Harper hoopers bring in honors

The Harper College men’s and women’s basketball seasons are over, but the accolades are only beginning to roll in for both teams.

Freshman forward Wes Wilcox (Lake Park) was named to the NJCAA Division III, Region IV all-tournament team.

Wilcox was also named to the all-North Central Community College Conference first team.

“He deserved it,” said Harper men’s basketball coach Tony Amarino. “He’s someone that (other teams) had to game-plan for. Wes always seemed to make a play.”

Sophomore Sara Kellermeyer (Schaumburg) was named to the women’s NJCAA Division III, Region IV all-tournament team.

“She played well, we’re definitely going to miss her,” said Harper women’s basketball coach Mark Smith.

Both Harper teams lost in the Region IV tournament quarterfinals last week.

Wrestling: The Harper College wrestling team finished sixth in last weekend’s NJCAA wrestling championships in Spokane, Wash., and in doing so the Hawks had five wrestlers earn All-American status. Redshirt sophomore P.J. Starnes led the way with a national title at 157 pounds.#147;I was nervous,#148; Sterns said of wrestling at the national tournament. #147;I wanted to stay focused. I didn#146;t want to overlook guys.#148;#147;This is what every kid shoots for,#148; said Harper coach Dan Loprieno. #147;He#146;s in an elite group of kids. He accomplished what he#146;s waited to get done.#148;After being a member of the 2009 team, Starnes was forced to sit out the 2010 season with a knee injury. In November, Starnes suffered an MCL sprain in the same knee, forcing him out of action until January.#147;It was tough coming back (from the injury),#148; Starnes said.Ranked by the NJCAA in the top 10 at 157 pounds all year, the Schaumburg alum is the model athlete for the junior college system. #147;He really came on and took full advantage of the community college system,#148; Loprieno said.Softball adds two: The Harper College softball program announced the commitments for two players from the class of 2011: Jennifer Anderson (Schaumburg) and Kate Keegan (Elk Grove). Both players have mostly played third base in the past but coach coach Brenda James feels both can play other infield positions.