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.
]]>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?
]]>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."
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.
After seeing this post on the message board of volleyballmag.com...
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.
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."
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.
This is the first trip to the state tournament for the Titans, who didn't play any of the state finalists other than Central in the regular season.
The players to watch for are: No. 12 Ben Hengels (72 goals, 37 assists), No. 10 Chris DeLetto (74 goals, 16 assists) and No. 8 Tommy Nimrod (45 goals). DeLetto scored four goals in Thursday's 7-6 quarterfinal win over Lyons Township.
All three are juniors, so the Titans seem to be a program on the rise.
Goalie Ben May allowed six goals on Thursday against Lyons Township, but on the season, allowed an average of 2.79 goals per game.
]]>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.
]]>"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.
Previously Crawford was named as one of "Six players who could break out this spring and summer" by Illinois Prep Bullseye and was ranked No. 20 on the City/Suburban Hoops Report's list of Top 50 College Prospects.
]]>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?
]]>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?
]]>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.
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"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."
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?
]]>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.
What do you think?
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