Clubhouse Chatter: What was the most exciting upset you ever covered?
What our Sports staff has to say while waiting for the games to resume.
It wasn't an upset as we typically consider it, but in the 2005 boys Class A state track final Montini looked to have the title in the bag. Instead, with about 90 meters left in the final event, the 1,600-meter relay, a runner hit the inside rail, fell and took out two others. The Eureka anchor passed them to finish fourth - just enough to beat Montini 49-48.
- Dave Oberhelman
The 2009 NIU Class 4A boys basketball supersectional. Dundee-Crown surprised Neuqua Valley to advance to Peoria. D-C had a good team led by guard Jeff Beck, but the Chargers, 23-5 at the time, had lost to three teams Neuqua Valley (31-1) had defeated. Coach Lance Huber's crew clamped down defensively and pulled off the 64-59 upset. D-C nation erupted.
- Jerry Fitzpatrick
Had to be when Buffalo Grove's girls basketball team defeated Chicago Public League powerhouse Washington 60-51 in overtime to win the 2000 Class AA state title. Bison hall off fame coach Tom Dineen masterfully guided the Bison past a team they had lost to by 33 points in Buffalo Grove six weeks earlier.
- John Leusch
The 1976 Class 1A IHSA state football championship game between Hampshire and Concord Triopia. Triopia came in as defending state champs and was undefeated. Hampshire was a nobody. I can remember people asking me, "Where the heck is Hampshire?" But when all was said and done, the Little Engine That Could, otherwise known as coach Ron Ellett's Hampshire Whip-Purs, rolled to a 47-6 win at ISU's Hancock Stadium.
- John Radtke
Guess it would be Bulls over Lakers Jan. 12, 2002. This was the game where Shaquille O'Neal took a swing (and a miss) at Brad Miller and a brawl ensued right in front of the press table. The Lakers would go on to win their third straight title that season, but the lousy Bulls won the game. Ron Mercer, of all people, hit a 3 to send it to overtime and the Bulls pulled it out 106-104.
- Mike McGraw
I don't know that it was an upset, but the greatest comeback I ever covered was Europe's stunning Ryder Cup victory over the United States at Medinah in 2012. Being able to stand in front of Ian Poulter on the 18th green as he delivered some truly emotional thoughts about Seve Ballesteros is something that will always stick with me.
- John Dietz