March fits into the sports scene quite well: March Madness, crescendo of the Winter scene, pitchers and catchers have reported and Spring training is under way, except this season with the stalemate over money and contracts, other good-weather competition comes into focus, including golf and tennis.
We can dream.
The reality is with COVID-19 diminished, the fans are back in their chairs and benches to watch the games, the competitors are planning full steam ahead, and the games are the thing.
Enthusiasm for any major league sports wane quickly when there is work stoppage because of contract disputes. There is no excuse.
It only forms a highlight that high school and college sports truly are more joyful than stale professional sports when there are contract disputes in the professional ranks. It is a veritable contrast of the good, bad, and the ugly. Top quality performances are relative to the times.
Notes, comments, and references:
• Former men’s head basketball coach at Aurora University, and Aurora College earlier, Roald Berg, died recently. See page 10. He was the head coach for the earlier MJ, in the 1970s, Mickey Johnson, the 6-10, slender, forward and center, who earned Little all-America honors. Roald Berg received a tip when he was head coach at Aurora College to go to the West Side of Chicago to look a player in a YMCA league. Mickey Johnson was the player who did not play on the Lindblom High School team because of circumstances. Johnson later was graduated at Aurora College after leading the Spartans to great success. He played 12 years in the National Basketball Association and in the early years, in spite of a lucrative contract, declined to spend money foolishly and eschewed the lavish lifestyle. He drove a VW beetle from the early 1970s and lived in modesty because he never knew when the career would end. He played 12 years and was a positive force on his teams. No doubt Roald Berg should receive some of the counseling credit.
• The later MJ, Michael Jordan, did pretty well, of course, and will be remembered in Bulls’ lore.
• It should be noted that Glenbard West High School, rated No. 1 in State boys high school on the eve of the State tournament in Class 4A, the largest division, participated in the wrestling State dual meet competition and gained the quarterfinals prior to falling to traditional power, DeKalb, 53-18. Except for a few years of excellence in basketball, Glenbard West has gained a reputation for football success. Times change. The Glenbard West boys basketball team has earned a reputation for an excellent 1-3-1 zone defense with long-armed players who have played together for many years. Glenbard West won the Bartlett Class 4A Regional championship. Glenbard West and Wheaton Warrenville South would meet in Friday’s Bartlett Sectional championship if each team wins a semifinal game this week.
• Waubonsee Community College will play Saturday in the Region IV Division II District 3 championship game against South Suburban College to advance to the National Tournament. See Bobby Narang’s article with a focus on Camron Donatlan, former West Aurora High School all-around athlete, among other items.
• The Metro Suburban Conference named its high school girls honor team for both Blue and Red Divisions: Players of the years are Claire Wagner, IC Catholic Prep in the Blue Division and Brooke Biggins, St. Edward in the Red Division. Other players honored: Blue Division, St. Francis, Katie Anne DeCraene, Tristan Grosam, Katherine Lily; IC Catholic Prep, Wagner, Allie Geiger, Kelsey MCDonough; Aurora Rosary, Emily Hurst and Lauren Hawkins; Aurora Central Catholic, Sofia Corral; Riverside-Brookfield, Hannah Organ; Red Division, St. Edward, Bibbins, Alexia Alfaro, Delaney Lutzow; Bishop McNamara, Mallory O’Connor, Kendell Lake; Wheaton Academy, Jullian Paulson, Abby Schroeder; Chicago Christian, Amani Gladney, Riley Mankowski; Elmwood Park, Ava Vargas, Lauren Olson; Ridgewood, Bea DeGuzman; Westmont, Delza Dalipi.
• Batavia High School girls basketball head coach Kevin Jensen said: “We played one of the hardest schedules in the State (19-15 overall), according to MaxPreps. I counted 18 games from our schedule played against regional (tournament) champions.” Top players were Tessa Towers, 6-5 senior center, who has made a commitment to the University of Wisconsin; Brooke Carlson, 5-6 sophomore point guard