Batavia has smarts to match talent

Editor's note: The following was first published Feb. 11, 2006

It's really a shame Jack Scalcucci doesn't have anything going for him.

Well, other than being an all-area wide receiver in football. Or a starting guard on a state-ranked basketball team. Oh yeah, he also was also Homecoming king last fall.

Yep, poor guy. Thank goodness he scored 21 points in Batavia's 88-73 victory in front of a sold-out crowd at Geneva Friday night so he has something to feel good about.

The kicker? He's near the top of his senior class academically.

The thing is, Scalcucci isn't alone. The Bulldogs' grade point averages are more impressive than their scoring averages.

Point guard Steve Ideran is No. 26 in the senior class, with center Jeff Roeske No. 12 and Scalcucci No. 6. Rashad Mitchell is doing really well too, and Nick Fruendt is at the top of the sophomore class.

Batavia's starting five does better in the classroom than they do on the court, which is really saying something considering the team has won 17 straight games and is playing at a level that could take them all the way to the state tournament in Peoria next month.

What does all this have to do with basketball? For starters, it's something each of those five players should be proud of, their parents should be proud of, their coaches should be proud of, and all the Bulldog fans rooting for them can feel good about knowing how well the kids are doing off the court.

It's also the type of positive story that should be publicized, especially when you hear so much negative in the sports world.

And it doesn't hurt on the court to have five players who more often than not make the smart plays.

Combine the smart plays and hustle with the talent and experience, it's a combination anyone is going to have trouble with.

Like Geneva did Friday.

"You score in the 70s it is supposed to be enough," Pease said. "Not against the Batavia Bulldogs."

Geneva might have one more crack left at Batavia, which would come in a possible regional final.

"We're looking forward to it, that would be a great challenge," Ideran said. "We always say, 'Anyone, any time, any place.'"

Go figure, the Bulldogs looking forward to another game against Geneva and not being overconfident.

Yep, they're too smart for that.