On those frequent occasions when Alton Baird pauses for a moment of introspection, he thinks back to the football game that helped shaped his life. He was a senior at Lincoln-Way High School in the fall of 1981.

In high school sports, like in real life, sometimes things work out just right. Not always. Sometimes. And one of those sometimes came on match point in Joliet Catholic Academy's heart-stopping 25-20, 25-23 victory over Breese Mater Dei in the 3A state volleyball championship match Saturday night at Redbird Arena.

Ron Kremer: To say that Claire Randich and Lainey Wyman rose up to meet the challenge in Joliet Catholic Academy's 3A state semifinal volleyball victory over Crystal Lake Central on Friday night would fall short of the mark -- on several levels.

Ron Kremer: Few high school sporting events ever rise to the level of the volleyball matchup between No. 1-ranked Joliet Catholic Academy and No. 2-rated Wheaton St. Francis.

Ron Kremer: With the season on the line, Joliet Catholic Academy volleyball coach Christine Scheibe had the presence to look at senior leader Annemarie Hickey for some guidance.

Ron Kremer: Yeah, yeah. Pat Driscoll knows the drill. The third-year defensive line starter on Lemont's football team knows the first man to the opposing ballcarrier is supposed to wrap him up. The second is then free to go for the strip.

Ron Kremer: After watching Bolingbrook beat Lincoln-Way Central to capture a share of its third straight conference football championship, I was struck by one of those lightning-bolt type thoughts that every now and again jolts my mind and renews my sense of purpose.