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WEDNESDAY JUNE 13 AND THURSDAY JUNE 14

FLANAGAN CONTINUES TO IMPRESS ALL

Belleville Hilgard (4-1) left-hander John Flanagan struck-out 13 in pitching them to a 7-3 win over Waterloo in an American Legion game last night. He was drafted in the 30th round of by the Chicago White Sox. He will meet with them today. It has been reported he will turn down $80,000 because he wants $100,000 to sign otherwise he will play college ball at Panola Junior College in Texas. We wish the best to John in whatever direction he heads. Information came from the ND.

CLYDE YOUNG NAMED PD BOY'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has named Cahokia's Clyde Young their Boy's Track Athlete of the year. Cyde led the Commances to their second straight IHSA State Championship. He was second in the long jump going 22 feet, 9 1/2 iances, He was sixth in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.62, In adtion was on the 400-meter relay team which fashioned a 42.03 good for a third-place finish and also ran on the 880 meter relaly team which won state flying to a time of 1:25.98. Mr. Young will continue his career and education at Mississippi State. Information came from the PD

FLYERS' KIZER SELECTED TO THE PD ALL-METRO TRACK AND FIELD FIRST TEAM

An electrifying perfomance at the IHSA State Finals helped vault East St. Louis Senior Artavious Kizer to a spot on the Post-Dispatch Boy's Track and Field All-Metro First Team. Artavious going into the state finals had the state's third fastest time in the 300 hurdles but did not run the event in the state finals. But he did run14.08 in the 110 hurdles, He WON the 400 meter dash in 47.31 and ran on the second place 400 relay squad in which ran a 41.58. The Flyer speedster wan't through he also ran on the team's record-seting 1,600 relay quartet in 3:13.66. Wow what a performance when and where it counted. He's a Senior. we are not sure where he will attend college but someone is getting an outstanding athlete. Information came from the PD

TUESDAY JUNE 12

SIUE HIRES MIZZOU ASSITANT TO GUIDE WRESTLING PROGRAM INTO DIV. 1 ACTION

Patrick McNamara an assistant at Missouri is the new wrestling coach at SIUE. More?

CENTRAL BASEBALL COACH KURT PETERS RESGINED AS VARISTY BASEBALL COACH

The Belleville News-Democrat reported that Central baseball coach Kurt Peters has recently resigned in order to speend more time with his family. He will continue to coach boy's freahman basektball fro the Cougars. Peter's teams won three straight Class A regionals from 2004 to 2006.

WE SALUTE THE TRENTON LEGION BASEBALL TEAM ON WIN NUMBER 600

Trenton on a squeeze play deHATfeated Cisne on the road 2-1 to pick up win number 600 in their storied history. Long time area media member and most popular Pete Schumacher played a key role the development of the program. The current coach. Jason Sattefield has continued the tradition of exceptional coaches of Trenton's American Legion program.

HATS OFF TO AREA HOCKEY PLAYERS

Zach Fizer, (O'Fallon) Clayton Keller and Steven Pawlow (Swansea) along with Braden Stormer of Belleville are members of a Chestefield, Missouri team that won a championship at the prestigioius AAU Sarnia Bluewater Shark tournament in Ontario, Canada. Steven Pawlow is on the team with players born in 1999 the other three play on teams with players born in 1998. Former Blues players coach the teams.

Above information came from today's edition of the Belleville News-Democrat.

METRO-EAST HIGH SCHOOL TRACK STARS HONORED BY THE POST-DISPATCH

The Post-Dispatch announced their Girl's Track and Field All-Metro Team. Selected to the first team were Junior Ronecia Nash of East St.Loius. Ronecia won the Illinois State title in the 100 meters, (11.5) the 200 with a 24.86 and was a memeber of the championship 400 meter-relay squad. Senior Britney Allen of East St. Louis a Middle distance runner who help her team rack up points at the state meet, Senior Jennifer Palovcsik of Belleville won the state Class AA title in the high jump with a leap of 5-7 and finished fourth in the long jump going 18-2 and Jere Richardson of Cahokia gives the Metro-Eash half of the eight slots on the PD All-Metro Girls Track and Field first team. Jere, a junior, was third in the state 100-meter hurdles with a 14.35. She was ninth at state in the 300 meters and ran in the sixth place 400-meter relay as her team won it all in 2007.

 

MONDAY JUNE 11

JAY HAAS WINS AGAIN ON THE CHAMPIONS TOUR

Belleville West graduate Jay Haas a former Illinois State and NCAA (Wake Forest) champion won for the third time on the tour Sunday shooting a scorching 2-under 69 in the Principal Charity Classic giving him a three stroke win. The defending points leader is blowing away the field in the Champions Tour points race this year. Way to go Jay.

JASON FORD TO IOWA AS HE DECIDES EARLY

The News-Democrat reported today that Althoff's Jason Ford has made a verbal commitment to attend the University of Iowa to play football there next season. He is 6-foot-1 and weighs 215 pounds. Ford is a three year starter and is regarded as one of the best high school running backs in the country. His team this fall is a contender for the Illinois state football championship in its class. Althoff returns most of its key players from last year's playoff season.

WAY TO GO FLYERS!!!

East St. Louis won the SWIC high school boy's basketball tournament on the strength of freshman-to-be Keonte Minor's layup with 40 seconds to go to give the Flyers a lead they would not lose in a 55-51 win over the Missouri State defending 5A champions McCluer North.

Information for the above stories came from the Belleville News-Democrat

SUNDAY JUNE 10

THE EDWARDSVILLE TIGER'S LADIES WRAP-UP FANTASTIC SEASON

The Edwardsville Tigers did an outstanding job of representing themselves, their school, their community and the area finishing third in the IHSA State Tournament Girl's Softball Tournament. They defeated Downers Grove South 5-4 in the third place game. They set a school record of 37-4 with the win.

SATURDAY JUNE 9

TIGERS' GUY'S SEASON ENDS IN THE ELITE 8 ROUND OF PLAYOFFS

EDWARDSVILLE BOYS LOST ON FRIDAY TO NAPERVILLE NEUQUA VALLEY 7-4 IN THE IHSA QUARTERFINALS OF THE STATE CLASS AA BOY'S BASEBALL TOURNAMENT. THEY FINISH AN OUTSTANDING 34-6.

TIGER'S LADIES ADVANCE TO THE FINAL FOUR

THE EDWARDSVILE GIRLS ADVANCED TO THE FINAL FOUR OF THE IHSA CLASS AA GIRL'S SOFTBALL STATE TOURNAMENT AS THEY KNOCKED OFF OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST 1-0. A KEY PLAY FOR THE TIGERS WAS A GREAT THROW FROM JENNY GUELDNENER STANDING ON THE OUTFIELD GRASS TO CATCHER MICHELLE WEEMS TO NAIL THE RUNNER AT THE PLATE. THE RUNNER WAS TRYING TO SCORE FROM SECOND ON A HOPPER BETWEEN THIRD AND SHORT. EWARDSVILLE'S SYDNEY GREENWALT TWIRLED THE SHUT OUT. INFORMATION FROM THE NEWS-DEMOCRAT.

TUESDAY 6/5 TO SUNDAY 6-9-07 OUT OF TOWN FOR VACATION AND TO SEE MY GRANDSON GRADUATE FROM VERNON HILLS HIGH SCHOOL. HE WILL PLAY ONE OF THE WIDE-OUT POSITIONS FOR NATIONAL JUCO FOOTBALL POWERHOUSE HARPER.

MONDAY 6/4

TIGERS SWEEP IHSA SUPER-SECTIONALS

Edwardsville nipped Belleville East in the Edwardsville IHSA Super-Sectional softball game today (6/4/07) 1-0. For state wide softball scores click here. Edwardsville blasted Chatham 10-0 in the Sauget IHSA Super-Sectional baseball championship game today. (6/4/07) For state wide scores click here.

SATURDAY 6/2

TRUTTMANN DELIVERS BIG TIME IN COLUMBIA'S EXTRA INNING WN AT STATE

Tyler Truttmann's two-out, two-run double on a 0-2 offering in the top of the eighth gave his Columbia Eagles a hard fought 4-2 win over Braidwood-Custer in the IHSA State Class A baseball tournament in Joliet. They play Beardstown in the semifinals today at 9am. To listen in "live' streaming audio on the IHSA network click here.

GRANITE GIRLS ADVANCE TO THE FINAL FOUR AT IHSA SOCCER TOURNEY

GRANTIE CITY'S GIRL'S SOCCERSATURDAY, 6/2 AT 11AM. TEAM WINS AT STATE ASHLEY STREID KNOCKED IN A LOOSE BALL GIVING THE WARRIORS A 2-1 WIN AS THEY ADVANCE TO THE FINAL FOUR. CLICK HERE FOR MORE AND TO LISTEN TO THEIR GAMES TODAY IN "LIVE" STREAMING AUDIO.

GREYHOUNDS FINISH SEASON IN THE IHSA ELITE 8

Lebanon wound up an outstanding season in a 3-0 loss at state to Rockridge in girl's Class A Softball.

FRIDAY 6/1

FOR AREA TEAMS RESULTS IN THE STATE IHSA PLAYOFFS CLICK HERE

THURSDAY 5/31

ALBERTER INSTEAD OF SQUEEZING SMACKS A GRANNY FOR WIN

After discussing an attempted squeeze play... Ryan Albeter swung away and his Granny lifted Belleville West to the IHSA Class AA Boy's Baseball Sectional title game set for Saturday at 11am in Edwardsville. The Marroons defeated a tough O'Fallon team 6-2 behind John "No-HIt" Flannigan. The Tigers used a bases loaded walk in the ninth inning to slip past a determined Highland squad 2-1. Edwardsville is 32-5 while West is 28-4.

BEHIND CINDY BITTERS THE WEST GIRLS ADVANCE TOO

The Belleville West softball team also advanced to the sectional title game where they will play either Collinsville or cross town rival Belleville East to the championship by besting Marion 5-0 in the West IHSA Sectional Cindy Bitters again fired a shutout. The Maroons are 26-3-1. The game for the right to advance to the "Super" will be Saturday at 11am.

MASCOUTAH FOUR YEAR STARTER ROBBIE RUDY SIGNS WITH SWIC

Jay's roster of outstanding players just added another in four year starter at Mascutah Rob Rudy agreed to a ride at SWIC. Both the men and women teams are on fantastic recruiting rolls. SWIC loaded with both returning and new recruits should be rated in the top ten next year. He's the second MVC guard signed by the Blue Storm. Steve Jones our of CM high school transferred in from Northern Iowa earlier. Information obtained from News-Democrat sports page.

 

WEDNESDAY 5/30

DID HANK REALLY DO I T THIS WAY?

No, we are not talking about the late and great Hank Wililams. We are talknig about Lebanon coaching standout Hank Feldt. His girls are going back to the IHSA Class A Softball State Final Tournament for the first time since the middle 1980's. They defeated Southwestern 7-3 Tuesday in the championshhip game of the Dupo Super-Sectional. Paige Washington again was the winning pitcher as the Greyhounds reversed a regular season 3-0 loss to the Piasa Birds. Southwestern returned their entire team from a unit that finished third at state last year and were ranked the number one Class A team in Illinois early in the season. Lebanon will play Taylor Ridge Rockridge (33-7) this Friday at 7p.m. in East Peoria. as they advance to the Elite 8. To get updates beginning at 7pm go to www.ihsa.org. If they play Saturday the games will be broadcast in "LIVE" streaming audio on the IHSA site.

COLUMBIA EXPLODES IN SUPER-SECTIONAL WIN

After some nail biters the Columbia Eagles short gamed Williamsville in the IHSA Super-Sectional at Carlinville. Josh Mueller was the winning hurler. The Eagles won 11-1 in five innings. They will play Reed Custer of Braindwood at 9am Friday in the quarterfinals of the IHSA Boy's Class A State Tournament. Columbia is now 31-5. Check our site we will link you to the IHSA broadcast of the game/games.

TUESDAY 5/29/07

GRANITE BACK TO STATE FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR

The Warriors again are going to the IHSA Class AA state girls soccer tournament. They defeated Edwardsville 4-0 Monday to capture the title. Ironically they will again play New Trier for the third time in a row. Ann Margaret's high school won state in 2006 after winding up second in 2005, Granite is now 20-1-3 and has won 17 games in a row. New Trier is 17-11. They have beaten the Metro-East team 5-1 and 3-0 in previous meetings in the Elite 8. Alex Hartwick racked up a pair goals (16th and 17th this year) in leading her team to the win. The GC New Trier game is slated for Friday at 4pm. They will play at North Central College in Naperville. Beginning at 4pm the game updates from the IHSA site are available on the IHSA site www.ihsa.org If they play Saturday the games will be broadcast in "live" streaming audio on the IHSA site.

THOMA'S MASSIVE TATOR SPARKS COLUMBIA'S COMEBACK

As Yogi used to say, "It's never over until it's over. The Columbia Eagles after a rain interupted (from Saturday to Monday) contest was resumed and they had fallen farther behind, 7-2 , received a 385-foot blast over the fence i.n center field to erupt to a come from behind 11-7 victory over Hillsboro Monday in the IHSA Class A Carlinville Sectional championship game. The Eagles (30-5) will play Willliamsville (19-12) today at Blackburn College in Carlinville for the right to advance to the Class A finals.

WESCLIN FALLS IN EXTRA INNINGS VIA DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN

Two unearned runs keyed by three errors by the Warriors proved to be their downfall in a eight inning 2-0 loss to Olney in the Charleston Class A Super-Sectional. Wesclin finishes another outstanding season with a 25-9 mark compiled while playing in the rugged Cahokia Conference.

INFORMATION FROM THE ND.

 

MONDAY 5/28/07

DARRELL BUTLER RESIGNS AS TRIAD'S BASEBALL COACH

Outstanding baseball coach, a long time assistant and Edwardsville and the owner of a 201-88 record in nine years as the skipper of the Knights has resigned as the Triad coach the ND reports to be able to spend more time watching his daughter play softball. Darrell 50, has coached baseball for 21 years. He's replaced by his assistant a most capable Jessse Bugger who has been coaching baseball as an assistant for some time after a standout career at Edwardsville High School and in college.

WESCLIN SHOOTS FOR SECOND STRAIGHT BERTH IN IHSA BASEBALL SWEET "16"

The Warriors take on Olney-Richards at Eastern Illinois today in a 1pm game. A win sends them back to the Sweet "16" in IHSA Class A baseball. Wesclin returned just three starters from last year's squad. John Groenert has built a state power at the Clinton County HIgh School. To see statewide scores click here

COLUMBIA TWO DOWN IN CLASS A RAIN INTERUPTED SECTIONAL BASEBALL

Columbia trails HIllsboro 4-2 in the bottom of the third inning in the Hillsboro IHSA Sectional Tournament baseball game. The game will resume today at 2 p.m. weather permitting. The winner of the game advances to the Super-Sectional. To check statewide scores click here.

NEIGHBORS BATTLE FOR TRIP TO IHSA GIRL'S STATE SOCCER FINALS

Granite City (19-1-3) and Edwardsville (13-6-1) will meet today for the right to advance to the IHSA "Elite 8" finals at North Central College in Naperville. A win for Granite would send them to the state finals for a third concecutive trip to the state finals. Game time is 6pm at SIUE. Over the last three years GC is a fantastic 63-9-5. Info from ND. For statewide results click here.

SUNDAY 5/27/07

COMANCHES EDGE NEIGHBORS EAST SIDE FOR STATE TRACK AND FIELD TITLE

Their school districts adjoin each other and they finished one-two in the IHSA State Track and Field Championship. More click here.

WEST DUO WINDS UP SECOND AND EDWADSVILLE TIES FOR THIRD IN IHSA SATE TENNIS TOURNAMENT

Brian Zaron and Nick Berger made it to the Final Four of the IHSA Tennis State Tournament. They have racked up an impressive 35-1 recond this season going intothe championship match. Edwardsville wound up third for results click here.

GIBAULT WINDS UP SECOND IN THE IHSA GIRLS SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENT

Gibault's boys won the IHSA Class A soccer title last fall and this spring the Gibault girls captured second in the IHSA Class A Girl's soccer tourney. More click here.

 

SATURDAY 5/26/07

EAST SIDE AND COMANCHES BOTH HAVE SHOT AT STATE TITLE

Cahokia is shooting for its second straight IHSA State Championship in Track and Field. The Flyers who who were runner-ups to the Comanches last year have positioned themselves to win it all. East Side is the front-runner for the crown but don't count the defending champs out. Check on area athletes and teams as they do battle in the state meet by clicking here.

GIBAULT GIRL'S TO PLAY FOR THE STATE CLASS A SOCCER TOURNAMENT TONIGHT AT 7:00

The Gibault girls won their IHSA semifinal game this afternoon 4-3 over Rochester and will play for the state title at 7pm tonight. To listen to the game click here

Gibault who won the IHSA Boy's State Soccer Tournament last fall is two wins away from the girl's title after knocking off Willimsville 2-0. Though 9-10-2 for the season Gibault has played a very strong schedule and its paying off for them now. More...click here.

MAROON'S PAIR IN SEMIFINALS AT IHSA STATE TENNIS TOURNAMENT

Brian Zaron and Nick Berger have made it to the Final Four of the IHSA Tennis State Tournament. They have racked up an impressive 35-1 recond this season. They were to have played today (Saturday) at 9am. For results throughout the day click here.

To check on all IHSA Spring sports results click here.

 

FRIDAY 5/25/07

EAST SIDE AND CAHOKIA TO BATTLE AT STATE

To check on area teams and athletes competing in the IHSA State Track and Field Finals this weekend as Cahokia and East Side battle for the state crown click here.

GRANITE WINS 16TH IN A ROW ADVANCES TO THE SUPER

The Granite City Warrior girl's soccer team continued in quest for a trip to the state finals with as they defeated O'Fallon 3-1 in the IHSA Class AA Sectional in Granite. The 19-1-3 Warriors have made it to the "Sweet 16" for the third year in a row. They will play the Edwarsville Tigers (12-6-1) in the Edwardsville Super-Sectional at 6pm Monday.

ALTHOFF WINS FIRST REGIONAL VOLLEYBALL CROWN

How about the Crusaders volleyball team? They were seeded 12th in the Blingbrook Sectional but upended the number five and four teams to win thier first volleyball regional. Althoff until this year was the only high school south of Chicago to have a volleyball team. They toughened up by playing the best teams from the St. Louis side of the river and competing in the powerful Brother Rice tournament. Rod Kloeckner pointed out in his article on the championship that the Crusaders had just two fans in the stands as they defeated the host shool having to travel 270 mile (one way trip.) Dylan Kinsella had 14 kills and Evan Neville collected 20 assists in the title affair. Althoff travels 275 miles Wednesday to Bolingbrook where they will play the top seed, Naperville North in a sectional semifinal.

Thanks ND for info used in the above stories. For more check out the News-Democrat.

THURSDAY 5/24/07

WAY TO GO PATTY KLiNGELHOEFER

For the third straight year Taylor Klingelhoefer (O'Fallon) won the Knights of Columbus Free Throw State Championship. The champ of the 12 year old divison is the daughter of former Mascoutah and McKendree standout basketball player Rick Klingelhoefer. Her uncle Tommy played the point on one of Mascoutah's best teams. Her aunt Barbara is in the McKendree Hall-of-Fame (volleyball) Way to go Patty.

BRITTNEY ADAMS SIGNES WITH SWIC

Mike Juenger didn't like losing last year. Mike is on a row as he rebuilds his program at SWIC in ladies basetball. Brittney, is a 5-fooot-10 guard-forward. She helped lead the Belleville East Lancers to the "Sweet 16" this past season averaging 14 points and nine rebounds. This has been an outstanding recruiting period for Coach Juenger and the Blue Storm.

WEDNESDAY 5/23/07

CARDS ARE ON THE MOVE

The St. Louis Cardinals have quietly started to move up in the National League Central Division. After a horrible start and slipping to last place in the division a few days ago the Cards are now tied with the Houston Astros on the loss side (25) and just one game on the loss side behind the Chicago Cubs, and one game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates on the loss side. The birds are now only six behind the league leading Milwaukee Brewers on the lost side. The Cardinals are getting more healthy by the day and their starting pitching which has had a complete makeover from last year is showing signs of stabilizing. I wouldn't question Dave Duncan's ability to once again craft a very good staff.

No team is has played better the Mound City nine over the last ten games. The Brewers, Cubs and Pirates along with the Cardinals are 4-6 over the last ten. Milwaukee has lost two in a row, the Cubs have lost three in a row. The Pirates have lost three in a row. The Astros have lost four in a row. If and when the Cardinals' Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder return to the starting rotation the team could have a one-two punch as good as anyone in the game. Both pitchers have started All-Star games and one has won a Cy Young award. What other team in baseball has such a lofty possibility in its future?

 

TUESDAY 5/22/07

SIUE WINS NCAA DIVISION 11 SOFTBALLTITLE

Cougars win 3-2 in extra innnings. For details click here.

GIBAULT'S GIRLS ADVANCE TO STATE FINALS

Katie Morris a defensive specialist scored on a header as Gibault edged Marquette for the IHSA Metro-East Lutheran Class A Sectional title. It was Katie's only goal of the season. She was moved up for the corner kick and got it done. The Giabult boys won the IHSA Class A State Crown last fall. This is the first time a girl's team from Gibault has made it to state. The Hawks (9-10-1) will play Williamsville at 6pm this Friday at North Central College in Naperville. Information is from Dean's article in the ND.

 

SUNDAY 5/20/07 AND MONDAY 5/21/07

RONESHIA BRILLIANT IN IHSA STATE TRACK & FIELD FINALS

Roneshia Nash won two first place individual medals and ahchored two first place relay teams in the state finals. The East St. Louis junior scored 40 of her team's 46 points. Going into the final event , the 1,600 relay, the Flyers led Barrington 46-45 but East Side didn't qualify for the event which Barrington won to capture the state crown 55-46. For results of area teams and athletes click here.

SIUE TO PLAY FOR NATIONAL TITLE MONDAY AS KAITLIN FIRES ANOTHER NO-NO

SIUE's Kaitlin Colosimo fired her second no-hitter in NCAA Divison 11 Softball Championship action in pitching the No. 5-rated Cougars to a two-hour rain delayed 4-0 win over second-ranked Lock Haven (51-4) 4-0. The Cougars play the title game at 10am on Monday. For more details and how you can listen to the game click here.

SATURDAY 5/19/07

Roneshia Nash was brilliant at the IHSA Class AA Girls State Track and Field Meet.

Roneshia won two first place individual medals and ahchored two first place relay teams in the state finals. The East St. Louis junior scored 40 of her team's 46 points. Going into the final event , the 1,600 relay the Flyers led Barrington 46-45 but East Side didn't qualify for the event which Barrington won to capture the state crown 55-46. For results of area teams and athletes click here.

COUGARS ON THE DOOR STEP

SIUE TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL NCAA DIVISION 11 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. FOR DETAILS CLICK HERE

IHSA STATE GIRL'S TRACK FINALS WRAP-UP TODAY

To check on how our area athletes and teams are doing/have done in the IHSA State Girls Track Meet click here.

FRIDAY 5/18/07

To check on how our area athletes and teams are doing/have done in the IHSA State Girls Track Meet click here.

JOHN FLANNIGAN DOES IT AGAIN!!!

Belleville West ace John Flannigan who got the win over Edwardsville (a two-inning outing in the completion of a suspened game) the day before, came back with a 10-0 six inning performance in a key SWC win over always strong O'Fallon. In nine innnings of work in two days, John hurled a total of nine innings of shutout baseball. And it was against two of the top teams in the area. West is 10-2 in conference action and 22-4 overall. The Maroons are a win away from their first outright conference title since 2005. They have East St. Louis (0-14) and Granite City (15-12) left to play.

WOW! BELLEVILLE EAST'S MAY BELTS A GRAND SLAM

Mallory May belted a grand slam to key a 13-1 win over previously, unbeaten in league play Belleville West. The Lancers had lost earlier in the season to West 9-3. East is 24-4 overall and 9-4 in the SWC. West had yielded just 11 runs in the previous 12 conference games is now 21-3 overall and 12-1 in the league. Information found in the ND.

SIUE WINS IN NCAA DIVISION 11 SOFTBALL ACTION

Cougars win 3-1. For details click here.

THURSDAY 5/17/07

ALHTOFF NIPS EAST

An Althoff freshman Megan Pawloski's (as Dean Criddle described in his News-Democrat article) perfect flip pass to LIz Ebel set up the game winning goal in the second overtime as the second-seeded Crusaders nipped Belleville East 1-0 in the semifinal at the Family Sportsplex." The win propelled Althoff into the title game of the Althoff IHSA Class AA Soccer Regional. They play O'Fallon Friday for the title.

BELLEVILLE WEST WINS SWC SOFTBALL CROWN

The Maroons squeezed by Edwardsville 3-2 in extra-innings to go to 12-0 in conference action. The win cliinched the conference championship. They ae 21-2 overall. It's the first Southwestern Conference crown since 2000, Belleville West's Grace Young, with the game tied 2-2 tripled then scored on a single by Nikki Rhein in the top of the eight inning to gain the verdict.

BELLEVILLE WEST BOY'S IN POSITION TO CLAIM TITLE TOO

The Belleville West Maroon baseball team took a giant step toward winning the Southwestern Conference baseball championship by edging Edwardsville 2-1 in the completion of a suspended game from last week. (lightning) The game was tied 1-1 in the sixth when they resumed play. Ryan Alberter produced the game winning hit and Ace John (No-hit) Flannigan pitched a scoreless two innings of work. West is now 9-2 in the league and 21-4 overall. Thanks ND for information in their 5/17/07 edition.

 

WEDNESDAY 5/16/07

MASCOUTAH GRADUATE HONORED

Mascoutah's Melanie Klinglehoefer has received two honors at Webster University. She was honored with the school's Inspiration Awardd and Oustanding Offensilve Award. Melanie, a four year starter set a school record in volleyball with 3,978 career assists in 414 games as her team went 77-39. Details in the ND

NATASHA HODGE TRANSFERS TO SWIC

Natasha Hodge a standout at during her prep days at Belleville East is transferring from Illinois at Springfield to play her Sophomore season for Mike Juenter at SWIC. A reserve at the Springfield school she is expected to be a key part of next years Blue Storm team. Details in the ND

WAGGONER TO REPLACE CORN AT PINCKNEYVILLE

Bob Waggoner who compiled an impressive 74-47 record as the head boy's basketball coach at Columbia has been named to replace Dick Corn at P'ville. Corn coached the Panthers to two state titles racking up 708 wins while losing just 260 games in 32 seasons. Waggoner has been an asistant to Corn for the last two years. Details in the ND

 

TUESDAY 5/15/07

GRANITE CITY GOING FOR STATE TOURNAMENT TRIP HAT TRICK AS THEY ENTER POST-SEASON

The Warriors who have posted a 15-1-3 record have lost only to Neuqua Valley from the chicago area are looking for their third straight trip to the IHSA State Tournament. The girls have dominated their SWC opponents 65-13 in racking up a 7-0 conference mark...Thanks PD

EDWARDSVILLE AND BELLEVILLE WEST 1-2 IN PD RANKINGS OF ST. LOUIS AREA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAMS

The May 15th rankings of St. Louis area large schools baseball teams finds the 23-4 Edwardsville Tigers ranked number one with the 19-4 Belleville West Maroons 19-4. They play each other Wednesday at Belleville West. No other Metro-East team is ranked in the large schools rankings. In the small school division HIghland 21-5 of the Valley is in at number four followed by Civic Memorial at the five slot. Wesclin is setting in the ninth position with Metro-East Lutheran rounding out the top ten. On the bubble are Althoff and Freeburg.

MONDAY 5/14/07

SIUE LADIES TO THE NATIONAL FINALS

The Cougars advanced to the NCAA Division 11 Softball World Series. For details click here.

SUNDAY 5/13/07

LADY COUGARS ADVANCE

The SIUE ladies advance on in the NCAA Division 11 Great Lakes Regional title game (second year in a row) led by Libby Lenart's three-run homer propelling them to a 6-4 win over Ferris State. The Cougars are 44-8. They belted their way out of the consolation side of the ledger and into the final four of the regional affair. SIUE is one win away from from the Elite Eight next week in Akron, Ohio. The ladies would have to lose twice today to be eliminated. For more details click here.

WEST ACE OUTSTANDING AGAIN

Belleville West's Cindy Bitters fired a one-hitter in pitching the Maroons to a 6-0 win over Highland. She struck out seven and walked no one. She also pitched the second game. Cindy picked up the 7-4 win in the second game hurling five innings, yielding no runs, three hits, striking out three and walkng no one. In 12 innings, she gave up no runs, four hits, while striking out 10 and issuing no walks.

TIGERS EARN THEIR SEVENTH STRAIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

For the seventh straight time the Edwardsville Tigers' won the Southwestern Conference boy's tennis crown. Brian Zaron and NIck Birger of Belleville West won individual titles. Thanks ND for information used in these reports.

SATURDAY 5/12/07

FLYERETTES QUALIFY 16 INDIVIUALS AND THREE RELAY TEAMS FOR STATE

The young East St. Louis girl's track team which placed third in the IHSA state meet last year has served notice they are ready for the 2007 championship as 16 individual and three relay teams qualified for this weekend's state finals.

SIUE'S KAITLIN COLOSIMO FIRES HER SECOND NO-HITTER

Kaitlin gave up no hits for the second no-hitter of her Cougar career as she pitched her team to a 4-0 win over Wayne State in the NCAA Divison 11 Great Lakes Regional. To go to the SIUE website for the story click here.

CIVIC MEMORIAL GIRLS ARE 7-0 IN THE VALLEY

Mike Eddy, on of the area's classiest coaches has guided the Eagles to a 7-0 mark in the Mississippi Valley Conference. They are 14-5 overall. Triad is also unbeaten at 5-0 in league play. CM and the Knights play twice. This Wednesday they play at Triad and on May 21st in Bethalto. Civic's Kaylee Yates is 13-5 and has recorded 130 K's which leads the league. Thanks ND.

KOURTNEY CHISM OF EAST ST. LOUIS CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE PD'S ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Kourtney, a junior at East Side contributed to the Flyerettes winning the team title at the Southwestern Conference meet. She won the shot put (34 feet 6 1/2) and the discus (106-11). She also won the shot and the discus at the St. Clair County meet and while finishing in the top spot in the discus and second in the shot at the Alton Invitational. Way to go Kourtney. Info from the PD sports page.

FRIDAY 5/11/07

LANCER FRESHMAN LEAPS 6-FEET, 5 INCHES IN SWC MEET

The Southwestern Conference boys track and field championship was again interupted by the weather but it didn't stop Belleville East freshman sensation Daryl Rice from winning the high jump with a very impressive leap of 6-feet, 5 inches. The Flyers 400 relay team set a conference record with a blisetering 41.3. East Side broak their own record of 41.7 set in 2003. Thanks ND.

CATS ELIMINATED BUT RACKED UP RECORD SEASON

McKendree's dropped a 6-0 game to Culver-Stockton knockng the Bearcats out of the NAIA Region V tournament. They end their season with the most wins in school history at 41-14. Click here to go to McKendree's sports page on their webs site

COUGARS GO 42-8 WITH TOURNAMENT WIN

Southern Illinois Edwardsville road the scorching bat of O'Fallon graduate Asley Price who went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, to a 4-0 win over Shepherd in the NCAA Dicision II Great Lakes Regional. The Cougars advance to round two. Click here to go to SIUE's sports page on their site.

 

THURSDAY 5/10/07

LANCER SOFTBALL PLAYER 9-FOR-10 SO FOR THIS WEEK

Like Jerry Reed said his mega country hit, "When your hot...your hot." Belleville East second basemen Jessica Schaefer has blasted out nine hits in 10 trips to the plate so for this week. The Lancers have racked up a 19-4 record this season and are ranked number 22nd in the Class AA state Illinois Coaches Poll for this week. Thanks Steve Korte and the ND.

WAY TO GO TESSA GAVILSKY OF GRANTE CITY

Norm Sanders reports in the ND that sensational Granite Senior Tessa Gavilsky, an all-state soccer player as a junior, has been named the Gatorade and RISE magazine Illinois Girls Soccer Player of the Year. She is only the second girl south of Chicago to win the honor since its inception ten years ago. She is now a finalist for Gatorade National Girls Player of the Year. The winner will be announced later this month. Granite has a record of 16-1-3. Tessa is a 5-foot-8 midfielder who has drilled home 17 goals and added 16 assits so for this season. She will head to Stetson a Division 1 school in Dleand Flordia on a soccer scholarship.

WEDNESDAY 5/9/07

MAROONS CONTINUE LEAGUE UNBEATEN STREAK

BELLEVILLE WEST SLIPPED PAST COLLINSVILLE 2-1 IN SOUTHWESTERN CONFERENCE SOFTBALL ACTION TO STRETCH THEIR RECORD TO A RED HOT 11-0 IN LEAGUE PLAY. THEY ARE 17-2 OVER ALL WITH ONE OF THE LOSSES TO DEFENDING STATE CHAMPION MOLINE. MAROON SENIOR PITCHER CINDY BITTERS IS NOW 11-1. (THANKS ND)

McKENDREE'S SOFTBALL TEAM BOUNCES BACK

THE LADY BEARCATS BOUNCED BACK IN THE NAIA REGION V TOURNAMENT AFTER LOSING TO MIDAMERICA NAZARENE 7-5 BY KNOCKNG OFF MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE 5-3. THE CATS ARE SEEDED SECOND IN THE TOURNAMENT AND WILL PLAY WILIAM WOODS AT NOON TODAY. McKENDREE USED BACK-TO-BACK HOMERS BY RACHAEL OSTERTAGE AND ANGIE MAUE ALONG WITH THE STRONG PITCHING OF AMY QUIREN TO GAIN THE WIN.

 

TUESDAY 5/8/07

POST-DISPATCH HONORS AREA SCHOLAR ATHLETES

You can check out the Post-Dispatch area scholar athletes by clicking HERE. You will be taken to the story in the website. (No longer available on the site.)

METRO-EAST TEAMS RANKED HIGH IN PD POLL

Edwardsville is the top ranked St. Louis area baseball team in the Post-Dispatch poll of area large school teams. Belleville West is second. No other area team is ranked. In small school poll Civic Memorial owning a 19-5 mark (Joe May 3rd baseman class of 1959 is so proud) is the highest rated Illinois school coming in at number 4, Wesclin is 5th, HIghland is 6th ane Metro-East Lutheran is 8tH. Althoff dropped out of the top ten this wek but remains on the "bubble."

Granite City (13-1-3) is rated third in the large school PD poll of St. Louis area girl's soccer teams. They are the tam from the East Side ranked in the top ten. Althoff, Alton, Belleville West, Edwardsville and Traid are on the bubble. No Illinois team is in the top ten small school rankings but Marquette, Gibault, Metro-East Lutheran and Wesclin are listed as being on the "bubble."

JAY AND STEVE AT SWIC DOES IT AGAIN!

SWIC head basketball coach Jay Harrington and assistant Steve Campo has done it again signing 6-foot-5 Kyle Kirk to play for the Blue Storm next year. Two years ago Kirk averaged 18 points a game in leading his Sprinfield Kickapoo high school team to the Class 4A Missouri State Basketbal Tournament. Kyle was redshirted this past season at Missouri State. On the heels of signing 6-foot-9 Josh Harrelson a day earlier this adds another jewel to the collection of the Blue Storm. With the already talented returning players from last year's very good squad and other recruits this year it looks like another trip to the National Juco Finals is a real possibility for Jay and his crew.

MONDAY 5/7/07

FORMER BELLEVILLE EAST STAR RACKS UP RECORD

Kelsey Warning (Belleville East) now owns the single-season RBI record as she drove home three giving her 53 RBI for the year. She needs two RBI of the MVC's record of 55. Kelsey is hitting .304, through 54 games recording 15 home runs. Thanks ND.

 

JAY HARRINGTON HAVING BANNER RECRUITING YEAR

SWIC men's basketball coach Jay Harrington already has a wealth of talent coming back for next year, continues to rack- up the talent. He picked up 6-foot-9, 265 pound Josh Harrelson out of St. Charles, Mo. Josh averaged 18.5 points and 11 rebounds for his 23-8 team which wound up fourth in the Missouri Class 4-A tourney. He is considered one of the top playes in the St. Louis area. The Blue Storm can boast of All-
American Devron Bostick, 6-7 Reggie Bunch and 6-9 Tyrone Bradshaw. They won 24 games last season. They have also picked up some outstanding new players in addition to the returning crop signing including CM's Steve Jones who transferred in from Division 1 Norther Iowa. (Info from Dean Criddle's story in the ND)

SUNDAY 5/6/07

CM REMAINS RED HOT

CIVIC MEMORIAL ENJOYING ONE OF ITS BEST BASEBALL SEASONS EVER TOOK A DOUBLE-HEADER FROM GIBAULT 8-1 AND 6-1. TORY DOERR WAS THE WINNER IN THE FIRST GAME FOR THE EAGLES AND SAM JOHNS GOT THE WIN IN THE SECOND CONTEST.

SATURDAY 5/5/07

COMANCHES SERVE NOTICE THEY ARE TO REPEAT

The Cahokia Commaches, as ND's Dean Criddle pointed out in his story on the Collinsville Boys Track and Field Invitational, three of last year's top four teams in the IHSA State Tournament were competing in the meet but Cahokia ran away from the field to win by a fantastic 55 points. East Side was second last year and Springfield Lamphier wound up fourth.

 

FRIDAY 5/4/07

EAST ST. LOUIS FLYERETTES CAPTURE 18TH SOUTHWESTERN CONFERENCE TITLE IN 19 YEARS

The Flyerettes served notice they are ready to roll with the IHSA state competition coming up in a few days. East Side erupted for 182 1/2 points with Edwardsville who broke-up the St. Clair County squad's run coming in second collecting 128 1/2 points. O'Fallon, Belleville East and Belleville West wound up in order behind the Panthers.

THURSDAY 5/3/07

NO DECISIONS YET ON ALTON OR BELLEVILLE EAST BOY'S BASKETBALL COACHES POSITONS

Two plum coaching positions are still open in our area. Alton which lost its coach, Mike Brey to Centralia will have a most impressive field to choose from. AD Mike Brey who has made outstanding choices in hiring football coach Joe Hook and basketball coach Lee Bennett will pick another most capable replacement for Bennett. Jim Reynolds at Belleville East also will have no problems choosing an outstanding coach at East. The applicants will be most qualified. Jim, himself is one of only four basketball coaches in the school's history. Don Otness was the first, followed by Reynolds, then Doug McCrary got the nod.

WEDNESDAY 5/2/07

BROOKE SMITH IS HAVING A FANTASTIC SEASON

Metro-East Lutheran's Brooke Smith leads the area in RBI with 34, with runs scored 30 and is tied for the lead in home runs with five. She is third in triples with five, tied for fourth in doubles with six. Brooke is is 9-4 with an ERA of 3.45.

WEST'S JOHN "NO-HIT" FLANNAGAN BRILLIANT AGAIN

The Maroons' standout left-handed pitcher fired a three-hit, six inning shutout in an 8-0 win over Belleville East. The game was called after six innings because of rain. John is now (5-0) and owns an 1.03 ERA. Teammates Tyler Muren and Mitch Mateck each collected three hits in the senior's win. West won its ninth straight game to go 7-2 in SWC play and 18-4 overall. The Lancers are now 3-5 in league play and 11-7 in total games played..

TUESDAY 5/1/07

MAJERUS HIRING STIRS OPINIONS FROM NEAR AND FARAR

TO READ FANS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY'S COMMENTS ON ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY'S HIRING OF RICK MAJERUS AS PRESENTED BY FOX SPORTS CLICK HERE

 

MONDAY 4/30/07

RAMS APPEAR TO HAVE ADDRESSED NEEDS IN DRAFT

I'm certainly no draft nerd but from afar it looks like the Rams drafted very well to fit their needs. I know it takes a few years to really grade a draft but it seems to me this will be one of their best.

The key element to me is that many refer the Ram's as undersized and the players drafted by them if nothing else have size.

SWIC SPLITS BASEBALL DOUBLE HEADER

The SWIC baseball team split two with John A. Logan grabbing the first game 12-9 and dropping the second 14-4

SIUE SQUADS RACK UP THREE WINS

The cougars of Bo Collins rolled to yet another win blasting Lewis College 12-2. The SIUE women took a pair from St. Joseph's winning the first encounter 9-1 and the game two by the score of 5-0.

McKENDREE WOMEN SHORT GAMES HANNIABAL-LaGRANGE

Mckendree's Amy Quirn gave up just two hits and one run as the Cats belted Hanniball-LaGrange 11-1 in five innings.

 

 

SUNDAY 4/29/07

JOSH HANCOCK KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT

St. Louis Redbird pitcher Josh Hancock was killed Sunday at 12:30am when his vehicle slammed into a wrecker stopped on the left lane of west bound Interstate 64/40 less than two miles from Busch Stadium. The Cardina vs. Cubs game scheduled for Sunday night was postponed. For details go to either the News-Democrat or Post-Dispatch websites.

SATURDAY 4/28/07

FORMER LARRY GRAHAM ASSISTANT HIRES LEE BENNETT

Lee Bennett coach of the Alton Red Birds boy's high school basketball coach is leaving Alton to become the new boy's basketball coach at tradion rich Centralia. Bennet, 37 son of Hall of Fame basketball IBCA basketball coach Dave Bennett (winner of 527 games) racked up a 100-27 mark at Alton. The Superintendent of Centralia is Chuck Lane. He has the reputation of getting the job done. He can make things happen. He was an assistant coach to Larry Graham at SIUE and has proved to be outstanding at whatever role he is in. He wanted Lee to be his next coach and he went out and put together the package and got him. Some reports indicate the member/members of the Centralia school board which led the ousting of Rick Moss (an outstanding coach at all levels) at Centalia are no longer in power. Rick is now the Director of Athletics at Carbondale. There are rumors he will return to coaching soon. Under the new IHSA basketball four class system Centralia will be 3A while Alton will be 4A. Bennett guided his Alton teams to two Centralia Holiday titles in the last three years.

MICHAEL'S SON HEADED TO THE U OF I

The Associated Press is reporting that Jeffrey Jordan son of basketball legend Michaael Jordan will be a preferred walk-on at the University of Illinois. This means while not on Athletic Scholarship at Illinois he doesn't have to try out for the team and will be a member of the squad. The 18 year-old started at Loyola for three years and was an All Catholic League performer for two years. His teammates and opponents from the Chicago area both are impressed with what an outstanding person Jeffrey is. A class act, the 6-foot-2 guard is also an excellent student.

FRIDAY 4/27/07

DIXON WINS HIS 584TH FEATURE BUT SALE IS RED HOT!

Ed Dixon racked up his career 584th Feature win a week ago at Belle-Clair Speedway sweeping the heat, dash and feature but Chris Sale may have tied an all-time record. He won the make-up feature which was postponed because of the length of the evening's racing program then proceded to win the Pure Stock heat, dash and featue events to give him four wins in four attempts for the night.

The UMP Modifieds produced one of the great finishes. Tom Ratajczyk came from the third spot to slip past Bobby Bittle and Brian Bielong to capture the feature win. Dean Hoffman was right there with the three at the start/finish line. The race featured side by side racing rhoughout. The UMP Sportsman Feature went to Mike Harris. They race again tonight.

 

 

FORMER TIGERS FREY AND JACKSON CONTINUE TO SPARK COLLEGE TEAMS

Norm Sanders of the News-Democrat reports in addition to his younger brother's recent nine-for-nine stretch Evan Frey is on a red hot streak of his own. He had a five-hit game for Missouri against Baylor. Evan coming off a .337 averge last year is now hitting .358 with 51 hits, 45 runs, 25 walks. He recently blasted a game-winning homer to beat Kansas. Edwardsville's Danny Jackson enjoys a .373 batting average while playing for Wichita State drilled two home runs in a 11-6 win over Missouri State in a Missouri Valley Conference game. Danny smacked a three run "tator" and picked five RBI in a earlier 10-7 over SIUC. The cleanup hitter overall besides the .373 batting average has piled up five doubles, four home runs, and has driven in 15 runs.

 

O'FALLON'S RYAN MEYLER HAVING A GREAT CAREER AT McKENDREE COLLEGE PICKS UP WIN NUMBER 28

A Senior right-hand pitcher Ryan Meyler (O'Fallon) is now tied with former Bearcat hurler Eddie Breuchaud with 28 career wins good for second place all-time in Cat baseball. Meyler fired a five inning 11-0 shutout over Greenville College this past week.

 

LOCAL SPORTS CARD RAINED OUT THURSDAY

A full slate of local sports is tap for today in Metro-East after rained forced cancellation of Thursday's schedule of events. Check the Belleville News-Democrat or Alton Evening Telegraph for the calender.

 

THURSDAY 4/26/07

DANTE HALL NOW A RAM

What do you think about the Rams getting KC's Dante Hall in a trade? I think it is an outstanding move. The 28 year old return man has returned 11 kicks for touchdowns. Six kickoff returns and five punts. This is positve big step for St. Louis.

 

TIGERS' SOPHOMORE LAUREN FRANCIS FLIRTS WITH PERFECT GAME

Lauren Francis was one out away from a perfect game over the Althoff Crusaders when the Crusaders' Melissa Pickerel reached base on an infield single. Francis faced just 22 batters, giving up one hit and striking out six. The Tigers won the game 5-0.

 

SPARTA BULLDOG COACH NEW MENTOR AT FREEBURG

Donovan McMillian will replace Norm Toenjes as head boy's basketball coach at Freeburg High School after leading Sparta to an impressive 17-11 record last season. McMillian played both football and basketball at the University of North Dakota. Already a resident of Freeburg the 29-year-old will greet quite a few returning players from this year's squad.

 

NINO FENNOY TEAM'S CONTINUES TO WIN, WIN AND WIN

Yet another Nino Fennoy edition is on a roll. The East St. Louis girl's track team won the St. Clair County track meet at Clyde Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis Wednesday. Flyer's junior Ronecia Nash won the 100 and 200-meter dashes. She ran the 100 in 11.86 and the 200 in 24.4. She is one of the best sprinters in the state.

 

PINCKNEYVILLE'S DICK CORN RESIGNED AFER 32 YEARS

Dick Corn has stepped down as the coach of the Pinckneyville Panthers. He racked up a 780-260 mark as the coach of the squad in 32 years as the head coach. He is a member of the IHSA Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. His team won the state boy's Class a basketball titles in 1994 and 2001.

 

WEDNESDAY 4/25/07

DID ALBERT INJURE HIS KNEE?

It was mentioned in one of the stories written about the Cardinals loss to the Reds Tuesday night that Albert Pujols suffered a possible knee injury during the game. Rod Kloeckner's article in the ND that the knee "barked." He already had problems with a ham string which could have contributed to his leg problems. The Cardinal lost 10-3.

 

COMANCHES BOUNCE BACK EARN REVENGE ON EAST SIDE

After losing to East St. Louis last week in the Al Joyner Relays the IHSA defending state champs Cahokia bounced back to tale the St. Clair County Boy's Relays by eight points over East St. Louis.

 

LEBANON'S CHRIS WILLIAMS SIGNS WITH TYLER

Lebanon High School standout 6-foot-6 Senior Chris Williams has chosen to play JUCO basketball at long time national power Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. Williams now owns the careet rebounding mark at Lebanon, 1,156 and poured in 1,452 career points. An explosive player Chis averaged 15.7 points a game his Senior season, 11.6 rebounds, blocked 45 shots, dished out 77 assists, pilfered 82 steals and flushed down a huge amount of spectacular dunks.

 

KAHOK ACE FIRES A NO-NO

Collinsville's Lauren Polove fired a no-hitter in the Kahok's 4-0 win over Granite City. Lauen struck out 14 and walked just one in completing her gem.

 

TUESDAY 4/23/07

JAY SIGNS ANOTHER AREA STAR

SWIC men's basketball coach Jay Harrington added yet another area star with the siging of 6-foot-7, 200-pound Mike Augustine. He averaged 18.3 points a game and pulled down 6.7 rebounds a game in leading Waterloo to an 18-10 season. Jay also has this month signed Northern Iowa transfer Stephen Jones. Stephen an AAU star for the Jets and a four year starter at Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto is one of the outstanding guards to come out of the Metro-East area.

 

FELTON AND McCRARY TO MINERAL AREA COLLEGE

A player who has a tremendous upside, 6-foot-7 Jeremy Felton who played at Lovejoy (varsity) as a Freshman, at Althoff as a Sophomore, at Belleville East as a Junior and at Belleville West as a Senior will play for Mineral Area College next season. A former Missouri star Corey Tate is the coach at Mineral Area. Jeremy averaged right at 20 points and 13 rebounds along with 45 blocked shots in just 16 games after becoming elgible at the semester break. Eric McCrary an excellent passer and three point shoorter also will be at Mineral Area transferring from SWIC. Eric a 6-foot-7 forward averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists a game at Belleville East his Senior season.

 

THE BELLEVILLE NEWS-DEMOCRAT RANKS AREA BASEBALL TEAMS. NO SURPRISES AT THE TOP

The powerful Edwardsville Tigers and the strong Belleville West Maroons each received two votes as the top Class AA baseball teams in the ND area. Edwardsville (13-3) wound up with more points and thus is ranked number one. West (15-4) is also off to an impressive start of the 2007 season. Highland (11-2) received one first place vote and is ranked third followed by Althoff (7-3) and Belleville East (7-5). On the doorstep to the top five is Civic Memorial (15-1) which is off to one of the school's best starts ever.

Weslin (13-2) grabbed all five first place votes in the Class A poll followed in order Columbia (16-4), Nashville (13-4), Gibault (8-6) and Carlyle (10-7). Metro-East Lutheran is knocking on the door of the top five follows Carlyle with a 10-5 mark.

 

MONDAY 4/22/07

JAY HAAS WINS LIBERTY MUTUAL LEGENDS OF GOLF

Belleville West High School graduate and former Illinois State HIgh School Golf Champion Jay Haas was trailing by four shots with eight holes to go but came back to win a playoff with Tom Kite and won the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf for his second championship this season in defending his title.

 

DOUG McCRARY RESIGNS AS BASKETBALL COACH AT BELLEVILLE EAST

Doug McCrary has resigned as head boy's basketball coach at Belleville East. He coached at the school where he graduated from in 1977 for 15 years. The 47 year former star athlete at East was one of the most intense athletes ever to play in Metro-East and he coached the same way. He guided the Lancers to the Class AA state tournament in the 1995-96 season.

 

KEVIN STALLINGS WILL NOT LEAVE VANDERBILT FOR ST. LOUIS U.

While I like the fact that some media people are including Kevin's name as a candidate for the St. Louis U. men's head basketball coach's job I can't see him leaving Nashville to come to St. Louis even though he is from the St. Louis area. The Collinsville graduate who later was a Basketball Weekly first five Juco All-American at Belleville Area College is coaching in the rugged SEC conference which has produced the National Champion (Florida) in the last two NCAA Tournaments, is happy with the type of program Vanderbilt wants run. He coached his team to six wins over top 25 teams this past season and an upset of this year's NCAA National Champs (Florida) during the regular season.

 

LARRY GRAHAM SHOULD BE THE NEXT COACH AT ST. LOUIS U.

My buddy Larry Graham who has won at every coaching level would be a great hire at St. Louis U. He's a winner and there is no better coach in the land than LG "BUD" Graham who is a member of three basketball Hall of Fames having been selected as a player in Indiana and as a coach in both Illinois and Missouri. He took SIUE to three NCAA 2A National Tournaments, won two Illinois State Tourneys and also coached little Park's Air College to the National Mythical Tiny College crown in the same year he coached Madison to the IHSA Class A State Title.

Larry also coached BAC at Granite City to 19 wins their first season as they started a basketball program from scratch. And as mentioned above Larry took SIUE to three national tournaments in four years, the first coming in his second year of a five year run. HIs first year although they didn't make it to the tournament, he wasn't hired until after the IHSA State Tournament was completed, they did upset the Nations Number 13 ranked team that first year, Wright State. He can recruit, coach and promote with the best of them.

 

ATTENTION ST. LOUIS MEDIA...BASEBALL SEASON IS A MARATHON

When will some of the young media folks in St. Louis realize that baseball is a marathon. They play 162 games. It is a season of ups an downs, streaks, slumps and frustrations. The old baseball adage water seeks its level is so true. The Cards will be in the hunt througout the season. And if they get back both Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder as healthy pitchers they could run away with it.