Twenty years later, lessons still learned from Andrew state champion baseball team

May 17, 2012

On Saturday, Andrew will recognize the 20-year anniversary of its 1992 Class AA state championship baseball team before its 11 a.m. home game against Brother Rice. Members of the ’92 team will be treated to a postgame barbecue. There are also some surprises lined up, though I’m not at liberty …

Baseball: Catholic League Blue race will go down to the wire

May 17, 2012

Pat Disabato: St. Laurence, Providence, Mount Carmel and St. Rita are all separated by just two games in the Catholic League Blue standings with three conference games left to play in the season. 

Disabato: Nye leaves Rice for York

May 17, 2012

Steve Nye desired a change of scenery and new set of challenges in his professional life. And with two teenage children preparing for college and …

Disabato: High school hockey offers unequaled state finals experience

May 17, 2012

First class. That’s the only way to describe Friday’s Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois state finals at the United Center. I will throw a bone …

Disabato: High school hockey offers unequaled state finals experience

May 17, 2012

First class. That’s the only way to describe Friday’s Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois state finals at the United Center. I will throw a bone …

Hillcrest finish a tribute to Royall

May 17, 2012

This wasn’t the way Hillcrest anticipated the final chapter of its marvelous season playing out. The Hawks desire was to end their season with a victory in Peoria, amid the pressure and hoopla of the Class 3A state championship game. 

Bloom puts a real scare into Simeon

May 17, 2012

If Bloom had any chance Friday at pulling off one of the biggest upsets in state basketball history, it truly had to believe in its heart of hearts it was capable of slaying the Goliath known as Simeon.

Bloom plays defense like no other

May 17, 2012

Back in December, when I was standing in the hospitality room at the McDipper, I overheard a referee offer this description of Bloom: “They play defense like they have seven players on the court.” It’s a perfect description, like a dart firmly secured in the bull’s eye. 

De La Riva injury has Zunica hot under the collar

May 17, 2012

Mike Zunica generally is a glass-is-half-full sort of guy. And why wouldn’t he be? He’s built St. Rita’s baseball program into a perennial powerhouse during his 15-year career and, as the school’s athletic director, presides over an increasingly successful sports program. You name it — football, basketball, hockey, baseball — and St. Rita ranks among the area’s elite. 

Sectionals loaded with plot lines

May 17, 2012

Man, did the March Madness party get a lot smaller in a matter of eight days. What began as a soiree featuring 40 local teams has dissolved into an intimate nine-team sectional celebration.

Local? International? It may be tough call for Lemont’s Balciunas

May 17, 2012

There are a few players on area high school basketball teams who are irreplaceable. By that I mean if their services no longer were available, …

Richards family helps Chappettos ease heartache

May 17, 2012

Pat Disabato: Once every season, Richards’ boys basketball team selects an organization to donate proceeds from one home game. It’s a way for Richards coach John Chappetto to demonstrate to his players the importance of assisting others. This year’s cause — providing financial assistance to the American Cancer Society — hits home for John and his wife, Julie. 

Disabato: St Rita shooting for fifth straight Kennedy Cup

May 17, 2012

They are attempting to accomplish what only three other teams have in Catholic League hockey history: win five consecutive Kennedy Cup championships. It’s a tremendous feat, one that requires great reserves of skill and discipline, and the occasional puck bouncing the right way. 

Balciunas leads Lemont turnaround

May 17, 2012

With the exception of undefeated Andrew, the biggest surprise among area boys basketball teams is Lemont. The Indians are 18-2 overall, 8-1 in the South …

‘Crazies’ set the bar high for prep student sections

May 17, 2012

Pat Disabato: Shaun Jacob attended the Brother Rice-Marist basketball game nine days ago — no different than many supportive alumni from the respective schools — and stood amazed at the atmosphere. 

Disabato: Koziol ruling sends wrong message

May 17, 2012

Pat Disabato: I would give Ed Koziol more credit and, ultimately, more respect if he would have revealed the truth surrounding his son Ryan’s transfer from Brother Rice to Providence.