Articles filed under McGraw, Patricia Babcock

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Novoselsky ready for action, as designated May 23, 2013 12:00 AM
Stevenson's Zach Novoselsky is having a big impact as the baseball team's designated hitter this spring, but he may have a long-term future in football. His father, Brent Novoselsky, played tight end in the NFL for seven seasons.
Sky’s Delle Donne relies on strong family ties May 17, 2013 12:00 AM
Sky rookie Elena Delle Donne doesn't need to look far for a source of inspiration.
Gibis, Wauconda baseball take winning to a new level May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
What are the signs of a good team? Well, some good signs, for starters. The Wauconda baseball team put up two signs at its field in recent weeks, both of which signify, in their own ways, success and prosperity. The latest one is a biggie, and has become the team’s pride and joy. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs closed out their dominant run through the North Suburban Conference Prairie Division with a perfect 12-0 record, a feat that head coach Bill Sliker believes has never been done before in either the Prairie Division or the Lake Division. After defeating visiting Antioch 13-5 for that precious 12th win, the players were presented with a gift that perfectly captured the moment.
DePaul’s Quigley hoping to connect with Sky May 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Women's Watch talks with former DePaul star Allie Quigley, who is at training camp and trying to make the Chicago Sky roster as a three-point specialist. Patricia Babcock McGraw has an update on Quigley's pro career, which includes stops with four other WNBA clubs.
Grayslake Central takes yoga challenge, with very positive results May 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Here's an announcement that isn't often blared over a high school's loudspeaker: "And for the baseball team yoga is canceled for today." But at Grayslake Central, yoga for the baseball team was in fact canceled one February day as a late afternoon snowstorm wiped out most after-school activities. "A bunch of our guys were in the cafeteria when that announcement came over the P.A. and I think they kind of just covered up their heads," Grayslake Central baseball coach Troy Whalen laughed. "They got some good-natured ribbing from their friends for that one." These days, however, the Rams are serious Yogis and proud of it, thank you very much.
Loyola slugger Andresen ready for a new chapter May 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Loyola University softball slugger Brooke Andresen, a Downers Grove South grad who is leaving her name all over the school record books, talks with Patricia Babcock McGraw about her collegiate career in this week's Women's Watch column.
The joke’s on Lake Zurich’s joltin’ JonesMay 2, 2013 12:00 AM
It was all getting a bit too routine, which seems funny to say about watching home run baseballs being driven over the outfield fence with authority. But after so many of them, Anthony Drago and his Lake Zurich teammates were ready to change up their own routine. Instead of greeting Nick Jones at home plate with cheers and high-fives after yet another of his homers for the Bears, they sat motionless in the dugout, quiet and ho-hum. "We were giving Nick the silent treatment," Drago laughed. "We were just messing with him. I mean, going out to home plate like we usually do was getting old. We needed to do something different. We had already been out there two other times that game already."
Why Griner’s game matters more than anything else Apr 26, 2013 12:00 AM
In light of all the talk about Brittney Griner, the No. 1 WNBA draft pick, being gay, Patricia Babcock McGraw offers her response to the news reports, and one that she believes most fans have as well.
Competitive Skoug bones up on maturity Apr 25, 2013 12:00 AM
Libertyville catcher Evan Skoug, a junior who is already receiving Division I scholarship offers, is being called the "best baseball player I've coached" by Libertyville coach Jim Schurr.
Hoops scene abuzz with arrivals of Swoopes, Delle Donne Apr 19, 2013 12:00 AM
Women's Watch on a big week in Chicago for women's sports as both Sheryl Swoopes and Elena Delle Donne will now calle Chicago home.
Turns out Mundelein’s Schulewitz is a quick study Apr 18, 2013 12:00 AM
Clearly, Mitch Schulewitz is studying. The Mundelein senior is in the National Honor Society and he boasts a 3.8 grade point average in mostly honors and advanced placement classes. The unfortunate news for high school baseball players all over Lake County is that Schulewitz, the Mustangs’ ace on the mound this season, is studying them with the same intensity that he studies for math, history, science and all of his other academic subjects. “I go to YouTube and scouting websites and try to watch videos of all the hitters I’ll face. I look at what they do, their tendencies,” Schulewitz said of the on-line videos that many high school athletes post of themselves for recruiting purposes. “We’re going to be facing Stevenson and Libertyville soon and I’ll be looking up their guys. I guess I’m kind of weird, but it’s not like I’m forcing myself to do it. I really enjoy doing stuff like that. I like studying the game.”
Will Sky be the limit for Delle Donne? Apr 12, 2013 12:00 AM
Women's Watch on all things basketball: The WNBA Draft, the NCAA championship game and Loyola's big hire.
Plenty of support for Carmel’s Schafer Apr 11, 2013 12:00 AM
It’s a cruel irony that Matt Schafer’s knee betrayed him this year. Of all years. Schafer worked harder over the fall and winter than he ever has during a baseball off-season. He was determined to have an unforgettable senior season this spring. He was determined to have a different role this year, to be a regular starter for Carmel, to be one of those players that teammates count on day in and day out. Then, he heard the pop, the pop that no athlete ever wants to hear. It was Feb. 23, two days before official baseball tryouts began.
Big East breakup a crying shameApr 5, 2013 12:00 AM
What a swan song for the Big East: Five of 8 Final Four teams are from this soon-to-be no more conference.
Supply and Demand: Lakes’ lefty a hot commodity Apr 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Cyndi Lauper told us in the 1980s that "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." But, as it turns out, so do boys. Justin Demand likes to have fun. The Lakes senior hangs out with his friends for fun, he fishes for fun, he plays baseball for fun. For most of his life, in fact, Demand figured he needed nothing more from baseball than the enjoyment factor. But within the last year, Demand realized that the fun he was having in baseball would be over for good once his senior season ended, and he wasn't ready for that. So, Demand, a 6-foot-5 left-handed pitcher, began to demand more from himself. He's hoping that the payoff for a lot of extra effort on his part will be a fun run through the season as Lakes' ace, and a fun way for him to get himself through college.
Griner would be slam dunk for SkyMar 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Come on, Chicago. We need to find a way before WNBA draft day to cross up the Phoenix Mercury, which edged out the Chicago Sky last fall and received the No. 1 pick in the WNBA’s draft lottery. That way we can draft Baylor 6-foot-8 superstar center Brittney Griner
Appreciative Newman eager to make a difference for Round Lake Mar 28, 2013 12:00 AM
Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. Ryan Newman found his in the Dominican Republic, where he was expecting to help, but not necessarily to be helped himself. Now a junior at Round Lake, Newman was about 13 years old when he made a trip to the Dominican Republic with his travel baseball team. The plan was to play some baseball against the local teams and then provide some assistance to those in need. "We helped build houses and we built a dam," Newman said. "We also served food to children and taught them baseball. "To see the way those kids played the game, even when they had so little, it was humbling. People there live the same way. They have so little, but they still work so hard. "That made me appreciate what I had and it made me want to work even harder."
Healthy DePaul braced for NCAA tournament Mar 22, 2013 12:00 AM
DePaul senior guard Anna Martin has come back from injury to lead DePaul to the NCAA Tournament. Patricia Babcock McGraw takes a closer look at the Blue Demons, who play Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon.
Don’t be surprised if Grant makes some noise again Mar 21, 2013 12:00 AM
The Grant baseball program has a new lease on life after last year's magical run downstate.
These Stevenson sophomores play more like seniors Mar 14, 2013 12:00 AM
Stevenson's top three sophomores have been anything but sophomoric this season and are looking to keep it that way at the state finals in Peoria.