East Aurora is seeded last in the 22-team Lockport Sectional and, in Dan Okapal, even it has a stud pitcher who's getting looks from big-league scouts.
About 170 teams entered last summer's state tournament, and of those that advanced to the final eight, three are in the Lockport bracket: Naperville Central, Waubonsie Valley and Lincoln-Way East -- the eventual champion and the sectional's top seed.
It wouldn't be shocking to see the Class 4A champ come out of Lockport -- or a team with state ambitions last only one or two games in the postseason. That's how deep this sectional is heading into first-round games on May 25.
Before the IHSA split into a four-class system last season, the final three Class AA state champions were: Neuqua Valley (2007); Central (2006); and Lockport (2005). Those programs are respectively seeded fifth, seventh and third in the sectional.
This month Central and No. 2 Naperville North could wind up playing each other four times in 13 days. Next week's three-game series might decide the DuPage Valley Conference title, and if the seeds are true to form, the District 203 rivals will meet on May 30 with a regional championship at stake.
"It's pretty typical," North coach Carl Hunckler said. "It's the same stuff ... you're either gonna get ourselves and Central or ourselves and Neuqua."
When the pairings were finalized last week, three of North's five losses had come to Wheaton North, which at the time was undefeated -- until it lost twice in two days at Central. Hunckler thought his team, which is now 20-6 overall and 13-4 in the DVC, would get a top-three seed, but also a more reasonable draw.
"The first thing I looked at was the numbers behind those teams. And it didn't seem like we were a second seed when I looked at all three of the regionals (because) I thought we had better teams again in our regional," Hunckler said before adding a dose of sarcasm. "They say it's geography and that. I don't know who the mastermind is -- but I'm not a highly-educated person."
Neuqua coach Robin Renner had the Huskies first on his ballot. Neuqua drew a fifth seed and could face No. 4 Plainfield North in a regional final at Hinsdale South. The Wildcats defeated Plainfield North -- which is ranked 10th by the Chicago Sun-Times -- 3-2 last week.
"I thought it was fair," Renner said. "A lot of people were complaining: 'A five seed?'"
But Renner went down the line, comparing Neuqua's resume against the others, and understood why his team was slotted fifth.
Heading into Wednesday, eighth-seeded Benet was only 7-6 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, but it has three players committed to Division I programs who will try to eliminate host Joliet in a regional semifinal.
No. 11 Waubonsie, which has a shot at the Upstate Eight Conference title, will take on East Aurora in an opening-round game. The winner then faces No. 6 Downers Grove South at Plainfield South.
Wheaton Warrenville South was perhaps fortunate to be assigned to the St. Charles North Sectional instead. But since nobody can ease into a single-elimination tournament, teams are already looking to get into gear. "We talked to our kids about what we have (left), playing Naperville North, playing Joliet Catholic and then Wheaton North to finish up the season," WW South coach Tim Brylka said Tuesday. "This is a good test for us, (going) into the playoffs to see some of the best competition in the area and see how we match up.
"We kind of challenged them a little bit (after Monday's 12-3 loss at North). How are we going to respond to that? What are we going to do when we face a team like that in the playoffs? Are we going to roll over (or) put up a fight and see what happens?"
Close
Community Login
You've successfully logged in to the Sun-Times Media Community, click the close button to return to browsing.
Facebook App
Font Size
Email
Bookmark
Black Text
Cell Phone Alerts