Losses leave this week too quiet

And then there were none.

What began last week as another adventure-filled, action-packed, yet-to-be-released postseason chapter for our area boys basketball teams wrapped up on somewhat of an unceremonious note Tuesday night.

That's when Aurora Central Catholic, fresh off its first regional championship in five years, closed the books on its 2007-08 campaign with a 74-62 loss to state-ranked Chicago Marshall in the Class 3A sectional semifinals held at Riverside-Brookfield.

It was a storybook season for head coach Nate Drye's Chargers, who posted a 25-5 record and captured their first-ever Suburban Catholic Conference title (shared with Driscoll).

All in all, however, the postseason tournament results turned out to be more of a case of "March Sadness" than "March Madness" this time around.

Want to know one of the season's strangest quirks?

Thanks in part to a few regional upsets -- and to 2008 being a leap year, no other area team (with the exception of ACC) even played a basketball game in March this postseason.

Is it just me, or does there seem to be something missing this week?

As for last week, there were plenty of tears shed, the majority of which rolled off the cheeks of seniors who came to the stark realization that they would take off their high school basketball uniforms for one last time.

The looks on their reddened, sullen faces speaks volumes about how much these student-athletes really care -- for their teammates, coaches and sport.

"I loved being with the guys," Batavia senior guard Phil Albrecht said moments after his team's 86-63 Class 4A regional championship loss to Bartlett last Friday night. "Despite not reaching our goals in the playoffs, it (being on the team) was fun to be a part of."

After sitting out his team's regional semifinal victory over South Elgin last week with an injured ankle, St. Charles North senior Tim Janeway shook off the pain and returned to the court Friday night, trying to lead the North Stars to their second regional crown.

His 13 first-half points helped keep the team close although the North Stars eventually lost to Elgin, 58-50.

"He's a warrior," North Stars coach Tom Poulin said of Janeway. "He gave it everything he had.

"The last (high school) game he played in -- you got everything he had."

Noticeably limping as the second half wore on, Janeway tried in vain to keep his emotions in check shortly after the final whistle.

"It's awful," he said. "It's (a) terrible (feeling). I love this team."

The players aren't the only ones caught up with emotion after their season-, and in most cases, career-ending games.

"The six seniors are six special guys," said Poulin. "They were part of the first boys team I coached when they were sophomores after I switched over from (coaching with) the girls programs.

"They're a special group."

Unless your team goes on to win the state title or finishes third, your prep basketball careers will end with a loss.

"It's a reflection of the state tournament," said Batavia coach Jim Roberts. "It's always a pretty tough ending."

Especially for the players who have been around the longest.

"I've had some great memories that I'll remember for the rest of my life," said West Aurora's Tyler Thompson, a 3-year varsity starter.

"It was a great experience -- all four years," said ACC senior Mark Adams, who finished his career with 1,593 points.

"It will never be the same," said Nick Fruendt, Batavia's 4-year varsity starter.

All juniors, sophomores and freshmen -- pay close attention. Make the most of it because before you know it, your time will come, too.