Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Reliving the Glory Days: 1979 Marist graduate Larry Tucker starred at Marist and Lewis University before getting a professional chance.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011
One of the many aspects Larry Tucker enjoys about being the principal at Marist High School is the old acquaintances he runs into through the years. Even if some bring back bad memories. “Mallory Salis, who is a student at Marist and was on the state volleyball team, came up to me after a game this year and told me her dad (Gary) played against me,” Tucker said. “I asked what team he played for and when she said Oak Lawn I realized that he was the one that ended my high school career. He hit a half-court shot to win the game. When he came down from the stands, we gave each other a hard time. That’s what I love about athletics, you make so many connections with people.” The heartbreaking loss never dampened Tucker’s experience at Marist. …
41.683891
-87.724871
Marist High School
4200 W 115th St, Chicago, IL
/articles/job-as-marist-principal-brings-back-fond-memories-for-larry-tucker
1977277
/locations/6078069
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Injuries plagued Larry Gorman's basketball playing career, but a free education to a Big Ten school made up for his frustrations.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Thursday, December 22, 2011
During his college basketball career at Northwestern, Larry Gorman had been dubbed with a less than flattering nickname. He certainly understood it, however. “I guess my nickname was often-injured,” said the 1987 Oak Forest graduate. After playing through a broken finger in his final high school game, Gorman endured an injury-riddled collegiate career. A hernia cut short a promising freshman season, but the real trouble started his sophomore campaign. “I just stood up during practice and my disc blew out,” Gorman said. “I had some hereditary issues with back problems and basketball just pushed it along. "It was frustrating because I had decent success with basketball and was not able to really play again. Northwestern is a class …
41.615762
-87.756414
Oak Forest High School
15201 Central Ave, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/oak-forest-grad-larry-gorman-grateful-for-college-experience-at-northwestern
1354140
/locations/6044712
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Reliving the Glory Days: All-stater Larry Gorman led the Bengals to their first boys basketball state appearance.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Oak Forest graduate Larry Gorman still wonders if his high school career could’ve ended differently nearly 25 years later. In the midst of a history-making season in 1987, Oak Forest boys basketball coach Ken Connor was suspended for the remainder of the year just a week before the postseason began by then-principal Edward Roberts for what he called conduct detrimental to the overall athletic program. The Bengals still managed to earn the program’s first and only state berth before losing to eventual champion East St. Louis Lincoln 64-58 in the quarterfinals. Oak Forest (28-3) actually led 24-6 after one quarter and 32-16 midway through the second quarter before the Tigers rallied for the win and went on to capture the first of two …
41.615762
-87.756414
Oak Forest High School
15201 Central Ave, Oak Forest, IL
/articles/unusual-circumstances-not-enough-to-spoil-oak-forest-s-special-baketball-season-in-1987
1354140
/locations/6044566
Thursday, December 15, 2011
What is she doing now? For Stagg graduate Emily Heikes, college basketball provided a springboard to play professionally in Spain and sent her on to the real world, too.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Thursday, December 15, 2011
Emily Heikes hoped to lead Stagg to its first state basketball appearance during her high school career. It didn’t work out that way, but she got to enjoy plenty of championships during her four years on the Purdue University women’s basketball team. “Every year except my senior season, we won some kind of championship,” said Heikes, a 2001 Stagg graduate. “We didn’t get to go down state in high school, which was our goal, but being able to cut down the nets and having confetti falling on you after winning Big Ten championships and wearing the hats and T-shirts was just an unbelievable feeling.” The Boilermakers won the Big Ten championship when Heikes was a freshman and then won the Big Ten Tournament title the next two seasons. The year …
41.689481
-87.817148
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
8015 W 111th St, Palos Hills, IL
/articles/stagg-graduate-heikes-enjoyed-stellar-college-career-at-purdue
274327
/locations/6002374
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Reliving the Glory Days: Record-setting high school career paved the way for former Stagg standout Emily Heikes' collegiate and professional experiences.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Growing up with two older brothers never fazed Emily Heikes when it came to playing sports. In fact, the 2001 Stagg graduate credits her successful basketball career to the bumps and bruises she endured during family pick-up games. “I have two older brothers and they would beat up on me,” the now 27-year-old Heikes said. “I give them credit for my toughness. Any time that we would play, they didn’t hold anything back because I was younger or a girl. They were a big influence on me. "At any family parties, we would always get a game going in the driveway. You would always bring a change of clothes because you knew you were going to get sweaty. My family was always very supportive and got me into basketball.” Heikes went on to rewrite the …
41.689481
-87.817148
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
8015 W 111th St, Palos Hills, IL
/articles/sibling-rivalry-helped-stagg-graduate-heikes-thrive-in-basketball
274327
/locations/6001457
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Reliving the Glory Days: Tinley Park basketball program's all-time leading scorer Keri (Lorenzen) Cialdella led Titans to the IHSA girls state tournament in 1988-89.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Keri (Lorenzen) Cialdella quickly realized her first impression of Central Middle School basketball coach Lou Broccolo was exaggerated. It did jumpstart her basketball career, however. “In my eyes, he was this big Italian guy with veins sticking out of his neck,” Cialdella said with a laugh. “He told me, ‘You’re going to play basketball.' I was like, ‘OK.' I had no intentions of playing basketball and then I walked through the junior high doors and saw Lou and everything changed. I credit Lou with my basketball career.” What a career it turned out to be. After being a two-time all-conference player at Central Middle School in Tinley Park, Cialdella went on to become Tinley Park High School’s all-time leading scorer before graduating in …
41.573505
-87.767262
Tinley Park High School
6111 175th St, Tinley Park, IL
/articles/change-of-heart-helped-tinley-park-s-lorenzen-enjoy-history-making-career
320440
/locations/5903865
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Former Bloom Trail wrestling standout Chris McFarland credits his old high school coach, Ron Ray, with setting a foundation for his success on and off the mat.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Thursday, November 24, 2011
Growing up in East Chicago Heights, Chris McFarland can relate to many of his student-athletes at Fenger High School. He’s had an impact on the lives of many as a math teacher and head wrestling coach at the Chicago Public League School the last nine years. “It’s similar to where I came from, impoverished, low income and at risk,” said McFarland, a 1982 Bloom Trail graduate. “To make a difference and help them with discipline, self-confidence and respect means a lot to me. Of course, winning a few matches is nice, but I’m more concerned about winning in life.” McFarland helped Bloom Trail win the program’s only state wrestling championship in 1982 when he placed second individually. He then went on to have success at Eastern Illinois where…
41.484877
-87.596558
Bloom Trail High School
22331 Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago Heights, IL
/articles/bloom-trail-graduate-mcfarland-having-huge-impact-as-coah-at-fenger
1725388
/locations/5867015
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Reliving the Glory Days: Former Bloom Trail coach Ron Ray molded an inexperienced group of wrestlers into a state powerhouse.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Former Bloom Trail wrestling coach Ron Ray remembers exactly when he first thought 1982 had the chance to be a history-making season for the program. “I recognized halfway through the magical season that these guys were pretty special,” said Ray, who was a two-time All-American and NCAA individual champion at Oklahoma State in 1975. “I was a national champion, and I had trouble with and could not physically compete with our bigger weights. They were tough kids, and I thought they were going to raise some hell.” Ray was right. Bloom Trail went on to win the program’s first and only state championship. “It was such a big deal for our school, which was only in its sixth year at the time,” said Ray, a former principal at Bloom Trail. “It put …
41.484877
-87.596558
Bloom Trail High School
22331 Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago Heights, IL
/articles/bloom-trail-s-fantastic-five-enjoyed-memorable-run-to-wrestling-championship-in-1982
1725388
/locations/5853136
Thursday, November 10, 2011
What's he doing now? Former Homewood-Flossmoor basketball star Excell Hardy is reunited with coaches Jim McLaughlin and Roy Condotti. The three have found the experience to be a rewarding one as look to build on the Viking hoops legacy.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Thursday, November 10, 2011
While finishing up his master’s degree at Quincy University in 2009, Excell Hardy decided to stop by his old stomping grounds to visit some acquaintances at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. It proved to be a worthwhile trip for the 2004 H-F graduate. “I came to visit (current H-F basketball) coach Jim McLaughlin and (former H-F coach) Roy Condotti and the guys to see how they were doing,” Hardy said. “Coach Mac said now that you’re back we could really use your help connecting with the guys. "I had some coaching experience under my belt and wasn’t too far removed from my playing days. I was very excited about the opportunity and coming back to H-F.” Hardy is now preparing for his second season as McLaughlin’s assistant coach. McLaughlin was…
41.54466
-87.693969
Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School
999 Kedzie Ave, Flossmoor, IL
/articles/h-f-graduate-hardy-enjoying-return-to-alma-mater-as-assistant-basketball-coach
1355645
/locations/5763642
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Reliving the Glory Days: Excell Hardy excelled on Homewood-Flossmoor boys basketball team filled with superstars.
- SPORTS
- Ken Ryan
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
During his Hall of Fame career, Roy Condotti has had the opportunity to coach many players that have gone on to star at major Division I colleges or play in the NBA. Homewood-Flossmoor graduate Excell Hardy may not fit that description, but he does make an elite list of the longtime coach. “He’s probably one of the top five players I’ve ever had the chance to coach,” said Condotti, who won 385 games and made state title runs during his stints at Westinghouse and H-F. “Since the time he was a sophomore, he was just a winner. Some kids are winners, but they can’t bring other guys along with them. He was an excellent leader and a hard worker. It was an absolute pleasure to coach him.” Hardy played an integral role in H-F reaching the Class AA…
41.54466
-87.693969
Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School
999 Kedzie Ave, Flossmoor, IL
/articles/h-f-graduate-excell-hardy-relishes-state-championship-run-that-fell-just-short-in-2004
1355645
/locations/5763165
Kevin Connor
8:20 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
Dominant force in post. All time leading scorer &rebounder in school history. Played for coach Ken Connor, school leader in wins. more ›