More fearless predictions sure to go right for 2009

When I was younger, I always wanted to be able to look into the future.

Now that I'm older and perhaps a little wiser, I'm glad I do not possess such powers.

However, it hasn't stopped me from wanting to predict what the future may bring - in the sports world.

On the professional side, I say Pittsburgh beats the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLIII, the Chicago Blackhawks advance to the Western Conference finals (before losing to nemesis Detroit), and the Cubs once again fall short of a World Series title (not really going out on a limb there, am I?).

Here's even a prediction for something that won't occur for another 7 years - Chicago will be awarded as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

But since I'd like to think my expertise lies within the high school scene, it's time to make my fearless predictions for our local prep teams/athletes in 2009.

Before that, let's take a look back at some of my 2008 picks to click:

The good: Geneva's girls basketball team will avenge 3 earlier losses to Batavia in the postseason - the Vikings handed the Bulldogs a 69-50 defeat in the regional finals.

St. Charles North's girls basketball team captures its first regional and sectional crowns - the North Stars did just that, reaching the ECC supersectional before losing to Buffalo Grove, 50-39.

I also correctly picked 6 of the 8 girls basketball state quarterfinalists, including the state champion (Whitney Young), while saying that Rosary would win its third consecutive girls state swimming title.

Close, but not quite: West Aurora's Mario Gonzalez would participate in the Class AA state individual tournament's Grand March. He placed third at 189 pounds, losing to eventual champ Mike Lukowski in overtime in the semifinals.

Batavia's Natalie Tarter would win the 100-meter high hurdles state title. She won the 300-meter intermediate hurdles crown instead.

I said that Aurora Christian quarterback Jordan Roberts would lead the Eagles to the 3A state title - the team got to the championship game before losing 37-28 to Bloomington Central Catholic.

The bad: I predicted that Batavia's boys basketball team would reach the Elite Eight. The Bulldogs didn't make it out of the Bartlett regional; and I only correctly picked 2 of the 8 boys basketball quarterfinalists.

Now it's time for my 2009 prognostications. • St. Charles East's Kevin Senechalle scores 33 points and grabs 14 rebounds but the Saints still fall 70-65 to St. Charles North Jan. 24.

• Four-year varsity veterans Kelsey Smith (St. Charles North) and Taylor Whitley (Geneva) will lead their respective girls basketball teams to sectional championships. The North Stars will return to the Elgin Community College supersectional against Wheeling, while the Vikings will take on New Trier in the Loyola supersectional.

• Class 4A girls basketball Elite Eight: Bolingbrook vs. Moline; St. Charles North vs. Wheeling; TF North vs. Fenwick; Geneva vs. New Trier. State champion, Wheeling.

• The Class AA state individual wrestling tournament's Grand March will include Batavia's Logan Arlis (112) and West Aurora's Mario Gonzalez (189).

• Other local state place-winners will include St. Charles East's Brandon Rubino (112) and Batavia's Andrew Rudd (160).

• St. Charles North's boys basketball team will face South Elgin in the regional finals, while Geneva will square off with rival Batavia on the Bulldogs' home floor in the regional finals.

• Class 4A boys basketball Elite Eight: Evanston vs. Warren; Jacobs vs. Neuqua Valley; Young vs. Simeon; Thornton vs. East St. Louis. State champion, Young.

• In Class 3A, Aurora Central Catholic will capture its second straight regional title.

• No boats will capsize at the inaugural state bass fishing tournament in May.

• Batavia senior Natalie Tarter will repeat as 300-meter intermediate hurdles state champion while leading the Bulldogs to a second-place team finish.

• St. Charles North southpaw Zach Hirsch and Batavia right-hander Brian Krolikowski will be the area's top two pitchers while leading their respective baseball teams to regional titles.

• Geneva senior slugger Cory Hofstetter will smack an area-high 14 home runs this season.

• In late May, St. Charles North will capture the softball regional crown, while the North Stars' girls soccer squad earns a rematch against defending state champion Waubonsie Valley in the supersectional.

• State football playoff qualifiers will include Aurora Christian, Batavia, Geneva, Kaneland, St. Charles East and St. Charles North.

• No area football team will make it out of the second round of the playoffs in November.

• Geneva senior singles standout Kayla Fujimoto will crack the top six at the girls state tennis tournament.

• In October, Geneva and St. Charles North will once again collide in the boys soccer sectional finals.

• Defending 4A state girls volleyball champion St. Charles East will face Geneva in a memorable sectional title match.

• Geneva's girls cross country team will 'three-peat' as Class 2A state champions.

• St. Charles resident Blake Biddle will help lead Wheaton Academy to the Class 2A boys state golf title.

• St. Charles East's boys golf team will advance to the state tournament, while the Saints' Jenny Niemiec records a top-10 showing at the girls state golf tournament.

• In November, Rosary will claim its fourth consecutive girls state swimming title.

• St. Charles East's girls basketball team will jump out to a 10-2 start and emerge as the area's best in late 2009.

• In late December, I'll be working on my predictions for 2010.

csb4k@hotmail.com