One door closes, another door will open. It is a fabric of life and encouragement for disappointment and fuel for hope.
The high school athletic competition for the school year draws to a close by putting cancellations in the rear-view mirror and thoughts of the 2021-2022 school year. It is likely we will cherish with additional fervor the competition, the joy, the preparation for the games. Meanwhile, there are two weeks remaining in this season with the end date June 19. Summer games, workouts, and dreams will begin.
• In with the new, Joe Piekarz, formerly at Indian Creek High School in Shabbona for 15 successful years is the new head basketball coach at Marmion Academy in Aurora. Former Marmion head coach Tony Young will be at Fenwick High School in Oak Park in the new school year. Tony Young was a key member of the Schaumburg High School State basketball championship in 2002. Both coaches associated with Marmion are teachers of high order in more than sports. They lend credence to the term student-athletes. In fact, this week, Joe Piekarz was selected for a special basketball hall of fame for his work with Indian Creek.
• The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) earlier this week released selections for 2021. Notable in college men is Loyola University head coach Porter Moser, who will be in with the new at Oklahoma University. He was an outstanding player at Benet Academy. Other selections in men’s college coaches are University of Illinois head coach, Brad Underwood, Mike Schauer, Wheaton College, and Scott Trost of Lewis University.
• IBCA boys high school coaches included: Curt Alsvig, Somonauk; Mike Healy, Wheaton Warrenville South; Jeremy Krieger, Joliet West; Jason Opoka, Glenbard West; Joe Piekarz, Indian Creek; Scott Plaisier, Timothy Christian; Brett Porto, Burlington Central; Aaron Sovern, Yorkville Christian; Jim Thomas, Downers Grove North; Bryan Tucker, Barrington; and Ryan Velasquez, Oswego East;
• IBCA girls high school coaches included: Laura Brumfiel, Joliet Central; Branden Collins, York; David Eaton, Wheaton North; Jill Groenewold, Timothy Christian; Terry Harrell, Willowbrook; Collin Kalamatas, Burlington Central; Joe Killbride, Benet Academy; John Placher, Joliet West; Christopher Smith, Bolingbrook; Mice Tomczak, St. Charles North; Ryan White, Lincoln-Way West.
• Major League Baseball comment: Putting a man on second base to begin an extra inning should wait three innings, until the start of the 13th inning. Never will get used to the 10th inning.