Catching up with Batavia's Liz Barnes
Athletically, Batavia senior Liz Barnes was last seen leaving the basketball court at St. Charles North via ambulance during a 60-42 playoff loss to South Elgin. The shooting guard's body went one way and her knee stayed put. Pain from the dislocated kneecap was excruciating but the injury could have been a lot worse. The partially torn patellar tendon required no surgery to repair, just physical therapy and a couple different braces. This was her last week of planned physical therapy before a March 31 doctor's appointment would tell if more therapy was needed or, as hoped, she could start playing soccer shortly. Regardless, Barnes had already started running, befitting the drive of a four-year varsity soccer player and 2009 All-Area pick who also was voted by her teammates as MVP of Batavia's girls basketball team.
Q: We've got to ask - what did that knee look like?
A: The kneecap was, like, on the side of my leg, it was really gruesome looking. I definitely heard a pop and I put my hand down there and my kneecap was not in the right spot. The funny thing is, I want to be a nurse, so it was a good experience, but nothing you want to be involved with personally.
Q: How's the prognosis for soccer this spring?
A: My coach (Jim McAlpin) allowed me to come on the team, and I've just been helping out in practice, picking up cones and stuff for now. I want to say next week I'll be kicking the ball around more, and I want to start to play again in about two weeks. I'm doing some movements that are more 'soccer-like,' but nothing more physical yet.
Q: What's your favorite move on the soccer field?
A: I really like the scissors. It's when you take one foot and go around the ball and take the other foot and go the other way around the ball. It kind of psyches the other player out. You can't really use it much in a game, but it's kind of good.
Q: Enough with soccer. Let's discuss fashion. You work part-time at Old Navy. How's the spring line look?
A: They actually have some cute clothes. I've already made some purchases, which I don't know is the best thing because I should be saving my money, but you can spend it once in awhile.
Q: No doubt. What's new for teen boys at Old Navy?
A: The cargo khakis are definitely in. Maybe a graphic T-shirt that goes along with that, and some sandals.
Q: We always ask this: What kind of music or performer do you enjoy?
A: I really like Beyoncé, actually. Her music gets me moving to the dances and stuff. Taylor Swift I like, too.
Q: Is there a sport you wish you'd taken up?
A: The one sport I kind of wish I did is gymnastics. I'm a little too tall (5-foot-8) for the sport, I think, but I always thought it was so cool that people did twists and turns that I don't think I could do.
Q: You're the only girl in a family with three brothers (older brothers Nick and Phil both played soccer for Batavia). Is that a good thing?
A: Yeah. It brings out the tough side in me, I guess. I always wanted to wish for a sister, but I'm completely fine with three brothers.
Q: What's one interesting thing we should know about you?
A: I'm a Type I diabetic. ... I was diagnosed in November 2008.
Q: Has that proven to be difficult?
A: It's a little lifestyle change. I have to watch what I eat and how many carbs I consume because sugar is a part of carbohydrates. I just have to manage it and watch what I eat.
Q: Is there anything you've totally removed from your diet?
A: Definitely pop, that's the No. 1 thing. I haven't really cut out anything. I won't have those big pieces of cake anymore. I'll have half of that.
Q: How do your parents - Phil and Annemarie - support you?
A: They're there all the time. They tell me to go for my goals and do what I love to do. That's basically their motto that I follow.
Up and comersA few Kane County wrestlers finished top-six in their weight classes at the 14th annual Freshman/Sophomore Championships, March 13-14 at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield.St. Charles East's Nick Ruffino took second at 135 pounds. West Aurora's Greg Jacquez also went 3-1 for a second-place finish at 140. The Blackhawks got another second-place finish from Brandon Warren, this time at 4-1 in the 157-pound bracket.Going for the CupBatavia sophomore Courtney Hasemann is the sole Tri-Cities representative on the Naper Valley Warriors hockey team that will be playing Lake Forest for the Girls Varsity Division of the Blackhawk Cup. The Warriors defeated teams from Andrew and Loyola to reach the title game, scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday at the United Center.The next levelGeneva's Shannon Delaney - a three-time all-Western Sun Conference pick in golf and the Vikings' MVP last fall - signed a letter of intent to attend and play at St. Ambrose University.Back at Batavia, Kelsey VandenBorn, a senior middle hitter and captain of the Bulldogs volleyball team, is signing her letter of intent today, March 25, to play with Kankakee Community College.Boys, we barely knew yeAurora Christian lost twin football players Johnny and Sheldon Magee, juniors who transferred back to Plainfield South. That's where they attended high school before transferring to Aurora Christian and tearing up defenses with 4.6 speed. The family could no longer afford the private school."The economy has been tough on all of us, and due to that Sheldon and Johnny Magee will be sorely missed," said Eagles coach Don Beebe. "They were two of the best athletes I have ever coached."Johnny, an All-Area selection last fall, ran 179 times for 1,178 yards and 15 touchdowns, and made 56 tackles on defense. Brother Sheldon caught 41 passes for 664 yards and 7 touchdowns, with 66 tackles and 4 interceptions.