Bulldogs a team with high expectations
With five of its top six players returning from the most successful club in school history, Waukegan High is a basketball team with gigantic expectations, and a similar-size target on its collective back. The one missing piece from last season's scrambling, high-flying Dogs is Colin Nickerson.
Lindenhurst girls soccer team unbeaten
The Lindenhurst Area Soccer Club's girls under-9 travel team completed an extraordinary fall/spring season in which the Twisters took to the pitch 26 times and never walked off it a loser. The squad went 21-0-5 in its first year together in the C" East Division of the Illinois Women's Soccer League.
Gordon: Chicago made no attempt to keep me
Ben Gordon said the Chicago Bulls did not make him an offer, despite general manager Gar Forman saying recently that re-signing Gordon was the team's goal.
Lee blasts two homers, drives in seven
CHICAGO -- Derrek Lee hit a grand slam and a three-run homer Thursday night for a career-high seven RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs opened an 11-game homestand by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
These women are real Warriors
A week from Saturday, the afternoon of July 11, the Kenosha-based Wisconsin Warriors
will host the Carolina Phoenix in what amounts to a semifinal-round
matchup in the IWFL playoffs for Tier II teams. Basically, the IWFL is the governing body for women's pro football.
Rookie Wells looking like ace of staff
Derrek Lee and Kosuke Fukudome homered to support Randy Wells' seven
effective innings and the Chicago Cubs beat Pittsburgh 4-1 on Wednesday
night. Wells has won his last three starts.
Gurnee's Legion baseball team beat Waukegan 11-4 and perennial power Barrington 8-7 earlier this week.
Contreras dominant against hapless Tribe
CLEVELAND -- Jose Contreras got a rare road win as the right-hander, shipped to the minors earlier this season, pitched eight superb innings and the Chicago White Sox won their fifth straight, 6-2 over the lifeless Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night.
Mundelein star will play at Iowa
For evidence on how strong prep boys basketball is in this area, you need look no further than the basketball-rich Big Ten Conference.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
When you know what you're doing, this sport's a breeze
Though she hasn't literally sailed around the world, 48-year-old Nancy Haberland has-- in the 38 years she's been sailing -- been just about every place you can/would want to put a boat in water. On Monday, the the member of the U.S. women's sailing team in the 2004 Olympics came full circle returned to the place where it all started -- Lake Michigan and the Waukegan Yacht Club.
NBA star's free camp starts on Monday
North Chicago native and longtime NBA player Shawn Marion may be worried about where he'll be playing pro basketball next season. But he hasn't let any concerns about his future detract from his commitment to youngsters back home. Next week the fourth annual Shawn "The Matrix" Marion Youth Basketball Camp will be held.
Kickers win YSSL division title at under-15 level
The Lake Villa/Lindenhurst-based Chicago Kickers boys under-15 travel soccer team just completed a very successful season that included a 14-3-2 record and the Blue Division championship in the Young Sportsman Soccer League.
Woeful effort caps June swoon
PITTSBURGH -- Ross Ohlendorf pitched seven innings and Freddy Sanchez got the Pirates going by scoring from second on a ball that bounded only a few feet from home plate during the fourth inning, helping Pittsburgh beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Grayslake Central basketball looking to winter ball
Despite losing four starters, including three-year varsity players Mike
Brumm and Alex Anderson to graduation, Grayslake Central High boys
basketball coach Brian Moe is looking to challenge for the Fox Valley
Conference Fox Division championship next winter.
Bears-sanctioned camp always draws a crowd
Not unlike what carnivals did back in the days before there was a Great
America, the Chicago Bears-sanctioned Youth Football Camps are
barnstorming through the area this summer, spending one week in your
town, followed by one week in the town up or down the road.
Paul Thompson of Deerfield finished fourth in his division of competition at the 2009 U.S. Practical Shooting Association Area 5 Regional Championships that were held recently.
Now that the NBA draft is over, some say the Bulls did well with their two first-round picks, choosing Wake Forest forward James Johnson and Southern California forward Taj Gibson.
Harden, bullpen come through against lowly Bucs
PITTSBURGH -- Rich Harden fanned nine in seven innings and Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg were solid in relief roles as the Cubs rebounded from a disastrous weekend series against the White Sox by beating the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 on Monday.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Vogrich is pick to click as freshman at Michigan
The college-basketball writer for The Sporting News magazine is predicting which incoming freshmen will make the biggest impacts on the hardwood next winter. TSN writer Mike DeCourcy picked four, and
one of them was recent Lake Forest High graduate and University of
Michigan-bound guard Matt Vogrich.
Surprise Party II ... Why not?
Summer basketball for Lake Forest High is under way, and like most every other school in the
evercompetitive North Suburban Conference Lake Division (except for
super-power Mundelein), the word of the moment is "rebuilding."
The 12-under travel baseball team that is part of the Lake County Lightning youth baseball program will conclude its inaugural season by playing in a tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y.
The Wauconda-based Northern Ice age 13-under travel girls softball team won the 14-under division of the ASA-sanctioned Trevian Northern National Qualifier tournament that was held recently.
Americans cave under intense pressure
Brazil's "Beautiful Game" came alive in the second half Sunday with
three comeback goals in a 3-2 win over the upstart United States in the
Confederations Cup final.
Piniella's club no longer competitive
CHICAGO -- John Danks pitched seven shutout innings, Chris Getz stole home against Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago White Sox got another run on a bases-loaded infield-fly that was dropped Sunday to beat the Cubs 6-0.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Grayslake Central goes unbeaten in Saturday shoot-out
The Grayslake Central Rams, led by sophomore guard Jordan Taylor, went
3-0 Saturday at the Zion-Benton boys basketball six-team shootout. Rams emerged unblemished with a hard-fought 45-41 victory.
Hiss and make up: Bradley, Lou hash things out
Milton Bradley sounds like a guy who spent the last three months wondering what he got himself into by signing with the Cubs. And Jim Hendry wouldn't be wrong for wondering the same thing about the guy who was his free-agent jewel of the offseason.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Olympians share life stories with Waukegan youths
Chances are, Chris Thompson owns something that none of the
summer-day campers he visited with at Bowen Park in Waukegan on Friday
will ever have: An Olympic medal. But Thompson wasn't on hand to show off his hardware.
Bradley's exit takes spotlight off game
Geovany Soto hit a three-run homer, Jake Fox went deep again to back
another solid start by Randy Wells and the Chicago Cubs broke a
four-game losing streak by beating the White Sox 5-4 on Friday.
Champions were crowned in several age groups at the Adult/Child Golf Tournament that was held last weekend at Greenshire Golf Course in Waukegan.
Beach Park program needs coaches, players
The inaugural season for the Beach Park Bears youth football program will start on July 20, which is Day 1 of a conditioning camp that will be held weekdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Murphy School.
Camp for Waukegan freshmen starts Monday
Boys basketball players who will be freshmen at Waukegan High in the fall and plan on being part of the Bulldog hoops program probably should attend a camp at the Dog Pound next week.
Area man to participate in NFL Youth Summit
Chicagoland Youth Football League president Geoff Meyer of Lake Zurich has been chosen to attend the NFL Youth Summit on July 29-30 in Canton, Ohio.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Future of Carmel poms is set to perform today
At 11 o'clock this morning, a couple dozen pom/dance types will take their midterm exam on the football field at Carmel Catholic High School. Officially today is the final day for Carmel High's fourth annual summer youth poms/dance camp.
Williams ready for expanded hoops role at Zion-Benton
Like the Boston Celtics of old, Zion-Benton High's boys basketball team seems to be developing a successful sixth-man tradition. Don Kloth, longtime coach of the highly successful Bees had Quintrell Love coming off the pines for his second-in-the-state team of two years ago and joining the starting five for the 25-7 team of last season.
Soto wasn't overweight; he just had a pot belly
When catcher Geovany Soto returned to the Cubs' training camp in March after spending several weeks with Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, Chicago manager Lou Piniella said he thought the 2008 Rookie of the Year looked like he'd gained weight.
First two picks used on power forwards
The Bulls selected Wake Forest forward James Johnson with the 16th pick in the first round of the NBA draft tonight.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Gurnee man part of Race Across America
So far, so good for Gurnee resident Bob Schrank and his teammates on
Team Type I as they forge ahead on their bicycles in the 28th annual
Race Across America.
Let's have a heart-to-heart talk, shall we? Bonato: Though the guy/girl couldn't spell worth a lick, you simply had to give
him/her some props for creativity on a recent e-mail sent to this tiny
corner of your daily newspaper's world.
Waukegan program plans to be factor at tourney time
The simultaneous presence of timely hitting, good pitching,
physical execution and baseball smarts are key ingredients to winning
at any level of the diamond game. So far, the Waukegan Redbirds American Legion baseball team has been successful in producing just one part of that formula.
WIMBLEDON, England -- Growing desperate in the final game, Maria Sharapova scrambled to hit one shot left-handed. Twice she challenged calls but lost. Then she lost the match as well.
Plenty of question marks after first pick
NEW YORK -- Hasheem Thabeet realizes his offensive game needs work and understands it will be hard for him to dominate defensively the way he did in college.
Lack of clutch hitting a glaring weakness
DETROIT -- Gerald Laird and Miguel Cabrera homered to help the Detroit Tigers win their sixth straight game, beating the Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Wednesday night.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Waukegan putting its best foot forward
True story about a conversation with a fan of Waukegan High athletics that took place the other day in a parking lot on Washington Street. The point the guy wanted to make was that he felt the most important coach at Waukegan High last year was the Bulldogs' assistant boys basketball coach -- Tim Bowen.
General manager: Club can win division
The White Sox may be a sub-.500 club for now, and many may still question if the team will be a serious American League Central contender. Not general manager Ken Williams. Williams put to rest speculation about the Sox perhaps becoming "sellers" before the July 31 interleague trade deadline, saying he has no intention of breaking up the team.
Gregg killing club with inability to finish off wins
DETROIT --Pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning, lifting the Detroit Tigers to a seesaw, 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Libertyville beats Gurnee
Dan Regal pitched Libertyville's Legion baseball team past Gurnee 5-1 on Monday night in a 10th District (Lake County League) game.
Saturday, Aug. 15, is the date for a 6.2-mile road race and two-mile fun run in Gurnee.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Home away from home
Erik Darnell has been coming to the tradition-filled Milwaukee Mile race track since he was a child. Whether as a fan, part of his family's pit crew or as a driver, Darnell knows his way around what is, for him, a local racing venue. So, when the 26-year-old Beach Park native grabbed the pole for last Saturday's Nationwide race, it wasn't much of a surprise, even though he's labeled as a rookie.
Glover holds on for first major win
Lucas Glover steadied his hands for a three-foot par putt on the
18th hole, an anticlimactic finish to five dreary days at a U.S. Open filled with more delays than drama. The unlikely champion turned to soak up a beautiful sight beneath gathering clouds Monday at Bethpage Black.
Sidwinders win Spring Fever League
The Ingleside-based Lake County Sidewinders age 12-under travel
baseball team went 12-4 to win the Spring Fever Baseball League
championship. The Sidewinders also went undefeated to win the league's end-of-season tourney. The team will be playing in the Dream Park Invitational Tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y., in July.
The 10th annual CASA Lake County Golf for a Child Invitational to help abused and neglected children will be held next Monday at Kemper Lakes Golf Club, located alongside Old McHenry Road in Kildeer.
Lake Villa-based Defenders win tourney
The Lake Villa Defenders travel baseball team recently won an age 10-under tournament in Kenosha. The event was sanctioned by Triple Crown Sports, and was a qualifier for the Fall Nationals in St. Augustine, Fla., which will be held in October. In pool play, the Defenders beat the Milwaukee Angels and lost to the Kenosha Merchants.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Beach Park-based 10-under team wins third straight tourney
The Beach Park-based Thunder age 10-under travel girls softball
team made it three tourney championships in three weekends, with the
latest triumph coming at the Summer Kickoff Tournament in Highland Park. The Thunder beat the Oak Park White Windmills, the Chicago Fireworks, Highland Park, the Warren Wave and Wauconda-based Northern Ice.
Rookie Wells logs first career win
His nerves frayed and his stomach twisting like a wicked curve, Randy Wells couldn't bear to watch so he stayed in the weight room.
Finally, with one out left, he came back out. Then, he got the shaving-cream treatment. And the beer shower. His first major-league win certainly was something to see.
The Waukegan-based Invaders youth track club got its season off to a flying start with a number of top finishes at the Handn Off & See Me Fly Invitational that was held at Lincoln-Way East High in west suburban Frankfort.
The Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association's annual Camp Trek will be held this week at Independence Grove on Route 137, and also at Oak Grove Middke School in Libertyville.
Something old ... something new
In two seasons, Warren High's much-anticipated Class of 2012 will
be juniors; ready to start writing their own page in the Blue Devils' storied basketball history. This coming hoops campaign,
therefore, can be looked at as a bridge of sorts between last year's
exciting campaign led by now-graduated Brandon Paul and the
promising sophs who were unbeaten at the freshman level.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Wood blows game as Cubs rally
Andres Blanco hit a tying single and then scored the winning run on
Kerry Wood's wild pitch in the 13th inning Saturday as the Chicago Cubs staged another wild comeback and beat the Cleveland Indians. Luis Valbuena hit his second homer of the game, a solo shot in the top of the 13th inning. But once again Wood, the former Cubs ace, couldn't hold it.
Hornaday celebrates 51st birthday with trucks win
After Ron Hornaday Jr. celebrated his 51st birthday by winning
Saturday's NASCAR Camping World Truck series race at the Milwaukee
Mile, he opted not to do a victory burnout. Tire-smoking celebrations have become commonplace in recent years, but now they're a luxury his team just can't afford.
Warren, Deerfield unbeaten at Z-B shoot-out
The Warren Blue Devils swept the field in their four games Saturday at the second of three Zion-Benton High School boys basketball summer shoot-outs. Saturday’s event featured eight teams, with Warren, Zion-Benton and Vernon Hills playing one extra game in the absence of North Chicago, which was originally scheduled to participate.
Bryant says he plans to stay with Lakers
Kobe Bryant said he plans to stay with the NBA champion Los Angeles
Lakers even he if opts out of his contract this summer. Bryant met with coach Phil Jackson and general manager Mitch Kupchak Friday. The finals MVP can terminate the last two years of his contract and
become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Round Lake native to enter UFC cage tonight Bonato: Here's all the proof you need that Clay Guida has made it, so to speak, in the ever-widening world of sports. He has his own "Wikipedia" page. Google his name on your laptop and, sure enough, you can find out everything you ever wanted to know about the 27-year-old Round Lake native.
Warren campers double their fun
Surely, the irony cannot be lost on Warren High boys tennis coach Greg Cohen. Each summer, when Cohen conducts his Warren Youth Tennis Camp, he takes campers to Iowa to play in the USTA-sanctioned Iowa District Championships. And each year, what happens? Players from Cohen’s camp excel ... in doubles.
Dewitt era begins at Waukegan
Derek Dewitt is thinking big, which probably is appropriate, considering he's a big man. When he was hired a while back to turn Waukegan High's sagging football fortunes around, he set a big goal for himself and the program: "I want to get the entire community excited about Waukegan football," he said.
Former Antioch star hooks up with NSBA
Former Antioch High and College of Lake County baseball standout Chris Malec is now teaching pitching/hitting at the North Shore Baseball Academy in Libertyville. Malec also played at Michigan State University.
The Waukegan Park District's annual three-event series of Parent/Child Invitational golf tournaments at Greenshire Golf Course gets under way on Sunday with the Adult/Junior Alternate Shot Tournament.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Late rally squares all-time series
Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto hit consecutive homers to tie the game in a four-run eighth inning, then Alfonso Soriano singled home the winning run in the ninth to give the Chicago Cubs a 6-5 victory over the White Sox on Thursday.
Think you're a good enough basketball player to play for pay?
Glad to have them on our side
Area judo standouts are representing U.S. on world stage
Aaron Cohen. Josh O'Neil. Max Golembo.
These are the guys you want on your side when things get out of hand in the dark alley.
The Schaumburg-based Seminoles age 18-under travel baseball team won its season-opening tournament, bringing home the hardware from the Irish Classic Showcase in South Bend, Ind.
The Gurnee-based Blue Devils age 13-under travel team won the Kenosha Classic baseball tournament last weekend.
Class motto: Leave No Child Inside Abderholden: VERNON HILLS HIGH teacher Jerry Miceli has spun the “Leave No Child Behind” phrase into “Leave No Child Inside” for outdoors enthusiasts.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Fiesta Bowl starts by putting ball on a tee
When most of us hear the words "Fiesta Bowl," we think
of the college-football bowl game played each year. And so, it seemed somewhat fitting that the "Fiesta Bowl"
golf tournament that was held at Foss Park Golf Course in North
Chicago had a football connection.
Danks is latest to handcuff fading Cubs
John Danks pitched like he did at the end of last season and that was good enough to beat the struggling Chicago Cubs. The White Sox parlayed some NL-style small ball into some late runs to beat the Cubs 4-1 at Wrigley Field.
Aaron Snyder: Call him Mr. Clutch
There were plenty of talented arms pitching for area prep baseball teams this past spring. But none were as important to their team as Grayslake Central High senior Aaron Snyder.
Warren tennis: Service with a smile
Several years back, longtime area net guru and current Warren High boys
tennis coach Greg Cohen came up with the idea of honoring past Blue
Devil standouts by creating a tennis "hall of fame" at the school.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Steroid pitch drills Sosa between eyes
Former slugger Sammy Sosa tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003, The New York Times reported Tuesday on its Web site. The Times, citing lawyers familiar with the case, reported Sosa is one of 104 players who tested positive in a 2003 baseball survey. The paper did not identify the drug.
Rain delay throws off everybody
Shortly before public-address announcer Paul Friedman informed the
soaking masses wrapped inside ponchos and huddled under umbrellas that there would be no baseball at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night, two former players-turned-broadcasters talked rain-delay philosophy.
By winning division titles in the recent U.S. Youth Soccer-sanctioned state tournament, seven Libertyville-area youth soccer teams have qualified to compete in the Region II (Midwest) Championships.
Parents who want their children to play AYSO soccer in Zion next fall/spring have until July 11 to register and receive a $25 discount.
Waukegan High alum to play at soccer camp
Former Waukegan High soccer players are invited to play with/against other graduates of the school tonight and several other
evenings this summer, at McAree Field. On hand will be Waukegan High's current soccer players and younger players who are involved in a summer camp.
Olivia Duehr: She does it all
To say Antioch High sophomore Olivia Duehr had a breakout season for the Sequoits would be a huge understatement. Despite seeing only limited action on the varsity as a freshman last year,
Duehr made a giant leap into stardom in 2009 in helping the Sequoits
pile up a school-record 32 victories.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Big Frank defends hapless Bradley
Former White Sox star Frank Thomas gave Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley a vote of support Monday. Thomas
was in Chicago because the Cubs and White Sox have a three-game series
this week.
Receiving corps taking shape
There's no way for the Bears to simulate game conditions in offseason practices. Nonetheless, the team is doing what it can to hasten a rapport between Jay Cutler and his assortment of offensive weapons.
Full-speed ahead for Brust, Mundelein teammates
Players on other teams might feel otherwise, but fans of Mundelein
High's boys basketball team surely are thrilled with the sight of Ben
Brust in a Mustangs jersey and playing hoops in the summer league at
the College of Lake County in Grayslake.
Lawn-mower racers from across the country will converge on Zion for two days of sod-slinging action as the as the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association presents the Nostalgia Days Classic on Friday and Saturday in Zion.
NEW YORK -- Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress is negotiating with several NFL teams to return to pro football this season after a judge delayed his trial Monday on gun possession charges.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Hitting coach takes fall for team's miserable performance
Ryan Theriot drove in Derrek Lee with a bases-loaded single with one
out in the ninth, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2
Sunday to snap a four-game losing streak following a coaching shakeup
earlier in the day.
Hoffman's scoreless streak comes to end
A.J. Pierzynski singled with two outs in the ninth inning off
previously perfect Trevor Hoffman and starter Mark Buehrle hit his
first career home run to lift the Chicago White Sox to a 5-4 win over
the Milwaukee Brewers.
A final salute
When the students return to school at Grayslake Central in August,
the most impressive piece of hardware they'll see in the school's
trophy case is the huge trophy the Rams earned by finishing third in the IHSA Class 3A baseball playoffs.
Outing will boost Grayslake youth football
The Grayslake Colts youth football/cheerleading program will hold its annual gof outing on Friday, July 24, at Renwood Golf Course in Round Lake. Money raised through the event will go toward the purchase of two automated electronic defibrillators for the Colts.
Contreras sharp, White Sox beat Brewers 7-1
Jose Contreras allowed two hits over eight scoreless innings and the White Sox battered struggling starter Manny Parra with a six-run outburst to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-1 on Saturday. Contreras (2-5) struck out eight and walked two, using his array of arm angles and breaking pitches to frustrate the free-swinging Brewers. Since returning from a monthlong demotion to the minors, Contreras has given up just three hits in 16 scoreless innings.
Swarzak leads Twins over Cubs, 2-0
Rookie Anthony Swarzak scattered four hits over seven innings, Jason Kubel homered and the Minnesota Twins hung on to beat Chicago 2-0 Saturday after the Cubs threatened in the ninth. What looked like a relatively easy win for the Twins took a tense turn when closer Joe Nathan walked Milton Bradley leading off. Derrek Lee then lined a single off third baseman Joe Crede's glove and pinch hitter Andres Blanco laid down a sacrifice bunt, putting runners on second and third. Nathan then got out of it, striking out Kosuke Fukudome and retiring Ryan Theriot on a fly to right to end the game and send the Cubs to their fourth straight loss.
Grayslake Central finishes third in Class 3A tourney
Maybe they didn’t win the last game that was played in the IHSA Class 3A baseball tournament. But the Grayslake Central Rams did win the last game they played in the
3A tourney, stomping LaSalle-Peru 9-1 here Saturday to capture third
place in the tournament.
MILWAUKEE -- Struggling Corey Hart drove in three runs on a double and a triple and saved two more with a diving catch for the Milwaukee Brewers, who rallied to beat the Chicago White Sox 7-2 Friday night.
Paluch, JCA double their pleasure
Grayslake Central High's baseball team has been getting clutch hitting during their amazing post-season run in the Class 3A state tournament. On Friday in a Class 3A state semifinal against state power Joliet Catholic Academy, the Rams ran into a clutch pitcher who was surrounded by a solid defense.
Beach Park community digs in to get program off ground
Apparently, the community of Beach Park is warming to the idea of having its own youth football program. The Beach Park Bears are gearing up for their first year of existence, and last weekend, some serious work was done on creating a football field for the Bears to use for their home games.
Boo birds fly at Bradley in loss
Joe Mauer and the Minnesota Twins felt loved at Wrigley Field while the home fans took out their frustrations on one of their own, mistake-prone right fielder Milton Bradley. Mauer, batting .413 after getting two more hits in Friday's 7-4 victory over Chicago, heard "M-V-P!" chants.
Four Lindenhurst-area youths were rewarded with college-scholarship money recently for their service and dedication to the Lindenhurst Youth Soccer League.
The Wauconda-based Northern Ice age 13-under travel softball team won its second tournament in as many weeks, capturing its own 14-under Ice Summer Celebration Invitational last weekend.
Round Lake High's booster club -- the Panther Pushers -- will hold its fund-raising golf outing on July 11 at Renwood Golf Course in Round Lake.
Area runners excel at Wisconsin state meet
John Kolanko of Grayslake and Jake Hansen of Waukegan were medal winners last weekend at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I (small schools) state meet that was held at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Fishing derby brings out miles of smiles Abderholden: DID YOU SEE all those smiles on the faces of Washington/Williams family members at Bevier Park in Waukegan during last Saturday's 19th annual Waukegan Park District Fishing Derby?
Another game-winner for Blum
Geoff Blum drove in the winning run for the second straight game, hitting an RBI single in the 13th inning that led the Houston Astros over the Chicago Cubs 2-1 Thursday.
Rams lose to Joliet Catholic in state semifinals 4:00PM: Grayslake Central High’s dream of winning a state baseball title died here Friday afternoon, as Joliet Catholic jumped out to an early lead and held on for a 4-1 victory in the semifinals of the IHSA Class 3A state tournament.
Goin’ for the gold
That’s what Grayslake Central High’s baseball team will be doing this weekend at the IHSA Class 3A state tourney in Joliet.
Area stars selected in draft
Andrew Wolcott and Adam Worthington were teammates at Warren High during the 2005 prep baseball season. They combined to give the Blue Devils a standout pitching staff which helped the team post an 18-12 record that spring.
CHICAGO -- Scott Podsednik hit an RBI single off Joel Zumaya with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, giving the Chicago White Sox a 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on a rainy Thursday.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Verlander finally gets win at Chicago
Justin Verlander pitched a six-hitter for his first victory ever at U.S. Cellular Field as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Blum delivers game-winner
Geoff Blum singled in the winning run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Houston Astros to a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. The Cubs wasted a dominant start from Carlos Zambrano, who allowed a run on three hits through eight.
The list of state-finalists from the East Suburban Catholic Conference in prep baseball is long and distinguished.
Final day of play for Zion's flag program
One youth football program in Zion is winding down, and another is starting up. Coming to an end is Zion's Youth Flag Football League, which has its final week of the season this Saturday.
HOUSTON -- Ted Lilly pitched 6 2-3 shutout innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 7-1 on Tuesday night.
Sox loss to Tigers in 10th features futile rally
Sometime between Ozzie Guillen already checking on return flights to Charlotte for Aaron Poreda (just in case), Josh Fields ruffling some feathers, a youth movement that is being disguised as anything but a youth movement, the amateur draft and A.J. Pierzynski almost starting a bench-clearing brawl, the White Sox managed to find time to get a baseball game in.
Boys and girls age 9-14 competed recently in a track meet hosted by the Deerfield Park District.
Galaxy teams earn first-place trophies
Two of the Grayslake-based Galaxy travel youth soccer teams earned first-place trophies as the spring league season came to an end recently. The boys under-13 team tied for first in its league with an 8-1 record, and the boys under-14 team won its division with an 8-0-1 mark.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Contreras helps Sox split with Tigers
Jose Contreras allowed one hit in eight strong innings in his return to the majors Monday night, getting his first win in nearly a year as the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers to earn a split in their day-night doubleheader. Alexei Ramirez, Scott Podsednik and Jim Thome homered for the White Sox in the second game.
Under-12 Libertyville takes second
The Libertyville-based White Cats age 12-under travel softball team finished second in the recent Grayslake Pride Invitational. The White Cats beat the McHenry Shockwave 11-7, the Hurricanes 14-7, and the Norridge Reckless 15-6 before falling to the host Grayslake Pride 6-2 in the title matchup.
Quit? Give up? Not these guys ... not ever
There's no quit in our Grayslake Central High baseball team. If there was, the Rams would have picked up their gear, hopped on the bus and headed back to Lake County after three innings of play on Monday.
Safety class begins in Kenosha
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will conduct a nine-hour "About Boating Safely" course from 6-9 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays beginning this week.
CASA outing is June 29 at Kemper Lakes
The 10th annual CASA Lake County Golf for a Child Invitational to help abused and neglected children will be held on June 29 at Kemper Lakes Golf Club, located alongside Old McHenry Road in Kildeer.
Vernon Hills can't touch Burlington ace
Vernon Hills High's softball team ran out of magic here on Monday. Two days after overcoming a two-run deficit to stun powerful Antioch to stay alive in the IHSA Class 3A playoffs, the Cougars couldn't muster the magic touch and lost to Burlington Central in a Round of 8 super-sectional.
NBA players aren't the only ones still playing hoops in June.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Cowboys hope to become kings of the Hill
Thom Morley has his heart in the right place. And now that
his adult football team really does have a "Hart," it will be
interesting to see if the club catches on with gridiron fans in the
Round Lake(s) area.
There are a ton of feel-good stories out there Bonato: Don't care what the calendar says. Today, we definitely are in "feel-good Friday" mode, touching upon a variety of topics. To being, a tip of the Lake Forest cap in the direction of Scouts girls soccer player Rachel Quon.
Next up for Rams: Nazareth Academy
A high level of play will be apparent today as Nazareth Academy of LaGrange of the East Suburban Catholic Conference,
and Grayslake Central of the Fox Valley Conference battle it out in the Round of 8 baseball super-sectional.
Today is opening day for the summer basketball program that is being run by Waukegan High varsity boys hoops coach Ron Ashlaw.
Vernon Hills' next foe is led by star pitcher
Burlington Central High senior pitcher Mackenzie Scott stands
between Vernon Hills High and the Cougars' first-ever trip to the IHSA
state softball finals. The Rockets and Cougars square off
Monday afternoon at Northern Illinois University in the
Round of 8 super-sectional.
The North Chicago Chamber of Commerce's eighth annual Fiesta Bowl Golf Classic will be held Tuesday at Foss Park Golf Course.
Soriano's blast in 14th saves day
CINCINNATI -- Alfonso Soriano led off the 14th inning with a home run and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-3 on Sunday to win their weekend series.
Huge series with Tigers starts with pair today
CHICAGO -- Rookies Chris Gimenez and Luis Valbuena hit consecutive home runs off Bartolo Colon and the Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 8-4 on Sunday.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Fontenot's high throw leads to Cubs loss
Jay Bruce scored from third base in the 11th inning when Mike
Fontenot's throw home was high, giving the Cincinnati Reds a 4-3 win
over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
White Sox end four-game skid with 4-2 win
Josh Fields homered and Gavin Floyd pitched into the seventh inning, helping the White Sox end a four-game skid with a 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday. Paul Konerko had a sacrifice fly in the first to end the White Sox's scoreless drought at 23 innings. Floyd (4-5) allowed two runs -- one earned -- and five hits in 6 2-3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one.
Cougars rally to win sectional
Vernon Hills High’s girls softball team rallied for three runs in the
final three innings to beat Antioch 3-2 here Saturday in the fianls of
the IHSA Class 3A sectional.
Grayslake Central wins sectional title
For the second time in the last four years, Grayslake/Grayslake Central High has captured an IHSA sectional baseball title. Saturday they did it as
Grayslake Central – knocking off pesky Johnsburg 2-0 in a well-played
contest.
Rams’ Fun Bunch is serious about winning
In his seven seasons as head coach of Grayslake/Grayslake Central High’s baseball team, Troy Whelan has seen plenty of different makeups from each of his teams.
The Beach Park-based Thunder youth travel softball program ventured north of the border recently, and ruled the roost with tourney titles in the 10-under and 12-under age groups.
Mundelein star to play in Canada
Mundelein High senior R.J. Bond will play football next fall at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. He has also received a $20,000 International Football Merit Scholarship that is renewable for all four years.
One of the area's best baseball minds and teachers -- Carmel High varsity baseball coach Chuck Gandolfi -- is running a youth baseball camp next week at Carmel High in Mundelein.
Pavano keeps Sox on the slide
Carl Pavano pitched a three-hitter for his fifth career shutout and Mark DeRosa hit a three-run homer, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 6-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night. Pavano (6-4) handled the White Sox lineup with relative ease in his first shutout since May 17, 2005, while a member of the Yankees.
CINCINNATI -- Carlos Zambrano homered and pitched into the seventh inning to earn his 100th career victory as the Chicago Cubs beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on Friday night.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Free fishing activities throughout area Abderholden: Free Fishing Days are here again in the state of Illinois. Starting today and ending Monday, you have four days to go out and enjoy some angling time with your loved ones. Heck, invite your enemies too! No need for a fishing license, or trout stamp, or salmon stamp.
Sox lose third straight to A's
Jason Giambi hit a three-run homer and Brett Anderson pitched seven impressive innings, sending the Oakland Athletics to a 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Aaron Cunningham added a two-run shot in the ninth for Oakland, which won the final three games of the four-game series.
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and Twitter have reached a settlement in his lawsuit against the social networking site.
Sequoit ace untouchable in sectional semifinals
MARENGO — Due to the (bad) luck of the IHSA draw, neighbors Antioch and Grayslake Central had to travel to far-away Marengo High on Thursday to play their game here in the semifinals of the IHSA Class 3A sectional softball tournament.
Snyder is masterful on mound for Rams
Aaron Snyder says he pitched a no-hitter. His coach, Troy Whelan, called it a one-hitter. And the official scorer at Thursday’s IHSA Class 3A sectional baseball game here hosted by Lakes High recorded it as a two-hitter.
Rivals to teammates ... friends to roommates
Grant High senior Nathan Lucas and Antioch High senior Andy Danna have both agreed to play baseball next year at the University of Dubuque, an NCAA Division III program located in Iowa. Lucas (a second baseman) and Danna (a shortstop) have been on-field rivals for the past four years, as their high-school teams went head-to-head about a dozen times.
The Waukegan Park District-run swimming pool at Belvidere Park will open for the summer at noon on Saturday and will remain open through Aug. 16. The outdoor pool is heated. Individual and family passes are on sale.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Congressman is acting like bloom is off Rose
A lawmaker urged the National Basketball Association on Wednesday to repeal its requirement that players be at least 19 years old and a year out of high school before entering the league, calling the restriction unfair.
Hoffpauir's bloop single lifts Cubs
Pinch-hitter Micah Hoffpauir blooped an RBI single to left field in the 11th inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 Wednesday night. Derrek Lee started the 11th by drawing a walk from Jeff Bennett (2-3), then pulled off a nifty bit of baserunning to reach second.
Cats can't answer when opportunity knocks
Libertyville High's baseball team has been opportunistic most of the season, but the Wildcats were anything but that on Wednesday. Libertyville left 12 runners on base in a 5-3 loss to host Barrington in a Class 4A sectional semifinal.
If you're a young basketball player in our area, it's time to get your eye focused on the bouncing ball, as summer hoops camps abound at a high school near you.
Two students from our area will be competing for St. Joseph High of Kenosha at this weekend's Wisconsin state track and field championships in LaCrosse.
Three homers power A's
CHICAGO -- Bobby Crosby and Landon Powell hit back-to-back homers, Jason Giambi also connected Wednesday night and the Oakland Athletics beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3.
Fremd prevails, but Z-B's time is coming
Study the lineup card and you realize that Zion-Benton High's moment to shine in the IHSA Class 4A softball tournament is still about 365 days away. That's because of the 10 girls listed on veteran coach Rick Rymer's lineup card here for Wednesday's showdown against Palatine Fremd, NINE of them will be back.
Swami: I'm reading the fine print on this story about Sammy Sosa using "a performance-enhancing drug" in 2003. It also says there's this list floating around with 104 positive tests from that year, and A-Rod was another one of the culprits. Who are the other 102?
