The Rant has got to give credit to The Burg for another very good boys basketball season, but a sectional title wasn’t in the cards this year.
The Skyhawks got off to a good start, but just couldn’t score enough to avoid fallin’ behind. It looked like they were havin’ their way early, punchin’ the ball inside to C.J. Fiedorowicz. But when St. Viator went into a 2-3 zone it seemed to give the Skyhawks problems.
The Lions shot the ball better as the game went on and the Skyhawks struggled to score enough points to stay close, and the momentum shifted to St. Viator.
The Rant was not surprised that the Lions showed little class en route to their victory, but he was a little shocked when it started to rub off on the Skyhawks. Arguin’ with the refs and all the pushin’ and shovin’ was just a little much.
Once again, congrats on a good season, and just remember: How you win and lose also is important!
After a big night of playoff hoops, The Burg’s boys basketball team is the only team left playin’ for a state title.
The Skyhawks girls team also was the last team playin’ this season, before losin’ in the supersectional to Oswego.
The Skyhawks beat Gordon Tech by 12 points on Tuesday and advance to the sectional final game against St. Viator at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Vernon Hills.
The Rant has a feelin’ that the Skyhawk faithful will be out in force for that one. Two more wins and The Burg punches its ticket to the state tournament, but don’t take the Lions lightly.
Marian Central lost its game against Oswego by 20 points, endin’ a real good season. The Panthers are a very good team, and the Hurricanes were a bit overmatched, but now they know what it will take to reach that next level.
After Friday night’s hoops action we are down to two local teams still alive in the post season.
It seems only right that the two remainin’ teams are The Burg and Marian Central because they were the two best local teams all season. But The Rant is here to tell ya that it didn’t come easy for either team to advance on Friday.
The ‘Canes needed overtime to beat The Ridge and after a terrible night at the free-throw line they finally made enough in OT to get the win and the regional title. Marian shot 25-of-48 at the line for the game.
The Hurricanes play Oswego, at 7:30 p.m., on Tuesday night at the Hampshire Sectional. If they shoot like that from the free-throw line against the Panthers The Rant thinks they won’t make it to the sectional final.
The Burg kept it interesting as well, beatin’ Lakes by a bucket thanks to a decent fourth quarter. The Eagles reminded The Rant of one of those flies at a picnic that just keeps hangin’ around and just won’t go away.
In the end, the Skyhawks made most of their free-throws down the stretch when the Eagles started foulin’ to try to stay in the game and pulled out the win and the regional title.
The Burg plays Chicago Gordon Tech at 8 p.m., on Tuesday at the Vernon Hills Sectional. Now is the time for the Skyhawks to kick it into gear. They were expected to win a regional title, but The Rant thinks a sectional title would be a bit more fittin’ for this team.
CL South’s season is over after a loss to Jefferson. The Gators started well behind a loud home crowd, but Jefferson outplayed them down the stretch and came away with the win.
There were not many people out there who thought that Johnsburg’s girls basketball team would be playing for a state title more than The Rant.
But, after Monday night’s loss to Oswego in the Elgin Supersectional the Skyhawks will have to wait another year for that opportunity.
Two major problems that the girls had against the Panthers were their inability to defend the post, and even bigger than that was the poor shootin’ from the field. But it still came down to the wire, and the Skyhawks came up just short.
The Rant knows that it had nothin’ to do with desire or effort, because these girls had that covered. It just came down to scorin’, or lack of it, down the stretch.
Even though this will sting for a while, these girls had a great season and they should be proud of their team and the class they have shown all season.
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The Rant has nothin’ but love for the CL Community wrestlin’ team, which finished second at the Class 2A Dual Team State Tournament.
They could not get past Montini for the title, but as coach Lehr pointed out, Montini is the best team in the state regardless of class.
What a season for Tigers wrestlin! How are they gonna top this one?
The Burg’s girls basketball team won its third straight sectional title on Thursday in a route of Regina Dominican, and if they beat Oswego on Monda,y they punch their ticket to the state tournament.
The Rant could not be happier for the Skyhawks, who have worked very hard to get where they are at. Oh, and by the way, if there is a better girls coach in the area than Mike Toussaint, The Rant would like to know who that is. He may not be very fashion-forward when he sports the ol’ sweater vest, but that man can coach.
The Rant will be in Elgin on Monday to see yet another local team make its way to a state tournament. The Rant doesn’t want to jinx the Skyhawks, but ya better make your state plans now!
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In boys hoops, there were no real surprises on the last night of the regular season. Everybody that was supposed to win did. Now all of our teams will turn their focus to the second season.
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The Rant also wants to wish the Tigers wrestling team the best of luck as they compete for a dual team state title. They have a good shot at makin’ the finals and from there anything can happen. Looks like it could be a CL Community vs. Montini rematch from the semifinals last year.
