Geneva basketball highlights another memorable year
It is time to go.
Another school year has come and gone and with it a season filled with electrifying accomplishments and bittersweet endings.
One thing is certain - this is my final column of the 2014-15 school year.
Good or bad, it's time to reflect upon another storybook campaign.
Football playoffs
Led by senior quarterback Daniel Santacaterina and wide receiver/safety Pace Temple, Geneva's football team advanced to the Class 7A state quarterfinals before dropping a 44-26 decision to eventual runner-up finisher Cary-Grove.
Meanwhile, St. Charles North enjoyed a return to postseason play for the first time since 2010. Coach Rob Pomazak's North Stars pocketed a 34-22 Class 7A first-round triumph over Rolling Meadows before falling 35-14 to Cary-Grove.
After capturing the Class 6A state championship in 2013, Batavia stepped up a class and participated in the 7A playoffs last fall.
Perhaps it was the fault of the IHSA and its TV agreement with Comcast - whatever the case - the Bulldogs drew a rugged first-round opponent in Mt. Carmel.
Before a standing room only crowd at Bulldog Stadium, the Caravan edged the Bulldogs 21-16 in an instant classic.
Other playoff qualifiers included Marmion (lost 21-20 in the first round of Class 6A to DeKalb), Aurora Central Catholic (42-39 first-round loss in Class 4A to Johnsburg) and Aurora Christian (44-21 first-round loss in Class 3A to Sterling Newman Central).
Dream season
Call it the 52-year itch.
Whatever the case, Geneva's boys basketball team certainly scratched it during a memorable season that was capped by the school's first downstate appearance since 1963 when coach Mel Johnson led the squad to a 30-3 record.
Anchored by Division 1 senior guard/forward Nate Navigato, coach Phil Ralston's Vikings matched the school record for victories while posting a 30-5 campaign that included a fourth-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament.
While the Vikings dropped a thrilling 38-36 semifinal decision to Normal Community, they survived numerous daunting tasks during the postseason.
After holding off St. Charles East 73-70 on their home court to capture their second straight regional title before a frenzied crowd in the Contest Gym, the Vikings overcame a 9-point third-quarter deficit to edge Rockford Auburn on Navigato's 3-point play in the final seconds.
A few days later, Geneva staged a marathon battle with Lake Park at the NIU supersectional in DeKalb. Surviving a 3-point buzzer-beater in the first overtime, the Vikings outlasted the Lancers in double OT to punch their first trip to state in 52 years.
"You don't normally have seasons with young men that are this special," said Ralston. "These kids are not just all talented athletes they are just special young men. They are coachable. They always tried to do what you wanted them to do. We didn't have guys trying to fight us. There was buy-in to whatever we were asking them to do.
"What a magical year this was."
Led by senior point guard Cole Gentry, St. Charles East enjoyed a memorable season of its own, recording the second most wins in school history (24) while showcasing one of the area's most exciting teams.
Coached by Patrick Woods, the Saints were a high-powered, 3-point shooting team capable of putting on the board - fast.
St. Charles East topped the 70-point mark in 22 of its 28 contests.
Best games
March 13: Playing in front a raucous jam-packed crowd at DeKalb High School, Geneva edged third-ranked Rockford Auburn when junior Loudon Vollbrecht fired a pinpoint pass from near midcourt to Nate Navigato for a 3-point play with 9 seconds remaining.
March 6: Navigato scored a game-high 31 points to lift the Vikings to a 73-70 regional championship triumph over St. Charles East. Geneva earned the rubber match between the co-Upstate Eight Conference River Division champions.
Jan 17: St. Charles North senior guard Jake Ludwig swished a 25-foot, 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds left in overtime to lift the North Stars to a 78-70 victory over visiting St. Charles East. Saints senior forward Mick Vyzral had a career-high 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Saints.
Jan. 24: Senior guard Katie Claussner poured in 30 points while sophomore Samantha Munroe added 16 with four 3-pointers as St. Charles East's girls basketball team stunned Geneva 66-54 in the Mack Olson Gym.
March 3: Despite a valiant effort from seniors Janie McCloughan, Abby Novak, sophomore Grace Loberg and freshmen guards Margaret Whitley and Stephanie Hart, Geneva earned its fifth supersectional berth in 7 years. Coach Sarah Meadows' Vikings finished 23-7.
Any game that involved St. Charles North senior pitcher Cory Wright, capped by his 1-hit, 64-pitch distance performance during the North Stars' 7-0 Class 4A regional championship victory over Schaumburg.
May 14: St. Charles East's softball team took over sole possession of first place in the UEC River with a 6-3 road win over rival St. Charles North. The game included a defensive "web gem" where senior second baseman Olivia Cheatham ranged far to her right to field a grounder and flipped the ball with her glove to shortstop Kelly Rinker for a force out.
June 6: Freshman pitcher Jillian Waslawski (13-5) lifted St. Charles North (29-6) to a 3-2, 9-inning victory over top-seeded Schaumburg in the Class 4A sectional softball championship. The North Stars snapped the Saxons' 30-game winning streak.
Favorite athlete interviews
Batavia's Canaan Coffey and Hannah Frazier; Geneva's Nate Navigato, Daniel Santacaterina, Janie McCloughan, Pace Temple, Abby Novak and Kirby Einck; Kaneland's Ryan David; St. Charles East's Katie Claussner, Cole Gentry, Kyra Washington, Jake Asquini, Jake Clodi, Evan DiLeonardi; and St. Charles North's Cory Wright, Nichole Davidson, Jake Ludwig and Jack Callaghan.
Tough to say goodbye
It won't be the same next season without some familiar faces on the sideline - West Aurora basketball coach Gordie Kerkman, St. Charles East softball coach Kelly Horan and St. Charles North girls soccer coach Ruth Vostal.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy your summer.
You can reach Craig Brueske at csb4k@hotmail.com