out, as well as any sense of his impending no-hitter.
"Actually, I had no clue," he said with a laugh after a 7-0, five-inning victory over Bartlett. "It always ends up like that.
"You're throwin', you're throwin', you're throwin'. You did everything and then...Someone comes up, 'Yeah, you're throwin' a no-hitter.'"
Krol speaks from experience after notching a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over South Elgin on April 19, and a five-inning perfect game in an 11-0 decision against East Aurora on April 29. His left elbow was a little sore on Tuesday, but the junior fought through it: "Everything was workin', I just didn't have the velocity I usually have."
The Wildcats (25-5, 19-2) can clinch the Upstate Eight Conference title outright with either a win in any of their three remaining games, or a loss by St. Charles North, which has five conference losses. The North Stars close with a three-game series against South Elgin and are scheduled to finish a suspended game against Neuqua on Friday.
Naperville Central beat defending boys volleyball state champ Wheaton Warrenville South in three games in Wheaton on Tuesday night, meaning the Redhawks still have a chance to share the DuPage Valley Conferece title with Glenbard East.
In what must have been an exciting match for those in attendance (read: not me), Central lost the first game 31-29 before winning 25-23 and 25-14.
UPDATE: The Sun-Times was there. Here is what Central junior Dan Dierking had to say about being down a game and points in Game 2.
"When we were down (9-3 and 12-6 early in game two), we talked about how much we wanted a chance to win conference," Dierking said. "It was a matter of us not giving up and pushing through. We've been in that situation before. We stayed focused."
Central (28-6) is now 11-2 in the DVC. No word yet if the Rams (11-1 for now) won on Tuesday, which would lock up at least a co-championship for them.
This sets up a megahugeical match for Central vs. Glenbard East on Thursday. Yes, megahugeical.
UPDATE: The Rams wiped out West Chicago, 25-18, 25-14 to improve to 12-1 in the DVC and grabbed at least a share of the conference crown. I'm still sticking with megahugeical.
Neuqua Valley and Benet both won their playoff openers Tuesday night, now Naperville Central, Naperville North and Waubonsie Valley will try to follow suit Wednesday.
Of the remaining matchups, the one that looks the most intriguing is the Huskies' match against DuPage Valley Conference rival West Aurora. The teams meet at 7 p.m. in the Naperville Central Regional semifinals, their second matchup of the season.
The Huskies dumped the Blackhawks 4-1 back on April 23, continuing their dominance in the series. North holds an 11-0 all-time mark against them.
But North isn't entering the playoffs on a hot streak, having finished the season 0-1-3 after a win over Geneva on April 29. Losing Jessica Kodiak to a broken collarbone also doesn't help.
Still, the Huskies should have enough to make it a clean sweep for the Naperville-area teams. That is, if Central gets past IMSA and Waubonsie can survive Plainfield North.
Naperville's Parker says this in the 30 second spot.
"I'm sorry, but you couldn't pay me to watch women's basketball. Nothing exciting ever happens. ...
"Look at the WNBA. The league has stayed the same for 10 years. There's no new blood....
"What kind of future does that league have? None that I can see."
At this point, I'm worried about CP3. She's gone all goofy. I mean, I'm the one who wrote the WNBA is doomed, but this is scarry stuff for the No. 1 overall pick to be saying.
That's when the words splash up on the screen to end this madness.
Last month I figured out that a poster on the volleyballmag.com message board -- nvhsoh989 -- was Neuqua Valley senior Collin Adler. After posting my conclusion on The Heat Index, Adler confirmed that this less than subtle handle was indeed him.
yea you definitely can't say that the oh's from lyons are the hands-down the best, there are sooo many good oh's. Jordan Williams, compared to other top oh's this year is not good, give him time maybe but right now he doesn't even compare. Dodd is pretty good i guess but thats easy when you have netisinga as a setter. The top oh's in my opinion are (in no particular order) Vydra, Padden (I believe he's an oh), Murnane from Francis, Blackman from Neuqua, Larry from LF, Bunge is a little overrated from Nap North I think but still pretty solid, Dowjotas from Montini, both the guys from lyons should be included, and i'm probably forgetting some others. Rusty is playing oh for St. Charles North but they usually just have him hit A and B balls most of the time, he's definitely built to be a middle.
OK, so Adler did add that Bunge is "still pretty solid." But my best guess is that the halfway compliment gets lost in the overrated comment.
Saying that somebody is a little overrated, but still pretty solid is akin to telling your girlfriend that she is a little overweight, but still pretty.
Try that message out and let me know if she's feeling it.
The IHSA released its broadcast schedule on Monday for IHSAradio.com for the spring championships. Boys and girls track and field, girls soccer, baseball and softball will get the royal treatment.
Track and Field coverage will begin on Friday, May 16 with a recap of opening day results beginning at 4:30 pm central time. The network will then continue on Saturday, May 17 with live coverage of the final day of competition beginning at 11:00 am central time.
The network will follow an identical broadcast schedule for its coverage of the boys track and field finals on Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24.
In addition to Track and Field, the network will also have live coverage of the Class A and AA girls soccer semifinal, 3rd place and championship games on Saturday, May 24 and Saturday May 31.
Spring sports coverage will then conclude with full coverage of Class 1A and 2A boys baseball and girls softball on May 30-31, to be followed by the 3A and 4A tournaments for both sports on June 6 and 7.
Any by royal treatment, I mean the state finals will be broadcast on the Internet to an audience of the six people who care enough to listen, but don't care enough to go to the game.
But either way, boys volleyball and girls and boys water polo, tough luck, the IHSA deems you too unimportant to waste audio archive space.
I'm only slightly self-conscious about the fact that I don't understand the volleyball substitution rules. And the hand signals the refs do? I've got no clue what they mean.
While I guess I should learn what the hand signals are, just for good measure, I don't care that I don't understand the substitution rules, because they are pointless and silly. In a game where you can't be disqualified for fouls like basketball, why does it matter how often or at what point a player enters the game?
Just get in there before the next serve fella. We can all count to six. Quit wasting all this time and pencil lead inventing something as pretentious as a position called libero.
It wasn't the physical pain. It wasn't the sleep deprivation. It was something different that finally got Aurora's George Hood to climb off his stationary bike and not get back on Monday morning.
"I am bored," Hood told his trainer, Preston Bokos, during the 177th -- and final -- hour of his Guinness world record ride at the Fry Family YMCA in Naperville. "I'm tired of always having to do things on this bike. I've literally been strapped to this bike for eight days."
Hood completed his epic ride at 7:30 a.m., after surpassing the record nearly two hours prior. A Guinness adjudicator, Danny Girton Jr., was on-site to officially notify Hood that he had broken the record, but the official time will be determined once Guinness officials finalize the paperwork, a process that normally takes eight weeks.
But Girton said he was going to do his best to have it completed by the end of the month, which is the deadline to be published in the annual Guinness Book of World Records. Hood's two-pronged goal was to be published and to raise money for the YMCA's Strong Kids program.
While he'll have to wait for the final word from Guinness, he left the building knowing he raised more than $30,000 for the program.
Check out some YouTube clips of Hood's final night posted by Mark Baron:
After more than a week on a stationary bike at the Fry Family YMCA, George Hood can once again say he is a Guinness World Record holder.
Hood, an Aurora resident who set the world record for the third time in 16 months, surpassed the latest mark of 175.5 hours at approximately 5:40 a.m. in front of more than 75 friends and family members. As of now, Hood is still pumping his legs and hasn't decided whether he'll keep going once his upcoming break ends.
"You know, I'm ready to go home," Hood said moments ago, indicating his decision may be made.
Check the Heat Index later today for a full account of Hood's remarkable ride.
Now that Naperville Central has won both the boys and girls Neuqua Valley Sectional titles, the question for Naperville area water polo folk and Land O' Lincoln's WP community at large is simple.
Can anyone beat Fenwick?
The Fenwick boys have won four consecutive state championships and five of six overall. On the girls side, Fenwick is actually not defending champ, but was the runner-up in 2007 and won the previous three big trophies. So, you know, the questions still stands.
Neuqua Valley boys water polo coach Martin Bell was effusive in his praise of not only his goalie, Brad Kay, but also Naperville Central's Tyler Kelley after Bell's Wildcats lost 9-8 to Central in the sectional championship on Saturday.
"Fenwick's goalie is always talked about," Bell said, "but I think people forget about Tyler Kelley and Brad Kay. I think the two goalies that were playing today are one, two in the state of Illinois as far as goalies go. It depends on the game as far as who's one and who's two, but they're both amazing players."
In Saturday's championship match, Kay had seven saves and Kelley made six, according to The Heat Index.
Kelley stopped three shots when Neuqua had the man advantage.
Kay made two such stops, including one at the first half buzzer, but could not squeeze the ball when Max Saltzman scored the game winner off Bobby Rickert's lob pass in the final minute and change.
