Boys water polo / Scouting the Elite Eight
Boys water polo / Scouting the Elite Eight
Where: Stevenson High School
Friday’s quarterfinals matchups: Schaumburg vs. St. Ignatius, 4:30 p.m.; McHenry vs. Loyola, 5:45 p.m.; Fenwick vs. Lyons, 7 p.m.; Sandburg vs. Naperville Central, 8:15 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule: Semifinals at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.; third place at 5 p.m.; championship at 8 p.m.
Tournament outlook: St. Ignatius (23-7) has assembled an impressive season and is led by one of the state’s top players, Mark Alvarado (124 goals). Schaumburg (24-8) sees most of its scoring from senior Mike Gergen (139 goals) and junior Randy Carr (111). The Saxons are here for the first time since 2008 and for the last time under coach Tom Gallagher, who is retiring after this school year. The Wolfpack has made the Elite Eight the last two seasons and finished third last spring. McHenry (29-4) has made it to state for the third straight year under coach Craig Fowles but is still in search of its first quarterfinal victory. The Warriors will have a great chance to win this time behind seniors Kyle Braun (76 goals), Dylan Clohessy (72) and Scott Dabrowski (69). Loyola (19-14) lost its final two games in MCAC tournament play, including a 13-5 decision to Ignatius, before prevailing in the Glenbrook North sectional. Fenwick (33-0) has produced a dominant team, even by Fenwick standards. Connor Brown and Matt Farmer lead the way, but this team is loaded with top-notch talent, and it will be difficult for anyone to slow the seven-time defending champs — but a title is not guaranteed for the Friars, either. Lyons (32-2) has produced its best season yet behind senior David Sekula (138 goals) and only fell to Fenwick 8-6 in late April. Sandburg (28-5) coach Jim Caliendo has assembled a strong group led by senior Erik Niemeier (113 goals), but the Eagles fell to Naperville Central 8-4 a little over a week ago. The Redhawks (26-4) return to the Elite Eight for a third straight year and eighth overall under coach Bill Salentine. Kyle Rickert (105 goals, 80 assists), Jay Howenstine (58, 26), Dennis Herron (48, 30) and Pat May (48, 45) lead the way for Naperville Central. If the Redhawks win, they’d likely face a Fenwick team that has beaten them three times this season in the semifinals. Momentum seems to be on Naperville Central’s side after a blistering sectional run where no team came within 13 goals of them.