Nov. 20--Football
Moved into starting role, Mount Carmel running back Anthony Ries thriving
Anthony Ries wasn't happy being a reserve running back for Mount Carmel the first three weeks of the season.
The junior from South Holland, however, didn't hang his head or sulk. He continued to work hard during practice to show the coaches he could contribute when called upon.
That opportunity arrived in Week 4 against St. Rita.
"I just kept going hard at practice and not quitting," Ries said of his first three weeks as a reserve. "Going into the game against Rita, my running back coach (Bob Sanders) gave me a chance to start. He told me if I did well, it would be my position."
Ries didn't disappoint. The Caravan lost 23-21 to St. Rita, but Ries showed he could thrive as a starter, recording 111 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries.
- Pat Disabato
Against Peoria Notre Dame, Lemont knows the score
Lemont coach Bret Kooi is impressed with what he has seen from Peoria Notre Dame, Saturday's Class 6A semifinal opponent.
"I know they execute as good as you're going to see a football team execute," Kooi said, "especially on offense. They do a nice job with their blocking schemes and setting you up for the next play."
The Irish prefer running the ball. However, their offense isn't predicated on sustaining drives and eating clock. Notre Dame has scored a whopping 602 points on the season. The Irish (12-0) have scored at least 40 points every game, topping 60 on three occasions.
Plus, Saturday's game will played in Peoria at 3 p.m.
While Notre Dame's numbers are off the charts, Kooi is quick to note that his team, also 12-0, is no slouch.
"Our kids are pretty special," Kooi said. "I don't know if they've played a team with the receivers that we have. You can watch all the tape you want on our receivers, but it's not the same as playing against them."
- Pat Disabato
Boys soccer
Marian Catholic's Alec Guarino the SouthtownStar 2014 Boys Soccer Player of the Year
Alec Guarino began the season with his sights set on breaking the Marian Catholic single-season goals record.
The senior shattered it. More important, his team's accomplishments shattered expectations.
"I honestly never really expected we could do what we did this year," Guarino said. "It was awesome. It was a huge shock to a lot of people, myself included. We earned it."
Guarino scored 34 goals to top the previous school record of 26. The Spartans also made history as a team, finishing with a program-high 18 wins and capturing their first sectional title.
Capping the dream season, Guarino has earned the title of SouthtownStar 2014 Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
"It means a lot to get an honor like this," he said. "I've never really been awarded something like this before. It's awesome.
- Steve Millar
Thornton co-op's David Gonzalez the SouthtownStar 2014 Boys Soccer Coach of the Year
After last season's surprising run to the sectional finals, Thornton co-op -- with just four players back from that team -- started slowly in 2014.
Maybe the 2013 success was just a flash in the pan?
Not so much.
The Wildcats put it together midway through the season, won a share of their second straight SouthWest Suburban Red title and ended up topping last year's playoff run, winning the program's first sectional title.
The man at the helm of the Southland's newest powerhouse program, David Gonzalez, is the SouthtownStar 2014 Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.
"This is great," Gonzalez said. "I think this is more of a team honor and a program honor. It shows that we're going in the right direction. There's a lot of people involved, like the club coaches in the area and the administrators. I'm happy for all of them."
- Steve Millar
Girls basketball
In a word, Huntley girls basketball 'excited' about new season
Huntley has seen a run of sustained success and good players over the past eight years, winning six regional crowns in that span.
Through all of that time, however, the best player of them all is the one that coach Steve Raethz has back not only for this, but for two years.
After rolling to 1,100 points in two years, 6-2 Illinois recruit Ali Andrews returns and will take over a much larger role for the Red Raiders after the graduation loss of three key seniors, including her sister Sam, who is now playing at Truman State.
"We've been very fortunate to have some really good players come through our program the last few years," Raethz said. "We're really excited about having Ali back with us. It's a nice luxury to have a player of her caliber. She's the best player I've coached, and she's an even better person off the floor."
- Paul Johnson
With versatile Ally Van Bogaert, Kaneland girls basketball eyes fresh start
Coaches love basketball players who can create "matchup problems" for an opponent.
At Kaneland, that is Ally Van Bogaert.
The senior center played primarily in the post when she first arrived at Kaneland as a freshman. In subsequent years Van Bogaert has expanded her game. Handle the ball, shoot the 3-pointer, post up -- whatever the defense gives Van Bogaert, she'll take.
"She gives us a nice matchup," Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. "If she's playing someone used to guarding someone in the post, she'll go outside. If she's playing a perimeter player, she'll go inside."
Colombe will be counting heavily on Van Bogaert this winter, she being one of only three seniors on the roster and two starters returning from a 14-15 team.
- Joshua Welge
Girls swimming
St. Charles schools well-represented at state swim finals
St. Charles East and St. Charles North are always well-represented at the girls swimming state meet and this year will be no exception.
The two schools dominated the St. Charles East Sectional last Saturday, combining to send 20 individual entrants and six relays to this weekend's state meet at Evanston.
St. Charles East won the sectional with 302 points, with St. Charles North second at 258. But what really matters is who qualified.
"They had a lot of fun and swam fast," St. Charles East coach Joe Cabel said. "It was pretty close to what we had hoped for. We just missed in a couple races but we got some in just under the cut, which is exciting. You're just trying to get in the door and have an opportunity to swim next week."
- Matt Le Cren
