Sept. 19--Nick Leonard was named Joliet Catholic girls basketball coach Friday, according to a press release by the school.
Three days after former Illinois star Kenny Battle resigned for personal reasons, Leonard becomes the third coach in three years at Joliet Catholic.
"Nick is an outstanding coach and educator that can build this program from the ground up, while also maintaining the current success we achieved at the varsity level," Joliet Catholic athletic director Dan Sharp said the release. "His work ethic and presence in the building are going to be huge assets to our girls"
A 2008 Blackburn College graduate, Leonard coached the freshman boys B team last season at Joliet Catholic. One season after Ed Schodrof guided the Angels to a runner-up finish in Class 3A, Kenny Battle led Joliet Catholic to a 20-9 record and a 3A regional title. Ryan Quigley, the school's director of communications, will help the lower levels of the program.
Senior point guard Nicole Ekhomu, a Florida State recruit, returns to lead a team that is still talented despite the departures of junior forwards Ty Battle to Oswego East and Jnaya Walker to Bolingbrook. Battle, Kenny Battle's daughter, announced her transfer Thursday.
Narang is a freelance reporter for Chicago Tribune.
