Taking a look back on the 2017-18 season in the Fox Valley

As the 2017-2018 school year comes to a close, it's time to take a look back at some of the accomplishments Fox Valley area schools enjoyed.

There were some firsts, an amazingly similar ending to a repeat performance, and a few lasts as well.

Last weekend, Aurora Christian's baseball team capped a brilliant yet somewhat surprising season with a 5-1 Class 1A championship victory over Valmeyer at Dozer Park in Peoria.

Led by sophomore ace pitcher Jake Kuntzendorf's complete-game effort, the Eagles captured their first state baseball title in program history.

Kuntzendorf (10-0), who struck out 13 in the Eagles' 2-1 supersectional triumph over Forreston, held Valmeyer to 4 hits during his 114-pitch outing.

Junior infielder Sam Tickel, who entered the weekend with a .544 batting average, went 8 for 14 during the Eagles' final 3 tournament games.

"I think the reason we won it this year was because of the team chemistry," said junior infielder Sam Tickel, who went 2 for 4 with an RBI in the title game. "We might not have had the most talented team out of all the years but we were really close this year."

A close bond also was a staple for two other local state championship teams this past season.

Last fall, Batavia's football team displayed its grit and bounce-back ability during a postseason run that culminated with the Bulldogs' 21-14 overtime victory over Lake Zurich in the Class 7A state championship.

Quarterback Riley Cooper's second-down 10-yard TD toss to Tommy Stuttle gave the Bulldogs (13-1) a 21-14 lead in the extra session and Batavia's defense forced 4 consecutive incompletions - the last landing harmlessly out of the end zone - setting off a wild celebratory scene at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb.

"Our defense has been sensational - has been all year long," said Batavia head coach Dennis Piron, who also guided the Bulldogs to the Class 6A title in 2013.

Led by Michael Niemiec, John Golden and Stuttle, Batavia's defense held opponents to an average of 12 points in 5 playoff games.

Falling behind didn't seem to bother the Bulldogs.

After rallying past Wheaton North 20-17 in overtime of their second-round contest, the Bulldogs spotted Lincoln-Way West a 10-0 lead before scoring 20 unanswered points during their quarterfinal victory.

In the semifinals, Batavia fell behind Benet Academy 13-0 before roaring back with 23 unanswered points during its 23-13 win.

"I'm just glad our kids don't panic," said Piron.

Panic certainly hasn't been a trait for Geneva's girls basketball team the past two seasons.

It was a case of déjà vu for coach Sarah Meadows' Vikings, as Stephanie Hart, who made the game-winning basket during Geneva's 41-40 state championship victory over Edwardsville as a junior a year ago, knocked down a 14-foot baseline jumper with 3 seconds remaining to help lift Geneva (31-3) to a 28-26 title triumph over Montini in early March in Normal.

The Vikings' back-to-back Class 4A state titles capped an amazing 60-7 two-year run for impact players Margaret Whitley, Maddy Yelle, Madison Mallory, Brie Borkowicz and Hart.

"It's just tradition I guess," Meadows said of Hart's game-winning heroics history. "She's just so good."

Tradition best describes the success of Rosary's girls swimming team.

Despite winning just one event - the 200-yard medley relay - the Beads pocketed their third straight state title last November by a comfortable 169-138.5 margin over runner-up Oswego in Winnetka.

"We have so many talented swimmers that we end up killing you with depth," said Rosary coach Bill Schalz. "You want to win events, but at the end of the day, you want to win the state title, and we did that."

Anchored by triple and long jump individual state champion Seth Groom, Marmion's boys track team earned its first state title last month in Charleston.

Groom, who also placed second in the high jump and sixth in the 200 dash, helped the Cadets post a 44-40 team triumph over Mahomet-Seymour in Class 2A competition.

Last March, Larkin's boys basketball team capped a record-breaking season with a fourth-place finish in Peoria.

Led by Anthony Lynch and Jalen Shaw, coach Deryn Carter's Royals became the first team in school history to advance to a state basketball tournament.

Meanwhile, Burlington Central's Rockets established a program-record, 28-win season that included the school's first Class 3A regional title in 10 years.

On a personal note, I'll forever cherish the opportunity to watch my son, Brett, play his senior season this spring for St. Charles East's baseball team.

There's no greater feeling - and nothing more nerve-wracking - than watching your kid pitch.

And there's no greater feeling than hearing congratulations and praise from coaches whose teams I've covered for nearly 20 years.

For the record, Brett finished with a 6-2 record and 0.88 ERA for the last Upstate Eight Conference River Division champions.

Well done, son.

Craig Brueske can be reached at csb4k@hotmail.com