May 6, 2015

By Bob Kopp

BDR Bucs

Sports Correspondent

BELVIDERE – Completing the third week of conference action at 6-3 and still in the hunt for the NIC-10 title and a deep run in the post-season, the Bucs began the week by overpowering Auburn (9-0), getting past Jefferson (5-4), and stumbling against crosstown rival North (6-3).

Traveling to Auburn, senior Alec Weber pitched six shutout innings while yielding only two hits, recording two Ks, and relying on the Bucs stout defense. Junior Erik Moraza preserved the shutout in the seventh with a K and two groundouts.

Senior Tyler Lass went 3-3, scored three runs, knocked in another, and took one for the team (HBP).

Junior Ryan Snyder blasted a double to the fence in left that would have been a dinger if not for fierce wind keeping the ball in play. Sophomore Josh Kugler added two hits and a RBI.

Hosting Jefferson turned into an unanticipated struggle.

While senior Ryan McKnight was steady to dominant on the mound, striking out eight while walking none, the J-Hawks scored four runs on five hits and three errors by the Bucs.  Sophomore Austin Revolinski got the save with a perfect seventh. Senior Jeff Anderson scored on an RBI single by Weber to close out the scoring for the Bucs' W.

Host North capitalized on shaky fielding by the Bucs throughout the game and seized the first match-up of the season behind the strong complete game pitching of junior Levon Smith along with the batting and fielding leadership of junior Jared Cantu.

Two infield errors along with a stinging double in the first set the mood for the entire game. While senior standout Lass completed the game and notched seven more Ks and kept the Bucs close despite unusually shaky defense, the game quickly got out of hand in the bottom of the sixth as a late North rally was enabled by another uncharacteristic error by the Bucs.

Apart from their ace, the only highlight for the Bucs was sophomore Anthony Cottcchio's double and two RBIs.

With more than enough talent and coaching to take on all comers, mettle will be tested in week four as the Bucs host Hononegah on Monday, travel to Boylan on Wednesday, and return home for East on Friday.

May 5, 2015

CAPRON – The North Boone football and basketball programs will host the Viking Play Day Golf Outing, four-man scramble, on Friday, June 12 at the Beaver Creek Golf Course in Capron.

Registration will be at noon, with tee-off at 1 p.m.

Cost is $90 for a single golfer, $360 for a foursome, $400 for Viking (includes foursome and hole sponsorship) and $100 for hole sponsorships.

The fee covers entry into all events, 18 holes of golf, a riding cart, dinner, two drink vouchers, and a chance to win various prizes.

Awards will go to winners of Putting Challenge, Longest Drive, Closest to Pin, Chip ‘N’ Challenge, and Best Dressed.

To register, mail checks payable to North Boone Football to 178 N. Boone High School, Poplar Grove, 61065.

For more information, email Coach Sullivan at asullivan@nbcusd.org or Coach Williams at rwilliams@sdb.k12.wi.us.

March 8, 2015

By Bob Kopp

Special Correspondent

BELVIDERE - With the braintrust of parochial powerhouse Rockford Lutheran watching in the middle of the stands just behind the scorer's table, the Bucs ended resurgent and relentless Freeport's post-season hopes with a convincing victory in a game much closer than the final score 61-49 to set up Friday's Regional Championship against the Crusaders at 7 p.m. 

In a match-up of notoriously physical teams punctuated by several skill players and deep benches, officials had their hands full yet kept order with consistent calls and firm control of the action.

Typically Buc tough on defense with the always timely management of the rotation and clock by Head Coach Aaron Pearson, senior Colton Bahling led all scorers with 18 points.  Senior Ron Paris and junior Deante Barnes each added 14 points followed by seniors Kurtis Dimond (8), Tyler Lass (4), and Ryan McKnight (3).

The evening opened with top-seeded and state ranked (3rd) Rockford Lutheran smothering Rochelle 66-43 with a roster assembled from some of the finest basketball talent in the area for a legitimate run at a state title.  The only thing standing in the way of the Crusaders is a Belvidere High School team that took Auburn, a national powerhouse, to the edge of defeat on Feb. 7.  With Coach Pearson and his assistants Nate Lister, Brandon Codina, and Bob White having established the Bucs as a perennial force in the NIC-10 and gutsy multi-sport athletes in the rotation pushed in practice by a deep roster, the Crusaders will need their A game to advance to Sectionals.

March 4, 2015

By Bob Kopp

Special Correspondent

MACHESNEY PARK - Scoring 18 points against Hononegah as the Bucs hosted the Indians on Belvidere's Senior Night on February 20 to lead a dramatic 44-43 season series sweep of the Indians, he led all scorers again with 18 points on Friday's Senior Night at Harlem as the Bucs hammered the Huskies 44-26 in a game far more lopsided than the final score to complete a three-game season series sweep.

Head Coach Aaron Pearson was not flagged for piling on by one of the NIC-10's premier officiating crews as he emptied the bench at the end of the third quarter and cruised into regionals hosted by BHS beginning on Tuesday, March 3.

Seniors Ryan McKnight and Colton Bahling directed traffic as the Bucs dominated the Huskies at the end of every quarter (12-2, 26-9, 38-16) before being rested along with the rest of the starting rotation for regionals.

Senior Ron Paris chipped in with 10 points as the supporting scoring cast of sophomore Austin Revolinski (6), senior Alex Hernandez (3), junior Deante Barnes (3), senior Kurtis Dimond (2), and senior Dominicke Gayles (2) coupled with the Bucs notoriously tenacious defense were never threatened from the opening seconds of the first quarter.

Coach Pearson and his assistants Nate Lister, Bob White, and Brandon Codina have resurrected a strong basketball tradition in Belvidere.  Bringing the first ever NIC-10 title to Belvidere in 2012-2013, this year's Bucs now sport the second best conference record in Belvidere basketball history.

You can catch the Bucs this coming Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. as they open regionals against a very dangerous Freeport.

Feb. 25, 2015

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BOONE COUNTY - Boone County high schools were well represented last weekend at state bowling and wrestling competitions in Champaign and in nearby Cherry Valley.

North Boone senior Brandon Briggs finished his high school wrestling career with two state championships and two second-place finishes at the lower weight classes. This year he was second at 126 pounds, losing in the finals to Printice Walls (40-6) of Dakota, 6-3.

One week earlier Walls edged him, 5-4, to win the sectional title. 

Belvidere North finished 7th in its first trip to the state bowling finals. Senior Emily Ashens wound up 10th among 76 individuals who made the cut on Friday, and rolled a 300 game Friday afternoon.

The last Blue Thunder to be perfect was Brock Dvorak who had two such games, 48 hours apart, during the regular season several years ago.

Briggs was a state champion in 20012 and 2013.

He finished the season with 40-4 record; two of those losses were to Walls.

He outscored three opponents by a combined, 30-2, on the way to the championship match. The closest bout was the opener, which he won, 8-1, over Ryne Lipsey (41-9), a senior from Vandalia. Next he shut out Chuck Jacobson (40-11), a senior from Monmouth, 12-0. In the semi-finals he won, 10-1, over Nolan Baker (42-5) of Byron, who ultimately took third at that weight.

Belvidere was represented by Christian Arias (40-6), a senior. He dropped his first match, 5-2, to Will Lewan of Lombard Montini, a freshman with a 28-13 record going in to the finals. In the wrestleback opener, Arias lost, 8-4, to Josh Jones (33-8) of Chicago Heights Marian.

Senior Jake Rodgers (31-5) of Belvidere North lost his first match to Joe Blitstein (37-9) of Vernon Hills. He did not get an opportunity in the wrestle-backs because Blitstein lost his next bout.

State bowling finals

Belvidere North, under head coach Jim Paddock, won regional and sectional championships in order to reach the state finals. The Lady Blue Thunder were seventh after Friday's opening round of six games and joined 11 other teams, from the original field of 24, in advancing to Saturday.

They were in sixth with just three games to go, after rolling a 1,058 series, second best among the 12 finalists.

The entire lineup contributed to the team's success at The Cherry Bowl in Cherry Valley.

Ashens was 10th among individuals after the first day of competition with a 1,320 series that included a 708 to end the second session. She rolled single games of 200, 208, 204, 226, 300 and 182, averaging 220.

Another senior, Haley Solberg, who qualified for state as an individual last year, had a 1,239 with a high game of 268. Junior Ashley Platt was next with a 1,223, followed by senior Tiffany Wagner with a 1,131. Freshmen Kylie Johnson (373) and Brynn Lambrecht (169) also competed during the first day.

Ashens (1,281) and Platt (1,271) led the way on Saturday followed by Wagner with a 1,239 and Solberg with an 1,137. Lambrecht had a 514 series in the morning session while Johnson recorded a 479 in the afternoon.

High game for the day was a 237 from Ashens.

Next up will be the Top 16 tournament among, pitting the best NIC-10 individuals against one another.

Feb. 18, 2015

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BELVIDERE - The Year of Thunder is continuing, what with the Belvidere North girls bowling team easily winning the Guilford sectional tournament Saturday, to reach the state finals for the first time since opening its doors in 2007.

Senior Emily Ashens was the individual champion with a six-game series of 1,298.

North's 6,115 team series was second best among six sectional champions. Lockport's 6,371 was the highest pinfall of the day.

In wrestling, senior Jake Rodgers of Belvidere North won the 2A Sterling sectional with a 5-3 win over Careil Beasley, of Sterling, in the finals.

Belvidere's Christian Arias also qualified for this weekend's state meet at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champion. He finished second at 120 pounds

In 1A action, Brandon Briggs of North Boone will be returning to state for the fourth time, after claiming second in the sectional at 126. He was edged in the finals by Printice Walls of Dakota, 5-4, and still has a shot at winning his third state title.

North Boone also had a team in the state chess tournament, held Saturday in Peoria, and finished 105th among more than 150 participants. The Vikings were led by sophomore Dakodah Mrkvicka, who won a medal by taking six of seven matches on Board 6.

Belvidere North's seniors stepped up in a big way at the wrestling sectional. Tiffany Wagner and Haley Solberg were close behind Ashens with series of 1,283 and 1,269 respectively. Solberg qualified for state as an individual last year and he was her goal to return this season - along with her entire team.

Junior Ashley Platt chipped in a 1,234 series.

The rest of the games were divided among freshmen Kylie Johnson (699), Brynn Lambrecht (167) and junior Anissa Hintt (165).

In Peoria, North Boone wound up winning 3-of-7 team matches and was led by solid performances from several underclassmen.

Mrkvicka became the first Viking to win a medal since Richard Bennett did so in 2010-11, on Board 7. Freshman Jacob Dlugosz came within one win of getting a medal, going 5-2 on Board 5. Sophomore Chase Morgan was 4-2-1 on Board 7 while freshman Theresa Weiss was 4-3 on Board 4.

At the top of the ladder senior Devin McFadden moved up 17 spaces by winning his seventh and final match. For the tournament, he was 3-3-1 on Board No. 1.

Senior Ryan Johnson (0-7) was 144th on Board 2; sophomore Connor Rockwell (3-4), 91st on Board 3. Senior Nick Taber and freshman Tyler Turner shared time on Board 8, with Taber winning twice.

The Vikings defeated Bolingbrook in the seventh and final match Saturday, to move up 11 places in the final standings.

Feb. 11, 2015

BELVIDERE - Two years ago, Belvidere standout outfielder and pitcher, Troy Vandenbroek received a baseball scholarship to Eastern Illinois University.  Two years later, Belvidere High School’s senior pitcher, Tyler Lass, signed his National Letter of Intent to play at Northwestern University in the Big Ten. 

Josh Hauser is now among these two to sign with a Division 1 program. The starting shortstop at Elgin Community College this season has made his decision and has signed to play for Rick Robinson at the University of Tennessee-Martin.  The former 3 year starting shortstop for the Bucs is considered to be one of the top defensive shortstops in the country in this year’s Junior College recruiting class.  As a freshman last season at Judson University, Hauser fielded an outstanding .973 and was in the running for a NAIA National Gold Glove last season.  One of the biggest needs for the UT Martin baseball program was having a lockdown defensive shortstop and that’s exactly what they’re getting with Hauser

“I just want to thank all the coaches down at UTM for giving me this opportunity.  It’s always been my goal to play Division 1 baseball in the south,” Hauser said.  “Coach Robinson is bringing in a high-talented recruiting class that will contend for a conference title so I’m thrilled to be a part of the group that brings this program to be a mid-major power.”

Hauser chose UT Martin over Illinois State, Eastern Michigan, and Ohio State.  UT Martin is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, which is one of the top mid-major conferences in the country for Division 1 baseball. He will be studying Physical Education and having a minor in Sports Management.

Hired this past summer, Head Coach Rick Robinson will be in his 18th year of being a head coach.  The last 16 seasons, Robinson has transformed the Young Harris College (GA) baseball program into a junior college powerhouse.  As a head coach, Robinson is 699-281 and has recorded four 50-win seasons, eight conference titles, five Region XVII championships, and one NJCAA World Series appearance.  The UT Martin Skyhawks baseball program isn’t rich in tradition, but head coach Rick Robinson is very confident that the program can contest for an Ohio Valley Championship in the next few seasons and that’s a huge reason why Hauser chose UT Martin. 

Feb. 10, 2015

By Bob Kopp

Special correspondent

BELVIDERE - Following the baby Bucs sophomore sweep of their counterparts in a game more lopsided than the final 63-47 on Feb. 5, the Bucs nipped their cross-town rivals 48-47 in an electric evening that had no one reaching for Office Depot's red button: "That was easy!"

Senior basketball and football Buc-killers Ty Berkenpas and Kevin Tevebaugh took it to the Bucs early and often as two of the NIC-10's most steady and deadly sharpshooters.  Berkenpas hit three 3s in the first quarter on his way to 11 points with Tevebaugh knocking down one of his 3s in the quarter on the way to a game-high 17 points.  Startling though not unexpected because of their notorious prowess beyond the arc, North had nine 3s to none for the Bucs.  Do the math!  That statistic was the tale of the tape as North led through most of the evening with its sharpshooters connecting from the outside and the Bucs taking care of business on the inside behind tough senior Bucs Ron Paris who led the Bucs with 15 points, Kurtis Dimond (10), Tyler Lass (6), and emerging all-court presence junior Deante Barnes (9).

While the Bucs came into the game striving to rise above the best of the rest behind Auburn in the conference with experienced consistency and command from coaches and team-oriented role players, stalwart perimeter players like seniors Colton Bahling, Ryan McKnight, and Alex Hernandez complemented by the multi-dimensional and gritty sophomore Austin Revolinski, the game came down to the inside game of the Bucs versus the outside game of North.  With one point deciding the outcome, it was that close as both teams dominated the other with their strengths.

With a packed house punctuated by jousting student sections and purple and gold clashing with blue and red, the final four minutes of the game went back and forth before Barnes dropped a bucket with 1:27 left on the clock to close out the scoring at 48-47.  The rest of the game was fast to frenetic with the big men of the Bucs sealing the paint and perimeter defenders checking those notorious Buc-killers.

The Bucs return to action on Saturday as they travel to state and national powerhouse Auburn at 7  p.m.

Feb. 4, 2015

By Bob Kopp

Special Correspondent

ROCKFORD - Senior co-captain Ryan McKnight was the glue that bonded the Bucs to a convincing 72-60 win over Rockford East.

McKnight's confident court management, assists, steals, rebounds, and tight defense along with 12 points led the Bucs to a critical victory in the meat of the schedule on the way to the post-season.

Pulling away in the first quarter 14-4 with seven Bucs scoring in another stunning example of Head Coach Aaron Pearson's passion for balanced scoring, the Bucs were never really challenged as they move into the toughest part of conference play.

Top assistant Nate Lister had our big men ready for massive 6'8" senior Patrick Green whose presence in the paint daunts most teams.  Seniors Kurtis Dimond, Tyler Lass, and Ron Paris took turns holding Green to 6 points with none coming in the fourth quarter.

Junior Deante Barnes led all scorers with 20 points along with strong rebounding and a dominant fourth quarter on both ends of the court.  10 of his points came in the fourth when the E-Rabs made a run that brought them within 7 points before Barnes asserted himself.

Senior Colton Bahling knocked down 15 points spread over the game.  While making Green a non-factor all night, big men Dimond (6), Lass (5), and Paris (8) dominated scoring and defense in the paint.  Senior defensive stalwart and sharpshooter Alex Hernandez (5) and rugged sophomore Austin Revolinski (1) continue as increasingly integral parts of the rotation.

The Bucs visited Boylan on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Feb. 1, 2015

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

POPLAR GROVE – It was Senior Night for the North Boone Vikings wrestling team on Thursday, Jan. 28. In pre-tournament ceremonies, team manager Brianna Weinmann and wrestlers Jack Zwart, Alex West, Mike Schaedel and Brandon Briggs were escorted by their parents into the gym.

“It is sad not to be wrestling here again at North Boone,” Briggs said after the tournament.

In a sport in which athletes compete based on weight class, the six matches that the Vikings forfeited to the Aurora Catholic Central Chargers contributed to the 27-51 loss.  The Vikings won four matches on forfeit. The Vikings and Chargers each won two matches out of the four during the night.

Sophomore Conor Ryan began the action for the Vikings in his match against J. Mattas. Ryan was pinned with 2:29 remaining in the second period. “I think we did pretty well on the head-to-head,” Viking head coach Matt Sbertoli said.

Junior Teagan Ryan dominated his opponent Keegan Donnelly winning in points 8-0. “Teagan had a very good match tonight,” Sbertoli said. “He wrestled hard and with some things that we have been working on, he made some nice adjustments.”

Schaedel, in his first year wrestling, was pinned with 3:08 remaining in the second period. “Mike looked really good. He got in a shot,” Sbertoli added.

The final match of the night was the match between Briggs and Caleb Park. Briggs won the match 6-2 in three rounds. “Park is a tough kid,” Sbertoli said. “He is ranked at 138 so it was a good one for Brandon.”

“It was a tough match I had to work for it,” Briggs added.

Briggs has advanced to the State tournament in his freshman through junior year, is a two time state champion, came in second place in the state tournament and has an overall record of 128-9.  “I want to thank all of my teammates, family and friends for coming out tonight and my coaches for pushing me in practice,” Briggs said.

It is sad not to be wrestling here at NBoone at home.

Aurora catholic 4 forfeit

North Boone 6 forfeit

Briana Weiman

Jack Zwart

Alex West

Mike Schidel

Brandon Briggs

4 year wrestler. Plans to wrestle in college

Won stat

3x regional champ

3x sectional finalist with 1x sectional champ

3 x state finals

2x state champ

2nd place

128 win, 9 losses

38-0 as a sophomore

Matt Spertoli

I thought we did pretty well on the head to head.

Individually we win more matches than we lose. That is success for our team.

Tiegan had a very good match tonight. He wrestled hard and with some things that we have been working on, he made some nice adjustments.

Brandon had a nice match. Park is a tough kid. He is ranked at 138 so it was a good one for Brandon.

Connor is his first year wrestling. Mike looked really good. He got in a shot.

Thank the fans for coming out.

He has the talent to go very far at state. He knows that this is his last year.

Brandon

It was a tough match I had to work for it. 6-2 on points

I want to thank all of my teammates, family and friends for coming out tonight and my coaches for pushing me in practice.

It is sad not to be wrestling here at NBoone at home.

Jan. 28, 2015

By Bob Kopp

Special correspondent

ROCKFORD - Recruiters at the next level who overlook rapidly developing Kurtis Dimond will have lots of questions to answer as the 6'6" senior continues to develop in all aspects of the game under Head Coach Aaron Pearson and top assistant Nate Lister.  Any recruiter worth his compensation can see his very, very, very high ceiling.  His teachability and team-first demeanor along with raw athleticism will attract attention.

In what some readers may challenge as redundant, Dimond looks better and better every week; and Friday night at Guilford was another building block in his increasing reputation as a major force in the NIC-10 as he blocked shots, clogged the middle, stole passes, controlled the boards, and knocked down a team-leading 12 points in the Bucs convincing 56-42 win over Guilford.

The Bucs are loaded with talent and a deep roster that matches up well with the "best of the rest" to Auburn's supremacy in the NIC-10 with more observers hinting at a must-see match-up with the Division-1-deep Knights at Auburn on February 7 at 7:00 p.m.

Rounding out the scoring against the Vikings, junior Deante Barnes continued to step up on both ends of the court (11), senior Colton Bahling started fast and remained steady (10), senior Ron Paris remains unstoppable in the paint (8), senior Tyler Lass brings energy and unflappable leadership after an early season injury (5), sophomore Austin Revolinski will be striking fear in opponents on the field, court, and diamond for the next 2 1/2 years (5), rugged enforcer junior Eric Munoz hit on a three (3), senior Jake Konaszewski inspires the thrill of competition (2), and seniors Ryan McKnight and Alex Hernandez provided feisty defense and court management to the W.

The Bucs return home on Saturday against Freeport at 7 p.m.

Jan. 25, 2015

By Bob Kopp

Special Correspondent

ROCKFORD - While a Buc proud parent blurted after Belvidere's oldest high school in the city completed a strong 3-1 showing in the 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. Shootout (Jan. 17-19) that Auburn is within striking distance, I said, "Hold on, cowboy!  We're rising to the best of the rest; but there's still a lot of season to be played and I think any team that beats the Knights in the NIC-10 this year will credit an assist to the big guy who parted the Red Sea!"

Surely, Coach Aaron Pearson and varsity assistant Nate Lister are developing one of the deepest rotations in the conference, with the surprising development of seniors Kurtis Dimond and Alex Hernandez raising eyebrows around the conference as major players in the Bucs' increasing success and sophomore Austin Revolinski proving what's been predicted not long after he shed diapers, but Auburn boasts three to four Division 1 recruits and is ranked among the best in the state. 

But, O.K., we'll see; and I'll be using any connections that I have with the big guy who parted the...

Despite losing to the well-oiled, efficient, and highly skilled Deerfield 53-44 on Monday, the Bucs were only behind by a point at the start of the fourth quarter when they were outscored 15 to 7. 

Senior Alex Hernandez, who has become fierce on the offensive boards to match his tenaciousness on defense along with unquestioned sharpshooting and has only missed one from the line all year, had 5 points.  Senior Ron Paris resurfaced in the paint and led all Bucs with 14 followed by steady senior Colton Bahling who added 11.  Rounding out the scoring were senior Tyler Lass, who will be a major force for the rest of the season in all aspects of the game with especially intense and contagious leadership, with 6, senior Kurtis Dimond with 5, sophomore Austin Revolinski with 2, and junior Deante Barnes with 1.

Johnsburg, while spunky and spirited, looked like a JV squad against the Cavs in a lopsided 66-46 win by the Bucs that could have been even worse if Coach Pearson didn't unload the whole bench for major minutes beginning in the third quarter.  Senior Colton Bahling, who could have scored two or three times his final team-leading 18 points with 15 coming in the first half, punctuated his typically consistent contribution with four 3s.  Junior Deante Barnes knocked down 12 and was followed by senior Kurtis Dimond with 8, senior Ron Paris (6), senior Ryan McKnight (4), senior Jake Konaszewski (4), senior Alex Hernandez (3), sophomore Austin Revolinski (3), junior Alex Robelo (3), senior Tyler Lass (2), junior Matt Kopp (2), and senior Dominicke Gayles (1). 

The Bucs return to conference action on Friday (7 p.m.) when they travel to Guilford and Saturday (7 p.m.) at home against Freeport.

Jan. 21, 2015

By Bob Kopp

Special Correspondent

ROCKFORD - Improving its season record to 11-6, the Bucs began play in the 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. Shootout hosted by Jefferson High School with wins over talented South Elgin 64-59 and deliberate McHenry 51-36.

With senior Tyler Lass returning to the line-up for limited play as he continues to recover from an injury earlier in the season for the meat of the conference schedule and postseason while bringing his Division 1 talent, leadership, intensity, and contagious energy to the team, the Bucs continue to show increasing chemistry and tough Buc tenaciousness.

South Elgin boasts several underclassmen who will catch the eye of recruits at the next level; especially junior Matty Smith who was unstoppable in the morning match-up to the tune of 25 points and 6'11'' junior Tyler Hankins who is raw yet formidable in the paint as a premier shot-blocker.

Trailing 45-42 going into the fourth quarter, the Bucs’ deep rotation wore down South Elgin's dependence on five starters occasionally rested by two role players in outscoring them 22-14 to nail down the W. 

Junior Deante Barnes followed up his fourth quarter heroics against Hononegah by scoring 6 of his 11 points in the decisive fourth quarter.  Seniors Kurtis Dimond scored all of his team-leading 12 points in the first half.  Senior Colton Bahling remained consistent with 11 points.  Senior Alex Hernandez, continuing to find more minutes as a tenacious defender and deadly sharpshooter, knocked down 7.  Senior Ron Paris was typically strong in the paint for his 9 and senior Ryan McKnight added 3 points from the line while directing traffic on the court and during critical inbounds plays.  In limited action while rounding back into game shape, senior Tyler Lass added 7 points.  Sophomore Austin Revolinski, whose all-court game and fire in the belly are attracting attention throughout the conference, added 4 points.

McHenry was no match for the Bucs in a game more lopsided than the final score.  On cruise control throughout the game, the balanced scoring from its deep rotation and superior athleticism provided a breather before the tournament resumes on Monday with games against Deerfield (11:00 a.m.) and Johnsburg (6:30 p.m.).  Junior Deante Barnes led the Bucs with 10 points followed by Junior Eric Munoz who hit on two 3s on the way to 9.  The balanced scoring going deep into the rotation included senior Kurtis Dimond (7) , senior Ron Paris (7), sophomore Austin Revolinski (7), senior Colton Bahling (5), senior Alex Hernandez (2), senior Tyler Lass (2), and senior Dominicke Gayles (2).

After the Bucs complete their run for the title of this year's Martin Luther King, Jr. tournament on Monday, they return to conference action on Jan. 23 as they travel to Guilford (7 p.m.).

Jan. 20, 2015

By Bob Kopp

Special correspondent

ROCKTON - Legendary Clarion University wrestling coach Bob Bubb, who guided many grapplers to international prominence with Kurt Angle's Olympic gold and multiple NCAA titles being especially notable, once told me, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight that counts.  It's the size of the fight in the dog!"

One of the better displays of that maxim occurred on a cold Jan. 14 Wednesday's winter night as Hononegah hosted the Bucs in a game rescheduled from Jan. 6 due to school closings reminding us why Al Gore should have never been elected President.

Facing a team with distinct height and athletic "thickness" advantages along with a notorious sense of entitlement, the Bucs beat the Indians 53-49 after tying the game with five minutes to go after trailing most of the evening.

While it's always tough for teams in the NIC-10 to come away with victories when hosted by Boylan, Belvidere North, or Hononegah because of their uncommonly laudable, loyal, and vocal fan support unmatched throughout the conference, the loyal and sometimes loud Bucs fans who made the trip to Rockton were treated to a total team triumph.

Perhaps the most symbolic moments of the challenge facing the Bucs came in the closing minutes as 5'9" gritty senior Ryan McKnight was called upon to inbounds the ball on several occasions with the game still in doubt while guarded by emerging superstar sophomore 6'7" Max Miller.  McKnight, epitomizing the rugged determination and strategic excellence of head coach Aaron Pearson and assistants Nate Lister, Bob White, and Brandon Codina, prevailed every time.

More snapshots from the total team effort:

* Senior Colton Bahling scored 9 of his 12 points, including three of the Bucs five 3s, in the first half to keep the Bucs in striking distance.  He also connected on one of two free throws with 35 seconds on the clock.

* Junior Deante Barnes dominated action in the critical fourth quarter as a preview of coming attractions by scoring 11 of his 13 points as the clock winded down.  Emerging as a major force in the NIC-10 as expected, Barnes also hit one of two free throws with 17 seconds remaining.

* Coach Lister's tutelage of senior Kurtis Dimond continues to pay increasingly huge dividends as he knocked down 12 points and displayed surprising quickness, versatility, hustle, and aggressiveness while emerging as one of the most dominant big men in the NIC-10.  His 6'6" ceiling accentuated by a wingspan and jumping ability that elevates him above most opponents is high and should attract attention at the next level.  He is a work in progress who is progressing rapidly as the season moves inevitably toward the post-season.

* Senior Alex Hernandez sparkled with his aggressive defense throughout the evening along with his 9 points that included two 3s.  But his biggest moments of the evening came in the last 32 seconds of the game when he sealed the victory by hitting two of two free throws with 23 seconds left and then another two of two with 9 ticks left.  Clutch!!!

* Sophomore Austin Revolinski, as usual, was tough on the boards, had several steals, and added 6 points.

* While senior Ron Paris was surprisingly shut out from the scoring column, his enthusiasm and support of the total team triumph was evident.

* Aside from developing a deep rotation that has overcome injuries, most notably to super senior Tyler Lass who will bring Division 1 talent and toughness to the team if he returns to the court in the post-season, Coach Pearson's clock management in the fourth quarter was precisely masterful.

Now it's on to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Shootout hosted by Jefferson High School on Jan. 17-19 before returning to conference action with a trip to Guilford on Jan. 23.

Dec. 30, 2014

Special Correspondent

DEKALB - Which team would show up for the second game of the 87th Annual Chuck Dayton Holiday Classic at DeKalb High School against Chicago's Schurz High School?

The team with the talent and depth to challenge for the top of all rivals to Auburn's supremacy in the NIC-10 or the team that played down to West Chicago in the first round?

It didn't take long for Buc pride's resurrection in a game that started and stayed strong for a dominating 61-35 win over the Bulldogs as the Bucs' lead increased at the buzzer of every quarter.

With senior Ryan McKnight pushing the rock with relentless precision and senior Kurtis Dimond's fierce rebounding and presence in the paint on defense along with 4 points, the floor opened for eight 3s and balanced scoring with senior Colton Bahling leading the way with 18 points.  Senior Ron Paris attacked the hoop for 15 points while senior Alex Hernandez provided a preview of coming attractions with his explosive sharpshooting in draining 11 points.  Junior Deante Barnes seems ready to dominate on both ends of the court and chipped in for 8 points.  Sophomore Austin Revolinski added 5 points to the fire in his belly that coaches hope is contagious.

Still smarting from the previous day's debacle or, maybe, just playing to their potential like they did in their convincing win against previously undefeated Jefferson, the Bucs increased their lead steadily and solidly throughout the game; leading by 6 points at the end of the first quarter (16-10), 7 by half (28-21), 22 by the end of a third quarter (49-27) punctuated by Bahling scoring the first 13 points of the quarter for an eventual 21-6 differential, and providing plenty of valuable playing time for the entire roster as reserves hit the floor with over six minutes to play in the game.

In an interesting twist of providence, the Bucs play Harlem in the third game of the tournament on Friday, Dec. 26 at 1:30 p.m. before hosting them at home in a return to conference play on January 6 at 7:00 p.m.  This will be an especially interesting two game series because Harlem has had a reputation for years in all sports of playing masterfully or miserably regardless of the level of competition. 

Dec. 24, 2014

By Bob Kopp

Special Correspondent

O.K., we told you so!

You read it first in a BDR exclusive on Dec. 17, 2014: "You can almost feel the Bucs about to explode with offensive prowess and stingy defense being schemed and blended so masterfully by head coach Aaron Pearson and assistant Nate Lister.  Here come the Bucs!"

Playing the undefeated Jefferson J-Hawks (8-0) on their new and sparkling court on a cold Thursday night without the intensity, skills, and leadership of injured Division 1 athlete Tyler Lass who is headed to Northwestern to play baseball, the Bucs relied on discipline, toughness, and gutsy clutch performances to pull off what everybody but the BDR considers the first major upset of the year in the NIC-10 with a convincing 57-53 victory.

Ready to play from the opening tip-off, the Bucs opened a quick 14-9 lead at the end of the first quarter punctuated by two 3s from senior Colton Bahling and one from sophomore Austin Revolinski.  Jeff Carr, the dean of local basketball and football officiating who can be spotted in stripes during major college football games in the fall, led a crew that managed a game that grew increasingly fierce without looking like retro ACC crews of the 70s making ticky-tack calls that turn too many games into exercises of political correctness.  You can count on officials like Carr, Doug Juhlin, and others mentored by them to be consistent, professional, and precise as they keep games from getting out of hand rather than resorting to those notorious "anticipated" calls that spoil too many contests by blunting enthusiasm and inhibiting athleticism.

Widening their lead at the half 28-14 behind senior Ron Paris leading all scorers with 6 points, the Bucs were all over the court with a fluid offense led by pinpoint passing from senior point Ryan McKnight coupled with a tenacious total-team defensive effort.  Coach Whitehead, an assistant responsible for game films, said, "It's our best half of the year!"

Outscoring the Bucs by 8 points in the third quarter, the J-Hawks showed why they were undefeated by narrowing the margin 39-33 to set up the fourth quarter fireworks leading to overtime.  Picking up the speed and pressing relentlessly, senior ML Moore poured in 7 of his 16 points and the game was on.

Led by senior Montel Brown who scored 8 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, it looked like the Bucs were going to lose after leading for most of the game until Bahling hit a three-pointer from downtown at the buzzer to send the game into overtime at 48-48.

Clutch free-throws by McKnight with 46 seconds to go and Revolinski with 22 seconds to go sealed the victory for the Bucs in overtime.

Soon-to-be legendary Belvidere athlete Bahling led all scorers with 20 points followed by Paris (16), Revolinski (7), McKnight (6), Barnes (6), and Dimond (2).  Senior Kurtis Dimond played bigger than his 6'6" in clogging up the middle and snatching several rebounds at the most critical moments of the game for his best total effort of the year and seems primed to dominate in the paint.

Before the game, we had a chance to chat with J-Hawks head coach Todd Brannan who has been at the helm seven years and has led Jefferson back into the thick of NIC-10 respectability.  He said the "surprising" start of the J-Hawks did not surprise him or his players.  They are loaded with experience, nine seniors on their roster of thirteen, and several skilled and swift athletes. 

Speaking of surprises, no one who has watched these Bucs develop over the years under freshman coach Brandon Codina, sophomore coach Bob White, varsity assistant Nate Lister, and head coach Aaron Pearson was surprised by Thursday's result.

Pleased?  Yes!

Surprised?  No!

Expectations are becoming realities for BHS basketball.

Here come the Bucs!

Dec. 17, 2014

By Bob Kopp

Special correspondent

Reminiscent of this year's edition of Bucs football that culminated in the playoffs and many post-season honors for players after a slow start, you can almost feel the Bucs about to explode with offensive prowess and stingy defense being schemed and blended so masterfully by head coach Aaron Pearson and assistant Nate Lister.

With the sophomores stomping Belvidere North 57-26 on Friday (12/12) and knocking off Auburn 54-51 in overtime on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Austin Revolinski on Saturday (21/13), coach Bob White is developing emotionally as well as physically tough and disciplined players who are continuing a tradition of excellence established under coach Pearson that hit a major milestone for Belvidere basketball in capturing District 100's first NIC-10 championship in 2012-2013.  Along with Revolinski who is already firmly established in the varsity rotation, you will be reading more about Jacob Rodriguez, Will Morris, Jake Palzer, Joey Hernandez, Nate Horton, Xavier Dent, Austin Brockmann, and others as they feed into the varsity roster over the next few years.

Bragging rights are always on the line when the Bucs play the Blue Thunder; and the Bucs traveled cross-town to nip their hosts 56-52 behind solid and steady senior leadership in the second half.  Despite North's distinctive advantage beyond the arc, outscoring the Bucs by 12 points with a six to two advantage on 3s with seniors Joey Klosowski and Kevin Tevebaugh joining junior Rylen Kirk connecting on two 3s each, balanced scoring from seniors Colton Bahling (12), Ron Paris (12), Tyler Lass (10), and Ryan McKnight (7) led the way to capturing 2014-2015's first encounter of the intra-city rivals.  Sophomore Austin Revolinski continued to emerge in his "future is now" status with 7 points, Deante Barnes snagged a key rebound with 1:15 on the clock, and Barnes and Bahling sealed the Bucs victory with clutch free throws with seconds remaining.

Immediately after the buzzer sounded, North's student section began chanting, "Let's play football!"  Recalling its 41-20 win over the Bucs in the fall on the way to sharing the NIC-10 championship with Hononegah and "This is our town!" chants as the clock ran down under Friday night lights, several continuing Bucs gridironers including Revolinski, Eric Munoz, Bryar Gunn, Justin Robles, Brett White, Tre Gooden, Troy Snyder, Matt Kopp, and several others took notice with a collective reproach: "Be careful what you wish for!"  Circle that one in 2015!

Knowing it would take an upset of Biblical proportions to beat the highly-touted Knights, Saturday's match-up with Auburn (12/13) went as expected with the Bucs losing 71-48.  Senior Colton Bahling and junior Deante Barnes led the way for the Bucs with 12 points each. Senior Ryan McKnight chipped in with 8 points and navigated his way most of the evening through a tenacious defense.  Junior Eric Munoz contributed 9 points on three 3s.

The Bucs tied the Knights at the end of the first quarter 10-10 and stayed close until the last several minutes of the second quarter when outscored 18-5.  A major factor in the second quarter was the loss of senior Tyler Lass to an injury.  The absence of his aggressive play on both sides of the ball was evident in the team's timid play for the rest of the game.  Though its roster is deep, Lass provides inspiring intensity, combative competitiveness, and senior leadership for the Bucs that will be needed as the team moves into the meat of its schedule and post-season play. 

Proving they could play with a team boasting two D1 recruits and another two or three prospects for an extended period of time, the Bucs can challenge all comers behind the supremacy of the Knights in the NIC-10.

Defeats often tell more about a team than victories.  Expected to beat North, the game was close on their court as the Blue Thunder's sharpshooters were relentless.  Expected to lose to Auburn, the game was close until Lass' injury.  At this point in the season, Bucs basketball almost mirrors this year's slow start on the gridiron. 

Here come the Bucs!

Dec. 16, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

BELVIDERE - In October, Stateline Sports Hub put out the challenge to area high schools. The challenge was to identify the best school spirit.

Ten schools answered the call. In the end, it was the rivalry between Belvidere Bucs and Belvidere North Blue Thunder that dominated the voting for the student section with the most pride. The Bucs narrowly edged out the Blue Thunder to receive the coveted trophy and pizza from Papa Johns. The online traffic to vote shut down the district’s computer network more than once as students jammed the system voting for their school.

To say it wasn’t even a close match would be an understatement. Although the Bucs and Blue Thunder traded the lead back and forth throughout the contest, there was little doubt that the trophy was going to reside in Belvidere. 

Between the two schools, nearly 90% of the total votes were cast for a team in Belvidere. There were 270,000 votes cast for the best student section. With approximately 126,850 votes, the Bucs received nearly 47% of the total votes cast. The Blue Thunder received approximately 115,600 votes and represented nearly 43% of the total votes cast.

Other teams participating in the challenge for the best student section were Beloit Memorial, Byron, Christian Life, Freeport, Guilford, Harlem, Hononegah, and Rockford Lutheran.

At a pep rally on Dec. 5, Dave Schmidt from Stateline Sports Hub presented Alec Weber and the students with a trophy. “It was clear that you were not only the best student section in Belvidere but in the Stateline,” Dave Schmidt from Stateline Sports Hub said told the students to raucous cheers. “You broke the attendance bucket on StatelineSportsHub.”

Nov. 5, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

POPLAR GROVE - The Boys of Arena Football took center stage this season and led North Boone High School back to the playoffs.

While the Vikings fell 28-10 in the opening round of the playoffs, players such as quarterback Ryan Davis and tailback Nate Montemayor only are juniors and as such eligible for one more season at the high school level.

First round action took sixth-seeded North Boone (5-4) to the south side of Chicago to battle the No. 3 seed, Chicago Harper, which finished the regular season at 6-3. Harper used a 22-point second quarter as the foundation for its victory.

Fans around here were hoping for an all-northern Illinois game in the second round, pitting the Vikings against nearby Byron (5-4), which also faced a Chicago team in the opening game. Byron, the seventh seed, took a stunning 54-12 win over second-seeded Bowen, which brought an 8-1 record into the playoffs. But the Vikings were defeated.

North Boone took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on Alec Guevara's 26-yard field goal with 4:15 left to play. But Harper countered with three second-period touchdowns, one of them with an 18-yard fumble return, along with a pair of two-point conversions to lead, 22-3, at intermission.

Their third and final TD came with just 27 seconds left in the half.

The Vikings made it a game with 2:43 left in the third quarter when Davis threw a 17-yard scoring pass to another junior, Griffin Schuster. Guevara kicked the extra point.

But that was all scoring North Boone could muster while Harper added a touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the 28-10 finale.

Experience returns

North Boone's Boys of Arena Football cut their teeth on the sport as youngsters during the winter months, playing a 7-on-7 game indoors at an arena along Alpine Road in Loves Park.

Among the alums on the high school's current roster, in addition to Davis and Montemayor, are juniors Chris Sparks, Cesar Hernandez, David Torres, Brandon Hayes, Brad Buchner, A.J. Izzo, Alex Manriquez and Matt Zelek, Another arena veteran, Dustin Sell, is a sophomore.

Junior standout Griffin Schuster transferred to North Boone as a sophomore and was a contributor this season on both offense and defense.

Schuster also played quarterback, completing 14-of-26 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown. When Davis was calling signals, Schulster played wide out and wound up leading the team with 31 receptions for 424 yards and eight touchdowns. In addition, he ran the ball 47 times for 325 yards and two scores.

Davis was 86-of-168 passing for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also was a threat to run and despite being bottled up by Harper's defense, finished with 121 carries for 334 yards and four TDs.

Others running the ball included Buchner with 19 carries for 79 yards, junior Matt Brown, seven rushes for 40 yards, Hernandez, three tries for 256 yards, junior Brandon Hayes, seven carries for 21 yards and Sparks, one carry for two yards.

Hernandez had a high average per pass reception, covering 421 yards with 23 catches, just under 20 yards per touch. Buchner had 12 receptions for 73 yards while Montemayor caught five balls for 41 yards. Seniors Jack Zwart had five receptions for 53 yards and one touchdown; senior Zach Underwood hauled in two passes for 15 yards.

Guevara handled all of North Boone's kicking chores this season, giving the Vikings a proven tradesman in that position for the coming year.

Usually a passing team, North Boone piled up more yardage on the ground than through the air this season. The Vikings ran 335 times for 1,509 yards while completing 100 passes for 1,436 yards.

Nov. 5, 2014

By Bob Kopp

Special Correspondent

GENESEO, Ill. - Football in Belvidere for 2014 ended with Belvidere North losing to Lake Forest 42-21 on Friday at home and the Bucs traveling to Geneseo, Ill. on Saturday and coming up short 30-20.

Except for a hiccup against Hononegah as its only loss during the regular season, the Blue Thunder shares the NIC-10 championship with the Indians as most prognosticators expected North to go deep into the playoffs and challenge for a state championship in Class 6A.

The Bucs had to overcome so many obstacles beyond their control and reason on their way to #1 seed Geneseo that most folks covering high school football in the state expected them to offer little resistance to the Leafs who boast four state championships and 5 runners-up trophies. 

This writer was not among them; and I predict the Bucs will be in the thick of the race for the NIC-10 championship in 2015 with sophomore and junior classes that have become extraordinarily resilient despite dubious decisions made for them apart from their coaches, parents, and fans that inhibited them through more than half of the season.  While the mutual affection of players and coaches is undeniable, it's also undeniable that continual interruptions to practices and chemistry from precipitous interventions apart from direct involvement tested character as well as abilities.  The Bucs passed all of those tests over the second half of the season and proved in a game much closer than the final score with the #1 seed that they are as good as any team in the NIC-10 as well as Class 5A.

With the proven leadership of versatile senior Colton Bahling on offense and tenacious tackling of senior Jake Konaszewski on defense along with multi-dimensional junior Eric Munoz on both sides of the ball and junior Bryar Gunn who is the best possession receiver in the NIC-10 by acclaim even more than statistics where he has remained at the top since the season opener, the Bucs kept the game's outcome in doubt until deep into the fourth quarter.

The atmosphere was electric from the start with the early ejection of a "Green Machine" player and penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct against their coaches punctuated by their jumbotron, fireworks, fire engines, victory bell, and rabidly proud fans.

In a rare instance of a roster undersizing players, senior running back Lane Akre and senior tight end Drew Himmelman starred in a relentless and diversified offense complemented by an adequate defense.

Seniors Bahling and Konaszewski along with juniors Gunn and Munoz are locks for first team all-conference with Bahling being an obvious choice for MVP.  If there is another player in the conference as valuable and indispensable as Bahling to his team, he has not been sighted on the radar.  Scouts at the next level who miss the high ceiling of Bahling who is the leader in so many of this year's offensive statistics will have a lot of explaining to do.

Several other seniors and juniors should be considered for all-conference and honorable mention recognition.

Head Coach Chuck Leonard is the clear choice for Coach of the Year.  Similar to Bahling as a player, it is hard to imagine any coach in the conference having to overcome so much for so long so unnecessarily and still finish the season with four solid victories on the way to a very respectable showing against the #1 seed in Class 5A.

While a tad wistful about what coulda, shoulda, and woulda happened in 2014 for the seniors if it were not for unaccountable intrigue limiting the team's progress since August beyond the direct participation, influence, and support of their coaches, teammates, parents, and fans, this season will go down as far more about courage and character than final results.

Recalling part of a prayer at the turning point of the season when it seemed to so many that they were being thrown under the bus without a semblance of equity, "While frustrated by decisions by others not close to the program or intimate with the details, we pray Your grace for a team and coaches that have only one place left within their control to express who they really are - between the lines."

They did!

The "Chuck Tough" Bucs of 2014 are legendary.

Nov. 2, 2014

By Rob Torbert

Guest contributor

BELVIDERE  - On most weeknights at 8 p.m. and when most high school athletes are home watching TV or doing their homework, the Belvidere Co-Op Girls Swimming and Diving team is boarding a bus home from practice at Jefferson High School in Rockford.  Because neither of the Belvidere High Schools have a pool, the Co-Op swim team must split their practices between Jefferson and the Belvidere YMCA.  Despite this, the girls finished 2nd in the NIC-10 in 2013 and have their sights set on winning conference in 2014.  It would be the first varsity conference swimming title ever for a Belvidere School. 

Fifth-Year Head Coach Traci Torbert attributes the team’s success to their depth.  “To win, you need to have enough girls place in events to earn points.  In the past we’ve had some top swimmers but haven’t had the depth to put us over the top.”  The team is led by Senior Captains Riley Cox and Jamie Wise, Juniors, Abby Hawkes and Jade Phimmachack, Sophomores Halle Cox, Felicia Franklin, Jordan Andrews and Freshmen Madelyn Marunde and Hannah Cunningham, along with assistant coach Hillary Steinkamp and diving coach Ginger Beck.  The team finished first at the Jefferson Invite, first at the Auburn Invite and 3rd at the Buffalo Grove Invite behind only the strong suburban swim programs of New Trier and Lake Forest.

“Our girls have worked really hard this year and deserve the success they’ve achieved.” says Coach Torbert.   “But they’re not finished yet because we’re heading into the most important part of our season.”   Belvidere’s strongest competition for the NIC-10 conference title comes from Honnonegah, Boylan and two-time defending champion Freeport.  

In 2013, Belvidere took home the freshman/sophomore conference title.   They were the first team to put their name on the frosh/soph trophy not named Boylan, Guilford or Freeport since 1980.  They will defend their frosh/soph conference crown on Nov. 1 at East High School.   This year, they hope to add their name to the Varsity Conference Trophy for the first time in Belvidere history.  The Varsity Conference meet is Saturday Nov. 8 at Jefferson High School.

Rob Torbert

Oct. 29, 2014

By Bob Kopp

Special Correspondent

ROCKFORD - A prophetic word must precede the score and continuing story behind it

The spiritually tuned have read between the lines and discerned the repeated theme of these columns since the first game report back on August 29.

In the words of Joseph, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done."

As Belvidere North and Hononegah share the trophy as NIC-10 co-champions for 2014, with the much larger Indians squeaking by the much smaller Blue Thunder earlier in the season, the Bucs' place in history will be relished long after those trophies gather dust, rust, and fade into memory.

Now to the game.

Quickly down 14-0 in the first quarter, the Bucs kept bouncing back to beat Boylan 55-41 while overcoming numerous obstacles beyond their control to complete an improbable run to the playoffs.

Led by Senior captain Colton Bahling's eye-popping performance - running and passing for 486 yards - junior Tremaine Gooden snagged two lasers from Bahling for scores at critical junctures, gritty senior Ron Paris playing through several injuries on both sides of the ball caught another, junior Dayquan Coleman who also overcame a serious injury in the past few weeks caught another, and player after player capitalized on the brilliant, aggressive, and innovative game plan of the coaches for a total team victory.

With Belvidere North's players and coaches watching from the sidelines after burying Jefferson 42-0 on their way to a legitimate run at a state championship in their class, the continuing and increasingly noticeable absences of those who have enabled the unnecessary tainting of coaches, players, program, and high school, Tom Lacke blurted out with unrestrained joy as the clock ticked down to a convincing win to punctuate Joseph's conclusion, "I've been coming to these games for 49 years!  With everything that's been going on, this is the most exciting game in Belvidere that I've ever seen!"

While everybody's Monday morning QB will guess what coulda, woulda, and shoulda happened for the Bucs in 2014 if the spunky and resilient players led by the steady, stable, competent, caring, and moral leadership of the coaches had not been constantly interrupted, interloped, and unnecessarily tainted and distracted by suspicions, whispers, and accusations still awaiting adjudication, the 2014 Bucs will be remembered for a dedication and dignity to the game without sacrificing character as modeled by Head Coach Chuck Leonard.

To Coach Leonard and his assistants, you have got to be the NIC-10's coach and coaches of the year.  Rarely has a coach and his staff had to endure so much for so long so unnecessarily.  While some enabled reputations to be sullied, your stature as a character-builder concomitant to excellence on the field remains unblemished in the eyes of your players, parents, fans-in-the-know, and the court of public opinion.

To seniors led by obvious NIC-10 MVP candidate Colton Bahling, who must have scouts for the next level drooling over this year's performances and his future prospects, you played through all of the messes, emotional and physical pains, and indignities enabled by those who have not been intimate with the program with a heroic dedication and dignity that will continue to inspire those picking up your mantle.

While the roster shouts out for many players to be named to all-conference status, every member of the 2014 Bucs deserves honorable mention on that list for overcoming so much for so long so unnecessarily while making their "Once a Buc Always a Buc" family proud to place their sure to be legendary season on the pedestal of enduring triumph.

As other teams join the Bucs in the playoffs with Belvidere North leading the charge on its way to challenge for a state title, some may say this season was filled with couldas, wouldas, and shouldas; but as those other trophies gather dust, rust, and fade into memory, no one who remained close to this team since August will ever forget the overcoming triumphs of this "Chuck Tough" edition of legendary Belvidere Bucs football.

All teams win and lose.

Few make history.

The Bucs are among the few.

Oct. 22, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

POPLAR GROVE - For at least the third time in the last four years, North Boone's varsity football team is facing a Win or Stay Home game as the regular season comes to a close.

The lone exception was 2012, when the Austin Baden-led Vikings finished with an 8-1 record and qualified for the divisional playoffs.

In the two prior years they were 4-4 after eight weeks and lost both times to Richmond-Burton. Last year, they were 4-4 and lost to Burlington Central, 28-14.

Now they prepare to entertain Marengo, which at 5-3 already is playoff eligible. But that's no guarantee of a postseason berth so it's also a big game for the Indians. Six wins means you're in.

North Boone slipped to the familiar 4-4 last Friday in a 29-28 loss to visiting Richmond-Burton. It was a tough loss to swallow because the Vikings were leading, 28-15, in the third quarter. The Rockets then scored 14 unanswered points to win.

North Boone struck first, on a short scoring run by junior Nate Montemayor with 7:02 left in the first quarter. Alex Guevara kicked the extra point and it was 7-0. But the Rockets regrouped and scored the tying touchdown 3 1/2 minutes later. They also were successful with a two-point conversion that produced an 8-7 edge.

Junior quarterback Ryan Davis engineered two scoring drives in the second period that gave North Boone a 20-8 lead. He ran for the first TD and then threw a 71-yard scoring pass to another junior, Cesar Hernandez, the latter with 6:06 left until halftime. Guevara kicked one of two PATs.

Richmond-Burton came back one more time, however, scoring two minutes before the break to slice the deficit to 20-15.

Quite often, when Davis is at quarterback, the other capable signal caller, junior Griffin Schuster, is at wide receiver. That combination has generated points this season and last Friday's game was no exception. This time it was a 62-yard scoring pass from Davis to Schuster just 43 seconds into the third quarter. Schuster provided the two-point conversion and the Vikings were up, 28-15.

The Rockets countered again, though, this time with one touchdown at 3:47 of the third quarter and the last one with 11:22 left in the game to pull out the victory. Extra point kicks accompanied both TDs, with the second one being huge because it supplied the margin of victory.

For the game Davis was 9-of-17 passing for 208 yards and the two touchdowns. Montemayor led the ground attack with 12 carries for 79 yards and one score.

Hernandez only caught three passes but they were good for 118 yards and one long TD. Schuster also had three receptions, for 72 yards, and another bomb.

In the sophomore game North Boone fell to 4-3-1 on the season with a 38-6 loss to the Rockets.

Viking varsity teams in the recent past have been known primarily for their passing. This year North Boone has run for more than 1,300 yards, with Davis eclipsing the 1,000-yard total last week. He now has 69 completions in 121 attempts for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns.

Montemayor has run 86 times for 513 yards and six touchdowns. Others carrying the ball this year are Davis, Schuster, Brad Buchner, Matt Brown, Braden Endecott, Hernandez, Brandon Hayes and Chris Sparks.

Oct. 14, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

GENOA - It was Senior Night at Genoa-Kingston High School and the Cogs celebrated on Oct. 10 by rallying from a 28-15 deficit to edge North Boone, 37-28.

G-K improved to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the Big Northern Conference East, while the Vikings (4-3, 2-3) saw the road to the playoffs become that much more difficult to travel.

They need to win one of their final two games to become playoff eligible. While both contests are at home, they're against two tough customers: Richmond-Burton Friday night (Oct. 17) and improved Marengo on Oct. 24.

North Boone scored with its second possession against the Cogs, a 20-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Davis to wideout Kendrick Junod at the 2:10 mark. Alec Guevara kicked the extra point to make it 7-0.

Genoa-Kingston took the ensuing kickoff and marched 63 yards for the tying touchdown, then added a two-point conversion to lead, 8-7, with 10:18 left in the second quarter.

The lead changed hands again thanks to a defensive effort by North Boone. Matt Zelek forced a fumble that was recovered by Jack Zwart and returned 61 yards for the go-ahead score. Guevara's PAT made it 14-8 with 5:18 left in the half.

A two-score swing late in the quarter hurt the Vikings.

They had driven to the Cog 24 when a pass interception and 76 yard return for a touchdown with 34.5 seconds remaining gave the hosts a 15-14 lead at intermission.

But that advantage didn't last long as North Boone capitalized on a fumbled punt, recovering at the G-K 17 early in the third quarter. On the first play tailback Nate Montemayor was trapped in the backfield but cut to his right, got outside and hustled down the sideline for the touchdown. The PAT gave the visitors a 21-15 lead with 10:14 left.

The Vikings added another TD to their lead less than two minutes later. Brandon Briggs recovered a fumble and returned it 11 yards for the score. Another Guevara PAT upped the margin to 28-15.

That was all the points North Boone could muster, however, while the Cogs scored 22 unanswered points to win. Pass interceptions led to two of the touchdowns, with 42 seconds left in the third quarter and at 6:48 of the fourth. It was 30-28 Genoa-Kingston when they added a late TD, with just 1:13 left in the game, to account for the 37-28 finale.

Davis was 12-for-28 passing for 144 yards and one touchdown; Montemayor led the ground attack with 14 carries for 85 yards and the one score. Griffin Schuster caught seven passes for 71 yards; Junod had five receptions for 26 yards and one TD.

In the opening game, the Cogs (7-0) handed North Boone's sophomores (4-2-1) their second loss of the season, 54-14. Viking touchdowns came on a 57-yard pass down the left sideline from quarterback Steven Smock to wideout Max Zwart and a 73-yard kickoff return by Ryan Skinner.

Other Viking sports

In boys' soccer, North Boone took a 2-0 first half lead, then settled for a 2-2 tie with visiting Richmond-Burton. Alec Guevara and Luis Huerta had the Viking goals.

More recently, the Vikings dropped a 4-3 overtime test to Christian Life. They led 2-0 after the first half, then saw the Royals come back to tie it at 3-3 and force overtime.  After two scoreless 10-minute periods, Christian Life prevailed 4-3 on penalty kicks for the win. Huerta had two goals in that game while Eddie Pienedo scored one.

Earlier, Marengo rallied from a 2-1 first half deficit to defeat North Boone, 8-3. Huerta scored twice for the Vikings while Eliot Uanos recorded his first goal of the season.

North Boone's varsity volleyball team took on Burlington Central last week and lost, 25-10, 25-12. The Lady Viking sophomores fell, 25-15, 25-15, while the freshmen also were defeated, 25-20, 25-14.

Oct. 8, 2014

By Bob Kopp

Special correspondent

Touted by Head Coach Chuck Leonard in pre-season as "a big hitter" and senior standout Jake Konaszewski as "one of the best safeties I've ever seen," the return of junior Eric Munoz for his first full game in the season spelled defeat for the visiting Guilford Vikings as he rolled over defenders from the backfield and joined Konaszewski's brilliant defensive performance in re-establishing the Bucs as a playoff contender in a bruising 43-14 beat-down of the visitors.

With Coach Leonard orchestrating an aggressive, innovative, and diversified game plan and making brilliant adjustments after Guilford's effortless opening drive seized a brief lead, the Bucs defense completely shut down the Vikings and dipped into its multi-talented arsenal of explosive offensive weapons with senior quarterback Colton Bahling's leadership, running, and passing continuing to attract attention as one of the top players and prospects in the NIC-10. 

League-leading receiver junior Bryar Gunn was at it again, baffling defenders with his sure hands and shifty moves, as junior Justin Robles made big plays all night on both sides of the line.

So many Bucs stepped up that the whole roster and coaching staff deserve credit for a critical win as the season moves into its second half.

Despite injuries to key performers junior Dayquan Coleman and senior Ron Paris, the Bucs overcame their hiccup against Harlem and confirmed this column's prognostication last week: "The Bucs still have a theoretical opportunity to turn around a disappointing season.  Now that the smallest school in the conference is at full strength, the usually explosive passing attack and tenacious defense can still make a run at the playoffs...I sense the Bucs will be a formidable foe to the finish of the season."

While the Bucs still aren't at full strength with the injuries of Coleman and Paris, the coaches and players of the smallest school in the conference seem determined and ready to take on all comers with precision, passion, and Buc pride.

Their quest continues on Friday in Freeport where the dangerous McShane brothers and feisty Pretzels hope to spoil renewed expectations.

It's a long ride on Route 20 to Freeport; but the season has been a long ride for the overcoming Bucs who are picking up speed and will reward fans who have faithfully traveled this year's trip with them.

Oct. 1, 2014

BELVIDERE – Belvidere North Blue Thunder dominated in their 40-10 homecoming football victory against the Guilford Vikings on Sept. 26. The Blue Thunder’s offense started strong and stayed strong throughout the game. With the victory, the Blue Thunder improved their record to 4-1.

Belvidere started the game with the ball on the 38 yard line and Jace Bankford immediately connected with Travis Dworszynski with a nine yard pass. That was immediately followed by a handoff to Jared Cantu who ran right and finding open real estate sprinted 43 yards to the end zone.

This set the stage for the rest of the night which made Guilford defenseless against the Blue Thunder’s running and passing game.

“This victory means everything, it is a great win,” Belvidere North quarterback Jace Bankford said. “With our offense, we could move the ball well.”

“Our offensive line did a fantastic job throughout the whole game,” running back Jared Cantu agreed. “They deserve all the credit.”

Belvidere head coach Jeff Beck joined Bankford and Cantu in praising the team’s offense. “I think our offensive line did a great job tonight. I want to give credit to Brian Bello, Brad Fuller, Jake Rodgers and Justin Rosendahl,” Beck said. “Those guys did a great job.

With the homecoming game on the line, Beck helped keep the team focused and prepared for the week. “We had to keep the kids grounded and focused on the game this week. We asked them to put their teammates and the team first before their selfish interests,” Beck said. “You can easily get pulled in a lot of different directions.”

Before the game, Beck told the team that even with their 3-1 record, they still needed to earn respect. During halftime, he cautioned the team from getting too comfortable as he reminded the team that Guilford has some large explosive players who could suddenly take control of the game.

The team will travel to Freeport on Friday to face the Pretzels.

Sept. 28, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

BELVIDERE – The Lady Blue Thunder beat Jefferson 2-1 at home on Sept 23 in a match that could have gone either way. With the win, the Lady Blue Thunder improved their record to 13-4 overall and 6-1 (conference).

Despite their 3-3 conference record coming into the match, the Lady J-Hawks proved themselves to be a tough competitor and dominated the first game. Both teams were equally matched in the following two games with neither side wresting full control and going on scoring runs.

The Lady J-Hawks won the first game 12-25.  The Blue Thunder won each of the next two games 25-23. Nearly every point in the match was hard fought by each team.  If there were ever any doubt why the sport is named volleyball, all doubt was removed during the match in which the Lady Blue Thunder and the Lady J-Hawks routinely volleyed the ball back and forth four or more times and passed the ball between teammates.

Maddie Geddes led the Lady Blue Thunder with 16 assists and 3 digs. Brianna Thounsavath was a key factor in contributing to the Lady Blue Thunder’s win with 18 digs. Maria Moscato proved herself to be in the right spot at the right time with 7 kills and 11 digs. Baily Carlton contributed with 8 assists and 4 kills. Jordan Neiber helped the Lady Blue Thunder come from behind during the match with 10 kills.

The Lady Blue Thunder JV team improved their conference record to 6-1 and decisively won their match in two, 25-13 and 25-16. The freshman team  is undefeated in conference play and showed the strength in the future of the Belvidere North program in their 25-7 and 25-12 victory.

The Lady Blue Thunder will face Boylan at home on Monday night.

Sept. 25, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

BELVIDERE – The Blue Thunder returned home to trounce the Harlem Huskies 48-22 on Sept. 19 in their warm-up to homecoming. The Blue Thunder improved their record to 2-1.

The Blue Thunder came to the game after a close heart-breaking loss the previous week against Hononegah to face an over-confident 3-0 Harlem team who had obliterated Boylan 54-13 the previous week.

The Blue Thunder proved they came ready to play.

After ending the first quarter in a 7-7 tie, the Blue Thunder opened full throttle in the second quarter shutting down the Huskies offense and putting up 24 points in the second quarter. The Blue Thunder ended the first half with a 31-7 lead.

The Blue Thunder continued to dominate in the third quarter, outpacing the Indians 17 – 8.  With the game fairly well decided in the fourth quarter, the Indians continued to play hard and added 7 in the fourth quarter.

The Blue Thunder will face the Guilford Vikings during the Homecoming game.

Sept. 24, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

POPLAR GROVE - Johnsburg jumped off to a quick 20-0 lead Friday night (Sept. 19), then fought off a North Boone rally to put a damper on homecoming festivities, 35-21.

Meanwhile, the Vikings' sophomore team improved to 2-1-1 in the opening game by rallying from a 22-6 deficit to win a thriller, 34-30.

In the varsity bout the visiting Skyhawks (2-2, 2-0) scored the first three times they had the ball to lead by three touchdowns early in the second quarter.

North Boone (2-2, 0-2) started its comeback at that point, driving 85 yards in seven plays. The march was led by the passing and running of junior quarterback Ryan Davis. He completed a 49-yard pass to Cesar Hernandez, then ran to the Johnsburg five-yard line, then teamed with another quarterback, Griffin Schuster, on a touchdown with 8:10 left until halftime. Alec Guevara kicked the extra point to make it a 20-7 game.

Things looked even brighter for the Vikings moments later when Kendrick Junod fell on a Skyhawk fumble at the visitors' 32. But the Vikings lost a fumble moments later at the 15.

North Boone continued its comeback to open the third quarter, with a 70-yard scoring drive. Once again it was Davis and Schuster on a TD pass, with Schuster making the catch in the middle of two Johnsburg defenders, at the 7:35 mark. The PAT kick decreased the margin to 20-14.

It didn't take Johnsburg long to retaliate, though, as they scored in just four plays. The successful two-point conversion made it a two-score game, 28-14 with 5:50 left in the period.

Early in the fourth quarter, with Schuster at the controls, the Vikings drove 63 yards to pull within 28-21 on Nate Montemayor's nine-yard scoring run around end at the 10:45 mark.

But Johnsburg once again countered, this time with a 61-yard march that consumed more than four minutes and put them in command, 35-21.

Davis was 18-of-22 passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Schuster went 2-for-5 for 12 yards. Hernandez was their favorite target, catching seven passes for 124 yards. Schuster, who played wide out with Davis at quarterback, caught five balls for 29 yards and two scores.

Montemayor led the ground attack with nine carries for 29 yards and the big touchdown that got his team back in the game.

Victories are becoming more precious as the Vikings get ready for their first of three consecutive road games Friday night (Sept. 26) at Rockford Christian, which also is 0-2 in Big Northern Conference East competition. North Boone will have to win three of its remaining five games to become playoff eligible.

Sophomores win

Long passes down either sideline have long been a staple of the North Boone passing attack. And it came into play with the brother of Dylan Corson, one of the fleet receivers in the Vikings' recent past, showing the same kind of speed.

Freshman Hayden Corson first caught a 44-yard scoring pass from quarterback Steven Smock, which put the Vikings within striking distance at 22-6 with 1:18 left in the first half.

Smock hit Corson in stride down the middle of the field at 8:21 of the third quarter and the pass-run was good for a 51-yard touchdown. It was a 22-20 game three minutes later, after Brandon Anderson recovered a Johnsburg fumble at the North Boone 23. On the second play Smock threw another 77-yard TD pass, this one to Max Zwart.  

Johnsburg regained the lead, 30-20, on its next possession only to see the Smock-Corson tandem strike for the third time. The 77-yard scoring pass was down the right sideline and coupled with a successful two-point conversion sliced the deficit to 30-28.

North Boone's defense stopped the Skyhawks on their next possession and sacked the punter at the visitors' 14-yard line. Zwart was at quarterback and he threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Ryan Skinner for the 34-30 lead with 7:13 left in the game.

Johnsburg threatened to regain the lead in the closing moments. But Mike Rivera came up with a huge pass interception to kill that threat at the Viking 13 with 13 seconds remaining

Sept. 17, 2014

By Bob Kopp

Correspondent

With less than 90 seconds to go and behind 28-13 (final score), the Bucs battled as if the outcome were still in doubt with starters remaining on the field; using three successive time-outs and even spiking the ball for a shot at one last score as the clock ticked down.

Mirroring the sophomores’ loss to the Knights earlier in the evening (44-26), the spunky Bucs did not match up well with the bigger and faster Auburn.  With rain pouring down for the third week in a row and soggy field inhibiting cuts and altering routes on countless plays, the increasingly noticed aerial combinations of steady yet explosive quarterback Colton Bahling to Bryar Gunn and Dayquan Coleman didn't get rolling until the game's outcome lacked suspense.

An early turnover resulting in a 90-yard bolt to the end zone by Asaphyon Sledge gave the Knights a comfortable 13-0 halftime lead that proved insurmountable in such weather conditions.

Knight sophomore Vederian Lowe who has already been offered a full ride to Illinois and has attracted the attention of national powerhouses was an immovable force throughout the evening; pushing the line forward for Auburn on almost every play and never leaving his feet.

Along with a plethora of penalties against the Knights with two negating scores, Buc junior Tyler Bruneau made several key stops at critical junctures that kept the game close.

Traveling to Hononegah and Harlem, both recent victors over previously invincible Boylan, over the next two Friday nights, the Bucs will need their "Never Quit!' attitude being short-handed with injuries to key players and two of the NIC-10's most hard-hitting and celebrated defenders still unavailable.

As the last 90 seconds on Friday night proved against pre-season favorite Auburn, the Bucs never fall short in spirit.

Sept. 14, 2014

POPLAR GROVE – The North Boone Vikings continued their winning streak and dominated early in the game in their 36-21 victory against the Oregon Hawks on Sept. 5.

QB Ryan Davis connected with receivers on 14 of 16 attempts for a total of 196 yards gained and resulted in two touchdowns.

The Vikings scored midway through the first quarter with a 7 yard run by Brad Buchner into the endzone.  Alec Guevarra connected with the extra point kick.

The Hawks rebounded with 11 minutes to go in the first half with a three yard jaunt by Garrett Rude into the endzone. For the night, Rude ran for a total of 94 yards.

With 7:50 remaining in the second quarter, The Vikings responded when Davis threw a 21 yard pass to Griffin Schuster for the TD. With 3:38 remaining in the half, Nate Montemayor ran 54 yards to add 7. The Hawks rallied with 17 seconds remaining in the first half with a 9 yard pass from QB Jerrick Orsted to Josh Cook to end the first half with a score of 21-13, Vikings.

In the third quarter, the Vikings scored when Davis connected with Schuster on a 17 yard pass play. Schuster to Jack Zwart made good on the two point conversion. For the night, Schuster had 101 receiving yards including the two touchdowns.

The Vikings opened the fourth quarter by scoring on a 50 yard pass play from Davis to Cesar Hernandez. Guevara connected with the kick for the extra poiont. On two plays for the night, Hernandez had a total of 59 receiving yards. 

The Hawks crossed the goal line with 5:29 remaining in the fourth quarter with a second short run by Rude. The Hawks were able to mae the two point conversion.

The Vikings will face Johnsburg at home on Sept. 19 for their homecoming game.

Sept. 10, 2014

By Bob Kopp

Correspondent

History repeated itself on a damp Friday night at legendary Funderburg Stadium as the Bucs bounced back from last week's loss to win.

While Hononegah ended Boylan's intimidating 75 winning streak in the NIC-10 on the Titans' hallowed turf (35-34), the Bucs maintained their mastery over Jefferson (41-0) with dazzling offense, staunch defense, and a total team effort that resurrected the post-season hopes of the dedicated players, coaches, and fans who were not daunted by the soggy conditions after downpours that punctuated the sophomores equally dominating 34-0 triumph.

Extending their streak to 17 wins in a row over the J-Hawks, Head Coach Chuck Leonard and his staff put together a game plan after an obviously on target scrutiny of the Guilford-Jefferson game the previous week that hinted at the resurgence of an opponent not to be taken lightly; and the Bucs responded by overwhelming them in every aspect of the game.

Running with passion and passing with precision, senior captain Colton Bahling, who is sure to attract interest for the next level as one of the area's top quarterbacks and athletic performers, set the triumphant tone with the continued emergence of junior wide out Bryar Gunn as a possession receiver with hints of breakaway potential, tough and explosive scampers by senior Jake Konaszewski, and versatility of junior Dayquan Coleman.

The defense, still not at full strength as two of the NIC-10's top players remain unavailable, never broke because it never bent.  The J-Hawks could not muster one scoring threat even when the starters were rotated and rested.

Facing a stern test this coming Friday (9/12), as a pre-season favorite Auburn Knights roll into town after getting hammered by Boylan and beaten handily by Belvidere North, the Bucs appear to have overcome the jitters of their disappointing season opener.

Friday's performance by the Bucs brings an old adage to mind: "Disappointments and tough times don't build character.  They expose them!"

The players, coaches, and fans bounced back in the characteristic fashion of Buc pride.

Sept. 4, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

POPLAR GROVE - North Boone surprised Clinton, Wis., Friday night and as a result won its 2014 season-opening football game, 22-12.

Clinton head coach Jeff Spiwak gave North Boone head coach Aaron Sullivan credit for using a formation they had not seen and, therefore, didn't practice against in the week before the game.

The surprise? A potent running game.

The Vikings have been known in recent years as a passing team, with the likes of Alex Albrecht, Austin Baden and Nathan Bodey at the controls. With junior Ryan Davis the heir apparent this season, there was no reason to think that strategy would change.

But change it did. Davis and quarterback Griffin Schuster, tailbacks Nate Montemayor and Braden Endicott and fullback Brad Buchner combined to carry the ball 47 times, for 240 yards, and all three of their team's touchdowns.

Passing, they were 2-for-7 for 21 yards.

"That was a great team effort," Coach Sullivan said afterward. "They ran hard and blocked for each other." And don't forget breaking tackles, especially Montemayor and Buchner, who had the will not to be stopped.

This game had some drama, aside from the evolving rivalry between the two border teams.

There was a one hour and 15-minute lightning delay, from 8:30 until 9:45 p.m.

Two "targeting" penalties were assessed to Clinton, for initiating helmet-to-helmet contact with Viking running backs. That brought cries from North Boone fans for the offenders to be ejected from the game and prompted high school principal Jake Hubert to act. He first called for order among the Viking faithful, then walked to Clinton's side of the field and asked for the same thing.

Take early lead

North Boone scored two of the four times it had the ball in the first half to lead, 15-0.

Buchner capped a 43-yard drive late in the first quarter with a five-yard run, Schuster and the two-point conversion and it was 8-0.

After another defensive stand, the Vikings put together a 14 play, 89-yard march, everyone a running play, to score. Schuster snuck into the end zone from the one; junior Alec Guevara kicked the extra point and it was 15-0 at the 3:26 mark.

Clinton had the ball five times in the first half and only threatened once. Led by the running of senior quarterback Derek Severson and senior tailback Connor Campbell, the Cougars took the opening kickoff and marched to the home 13. There, a dropped pass, an incompletion and an overthrow in the end zone turned the ball over to the Vikings.

The lightning delay seemed to have rejuvenated the Vikings. Yet another junior, Cesar Hernandez, returned the third quarter-opening kickoff 39 yards to set up his team at the Clinton 40. Four plays later Montemayor hit the middle of the line, bounced right and finished the six-yard run to pay dirt. Another PAT kick made it 22-0 with 10:09 left in the period.

Clinton returned the favor less than two minutes later with a 65-yard drive that featured a 48-yard scoring run around left end by sophomore Jordan Jones. Brandon Briggs blocked the extra point kick, leaving the difference at 22-6.

North Boone appeared ready to put the game out of reach late in the third quarter when it marched to the Cougar four-yard line. But Clinton recovered a fumble and used the takeaway to fuel a 96-yard scoring drive. Severson capped the 17-play drive with a one-yard TD. But the two-point conversion pass fell incomplete, leaving it a two-score game, 22-12.

North Boone will be home again Friday night (Sept. 5) for another non-conference game, against Oregon. On Sept. 12, the Vikings will open Big Northern Conference East action at Burlington Central.

Meanwhile, the Cougars (1-1) are facing the challenge offered by their coach, who told them they already were at a crossroads in their season. He said the way they played in the first half was unacceptable.

Statistically, Montemayor led North Boone with 25 carries for 131 yards. Schuster ran for 65 yards; Buchner, 30 yards; Endicott, 12 yards; and Davis, two yards.

Severson paced Clinton's equally strong ground attack with 28 carries for 137 yards.

In Friday's first game Clinton's sophomores rallied from an early 12-0 deficit to defeat North Boone, 34-18. 

Sept. 3, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

ROCKFORD – The Belvidere North Blue Thunder boys’ golf team were outmatched against the Boylan Titans on Aug. 27. The Boylan varsity team had a combined score of 149 to the Blue Thunder’s 178.

“Boylan is a great team. They are defend conference and state champs,” varsity coach Alan McCormick said. “149 is an outstanding total for a high school team, it is tough to beat anybody who shoot that low.”

The Titans were led by Kyle Slattery who shot a 35 on the par 37 course at Sinnissippi Golf Course. Harrison Englebrecht was on Slattery’s heels with a 36. Just over par was Adam Eckberg. Rounding out the top for the Titans was Max Marsili who shot a 40.

The Blue Thunder were tightly grouped. Josh Cassaro shot a 42, Cam Batson 40; Travis Hursh 45; and Tyler Arnold 48.

“We have a young team and we need to learn how to compete at a high level every day,” McCormick said.  “We will take this experience and learn from it.

The Blue Thunder will face the Belvidere Bucs and North Boone Vikings on Sept. 2 at Swan Hills Golf Course at 4 p.m.

June 8, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

MACHESNEY PARK - Summer softball has returned for a second season for the Belvidere Buzz.

This year it's girls 16 and under playing weekdays in a league at Harlem Community Center and some weekends in the more competitive world of travel ball.

But they're not exactly walking away with top honors in the HCC league. Not yet, anyway.

They've played three games in the five-team league and are 2-1 so far. They opened May 31 with a 17-5 win, and then succumbed 17-16 as their opponent scored three times in the last inning.

Tuesday they were on the field again and after trailing early opened up a 10-4 lead over a different opponent, before holding on to win, 10-8.

Teams in the HCC league go by the last names of their coaches. In Belvidere's case it's O'Donnell, for Mike O'Donnell. The most recent opponent was Frazier, as in another Mike, Mike Frazier, consisting mostly of Harlem girls.

Frazier came to play and jumped off to a 3-0 lead after the first inning and a half. But O'Donnell, make that the Buzz, came right back with three in its half of the second.

Belvidere bats weren't cranking right away as the three runs came on three walks and a strikeout/passed ball combination.

Lily Czechowicz, one of the mainstay players on the first-ever Buzz team last year, started things by reaching base on an error. Julie O'Donnell walked, then Bailey Kroos struck out but reached base when the ball escaped the catcher. Czechowicz also scored on the latter play to narrow the deficit to 3-1;

Two more wild pitches made it a 3-3 game.

A 4-run third

Belvidere started pulling away in the third by scoring four runs.

After Karli Tillema was safe on an error Czechowicz collected the first Buzz hit, a single. O'Donnell followed by rifling two-run single into right-center field. An illegal pitch and an error on Kroos' grounder produced a 7-3 lead.

Frazier got one run back in the top of the fourth but Belvidere tacked on three moments later. Starting and winning pitcher Jordan Andrews got the big hit of that inning, a two-run triple over the center fielder's head. The other run scored when O'Donnell was safe on an error, as she reached base for the third time that night.

After Frazier made it a game with a four-run sixth action was curtailed by the two-hour time limit.

The Buzz was sparked this time by the middle of the lineup. Czechowicz, O'Donnell and Kroos each was perfect, getting on base three times, scoring seven runs and collecting five RBIs.

Defensively, Kroos had a standout game at third base/ She combined with first baseman Tillema on a double play in the third inning and robbed a Frazier batter of a hit when she speared her line drive in the fifth.

Coach Mike O'Donnell was pleased with the game and remarked at the difference between his first and second teams. They've gone from little experience to everyone having played at the high school level, either for Belvidere or Belvidere North High School. Now they're teammates, if only for a little while

The Buzz will be back in action June 12 against Brassfield, which knocked them from the HCC fall league playoffs last year. 

June 3, 2014

ROCKFORD - The NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) national office announced the 2014 Dudley NJCAA Softball Players of the Year this week and Rock Valley College’s Amanda Blankenship has earned NJCAA Division III Pitcher of the Year honors.

Blankenship, a sophomore from Belvidere North High School, was essentially unhittable in the national tournament en route to winning NJCAA tournament MVP and Pitcher of the Tournament. She picked up all four wins in the Golden Eagles’ run to the national championship, going 4-0 in three starts with a 0.30 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings pitched.

Blankenship was one of only four pitchers in the DIII ranks to win at least 20 games as she went 21-5 with a 1.97 ERA in 34 games, while striking out 241 hitters (second most in the nation) in 181 innings pitched. She was 8-0 in conference play with a 1.38 ERA in 12 games on her way to earning first team All-Conference and N4C MVP honors. Her other honors this season include first team NJCAA All-American, first team All-Region for NJCAA Region IV, and NJCAA Division III Pitcher of the Week for back-to-back weeks in April.

The NJCAA national office also released the winners of the 2014 NJCAA Softball Marucci Elite Hitter awards. The awards are presented to the All-America nominee from each district with the highest batting average and Rock Valley College’s Danielle Walker received the honor for NJCAA Division III, District G.

Walker, a sophomore short stop from Rockford Guilford High School, finished the season with a .503 batting average, collecting 86 hits in 51 games, including 10 home runs, 82 runs batted in, and 63 runs scored to lead RVC in each of those five categories. She was a first team NJCAA All-American, first team All-Conference, first team All-Region, and was selected to the NJCAA All-tournament Team.

Blankenship and Walker helped propel RVC to its first national championship for softball and a record-setting 42-9 season.

May 21, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

MACHESNEY PARK - Harlem sophomore T.J. Chance was on his game May 14 and unfortunately for the Belvidere North Blue Thunder, they happened to be the opponent at the time.

Chance struck out 17 batters and overcame a rough first inning in a 3-1 conference victory.

"It just happened," he said of the near-record performance. "I just felt I could throw strikes whenever I wanted to."

North led 1-0, helped by a Chance throwing error in the top of the first inning. He tried to pick Brandon Streed off first base but the ball got past Dwayne Douglas and rolled well away from the bag. Streed made it to third base and scored moments later on a single to left by Hunter Blake.

Blake pretty well solved Chance, going 2-for-3 with the RBI single and a third-inning double over the left-fielder's head. But he was stranded as the next batter struck out to end the inning.

North's only other hit, a single, came from Jerald Barrett in the seventh inning.

Luke Mitchell pitched well for the Blue Thunder and was deserving of a better fate.

Harlem scored two of its runs in the fourth inning on a couple of dribblers down the third base line and a soft line drive that fell into shallow left field for a two-run single.

North third baseman Alec Rueff was victimized by those scratch hits, but he saved a run in the third inning. With a runner on third he moved quickly to his left and stabbed a line drive off the bat of Tyler Born.

Chance helped himself by singling with two out in the fifth. Pinch runner Cody Paholski stole second and went to third when the catcher's errant throw continued into center field and scored on a wild pitch.

Harlem was kept off the scoreboard in the first inning when, with a runner on third base, Born's fly ball to right-fielder Blake was caught and immediately fired back to the infield before Brock Soter could advance.

May 20, 2014

By Nick Brooks

Reporter

SYCAMORE-Timely hitting and solid pitching helped Belvidere North defeat the Sycamore Spartans 11-4. North scored seven of their runs in the second inning and that helped starting pitcher Bailey Neiber get into a rhythm and pitch a complete game.

Not only did Neiber pitch a complete game she also had three singles and one double. One of those singles started the North rally in the second inning. Leah Gorham drew a walk and Brenna Reiche’s would reach base to load the bases. Hannah Tauscher was hit by a pitch to force in the first run of the game. Jordan Neiber cashed in the second run with an RBI single. With the bases still loaded Rachael Kirane drew another walk extending the North lead 3-0. Haley Solberg got her chance and she would help by doubling and adding two more runs. North would not stop the scoring parade as Nikki Ganze’s single drove in two more runs making the score 7-0.

Sycamore tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the second with a lead-off homerun but that is all they would get. Neiber sat down the next three consecutive batters.

“I told them the next inning after we score is the most important inning” said Belvidere North head coach Howard Winne. “Come out play good defense and limit any kind of runs scored that inning.”

Limit is exactly what Belvidere North did the whole game. They extended their lead to 9-1 in the fourth inning off the bats of Neiber and Sarah Brumett. In Sycamore’s half of the inning they led off with a single and triple. They cut the lead down to seven runs but that was all they would get.

“I didn’t have much location today, but we played together and had fun” said Neiber.

North added another run in the fifth and seventh inning and Sycamore scored in the fifth inning as well as the sixth. This turned out to be a trend for both teams. One would score and the other would answer but North’s seven in the second inning ultimately was enough.

“We played well, hit the ball well and played good defense and we have played well the last couple of games” said Winne.

With the win Belvidere North improves to 12-8 and Sycamore falls to 5-16.

May 18, 2014

By Nick Brooks

Reporter  

BELVIDERE - At the beginning of the season Belvidere North was uncertain of how their season would unfold. They lost key players to graduation but they have found a way to come together as the season has progressed. North proved that again as they defeated Rockford East in convincing fashion 2-0.

Belvidere North had multiple chances to score in the first half as the passing was crisp, but the shots were not finding the back of the goal. East was equally up to the challenge in the first half but they would not score against the North defense. After the first thirty-five minutes Belvidere North took a 1-0 advantage with 4:23 remaining. Jesenia Rivera scored the goal and Taylor Martocci was credited with the assist.

“It’s always difficult to play in the wind either with or against it. I thought we moved the ball well again and we missed opportunities but again that’s timing. Timing is due to experience and coming together and hopefully by regionals we are more efficient in the front third” said Belvidere North head coach Sean Norton. “Outside of that, defensively and midfield our positioning was much better so we were better able to handle situations.”

The windy conditions were a factor in the game but that did not stop the North attack as they would score again in the second half. Taylor Martocci would score her first goal of the game with 19:53 remaining in the second half. East had their own opportunities to score but in the end they came up short as time expired.

“I thought we did pretty well as a team. Our movement and our communication were way better from the drills we have been doing at practice” said Belvidere North midfielder Rivera.

With the victory Belvidere North improves to 7-8-1 and the team is looking forward to the playoffs.

“If we play to the level we are capable of then we have every chance of winning,” said Norton. “There are some very good teams in our regional but I do feel that we have a chance if we play like we can.”

May 15, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

BELVIDERE – The Blue Thunder came ready to play in the cross town classic against the Bucs on May 8. The Blue Thunder played as though they had the home field advantage in their 13-3 victory at BHS.

The Blue Thunder got on the scoreboard early with a two run homerun by Luke Mitchell. Mitchell rounded the bases with Hunter Black who had reached first on a fielder’s choice.

The top of the third started with a base on balls to Tanner Kehrer. Brandon Streed followed with a single. Mitchell hit another shot over the fence for his second home run of the night.

The Blue Thunder’s William Mancini reached first on a single. He scored on a Jerald Barrett hit. Barrett was thrown out when he attempted to stretch his double to three. Jacob Pawlowski followed with a single. Pawlowski scored when a fielding error on Kehrer’s at bat.

The Blue Thunder’s Ben Kolkmeyer struggled from the circle slightly in the bottom of the third. With two outs, the Buc’s Alec Weber reached first on a single. Kolkmeyer walked the next two successive batters. Eli Bluege hit a single driving in Weber. With the bases loaded, Kolkmeyer regained control and struck out Joey Mahon to retire the side.

The Blue Thunder rally continued in the fourth inning as they tacked on three more in the fourth inning as Blake, Mitchell and Mancini all came across the plate.

The Bucs added two to their tally in the bottom of the fifth inning. Alec Weber got on base with an error. He was brought home by a Doug Palzer triple. Nic Stanger followed with an RBI single. The Blue Thunder ended the inning with a double play.

In the sixth inning, the Blue Thunder’s Jacob Hursch reached first on a single. He was followed by Jared Cantu who drew the walk. Levon Smith hit a triple and drove in Hursch and Cantu.  Cantu was brought home by a Tanner sacrifice fly.

Winning pitcher Kolkmeyer struck out eight and gave up six walks.

“We came out and swung the ball well,” said Blue Thunder head coach Dennis Kehrer. “Everyone did well. Everyone put a ball in play.”

“We knew they were a solid team, Kelly Ellingson said. “Kolkmeyer is one of their better pitchers and he did a nice job. We did not turn the bats and to his credit, he kept throwing strikes and we didn’t hit the ball.”

“If you don’t play defense, don’t pitch don’t hit, you don’t win.”

The Blue Thunder will face East at home on May 15. The Bucs will travel to face Guilford on May 16.

May 14, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

BELVIDERE – In the battle for second place in the NIC-10, the Lady Huskies’ softball team won the battle in their May 7 outing against the Lady Bucs at Belvidere High School. The Lady Huskies capitalized early on five errors by the Lady Bucs in their 10 – 3 victory on May 7.

“We hit well and we pitched well all game. Our defense was really strong,” Lady Husky head coach Jennifer Corwin said. “Olivia she pitched well today and was on top of her game today.”

Dakota Watson got things started in the second inning with a hard hit triple to left center. Watson scored on Ellyn Menke’s at bat. Menke reached second base on a fielding error.

The Lady Bucs’ Hayley Anderson started the second inning by reaching first on a passed ball, followed by a single by the Lady Bucs’ Cheyanne Stowers.  The duo scored on  a throwing error to third hit by Alayna Weber before the Lady Huskies were able to take control of the inning and the game.

The Lady Huskies batted the line up in the third inning and scored four runs in the inning. Kayla Kampmeier got the inning started followed by Ellyn Menke. A passed ball advanced Kampmeier and Menke to second and third base.  Pitcher Olivia Fluehr drove Kampmeier and Menke in on a single to right and advanced to second base on an error. Jazmyne Sherwood drove in Fluehr on a single. Dakota Watson’s double allowed Fluehr to come across the plate.

Kampmeir started the action again in the fourth inning with a single. In a repeat of the third inning, Kampmeier and Menke were both driven in on a Fluehr single. Sherwood hit a single, followed by a Watson double that drove in Fluehr and Sherwood. Kelly Hormig’s single drove in Watson.

In the fifth inning, the Lady Bucs’ attempt to stage a rally saw Mackenzie Hauser drive in Logan DeLarde on a grounder to right field. The rally was cut short by a double play from Fluehr to Guske to Brandon.  The trio executed the same play to end the game in the seventh.

“Today was a little disappointing coming out the way we did. Defense really hurt us. We had 5 errors,” Belvidere head coach Danielle Johnson. We threw two pitchers. Madison started and we threw Payton Ivy. “We just couldn’t pull it through enough tonight to pull it through.”

“I think Harlem did a nice job overall. They came ready to play.

Belvidere is a solid team and they are very young,” Corwin said. “If they keep their heads up they are going to be contenders in a few years.”

May 13, 2014

By Nick Brooks

Reporter

ROCKFORD - Belvidere North scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to secure their tenth win of the season and a win on senior night versus the Guilford Vikings.

It was not an easy game for Belvidere North as Guilford scored one run in the first inning. Guilford added four more runs off a fielding error in the third to give them a 5-2 advantage. Fortunately for Belvidere North, the Vikings would not score any more runs after the third inning as Luke Mitchell came in and pitched a shutout over the next four innings.

Belvidere North answered the Vikings attack in the bottom of the third by executing a suicide squeeze. Austin Hittlaid down a bunt and beat out the throw to first base as Hunter Blake came in and scored the run andcut the deficit to two runs.

"The first couple of innings were pretty rough but then we got into a grove and finished off the game" Belvidere North relief pitcher Luke Mitchell said.

Finish off the game is exactly what Belvidere North did. They rallied off of Mitchell’s pitching performance and breakthrough in the sixth inning and score some runs against Guilford starting pitcher Dalton Kafka.

"It was a very competitive game and obviously it was close the entire time" Guilford Head Coach Adam Lewis said. "In the sixth inning they out executed us just a little bit but I give my guys the credit because they play a good game of baseball and they never gave up and they wanted to win."

Brandon Streed got things started in the sixth inning and lead the inning off with a single. Next up was Jerald Barrett who earned a walk. With runners on first and second Collin McKinney laid down a sacrifice bunt advancing both base runners into scoring position. Belvidere North again executed a suicide squeeze this time by Jared Cantu. Cantu drove in the runner from third and reached first base by beating out the throw. Guilford made an error trying to throw out Barrett who eventually scored and gave Belvidere North a 6-5 advantage.

"Coach Dennis said if I don't get the suicide down then I don't play" Belvidere North outfielder Jared Cantu said.

After the sixth inning comeback was complete Luke Mitchell came in and pitchedthe final inning. Mitchell retired all three batters in a row and gave Belvidere North their tenth win of the year and more importantly a win on senior night.

"It's a good way to send our seniors out by getting a win" Belvidere North Head Coach Dennis Kehrer said. "All of the seniors started the game and we made the adjustments in order to keep the final goal of getting a win."

May 7, 2014

By Shane Smith

Photographer

BELVIDERE- TheCinco de Mayo 5K fun run began in 2005 after a lot of pondering on how to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo.  ALERTA, a Latino group in Belvidere, was the main sponsor for the first five years. Since 2011, the race has been sponsored by Latinos en Progreso (Latinos in Progress).Their main goal is to help Latinos to success in education and close the cultural gap between other cultures and Latinos. 

Both sponsors agreed that the Cinco de Mayo was a misunderstood Mexican holiday and needed to be celebrated in healthier way. Many think that the Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, but it is not. Mexico’s Independence Day is September 15.  The Cinco de Mayo commemorates the triumph of the Mexican people over the French army which was the most powerful army at that time. 

The Cinco de Mayo is the time to celebrate culture and history for Mexicans.  As a proud group of Mexicans they didn’t want this holiday only to be remembered as a day of getting drunk and wearing sombreros. 

The race promotes health, culture, and education.  It is 3.1 miles open to walkers and runners from all levels. It is the perfect race for those who want to run their first 5k race. The course is mostly flat and travels through the beautiful trails of Spencer Park in Belvidere. At the end of the race, there is entertainment with a folkloric Mexican group, music, and door prizes with many unique artesian crafts and other surprises.  The funds raised are to support Latino high school graduates to go to college.  Many of these students will be the first of their family to attend college. 

It is hard to keep a race alive for so many years as there are many local races. In 2005 the inaugural race had 50 runners and the race has grown in popularity during the last 8 years to 170 runners. The race attracts runners from as far away from southern Wisconsin, Chicago area, and the surrounding counties. 

It also attracts elite runners as there is money for the overall winners.  Prize money is awarded to the top three overall male and female runners with prizes of $100, $75 and $50 dollars respectively.  Many of the overall winners come back each year not only for the prize money, but also for the attractive trophies given each year.

The fun just beings there.  Each of the three top winners in their age group get a maraca medal, mustache, and a big sombrero.  At the end of the award ceremony there is the traditional photo with all runners wearing their sombreros and mustaches. 

The scholarships awarded to the Latino high school graduates in the initial years of the race began at $300 dollars but as the race grew in popularity and receive more community support in the form of sponsorships the scholarships awarded in the last couple of years have increased to  $1,000. During the eight years of race existence, it has helped around 15 students, paid for part of their housing, college tuition and other college related expenses. Most of these students have enrolled in different colleges ranging from Rock Valley College to Duke University.

Every year the Belvidere high school counselors distribute the scholarship application. Unfortunately, each year there are only a few applications. Therefore, this year the scholarship availability extended to Winnebago County Latino high school graduates. Interested graduates can request a scholarship application via email at cincodemayo5krace@yahoo.com. 

This year’s top men’s finisher was David Alvares with a time of 19:11.2, and the women’s top runner was Shannon Teunissen with a time of 20:11.

May 1, 2014

By Nick Brooks

Reporter

BELVIDERE-Boylan comes back to defeat Belvidere North 7-1in a crucial NIC-10 conference game.

Ben Kolkmeyer pitched a scoreless first inning for North making way for the offense to get a look at Boylan starting pitcher Will Troia. Hunter Blake would score the first run of the game off the bat of Luke Mitchell to give North a 1-0 lead but that would not last long.

Boylan would quickly erase the one run deficit and score five runs in the second inning. The Titans loaded the bases and errors made by North cost them some opportunities to minimize the damage.

After the first inning Troia was in control and only gave up four hits over seven innings. Troia also recorded zero walks, seven strikeouts and homered in seventh inning to extend the Titan lead 7-1.

“He had complete control of the strike zone, great command of his fastball and he kept our hitters guessing with his off-speed,” Belvidere North Head Coach Dennis Kehrer said. “Will threw a great game and we couldn’t bounce back.”

North would try and mount a comeback but Troia would not allow a comeback on this day. Troia showed his poise as he gave up a lead-off triple to Luke Mitchell in the bottom of the fourth but would then gain control and retire the next three batters to end any hope for a comeback.

“Any time your pitcher goes seven innings and gives up one run, goes 2-4 at the plate and gets a homerun as a coach you can’t find a way to complain about it” said Boylan Head Coach Matt Weber.

With the loss Belvidere North’s record is 7-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference. Boylan improves to 12-5 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

April 30, 2014

 By Nick Brooks

Reporter

BELVIDERE- Belvidere North scores late goal to secure a victory over the Byron Tigers 1-0. With the win Belvidere North improves to 5-5 and Head Coach Sean Norton believes his team has more to show this year and is intrigued about the playoffs.

“We continue to grow and develop which is vital with the state playoffs not that far from now but I’m extremely happy with the girls attitude” said Norton. “Defensively I thought we played well and our decision making has improved dramatically and that is tremendous.”

In the first half it was obvious that Belvidere North would take control of the match as they contained the ball and kept the pressure on the Byron defense. Even though it was a tie going into the half Belvidere North had the momentum and confidence.

“They play a lot more possession than we do and spread the field a lot more” said Byron Head Coach Andy Stavnem. “They played well and we just tried to sustain the pressure but we finally gave in at the end.”

The offense of Belvidere North was too much to handle for Byron as they were finding open passing lanes and making it difficult for Byron to get the ball out of their own zone. Eventually forward Laurel Burke provided all of the offense for Belvidere North as she found the back of the goal with 4:02 remaining in regulation.

“If we actually make the ball do all of the work we can be far more effective than dribbling through people and tonight was a testament to that” said Norton. “When we allowed our teammates to be part of the play we just moved up and down the field and hopefully by the time the playoffs get here we will be at full stride.”

Belvidere North is coming into a zone as the season progresses. Just recently they defeated the Guilford Vikings and now the Byron Tigers to improve their record to 5-5. Coach Norton is a big believer and so is the one who scored the game winner against Byron.

“At the beginning of the season it was really rough” said Laurel Burke. “We have lost a lot of starters from last year so the first couple of games took some time to get use to everyone but now we are a lot better.”

Winning for the Lady Thunder brings confidence and confident play on the field. For now they will look to make improvements and maybe make some noise the rest of the season and in the playoffs.

April 29, 2014

By Nick Brooks

Reporter

Belvidere North had chances to take the lead and win the game but Hononegah would score early and often to win 8-5.

Hononegah would score two runs in the first inning as Chole Howarth and Kristen Cofoid would reach base and eventually score. Belvidere North would come back in the second inning and score two runs by Haley Solberg and Rachael Kirane to tie the game 2-2.

“We didn’t make some plays we normally do make but we still need to make those plays” said Belvidere North Head Coach Howard Winne. “We played well but I think there is more out there.”

The mistakes by Belvidere North players would cost them some runs in the late innings but they would never give up as they would continue to score even though Hononegah would score two more runs in the third inning and one more in the fourth to take a 5-2 lead. Belvidere North would not fade away as they would tally two more runs by Brenna Reiches and Jordan Neiber to make the score 5-4.

“I like the fact that we came back in the late innings and a couple hits here and there we tie it up” said Winne. “A couple errors also cost us two or three runs.”

The late errors in the game would allow Hononegah to score two more runs in the sixth inning making the score 7-4 and that would eventually be enough to hold off Belvidere North.

Both teams would score a late run to make the final score of 8-5. Belvidere North (4-2) falls in their conference opener against Hononegah.

April 27, 2014

 By Shane Smith

Reporter

BELVIDERE - Did you know Belvidere has a lacrosse team? What is lacrosse you ask? Having never watched a lacrosse game before, I was quickly surprised at what a fast moving, high action, contact sport it is. Ten players per team on the field, all carrying sticks called a crosse, or just stick, that has a small webbed netting on the end of it that is used to scoop up and throw a small rubber ball that the game is played with, similar in size to a tennis ball.

Players using their sticks can catch, carry, and pass the ball down the playing field and try to score by shooting the ball into the opponent’s goal. There is some heavy contact and big collisions during play so each player wears a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and gloves. Think of the game as a cross between soccer, hockey, and rugby all balled up into one sport, and you got lacrosse.

For the past five years Dan Canace has headed up a co-op joint program that brings student athletes from both Belvidere and Belvidere North High Schools together to make up their team.

“It’s a growing sport that is more prevalent in the Chicagoland area but is encouraging that some of the NIC-10 schools out west of Chicago are starting to pick up the program.” Canace said.

“Ya know it’s rough, we’re certainly getting better. We got allot of new players that come in that haven’t picked up their sticks before so we’re hoping to develop a feeder program,” Canace said. “We do have a camp running this summer thru Belvidere, which I certainly know and encourage younger guys, athletes, who may not have a spring sport to come out and give it a try.”

“As far as today’s game goes, we had some difficulty putting some in the net. I think our defense was great. We’re also dealing with a couple of injuries right now too, with 2 or 3 of our key starters being out.”

“None the less, I look at it from a positive note, we’re getting better, and I tell the guys to keep their head’s up, and that we’re moving in the right direction.”

Belvidere lost the match against Batavia 9-3.

The next upcoming home games that are played in Funderberg Stadium at Belvidere High School will be held Monday May 5 vs. Montini at 5:30 p.m., and Tuesday May 13 vs. Lake Forest at 4:30 p.m.

April 24, 2014

Nick Brooks

Reporter

BELVIDERE - Belvidere North came into the season with a new team and with a new team comes growing pains. Belvidere North faced off against Harlem and the outcome of a 5-0 loss is not what is expected but game by game improvements are being made.

The Huskies would jump right out of the gate as forward Emily Scott netted the first goal with 19:05 remaining in the first half. Harlem would control the tempo and make it difficult for Belvidere North to advance the ball. Missed opportunities for Belvidere North would also result in great chances for the Huskies.

Taking advantage of the miscues from Belvidere North would be Harlem midfielder Mckaela Schmelzer. Mckaela would finish with two goals and one assist to give the Huskies a 3-0 lead going into the half.

“We did a great job and it was probably our best all around game” said Harlem Head Coach Brad Heidenreich.

“We moved the ball around nice, made good runs, and put our passes together well and pretty much controlled most of the action.”

In the second half of the match Harlem would continue to determine the tempo of the game but Belvidere North showed some resistance against the potent Huskies attack.

“With good adjustment and good communication you can handle those runs as long as everybody is responsible for their spot and when it breaks down good players will take advantage of that” Belvidere North Head Coach Sean Norton said.

Harlem would struggle for the first 34 minutes of second half due to the pressure of Belvidere North but some holes in the Belvidere North defense were exploited. Forward Cora Wessman would score a goal off a well-executed pass by Schmelzer making the score 4-0. Harlem would again score on a penalty kick made by defender Alyssa Tanner.

“We have really matured since the last time we played. We are for more aggressive, we have better movement, better passing, and getting better conceptually which is important for actually learning” said Norton.

This season will be a great learning curve for the Belvidere North soccer team and the time will come as this young team gains experience.

April 23, 2014

By Shane Smith

Reporter

The Belvidere Bucs Boys Varsity Baseball team at home faced off against the Guilford Vikings on Thursday April 17. Five walks and an error cost the Bucs a game that they had ultimately controlled in their 5-8 loss.

Bucs pitching saw Garrett Hyser starting off on the mound for them. He pitched five innings threw three strikeouts, gave up four hits, four runs, and four walks.

Alec Weber came into the game in the sixth inning, pitched two, with three strikeouts and a walk, giving up four hits and four runs.

Guilford’s Matt Weyburg pitched a complete game, having seven strikeouts, a walk, and gave up up nine hits for five runs.

Bucs Joey Mahon was two for three at the plate with a run and a RBI. Jeff Anderson went two for four, Alec Weber was two for four with a double and a run, and Joe Byers went one for three with a run scored.

“Absolutely disappointing, I thought we were in control of the game. Every time we took a lead thou, we walked people, and they scored runs on us,” Buc’s head coach Andrew Walters said.

We get ahead on hitters, and we throw fastballs right over the middle of the plate, you’re going to get beat.”

“We made some errors too that cost us. They weren’t errors on paper but they’re errors. And that cost us the game tonight.”

“We’ll get better, and move on.” Coach Walters added.

Bucs record after this game is 2-4 and they have gone 1-1 in their conference division.

Up next for Bucs Baseball they are at home to take on Auburn at 5:00 pm.

April 22, 2014

 By Nick Brooks

Sports Reporter

Belvidere North comes together and defeats Hononegah 6-5 after being down 4-0 in the first inning.

It was a struggle in the beginning for Belvidere North as Hononegah would strike quickly on the Blue Thunder but Belvidere North Head Coach Dennis Kehrer knew his kids would come back.

“I’m happy with how they battled because in the first inning we had four earned runs and the kids could have folded up shop but they went out and grinded and battled to get a big win” said Kehrer.

After the first inning the Belvidere North pitching staff led by starter Ben Kolkmeyer and reliever Luke Mitchell would surrender one run over the next six innings.

“I felt good and I got into a rhythm and threw well” said Mitchell. “I threw a lot of off speed pitches and not to many fast balls and hit my spots.”

The combination of pitching and hitting would start the comeback for Belvidere North scoring four runs of their own in the second inning. Belvidere North would eventually add two more runs in the fifth inning.

“We started out kind of rocky but after we got the first couple of innings out of the way we started to come together as a team” said Belvidere North shortstop Tanner Kehrer.

Leading the way for Belvidere North was four year starter Tanner Kehrer who reached base on all four at-bats with two singles, two walks and two stolen bases.

With the win Belvidere North improves to 5-1 on the season.

April 13, 2014

By Nick Brooks

Reporter

BELVIDERE - Belvidere North continues to improve even though the results are not showing in the standings. They would face off against Prairie Ridge and the score 5-1 was not the outcome expected, but there are signs of growth and maturity.

In the first half both teams struggled to get into an offensive rhythm as they were containing the ball and closing passing lanes defensively. Strong play by both teams would result in a 0-0 tie at the half.

“The first forty minutes we played extremely well and then mental lapses cost us. Prairie Ridge is a very good team and they move the ball well but we were handling the pressure” said Belvidere North Head Coach Sean Norton.

In the second half the offensive play of Prairie Ridge eventually found a way to score five goals. They would strike quickly scoring three times in the first ten minutes and eventually added two more by the end of the match. Leading the way for Prairie Ridge would be Megan Walsh tallying two goals. Erica Walsh, Erin Ginsberg, and Alexis Peterson would each score a goal of their own.

“It was an all around team effort. Our midfielders did a great job of winning the ball in the middle of the field and finding our forwards. Our forwards just needed to get the one or two goals under their belt and that first goal is always toughest to get” said Prairie Ridge Head Coach JC Brown.

At the end of the day Belvidere North played a strong game but struggled to find a rhythm in the second half. They managed to score a late goal by Laurel Burke with thirty seconds to go and that impressed Norton because he saw that his team did not give up and played hard until the end.

“We are young and we are inexperienced at positions but we do not use that as an excuse. The standards are still held high and we strive to meet those every day” said Norton.This is the fourth game for Belvidere North and they continue to make improvements. Coach Norton believes they will get better by playing together.

April 10, 2014

By Shane Smith

Reporter

BELVIDERE - Belvidere High School was host on Saturday April 5 of a 4-way non-conference Varsity Softball Tournament. Belvidere High, North Boone, Genoa Kingston, and Rochelle High Schools were all part of the double header mini tournament.

In the Round 1 game, and our photo feature was North Boone taking on Belvidere. The Lady Bucs opened the game up early with an infield home run by #5 Logan Delmore. They continued to drive in several more runs over the course of 5 innings ending up with a winning score of 15-2.

”These non-conference games gives us a chance to see what we need to work on in practice and prepare us for our conference,” Belvidere Head Coach Danielle Johnson said. “We start with Boylan on the 14th at home, so we need to be at the top of our game.”“The North Boone game was Madison Gibbons’ first varsity game and win on the mound as a freshman. I thought she did a great job for being her first game. Her team backed her up on defense and came through offensively to get the win.”

Gibbons gave up two earned runs and had nine strike outs for the game.

The Lady Vikings’ Ally Key went 2 for 3 at the plate in the game.

In the other round one game Genoa Kingston played Rochelle with Genoa coming out ahead with the win 7-1.

Round 2, Belvidere played against Genoa Kingston. Belvidere lost that one 3-11.

North Boone took on Rochelle and Rochelle came away with the win 8-2.

Upcoming games for BHS Softball are:

Thur. 4/10 home vs. Kirkland Hiawatha 4:30 p.m.

Mon. 4/14 home vs. Boylan 5 p.m.

Wed. 4/16 away at Harlem 5 p.m.

Upcoming games for North Boone Softball are:

Sat. 4/12 away at Jefferson 11 a.m.

Tue. 4/15 home vs. Rockford Christian 4:30 p.m.

Thur. 4/17 away at Harvard 4:30 p.m.

April 9, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

POPLAR GROVE – The North Boone High School softball team had a difficult home opener on April 3. With temperatures hovering around 37 degrees at game time, the team lost 15-1 against Genoa.

Due to the never ending winter and the conditions of the field, the team only had been outside to practice twice before the home opener.

The team is in a rebuilding year under the direction of Bob Heller. Heller and assistant coach Beth Doetch have successfully coached several travel teams and are bringing their expertise to North Boone. Heller expressed optimism regarding the Lady Vikings. “We have a young team. We have a good group of athletes. I am looking forward to watching them develop as ball players in the next few years.”

Despite the final score, there were several positives to the game. Zoe Osze was a natural at second base. She cleanly fielded several sharply hit balls and was in a good position to field them. “Zoe did a great job for us,” Heller said. “She has good mechanics.”

Madison Morris came in as the relief pitcher in the third inning and was able to keep the Cogs at bay for two innings. “Madison performed very well,” Heller stated. “I expect her to grow into one of the leaders on the team.”

Ally Key’s experience showed in center field. Key’s glove was critical in ending the fourth inning on a sharply hit fly to mid center field. “As the senior on the team, many of the younger athletes look up to Ally for direction and leadership,” Heller said.

The Lady Vikings will travel to Rockford to play Jefferson on April 12.

April 8, 2014

By Shane Smith

Reporter

The Belvidere Lady Bucs Soccer teams hosted their first home matchup of the season against the Jefferson Jayhawks at Funderburg Stadium on Thursday April 3 2014.

The JV team won their match 2-0, while the Varsity team dominated their match with a 6-1 victory.

“First game, first start, you know I thought Jefferson improved immensely, it was good for them. They had a great goalie, and she made some nice saves,” Belvidere head coach Rob Wesselhof said.

“With our team, we’re just starting to mesh together as a team, we have seven new players as we lost about ten seniors from last year, so it’s a young team, we started two freshman tonight who did real well for the team.”

“I thought Brie Perez did a great job at center mid, Ellie Martinez did a great job in the backfield. I thought our outside mid Coral Nava who’s a freshman did a great job too,” Wesselhof added.

Game Scoring - Period 1:

Bel.- Maria Aguliar 36:45, Bel. – Sarah Burmier 14:53, Jef. – Ariana 5:58Period 2:Bel. – Maria Aguliar 32:21, Bel. – Coral Nava 17:21, Bel. – Vanessa Rivera 6:55, Bel. – Breana Buffinie 2:08.

Next up for the Lady Bucs Soccer teams is Thursday April 10th at 6:30 p.m. as they take on Auburn.

April 2, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

LOVES PARK - The last time these two 13 and under arena football teams played North Boone scored a 26-20 victory over the Renegades.

They met again Saturday, March 29, for the 2014 league championship, and this time the Renegades won, by the same score.

And so both teams finished the season with 7-1 records.

North Boone was down, 20-0, at halftime. Head coach Brian Morelock told them at the break to go back to basics and the strategy worked, as the Vikings pulled into a 20-20 tie with 43.2 seconds left to play.

Moments later the Renegades, made up of players from throughout Winnebago County, returned a short kickoff to the North Boone 13-yard line. They ultimately scored, with 18.8 second remaining, on a five-yard touchdown run by Elija Seaberry, an eighth-grader at Lincoln Middle School in Rockford.

North Boone quarterback Britton Morris gave his team a chance when he ran back the kickoff to the Renegade 16 with 13.8 seconds to go. He completed a pass to Ethan Rydell, who reached the 13 at the 3.5-second mark. But on the final play of the game the Renegades Julian Hayne came from the other side of the field to knock down a pass in the end zone.

Hayne, who attends Eisenhower Middle School in Rockford, was a one-man wrecking ball in the first half of the game. But he got off to a slow start, losing a fumble on his team's first possession to Logan Vowell, who recovered at the North Boone 10.

After that, however, Hayne scored three touchdowns and intercepted two passes to help the Renegades post that 20-point intermission lead.

Hayne was held in check for the rest of the game, while the Vikings started their comeback early in the third quarter.

Morris returned the opening kickoff the Renegade 16 and three plays later Mason Svedin scored with 7:31 remaining. The extra point kick was wide left, leaving it a 20-6 game.

After defensive stands by both teams the Renegades threatened to regain the three-touchdown lead. But Hunter Johnson recovered a fumble at the Viking 14 with 6:58 left in the game.

Ethan Rydell played a key role in the ensuing TD drive. He completed a halfback pass to William Perez, then swept left end for the touchdown that brought North Boone to within eight points, 20-12, with 5:04 remaining.

Another defensive hold by the Vikings gave them the ball on their own 17-yard line with 1:00 left to play. Morris completed a pass to Rydell to the Renegade 18. On the next play he scrambled down the left sideline for the tying touchdown with 43.2 seconds to go. Rydell kicked the extra point to make it 20-20.

After the Renegades game-winning touchdown drive, coach Morelock credited his team with coming back after being down by three touchdowns. "We just didn't get it done today," he said. "But that's all right. It gives us fire for next year." 

March 26, 4014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

LOVES PARK - North Boone and Macktown's 13 and under arena football teams played just two weeks ago. The Vikings took a lopsided 38-22 victory.

But they saw a different Macktown team Saturday (March 22), in the first round of the playoffs, and escaped with a 16-8 overtime win.

That put North Boone (7-0) in the championship game at 10:15 this Saturday, against the once-beaten Renegades, at the Victory Sports Center on Alpine Road, next to Sunrise restaurant, in Loves Park.

"They didn't play like a fourth-seeded team," North Boone head coach Brian Moreland said afterward. "They shut down our running game so we're back to the drawing board."

The Vikings took a week off from practice and the eighth-grade members of the team went on a trip to Washington, D.C. And they may have been looking a bit ahead, to a rematch with the Renegades.

Whatever the case, coach Moreland told them after the game that this week they would be working on their intensity.

As opposed to the high-scoring game two weeks ago the playoff opener was a clinic on defense.

It was 0-0 early in the second quarter when Macktown had a touchdown taken away by a holding penalty. Three incomplete passes followed and North Boone took over on downs.

The Vikings scored this time, on a long pass down the left sideline from quarterback Britton Morris to receiver Griffin Morelock with 2:33 left until halftime. Ethan Rydell kicked the extra point for an 8-0 lead.

On the Warriors next series they had a second touchdown called back, again because of holding. But they scored on the next play and added the PAT to make it an 8-8 game with 45.7 seconds remaining.

After holding North Boone in the waning moments of the half the Warriors tried to put more points on the board.. But William Perez intercepted a pass with 5.6 seconds left to keep it an 8-8 game at intermission.

Forcing overtime

Both teams moved the ball in the second half but neither seriously threatened the other's goal line.

North Boone's staunch defense was led by the front six of Mason Svedin, Carter Guest, Hunter Johnson, Logan Vowell, Griffin Morelock and Morris. They were especially effective on Macktown's last possession in regulation play, when a sack by Vowell forced overtime.

In arena football overtime means each team gets the football one time. If they both score or neither scores the game is decided by field goals. But North Boone didn't let it get that far.

The Vikings won the coin toss and immediately drove for a touchdown, primarily on the running of Morris and Svedin. It was Svedin who scored the go-ahead TD on a three-yard run. Rydell toed the PAT for a 16-8 lead.

Afterward, Rydell said he was nervous knowing he had a big kick to make. So he did his best to tune out the opposing team and focus on the kick.

Then North Boone's defense took over, while getting some help from Macktown.

After returning the kickoff to the Viking 17, the Warriors fumbled on the first play but recovered it. Morelock dropped a runner for a one-yard loss, another run didn't gain much and then, on fourth down, Macktown fumbled again to end the game.

The Vikings know a tough battle awaits them on Saturday. The last time they played North Boone handed the Renegades their first loss in several years, 26-20.

March 25, 2014

 By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

LOVES PARK - North Boone's 15 and under arena football team ran up against an all-star-type opponent in the league championship game March 15. And the Renegades, with players from five Rockford-area high schools, prevailed, 34-14, in the third meeting of the season between the two teams.

The Vikings held their own against the Renegades, led by players from Harlem, Guilford, East, Jefferson and Auburn high schools, and only trailed, 16-8, at halftime.

But the Renegades used their speed and an intercepted pass to lead, 28-8, early in the fourth quarter.

Two long touchdown passes accounted for the Renegades scores of the opening half.

North Boone scrambled back after the first bomb with a touchdown pass of its own. Quarterback Brandon Hayes found receiver Kolton Morris wide open down the right sideline for an equalizing TD. Dustin Sell tacked on the extra point to create an 8-8 tie with 2:37 left in the first quarter.

The Renegades bounced right back, however, with their second long scoring pass of the game. The PAT kick made it a 16-8 game with 9:14 remaining until halftime.

A second-down sack by Dale Mailhot and Chase Schmidlin stymied the Renegades' offense after they held North Boone to a three and out on its next series. The Vikings fumbled on their ensuing possession, however, and the Renegades got the ball back with 45 seconds left until intermission. The Vikings held, with a blocked pass by A.J. Izzo being key to the defensive stand.

The Renegades got the ball to start the second half and took advantage of the opportunity, scoring on a nine-yard run with 8:22 left in the third period. The extra point snap was fumbled, leaving the difference at 22-8.

Defenses ruled from that point until early in the fourth quarter when the Renegades intercepted a pass and threw their third touchdown pass of the game to lead, 28-8. Then then they got the ball back moments later, recovering a fumble on the kickoff. Their fourth TD pass made it 34-8 with 2:07 left to play.

North Boone regrouped and scored its second touchdown on a run to the right side by Jayvone Simmons, following a Hayes block, in the waning moments of the game.

Head coach Ben Montemayor was hoping the third time would be the charm for his team against the Renegades. In the final analysis, however, he said, "Things didn't go our way. But that's football. Things happen."

"They played pretty well, all in all," he said. "I'm not disappointed at all; They got to the championship game and I'm proud of them."

The Viking 15Us finished 5-3 for the season, with all three losses at the hands of the Renegades.

North Boone's 13 and under arena team opened the playoffs on March 22 and was hoping to advance to this Saturday's championship game.

March 23, 2014

By Nick Brooks

Reporter

DEKALB - Belvidere North takes steps in the right direction even with a 4-0 loss in their season opener against DeKalb High School. It was a struggle from the beginning as DeKalb would control the tempo of the first half. DeKalb would score first and would not surrender the lead.

“Their field is wider than most and they practice out here and they utilize the width and by being comfortable with playing outside they use their speed on the outside to spread the defense and get backside passes through” Belvidere North Head Coach Sean Norton said.

With precision passing and speed DeKalb forward Morgan Beaty would score two goals of her own to lead the way. Also scoring for DeKalb would be Alexis Hammond and Abby Hicky each scoring a goal.

“We got in a rhythm quicker than they did and as we got into a rhythm it kind of prevented them from getting into one” DeKalb Head Coach Phil Rouse said.

“Tonight the girls stuck to the fundamentals which are to play hard, play together, play smart and have fun. I thought they did all four of those things real well.”

With the loss Belvidere North (0-1) will use this as a learning experience for a young team that lost 13 seniors and an all-conference goalie.

“We are replacing a core that has been around for three years so everybody is pretty much new except three or four players so this is the beginning of us molding and coming together” Norton said.

“There were flashes of what we are capable of. Some repositioning and tweaks here and there and I think we will be okay in the future.”

March 18, 2014

By Shane Smith

Reporter

The 6th Annual Boone County Indoor Track and Field Championship hosted by Belvidere North High School on March 12.

All Three High Schools in Boone County got together on Wednesday and kicked off their Track and Field season with the 6th Annual Boone County Indoor Track and Field Championship hosted at Belvidere North High School.

Both boys teams, freshman / sophomore, and the varsity squads competed in thirteen different track and field events.

Belvidere North dominated most of the competition at the meet. Varsity boys scoring a total of 79 team points, B.H.S. scoring 24 points, and North Boone with 24 points as well.

The freshman / sophomore squads had similar results. Belvidere North Boys came away from the meet with a team total 75 points, B.H.S. with 27, and North Boone with 19.

Lots of school records were broken at the meet starting with Belvidere North’s Todd Berkenpas in the High Jump. Todd broke the school record as well as his personal best jump ever at 6 feet 7 inches.

The Belvidere North Varsity Boys also broke a school record in the 4x1 Lap race with a time of 1:19.7.

Belvidere North’s Ben Nordman shattered the previous school record of 25.8 seconds in the 200 Meter, running a very fast 24.7 seconds.

The Bucs came away with 2 wins for the Varsity Boys in the 55M Hurdles; Yash Mosabji ran a 8.51, and a win in the Pole Vault-Martin.

North Boone had a big win in the Varsity 400 Meters. Daniel Richert won the race with a dramatic come from behind finish.

Meet Results:

Varsity Boys55m Hurdles: (1) BHS-Musabji 8.51, (2) NORTH-Fambro 8.62, (3) NORTH-Swallisch 8.91.

55m Dash: (1) NORTH-Hornick 6.70, (2) NORTH-Dworzynski 6.82, (3) BHS-Soltow 7.07.

Shot Put: (1) NORTH-Hornick 43’3.5”, (2) NORTH- Kissel 42’9.25”, (3) BHS-Hartman 38’8”.

Long Jump: (1) NORTH-Hornick 9’6.75”, (2) NB- Walker 9’5”, (3) NB-Richert 9’3”.

High Jump: (1) NORTH- Berkenpas 6’7” (New Record), (2) BHS-Yerk 6’0”, (3) NB-Walker 5’10”.

Pole Vault: (1) BHS-Martin, (2) NORTH-Olszewski, (3) BHS-Hernandez.

200M: (1) NORTH- Nordman :24.7 (New Record), (2) NB-walker :25.8, (3) NORTH-Young :27.1.

400M: (1) NB-Richert :58.1, (2) NORTH-Shattuck :58.9, (3) BHS-Musabji 1:02.

800M: (1) NORTH-Yunk 2:13, (2) NB-Richert 2:18, (3) NB-Hathcock 2:23.

1600M: (1) NORTH-Graff 5:23, (2) NORTH-Luckow 5:27, (3) NORTH-Oldani 5:39.

4x1 Lap: (1) NORTH 1:19.7 (New Record), (2) NB 1:22.9, (3) BHS 1:26.

4.4x400M: (1) NORTH 3:55, (2) BHS

4:20.4x800: (1) NORTH 9:30.

Coming up next for the Blue Thunder’s Boys Track and Field team is an away meet vs. Rochelle and DeKalb on Saturday March 15th in DeKalb at 9:00 a.m.

The Bucs travels to Hononegah for the NIC 10 Indoor Meet on Wednesday March 19th at 4:00 p.m.

The Vikings Varsity Track heads to Byron on Saturday March 15th, with a 1p.m. start time.

March 16, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

LOVES PARK - In football, offensive and defensive linemen don't get many moments in the sun.

But Saturday, North Boone offensive right tackle Carter Guest caught a key third-quarter pass and recovered two on-side kicks, as his 13 and under arena football team defeated Mackdown, 38-22, in the regular season final for both clubs.

This group of Vikings (6-0) became the first North Boone arena team to finish undefeated. The 13U playoffs will start March 22, with top-seeded North Boone likely to meet first-year Rockford Lutheran; the time has not been determined.

Meanwhile, the team will have an altered practice schedule as it tries to stay sharp for a possible rematch with the Renegades, in the championship game March 29.

But head coach Brian Morelock isn't looking past Lutheran. Knowing full well that upsets happen all the time, he said, "One game at a time."

As for the win over Macktown (2-5), he said, "It was great. Everyone got some playing time. And we used our tight ends a little more."

The Vikings scored on their first two possessions to take a 16-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

It only took them two plays to get the first score, a 14-yard pass from quarterback Britton Morris to wide receiver Logan Vowell at 3:16 of the opening period. Ethan Rydell kicked his first extra point of the game to make it 8-0.

After Macktown missed a field goal, Morris found Griffin Morelock wide opwn down the left sideline for a 22-yard scoring pass with 6:44 remaining in the second period. Another Rydell PAT upped the margin to 16-0.

Mason Svedin recovered a fumble moments later but the Vikings weren't able to score. They didn't misfire on takeaway, however, when Rydell intercepted a pass and returned it to the Warrior four-yard line with just 22 seconds remaining in the half. Rydell was rewarded for his defensive pick and circled right end for the touchdown seven seconds later. The extra point made it 24-0 at intermission.

Macktown regrouped after the break and used four running plays to open the second half to score to narrow the deficit to 24-8 with 7:26 third quarter.The Vikings bounced back with a touchdown of their own, on Rydell's five-yard run three minutes later. The extra point kick was wide left, leaving North Boone up, 30-8.

North Boone's third takeaway of the game, a pass interception by Morris, didn't produce any points. And Macktown did score again, with 7:16 left in the game, to pull within 30-16.

The Warriors tried their first of two unsuccessful on-side kicks, and were denied by Guest on the Macktown side of midfield. On the next play Rydell ran for his third touchdown of the afternoon to restore the three-possession difference, 38-16.

Macktown followed with another touchdown and then failed again with an on-side kick. North Boone ran out most of the remaining time for the victory.

"This is a good group of kids," coach Moreland said afterward. "They've been playing together a long time."

One of the reasons for this year's success, he said, was starting a weight training program. "A personal trainer set up the program for us," he said. "It has made a big difference this year."

March 13, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

POPLAR GROVE - Three years of high school wrestling have produced a 106-7 record, two state championships and one second place finish for North Boone High School's Brandon Briggs.

After a third straight trip to Assembly Hall last month, on the campus of the University of Illinois, he's back in more familiar surroundings with his senior year just around the corner.

There hasn't been much time to take it easy.

"I took Sunday off," he said during an interview at the school. "Then I was back at it on Monday. I get up at 6, am here (school) at 6:30, lift, school, then it's either practice or getting a good workout."He doesn't participate in a spring sport so he's working out on his own.

His schedule will get somewhat hectic during the summer when there's more wrestling, plus getting ready for the 2014 football season, his last one as a Viking. "There's football camp in the morning, then wrestling, which is like a camp," he explained. "I'm looking forward to summer."

Brandon is a starting cornerback for North Boone and was on the playoff team two years ago with older brother, A.J., now a graduate. "Football is good," he said. "I like that, too."

But he's been wrestling since he was in fifth grade. "I watched a high school match when I was younger and told my parents I wanted to give it a try," he recalled. "I liked that it was an individual sport - just you and someone else on the mat."

It turned out to be a good decision. "No regrets," he said. "Not one."

Learning the sport took a while," he said. "I had to work myself up to where I am now. My parents told me I had potential; so did my coaches. I didn't realize it myself until I did it. It's been a lot of hard work, one of the toughest things I've done in my life."

He isn't satisfied with what he's accomplished so far, which includes going undefeated during his sophomore season, while winning a second state championship. "I'm hungry for a third state title," he said flatly. "I want to go out with a bang; I really want that."

Brandon said he's going to focus on getting bigger and stronger, which means moving up one weight class, to 120 pounds. "I don't think 113 (where he wrestled this year) is in the picture," he said.

In addition to his parents, teammates and coaches, he mentioned fellow junior Jack Zwart as a good friend who also has been in his corner. "He came out for wrestling this year and loved it," Brandon said. "He's looking forward to next year."

Jack wrestles at 126 pounds and Brandon said, "Getting him to state next year is our goal."

Team wise, he said the high school will be in its sixth year of wrestling and he's looking forward to seeing the team grow, to see North Boone become a wrestling school.

March 12, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

FREEPORT – The Belvidere Bucs’ 2014 season ended in a heartbreaking overtime finish against the Rockford Lutheran Crusaders on March 7 in Freeport. The Bucs were within reach of bringing the game to a second overtime or victory in their 68 – 71 loss. The Bucs ended the season with a record of 21-10 overall and 10-6 in the conference.

“I am proud of them. It is going to sting awhile but they deserve the recognition because they are great kids,” said Belvidere Bucs head coach Aaron Pearson.

The game was a nail biter throughout the game with each team trading the lead. The Bucs were up by one leading to the halftime break. “During the halftime break, Coach told us the deciding factor was going to be rebounds,” Ryan McKnight said. “A couple of calls here and there, and a couple of rebounds and the regional championship could have been ours.”

“We had some missed opportunities. They won the game on offensive rebounds,” Pearson agreed. “They killed us on the boards.”

“We were down by nine with four and a half minutes remaining. We fought back, fought back, fought back.”Indeed they did fight back. The Bucs were down by four at the end of the first quarter. They responded by holding the Crusaders to 8 points in the second quarter while adding 13 points. In the second quarter, the Bucs kept the pressure on the Crusader’s Nate Wietig to the point that their lead scorer was not able to connect. After a disappointing third quarter which saw the Bucs down by 39 – 48, the Bucs outpaced the Crusaders 20 – 11 in the fourth quarter.

Down by 6 points with 11 seconds remaining in the game, the Bucs got the ball to Colton Bahling who connected with the basket from downtown to bring the game within reach. Bahling who tweaked his ankle the Tuesday before in the playoff game against Freeport, delivered at the opportune time.

The Bucs immediately called for a quick time out to regroup and map out their strategy.

“I knew that Mo was going to look for me. We both looked for each other. Once we made eye contact, I knew he was going to give it to me,” lead scorer Joe Byers said. “Once I got it, I just told myself as soon as you get it just shoot it. It went in.”

Byers’ buzzer beating basket (and say that three times fast), tied the score at 59 and forced the game into overtime. “We fought and forced the overtime,” Maurice Jackson said.The Bucs were down early in overtime as rebounds went the Crusaders’ way and they were able to draw the fouls. The Crusaders scored 12 points in the overtime period including four at the free throw line. The Bucs were held to eight in overtime including one lone free throw.

“They are not the first seed for anything,” Maurice Jackson said. “It was a fun run.”Byers was the Bucs’ lead scorer with 23 points, including 4 field goals from outside the arc. Maurice Jackson was the second lead scorer for the Bucs with 16 points scored on 6 field goals and 3 free throws. Garrett Hyser connected with nine points, including 3 out of 4 at the free throw line.

Following the game, the coach’s and players’ thoughts turned to both the seniors and the future of Belvidere basketball. “I love this group. This senior group changed our program from six wins eight wins to back to back 20 years,” Pearson said.

“The seniors set a high standard for us,” McKnight added.

In the post-game meeting, Pearson told the sophomores and juniors that the off season starts tomorrow. “We have a couple of good classes coming up again,” McKnight said. I am excited about the off season and working every day.”

“I wish best luck to the juniors and sophomores for next year,” Jackson said.

In a display of sportsmanship, the Crusaders reached out to the Bucs several times in friendship and respect. Following their post-game celebration and photo ops, the Crusaders headed as a team towards their locker room. One of the Crusaders began to open the door in the direction of the Bucs’ locker room.

When the Crusader was sternly quizzed by his coach where he was going, the athlete adamantly replied, “I want to say hello to Ryan (McKnight)” who was standing on the other side of the doorway.

As both teams headed towards the buses, many of the athletes from both teams hugged and congratulated each other for a well-played game as they walked out together.

“We know we will be facing Lutheran again next year for the title,” McKnight said.

“We don’t want them to get it again.”

March 11, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

FREEPORT – The Belvidere Bucs kept their play-off dreams alive in their 68-61 victory against the Freeport Pretzels on March 4 in the IHSA Boys’ 3A regional basketball series. The game was decided at the free throw line with the Bucs outpacing the Pretzels 25 – 7.

The Bucs led 17-10 at the end of the first quarter. The Pretzels picked up the pace in the second quarter to close the gap within three. The team went into the mid-game locker room with a narrow 30-27 on the scoreboard. “Coach got into our heads and said to pick it up,” said Maurice Jackson.

The Pretzels were able to close the gap within two with a flurry of field goals from outside the arc. For the night, the Pretzels had 10 field goals for 3 compared to the Buc’s 5. “They were hitting threes,” said Colton Bahling.

“We picked it up during the second half,” Jackson stated. During the second half, the Bucs were able to keep the pressure on the Pretzels and draw the fouls. In the first half, the Pretzels connected with five out of seven field goal attempts from outside the arc. During the second half, the Pretzels were only able to connect for 5 out of 14 attempts.

Bahling was the Bucs’ lead scorer with 17 for the night. Bahling had 6 field goals, including 3 from downtown. Bahling’s connection with a critical 3-point field goal midway through the third quarter signaled a shift in the game in Belvidere’s favor.

Maurice Jackson and Joe Byers were the second leading scorers of the game with 14 apiece. Jackson was able to connect with five out of nine at the free throw line. Byers’s shooting percentage for 2 was 83 percent.

“We knew they would try to block it so if we went up strong we would draw the fouls,” said Bahling. The Bucs added 25 to their tally from the free throw line as a team effort. From the free throw line, Ryan McKnight added 7, Jackson 5, Byers and Deante Barnes 4, Bahling and Ron Paris 2 and Erick Bandy 1.

We made the ones that counted,” said Bahling. “Everyone contributed.”

After the game, the Bucs looked forward to their Friday night match up against Rockford Lutheran. “We have been waiting for this Lutheran game when they blew us out at the regional championship at our place,” said Bahling. “We knew we had to win no matter what. We will be coming out strong on Friday.”

At press time, the Bucs were preparing for their game against the Crusaders.

March 9, 2014

By Shane Smith

Reporter

BELVIDERE - Belvidere North High School was host to the ISHA Boys Basketball 4A Regional Competition. On Monday night the Belvidere North Blue Thunder who was the visiting team took on the Dekalb Barbs.

The Blue Thunder started out strong in the first half playing very well on both sides of the ball. At the half Blue Thunder was up by 6 points with a 34 to 28 lead. In the third quarter a couple of turnovers from the Blue Thunder led the Barbs on a hot streak, closing the point gap and eventually gaining a 10 point lead mid way thru the fourth quarter.

Blue Thunder lost to the Barbs 71 to 82 and with that wrapped up their 2013-14 season. DeKalb's leading scorers were, Rudy Lopez Jr. with 23 points, and Jace Kitchen with 21 points.

Belvidere's top scores were the Berkenpas brothers, Ty Berkenpas shot 6 of 8 from the field, 1 three pointer, and was 3 for 6 at the free throw line for a game total 18 points. His brother Todd Berkenpas made 7 out of 8 shots from the field, and was 3 for 3 at the foul line totaling for 17 points.

"I was very pleased with the way the team kept their composure and able to remain calm at halftime,” DeKalb Head Coach David Rohlman said. “Our reserves played very well and the team really stepped up their defense in the second half."

"This may very well have been the best third quarter our team has ever played this whole season."

DeKalb had very little rest, having to take on Huntley for game two of the tournament on Tuesday night at Belvidere North. The Barbs lost 58-45 against the Huntley Red Raiders.

"I was pleased with the team’s first half play but costly turnovers in the second half caused us some problems and just could not regain control of the game,” Belvidere Head Coach Darren Sisk said. “This was a very successful season for our team, beating Boylan for the first time in school history as well as a pair of wins against Hononegah this year."

The Blue Thunder finished their season 8-18 overall, 5-11 in their conference division. Ranked 7178 Nationally, and 317th in the State. With 7 Seniors leaving the team, and 6 Juniors looking to return next year "I am very proud of my team and their accomplishments this year and that I look forward to building an even better team for next season," said Sisk.

On Tuesday night, a large fight broke out in the Belvidere North gym following the post-game handshake between players from Jefferson and East High Schools. The fight was quickly contained and no injuries were reported. At press time, Jefferson, which won the game 51-49 at the buzzer, was scheduled to face the Red Raiders on March 7.

March 5, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

LOVES PARK - The 2014 arena football season is winding down and, as has been customary in recent years, North Boone teams are gearing up for the playoffs.

The 15 and under Vikings (4-2) will open Saturday, March 8 at 11:45 a.m. against the Raptors (1-5), who they destroyed, 48-3, last weekend. The championship game will be played at 1 p.m. on March 15.

Meanwhile, North Boone's 13U team improved to 5-0 on March 1 by edging the Renegades, 26-20, in a battle of undefeated teams. It was the first loss in the last three or four years for the Renegades, made up of players who are or who will be attending Auburn, Rockford East and Rockford Guilford high schools.

This band of Vikings will end the regular season at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 8 against Macktown. After taking a week off, they will open their playoffs on March 22.

North Boone's 15U team brought its own cheering section, mostly arena football alumni, who were a vocal presence from their end zone seats. Many of them are now playing for the varsity at North Boone High School.

In the first game March 1 the 13Us were up late in the game, 26-20, but the Renegades were driving. Britt Morris ended that threat by intercepting a pass with 2:43 left to play.

The Vikings moved to just inside the Renegade 10-yard line where, on fourth down, a running play appeared to have been stopped just short of a first down. But a Renegade was guilty of a face mask violation, which gave North Boone an automatic first down. The Vikings then ran out the clock.

Morris, the team's quarterback, threw touchdown passes to Griffin Morelock and Logan Vowell, and also ran for a score. Head coach Brian Morelock credited the defense with stepping up and the offensive line of Johnson, Heinz, Vowell and Carter, for playing a standout game.

Capitalize on chances

In the last game of the day, with yet more snow falling outside, North Boone's efficient 15Us scored every time they got the football. Dustin Sell kicked six consecutive extra points.

It only took 15 seconds for the Vikings to get on the scoreboard. Brandon Hayes, the team's quarterback, took the opening kickoff and returned it for a touchdown. The extra point kick made it 8-0 with 9:45 left in the first quarter.

North Boone's defense held the Raptors on their first series, featuring two quarterback sacks, and turned the ball over to the offense. Hayes completed one pass during the ensuing drive that Steven Smock capped with a touchdown run at the 1:43 mark. It was 16-0 after another PAT kick.

A.J. Izzo broke up a pass during the next defensive stand, which set up the Vikings at midfield early in the second period. Hayes' number was called on the first play and he ran right, cut left and covered the rest of the turf for a touchdown at 6:14. Count the PAT for a 24-0 lead.

Touchdown No. 4, a run by Jayvonne Simmons with 28 seconds left in the half, came after Dale Mailhot and Izzo combined to recover a fumble.

The Raptors got on the board for the first and only time early in the third quarter, with a long field goal. But the Vikings countered moments later on a pass from Hayes to Smock with 2:07 left in the third period.

North Boone's final TD came with 2:44 remaining in the game. A new quarterback, Kolton Morris, engineered the drive and also ran for the touchdown.

The Raptors tried to put at least one touchdown on the board but their hopes were dashed by Izzo, who intercepted a pass near midfield with 55 seconds left to play.

Coach Ben Montemayor termed it "a total team victory. The kids really came to play today; the first half was the best football I've seen them play. I'm really proud of them."

His players responded to the kudos with a group hug before heading home.

Feb. 26, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BOONE COUNTY - A student-athlete from each of Boone County's three high schools earned a place in state competition last weekend.

North Boone junior Brandon Briggs took second at 113 pounds in the wrestling tournament. His bid for a third consecutive state championship was denied by Cody Minnick (46-1) of Coal City, who took a 3-2 decision.

Also in wrestling, Belvidere senior Justin McGady (40-10) won his final match of the tournament to take fifth place at 138 pounds.

And at the state girls bowling tournament, senior Haley Solberg of Belvidere North finished eighth as an individual among 73 competitors.

There was quite a bit of interplay among the wrestlers who Briggs met on his way to the finals.

His opponent in the championship match, Minnick, defeated Alec Henze (32-12) of Dakota Co-op, 10-4, in the semi-finals. It was Henze who edged Briggs, 5-3 in overtime, to win the Byron sectional title the weekend before. At state, Henze defeated Nolan Baker (42-6) of Byron, 1-0, for third place.

Early-on, Briggs pinned Jonah McGinnis (23-8) of Melrose Park (Walter Lutheran) in the first round in 1:33. In the quarter-finals he handed Will Lucie (32-2) of Warsaw Co-op his second loss of the season, 6-2. Lucie eventually finished fifth.

Nolan Baker (41-5) of Byron met Briggs in the semi-finals and dropped a close 10-8 decision. Baker then lost to Henze.

Long weekend

McGady had a long weekend, having to wrestle six times before finally securing a fifth-place medal.

He opened the tournament with a 10-2 decision over Jermaine Pryor (40-4) of Carbondale. In the quarter-finals he pushed 38-0 Johnathan Gahagan of Burbank St. Laurence to the brink before losing, 5-3. Gahagan ultimately took third place.

Now in the wrestle-backs, McGady faced the prospect of wrestling four times to get into a medal match.

He opened with an11-0 decision over Giovanni Sosa (25-11) of Chicago Clemente. Then he pinned Patrick Riley (36-7) of Decatur Eisenhower in 5:02.

In the battle to decide if he would vie for third or fifth place, the Belvidere wrestler was pinned by Stephen Richardson (39-4) of Pontiac.

Shooting for fifth, McGady won his 40th match of the season, 7-1 over Logan Lundelius (32-12) of Crystal Lake Central.

In the state bowling tournament at the Cherry Bowl in nearby Cherry Valley, North's Solberg fluctuated between sixth and ninth places over Friday and Saturday.

She was sixth after the opening round with a 1,358 series, built on single games of 198, 255, 265, 245, 198 and 197. That's an average of 226 per game.

She slipped to ninth after the Saturday morning session, when she turned in games of 216, 181 and 231, for a 628 series. But she moved up one spot Saturday afternoon, rolling 221, 227 and 201 games for a 649 series and a 1,277 for the day.

For the tournament, she averaged 219.6 per game.

Belvidere's Sara Deddo, also a senior, carded games of 196, 191, 177, 192, 197 and 166 in the two Friday sessions for a 1,119 series, which was good for 91st place among 133 competitors. But that wasn't enough to make the cut, at 77 bowlers, and she didn't continue on Saturday.

Feb. 20, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BOONE COUNTY - Belvidere, Belvidere North and North Boone high schools were busy last weekend, competing in sectional bowling and wrestling playoffs, as well as at the state chess tournament.

The winter sports season will continue for the two-time defending state wrestling champion, junior Brandon Briggs (27-3) from North Boone. He finished second at 113 pounds in the 1A sectional tournament, losing a 5-3 overtime decision to sophomore Eric Henze (28-11) of Dakota.

Senior Gus Eisle (26-5) of North Boone placed fifth and did not advance to state, as only the top four in each weight class move on.

Belvidere senior Justin McGady (37-8) also will be at state this weekend after taking second in the 2A sectional, dropping a 12-5 decision in the finals. Belvidere North senior Psalm Fambro's season ended with a 27-7 record, as he took fifth at 126 pounds.

Belvidere's Sara Deddo came within 66 pins of winning the Freeport sectional championship and will be competing at state this weekend at the nearby Cherry Bowl in Cherry Valley. She finished first among the five at-large qualifiers with a six-game 1,332 series, averaging 222 per game.

Belvidere North will be represented by Haley Solberg, who shot a 1,236.

State chess competition

North Boone's varsity chess team traveled to Peoria and won 3-of-7 matches, which was good for 79th among 139 schools. Nearby Harvard came in 100th, with Chicago Whitney Young taking the championship.

The Vikings opened the tournament with a 64-4 win over Chicago Heights Bloom Township. They also defeated Niles Northridge Prep, 50 1/2-17 1/2, in the second round. After losses to much larger schools, Hinsdale Central, Prospect and Chicago Payton in the third, fourth and fifth rounds, North Boone defeated another big school, Aurora East, 49-19. Maple Park Kaneland defeated the Vikings in the seventh and final round, 46 1/2-21 1/2.

Harvard also won three matches, defeating Mahomet-Seymour, Hillside Proviso West and Franklin Park Leyden. Losses were at the hands of Burbank Reaves in a close 37-31 decision, along with Lemont, Glenbard West and Palatine.

North Boone was led by junior Steven Hostalak in Board 4 competition, where he placed ninth, winning five matches, losing one and having one draw.

Senior Michael Abraham was 4-3, good for 51st place in Board 1; junior Devin McFadden (3-3-1) took 72nd in Board 3; senior Becca Fishbach (3-4) was 73rd in Board 7; and freshman Connor Rockwell (3-4) was 79th in Board 6.

In addition, senior Eric Saue (2-5) was 106th in Board 2, with junior Ryan Jefferson (1-5-1) 121st in Board 5.

Senior Margaret Shafala shared Board 8 play with freshman Dakodah Mrkvicka and took 91st with a 2-2-1 record. Dakodah lost both of his matches.

Harvard was led by junior Alex Forret, 4-3 at Board 1 and in 49th place.

North Boone and Harvard were among the premiere chess schools in the 1970s and 1980s, when there were separate classes for larger and smaller schools.

The Vikings were state champions in 1979-80 and 1992-93, while taking second in 1975-76, 1978-79, 1982-83 and 1986-87. All of those teams were coached by Guenther Wolfarth.

Harvard, coached by Logan Ingram, won consecutive state championips in 1975-76 and 1976-77. Competition changed to just one class during the 1994-95 season.

This is the 50th year of chess at North Boone, which is coached by two volunteers because of budget constraints.

Feb. 19, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BELVIDERE - Auburn's girls basketball team showed why it's one of the best in the NIC-10 this year.

The Lady Knights lost just twice and tied Boylan for second place, one game behind champion Hononegah. But they were fully extended in a makeup game Saturday afternoon, holding off determined Belvidere North, 56-49, in the regular season finale for both teams.

"We have to move on quickly," head coach Aaron Leonard said afterward. "DeKalb won't do us any favors because we had a tough game on Saturday.

" He was referring to the Feb. 18 opener against the Lady Barbs in the Rockford Jefferson Regional Tournament. The championship game will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20.

The Auburn game was "tough," as the Lady Blue Thunder were forced to play the entire second half without starter Taylor Martocci, who was injured late in the second quarter. She hit her head on the floor after falling 1:48 before halftime, and didn't return to the game. Coach Leonard was hoping she would be able to play in the regional.

Their opponent, having won more than 20 games this season, also was "tough.

" The Lady Knights showed their quickness and outside shooting prowess while taking an 18-12 lead after the opening period.

They peppered the hoop with 24 shots and made seven of them, including four 3-pointers. North had six turnovers, three as a result of Auburn's full-court press, while hitting 5-of-13 field goal attempts, two of them 3s.

Questioning calls

There also was controversy in the first quarter when, with three minutes left one of the game officials attempt to quell continuing criticisms of calls from North fans.

"Watch the game and keep your mouths shut or I'll clear this section of the gym," he warned. Then he singled out a fan sitting in an upper part of the bleachers and said, "You've got a big mouth up there.” The game official used a vulgar term while addressing the fan. “I see you."

One of the fans challenged the official's vulgarity, saying, "There are kids here." All of that brought North Athletic Director Jody Flynn to the floor, asking fans to only show their support for their team.

After the game he said he would notify the Illinois High School Association of the official's choice of words and the way the situation was handled.

At that point the Lady Blue Thunder had just tied the game at 26-26 on freshman Elise Rand's short jump shot. They went ahead, 28-26, 24 seconds later when senior Keri Dodson scored after Auburn missed a free-throw attempt.

But the Lady Knights scored the last five points of the quarter to lead, 31-28, at intermission.

Auburn pulled ahead by 40-30 with 5:20 left in the third quarter, but then was held scoreless until it scored at the buzzer to break a 40-40 tie.

Dodson banked in a shot to start the 10-0 run, which also consecutive 3s from Haley Granna and a rally concluding basket by Courtney Rosendahl.

North stayed close in the fourth quarter and had a chance to regain the lead at 45-44 when it missed the front end of a one-and-one at the free-throw line. Auburn capitalized with its seventh 3 at the 3:07 for a four-point turnaround and 47-43 lead.

The Lady Knights had gone 1-for-6 at the free-throw line earlier in the fourth quarter but finished 7-for-8 while keeping North from getting closer than five points.

Granna, a senior in her final home game for the Lady Blue Thunder, led the team with 17 points. She hit her fourth 3 of the game with 13.4 seconds left to play. Dodson, also a senior, added 13.

Feb. 18, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BELVIDERE - Seniors Keri Didson and Haley Grana combined for 17 points down the stretch Wednesday night as Belvidere North's girls basketball team rallied to edge host Belvidere, 64-58.

In sweeping the two-game season's series over a five-day period, the Lady Blue Thunder continued tuning up for the Jefferson regional tournament, which is going on this week.

The Lady Bucs staged a rally of their own with a 15-4 run that started late in the third quarter and continued into the fourth, which gave them a 46-40 lead. But Taylor Martocci's 3 at 6:12 of the final period put North on the comeback trail that saw tempers flare 12 seconds later.

"Their girl kicked our girl and we got the foul," Belvidere head coach Eric Samuelson said afterward. "That changed the complexion of the game.

" The incident occurred after consecutive baskets by Haley Anderson gave Belvidere its six-point lead. The technical foul that sent Alexa Adams to the free-throw line, where she made both tosses, made it a 46-45 game. Also during that time span a Belvidere fan was ordered out of the gymnasium for questioning the accuracy of officials' calls.

Teagan Toft sank a free throw for a 47-45 Lady Bucs' edge, but North went on an 11-0 run to take command, 56-47. Scores by Dodson, Grana and Martocci capitalized on Belvidere missed shots and turnovers over 2 1/2 minutes of play.

Toft's basket ended nearly a four-minute scoring drought for Belvidere, but her team could get no closer than six points in the final 1:27 of play.

Belvidere held an early 6-4 lead but seven unanswered points, all from Grana and Martocci, put North ahead, 11-6. It was 20-12, Lady Blue Thunder, after the first quarter.

The Lady Bucs came back late in the second period on two free throws from Cynthia Santiago and Toft's basket to pull within 29-26 at halftime.

It was 36-31, North, when Cassens banked in a basket to start Belvidere on the 15-4 run that provided the 46-40 lead with 6:38 left to play.

"We should have won that game," coach Samuelson said. "It was a tough night. Our seniors have never beaten North. But I would have liked a more fair game."

North head coach Aaron Leonard was happy for his seniors, who never lost to Belvidere on the basketball court. "That was a goal of theirs," he said. "I'm very pleased for them."

Both teams had two games to play before the start of the Jefferson regional.

"If we play the way we did tonight, we'll have a chance," Samuelson said.

Coach Leonard said he was "happy to be playing our best basketball right now."

Unofficially, Dodson led Belvidere North with 21 points followed by Grana with 15 and Martocci with 13. Santiago, after being held to eight points in the first game against North, rebounded with 19 in this one while Toft added 14.

Feb. 16, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

POPLAR GROVE – The North Boone Vikings basketball team faced a disappointing 46 – 86 loss on Feb. 11 against Richmond Burton. It was a long night that started slowly and the Vikings struggled to recover. “I give Richmond all of the credit, said Viking head coach Richard Williams. “They took us out of what we were trying to get done.

”Point guard Griffin Schuster was the team’s leading scorer with 15 points for the night. Schuster scored 13 points in the third quarter on five field goals including two from outside the arc and one free throw. Luis Rivera added seven points for the outing on two free throws and two field goals.

Brad Buchner had a 75 percent shooting accuracy at the free throw line hitting three out of four. Nick Krawczyk led the team with eight rebounds. “Our post interior defense did a good job digging limited the touches and post options of their digs,” added Williams.

The Lady Vikings struggled in their 71 – 39 loss against Burlington Central on Feb. 7. Despite the final score, Paitlyn Morris was on a tear and put up 21 points for the night. Renee Martin added eight to the Lady Viking’s tally.

“We are trying some new things,” said Williams. “Wins tell you have far you have come. Losses tell you how far you need to go.”

Feb. 13, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

BLOOMINGTON – The Belvidere North High School cheerleading squad took ninth place in the two-day state competition.

The team finished with 83.74 points. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates won the co-ed division with 91.18 points. The team was in sixth place out of 25 teams at the end of the first day’s competition. The top ten bid allowed the team to advance to the finals. “It was perfect until the ending pyramid because one side dropped,” said the team’s co-head coach Tammy Rentschler who shares the coaching responsibilities equally with Keith Watson.

Of the 25 co-ed teams that competed in the tournament, all of the teams except for Belvidere North and Normals’ Community North were from the Chicago area. “You are up against the suburban schools with lots of money,” Rentschler said in praise of the team’s performance against heavily financed teams.

“They had a great year. They are such hard workers and did not give up,” said Rentschler of the 24 member squad including 4 alternates. “Once we got to conference, it really got their confidence up.

”Rentschler praised the squad’s graduating six seniors. “We had some good leadership from our seniors. I think that is what helped that make the difference. We had some good seniors who kept them going.”

“They are fired up for next year. We have some great athletes in JV.”

Feb. 12, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BELVIDERE - Contributions came from throughout Belvidere North's girls basketball team Friday night, as the Lady Blue Thunder defeated cross-town rival Belvidere, 62-43, in the first of two meetings this season.

They'll play again tonight at 7 p.m. in the Belvidere gymnasium. Then the regional tournament will begin for both teams the week of Feb. 17.

Sophomore Taylor Martocci initially sparked North, scoring 15 of her 19 points in the first half as the hosts edged ahead, 33-26, at halftime.

While Belvidere slowed her down in the third period senior Keri Dodson picked up the slack, scoring nine of her team's 17 points in what proved to be a decisive eight minutes of play.

Ten free throws helped the Lady Blue Thunder in the fourth quarter, with senior Haley Grana and Martocci each going 4-for-4 at the charity stripe while Dodson added two more.

"It was a great team effort," first-year head coach Aaron Leonard said afterward. "Martocci got us going, Dodson had a great second half and Grana controlled the ball."

North's fluid zone defense took its toll on Belvidere in the first quarter, forcing seven turnovers and limiting the Lady Bucs to 2-of-7 shooting. But Belvidere managed to stay close thanks to the free-throw accuracy of senior Teagan Toft, who scored 12 points in the first half, and timely baskets from seniors Courtney Cassens and Cynthia Santiago and junior Alyssa Ziegler.

The Lady Blue Thunder did open up a 28-14 lead with 5:00 left until halftime, but Belvidere closed with a 12-3 run to make it a five-point game. North senior Keeva Hursh scored just 36 seconds before the break for the 33-26 advantage.

Virtually nothing fell for the Lady Bucs in the third quarter when they were outscored, 17-2, by North and were looking at a seemingly insurmountable 50-28 deficit with eight minutes left to play.

But Belvidere mounted a comeback early in the fourth period on three consecutive baskets from Cassens, a basket and two free throws from Santiago and one basket from Jazmin Vasquez to slice the deficit to 54-40.

North was in the bonus at this point, however, and rebuilt an 18-point lead, 60-42, on six free throws by Dodson and Grana, the latter tosses with 1:35 remaining in the game.

Of the effective zone defense coach Leonard said, "Communication in the zone is the key. We jelled on the floor and knew where we were supposed to be."

And of defeating the rival Lady Bucs, he said it was an enjoyable win. "The kids look at it differently" than coaches, he said. "There's a pride factor, too. That's the way it is in any rivalry."

Unofficially, Martocci led North in scoring with 19 points followed by Dodson with 15, Grana with 12 and freshman Elise Rand with eight.

Toft paced the Lady Bucs with 12 points; Cassens had 11; and Santiago had eight.

Feb. 11, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

Editor

POPLAR GROVE – The student body of North Boone High School turned out to witness Renee Martin sign a letter of intent with University of St. Francis in Joliet.

“It meant a lot that they all came to support me and helped me get this far,” said Martin of her classmates response.

The small forward basketball player will join the Lady Saints under coach Samantha Quigley. “When I went on my first visit, I liked the team and the coaching staff,” Martin said. “It is a beautiful campus.”

Martin plans to major in biology, physical therapy at the university. With career aspirations of becoming a physical therapist, she will have three additional years of post-graduate work to complete her training.

Martin’s career began in the driveway with a basketball hoop in the driveway and on recreational teams at the YMCA. Her dad Jerry coached her. “I had a hoop at our house all through growing up.”

As Martin’s skill level advanced, she began to play AAU basketball with the Rockford Heat. Teammates from North Boone and the Rockford Heat were on hand to be with Martin when she signed her letter of intent with St. Francis. Teammates came from Oregon, Hononegah, Christian Life and Rockford Christian high schools to celebrate with Martin. In addition to her classmates, teammates, mom Michelle, dad Jerry, grandparents, aunts, uncles and former coaches attended the signing ceremony.

“My teammates have really pushed me during practices and games. We always work to make each other better,” said Martin.

Martin plays on the varsity team with her 15 year old sister Hannah. “I like pushing her and she pushes me,” Martin said of playing on the same team as her sister. “I trust her on the court and off of the court. It has made us a lot closer.”

Some of Martin’s accomplishments on the court include an undefeated junior varsity season her junior year and scoring 37 points in a game against Byron. “That was awesome,” Martin added.

As of press time, the Lady Vikings were holding strong with a 16-10 winning season.

Feb. 9, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BELVIDERE - Downstate O'Fallon is a long way from here, about 5 1/2 hours of driving time, and once you get there the pressure of competing in the state bowling finals can be intense.

But for Belvidere junior Kyle Pattalio, who won an at-large berth in the recent tournament, it was, in the words of his coach, just another Saturday. That's because of the quality tournaments the Bucs participate in around here during the regular season, which feature many of the teams that made it to state this year.

Belvidere didn't advance as a team, finishing 151 pins behind the sixth and final qualifier, Guilford, at the Boylan sectional. Ironically, the Vikings eventually won the state championship.

But Kyle did reach state, taking the seventh and final qualifying slot by one pin over Bradley Powell of Barrington.

At the end of the sectional he didn't know if he had qualified as an individual. "I looked at the score sheets and was able to cross out quite a few names," he recalled. "Ten were left and only seven would go. I was fortunate enough to go."

"It was exciting to hear his name called," fifth-year head coach David Ellingson said. "That was the fun part. But it was bittersweet in that we did not qualify as a team."

The week leading up to the trip to O'Fallon was pretty much routine. Kyle didn't practice until he, his coach and teammate Dakota Barkes reached St. Clair Lanes.

There was some nervousness, he said, but it went away after he practiced the day before the tournament began on Jan. 31.

He was 97th in a field of 144 bowlers after the first day. Friday morning, he rolled single games of 204, 178 and 223, for a 605 series. During the afternoon session he compiled games of 213, 181 and 180, for a 574 series and overall 1,179

pinfall.

Coach Ellingson said tournament officials made the cut at 12 teams and 72 individual bowlers, which meant Kyle had become a spectator.

While he had hoped for competing the entire weekend and getting a top 30 finish, "I made it there and that was awesome," he said.

So now it means getting ready for a new season later this year, with some new teammates and the same goal: getting to state. But, he stressed, the entire team next time.

Belvidere finished 24-21 in the NIC-10 this season, closing with a 5-0 win over Boylan. The Bucs also defeated cross-town rival, Belvidere North, 5-0, and finished two points ahead of the Blue Thunder.

In addition to Kyle, a three-year varsity performer, Belvidere will have Dakota, another senior, and junior Larry Tripamer back next year. All three averaged more than 200 pins per game this season.

Kyle has been bowling since he was 8 years old and comes from a family of bowlers. His great-grandmother competed professionally, while his grandfather also bowled. Older brother Nick and sister Taylor were members of their respective varsity teams.

Kyle's top single game this season was a 258 and he once rolled a 689 series. Of course, a perfect 300 game is on his to-do list. "Sure, I'd like to do that," he said. "I just want to do the best I can."

Feb. 6, 2014

By Kevin Damask

Reporter

Brooke Brinkman’s freshman season on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh volleyball team was going quite smoothly until the first week of October.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Brinkman broke a finger during a rough 3-0 loss to UW-Stevens Point. Two days later, the freshman fractured her elbow in a 3-2 win at UW-River Falls. The injuries occurred to each arm and the broken finger required surgery.

Unfortunately, Brinkman’s injuries derailed a promising rookie season. In seven matches, the Belvidere North alum registered 33 kills, seven digs, six total blocks, and averaged 1.9 points in 19 sets. However, the middle blocker only played in two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association (WIAC) matches before getting hurt.

For Brinkman, it was a frustrating start to her career at the next level.

Overall, the Titans, one of the most consistent programs in NCAA Division III, played well, producing a 22-11 season. In the ultra-competitive WIAC, however, Oshkosh finished 4-4 and bowed out to UW-La Crosse (3-2) in the opening round of the conference tournament on Nov. 5.

“I think we did pretty good this year. We could have done a little bit better, but we have a pretty young team and I think, over the next couple of years, we’ll get really good,” Brinkman said.

Brinkman was one of 13 freshmen on Oshkosh’s roster last season. The Titans had just two seniors, which means they’ll be returning an abundance of experience next fall. Despite missing more than half the season, Brinkman learned quickly how competitive collegiate volleyball could be.

“I think I could have pushed myself a little more, but it was kind of a different experience, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I came in. So I know I’m going to push myself a lot harder next year,” Brinkman said.

“The biggest thing I learned was that it is college and I should have came in expecting more and pushing myself harder to be better.”

Despite the physical setbacks, Brinkman enjoyed the rush of getting her first kill as a college volleyball player. Oshkosh coach Brian Schaeffer noticed Brinkman’s strong play and named her a starter early in the season, moving her from the middle to the right outside hitter slot.

“Honestly, it was kind of exhilarating because everyone’s cheering and it’s kind of cool to be a freshman starter,” Brinkman said.

The success Brinkman enjoyed as a senior at Belvidere North prepared her for jumping to a successful college program at Oshkosh.

“We had a pretty deep team so it taught me how to handle substitutions and how coaches need to be fair with playing time,” Brinkman said.

Now healed from her injuries, Brinkman is ready for months of offseason work.

“The biggest thing I’m going to work on is lifting more and just pushing myself harder every day so I can make myself a better individual to better the team,” she said.

After starting the season 1-4, the Titans regrouped and rolled off 10 straight wins until Brinkman suffered the broken finger on Oct. 2. But, to earn 22 wins with a predominately young roster could signal a bright future for Brinkman and the Titans.

“We’ll be mostly sophomores this year and, if most of us stay, I think that will help because we’ll have a big, strong bond,” Brinkman said. “I love it here.”

Off the court, Brinkman is majoring in Athletic Training.

“I think I would probably start out in a high school or college situation,” Brinkman said. “It would be awesome to get to the pros, though.”

Feb. 5, 2014

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Reporter

FREEPORT – A late flurry by the Belvidere North boys basketball team came a bit short.

The Blue Thunder were able to overcome a slow start to challenge Freeport for a win, Saturday, but their comeback fell two points short in a 72-70 loss.

Freeport and Devonair McClain started scoring early, while the defense caused problems for the Belvidere North offense. The Pretzels got out to an 18-7 lead by the end of the first quarter, but North increased its scoring for the remainder.

North cut the deficit slightly before halftime and trailed by 10 heading into the third quarter. Both teams scored 17 in the third, then the Thunder started to roll.

North scored 28 points in the fourth quarter, led by Kevin Tevebaugh who finished with a team-high 16 points. If not for the slow start, the Thunder may have notched a victory.

They made just one fewer 3-pointer than Freeport (7-6) and outshot the Pretzels at the free throw line. North finished 18-for-24 in free throw shooting, while Freeport made 11 of its 16 attempts.

McClain finished with a game-high 20 points for Freeport. North was led by Hunter Blake, who finished with 17 points, making two of North’s 3-pointers in the game.

Saturday’s was the second in two days for Belvidere North, which also had first-half difficulty against Rockford East, the prior day.

The Thunder trailed by just two points after the first quarter, but in this game their offensive struggles came in the second quarter. East held North to just seven points in the second quarter, taking a 17-point advantage into halftime.

The E-Rabs extended their lead early in the second half, outscoring North 18-13 in the third quarter and taking a 22-point advantage into the fourth. North made a fourth-quarter charge, but the deficit was too much to overcome.

Tevebaugh led the Thunder with 10 points and was the only North player in double-figures. He made two of North’s five 3-pointers in the game. East had four scorers in double-figures, led by Patrick Green with 13.

The week started with a loss to Auburn, Jan. 29.

The Blue Thunder held a five-point advantage at halftime, but Auburn erased that in the third quarter and went on for a 68-59 win over North.

The Knights claimed the lead before the end of the third quarter and outscored North 23-15 in the fourth. Auburn held an advantage in free throw shooting, making 16 of its 23 attempts, while North was 7-for-9. That countered North’s 6-4 advantage in 3-point makes.

Kyle Hartfiel led the Thunder with 19 points; Todd Berkenpas had 12 and Blake had 11.

Feb. 4, 2014

By Kevin Damask

Reporter

It didn’t take long for Robert Dofflemyer III to make an impact for the Lewis University men’s golf team.

Only a sophomore, Dofflemyer is already producing the low rounds needed to succeed at the NCAA Division II level. Last year, the Belvidere High School alum finished his second season shooting an average of 77.

“Robert has been the most consistent performer that we’ve had on the team in the past year and a half,” said Lewis coach Skip Steffey. “His scores have counted every time he’s played. He’s never fallen out of our top five. He started in the fifth position last year and worked his way up to No. 4. He played No. 4 all year and has worked his way up to No. 1, now. You expect a kid you’ve recruited to play well, but you don’t expect a freshman to step in and play every single tournament the entire year. And you certainly don’t expect a sophomore to step up and be No. 1 on the team and consistently be No. 1.”

Dofflemyer found out quickly that competition in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) is definitely a step up from high school, but he adjusted well and kept improving.

“In high school, there were only a handful of guys in our conference that I had to worry about, but coming to a D-II school, everybody that I’m playing against has the ability to shoot that really low score or put up that really good tournament,” Dofflemyer said. “That basically makes every player on every team, or in the tournament you’re playing in, deadly.”

Last season, Dofflemyer came through in one of the most important matches of the year, shooting a 70 at the GLVC Men’s Golf Championship. The sophomore carded a total score of 223 through three rounds, placing 13th, and helped lead the Flyers to a fourth place finish. Overall, Dofflemyer earned five top 20 finishes in 12 events.

“Overall, I thought I had a pretty good season because my freshman season wasn’t as good as I was hoping, so it was kind of nice to come back and play well for the spring season last year,” Dofflemyer said. “It was exciting to shoot a 70 at (the conference) tournament and really help the team out.”

Steffey said Dofflemyer’s consistency was a major reason he recruited the Belvidere native. Winning the 2011 Chick Evans Junior Amateur Championship certainly put Dofflemyer on college coaches’ radar.

“Consistency over everything else,” Steffey said. “In high school, he won a match play tournament that’s just unbelievable to have won. He literally dominated that tournament. Keep in mind that he’s also a straight A student. When you see a player like that, you just kind of sit there and drool.” 

Similar to his high school days, Dofflemyer is also succeeding in the classroom. Last year, he was named to the Academic All-GLVC team and earned the Delahanty Award for academic excellence, an award given out to Lewis student athletes.

“It’s definitely a juggle between trying to get out to the golf course every day and get better, but at the same time, you have school work and that’s the main reason you go to college, to study and try to get a job,” Dofflemyer said. “At the same time, you’re trying to help the team. In the fall and in the spring, it’s tough to juggle both, but somehow we manage to do that.”

Steffey believes Dofflemyer could become an NCAA Scholar Athlete when he becomes eligible as a junior.

Going forward, Steffey would like to see Dofflemyer learn to adjust to a poor shot or a sub-par round. If the sophomore can learn how to shake off a tough round quickly, he’ll likely see his scores dip even lower.

“I think sometimes he gets a little too hard on himself on the golf course. And I think sometimes he takes a little longer to let go than he should,” Steffey said. “I think once he takes that last little step to let go of that shot that wasn’t perfect sooner, he’s going to be a dominant player in our conference for the next couple of years.”

Jan. 30, 2014

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Correspondent

ROCKFORD – A trip to the IHSA state final was one position away for the Belvidere boys bowling team.

The Bucs finished seventh, with 6,151 pins. Unfortunately for Belvidere, only six teams advance to the state finals, meaning their season concluded with Saturday’s sectional.

But fortunately for Kyle Pattalio, he earned the final transfer spot to the IHSA state finals, qualifying as an individual with 1,328.

Sycamore was the overall team champion, finishing with 6,578. Harlem was second with 6,545 and Vernon Hills was third with 6,435. Belvidere coach Dale Ellingson said his team was in the hunt for a team transfer spot, but wasn’t able to keep pace with the other teams.

“(We) were as high as fourth place and we were in sixth after five games,” he said. “Unfortunately, we could not hold the spot.”

Ellingson said the Belvidere bowlers were challenged not only by the other teams, but by the surfaces in Saturday’s event.

“The land conditions were difficult in the afternoon, (but) I mostly give credit to the teams that knocked us out,” he said. “Lake Park and Rockford Guilford had a really good afternoon and earned their spots.”

Pattalio had a high game of 247, which led Belvidere on the day. Travis Mootrey finished with 1,276; Bryan Jenks had a 1,255 and Devin Deddo had a 1,227.

Dalton Kalas had a high game of 240 for Belvidere, but Larry Tripamer was enacted as a substitute after Kalas had a 136 in his fourth game. Tripamer entered at the fourth frame of the fifth game, but Kalas returned to finish the 10^th frame in his final event for Belvidere.

Hononegah (6,416), Lake Park (6,397) and Guilford (6,302) were the other teams advancing to the state finals.

Jacobs’ Brandon Biondo was the overall individual champion, finishing with 1,462. He joins Pattalio, Dixon’s Ryan Dixon (1,363), Freeport’s Christopher Wiley (1,361), Geneva’s Jason Soto (1,352), Mendota’s Cody Phalen (1,335) and Dixon’s Joel Spangler (1,329) as advancing individual bowlers.

Ellingson said he and Pattalio concentrate on preparing for the state finals this weekend at St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon.

“Now we prepare to go to state competition and this is new to the both of us,” he said. “We will be working this week to prepare for such a large event and bowl within control.

“We are both excited and look very much forward to this opportunity.”

Jan. 29, 2014

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

MACHESNEY PARK - Long-range shots weren't falling with any regularity during the pre-game warmup in the Harlem High School gymnasium Friday night.

That proved to be a preview of what was about to happen as Belvidere North, trying to overcome Harlem's height advantage, was limited to five 3s in a 73-63 loss to the NIC-10 basketball rival Huskies.

Meanwhile, Harlem won for just the seventh time this season but is building on the recent success enjoyed at the Martin Luther King Jr. tournament in Lake Zurich. The Huskies went 3-2 and took third in the eight-team field.

Since starting the season with just two wins they have gone 5-5 after the winter break.

Harlem coaches did a lot of applauding as the Huskies stepped up the defensive pressure against North's premiere outside shooters. The 3s refused to fall as there seemed to always be a Huskie defender in the faces of North gunners.

Meanwhile, Harlem's big men, 6-1 senior De Woods, who plays much taller, and 6-6 junior Alex Karbarz combined for 46 points in the win.

Harlem put the Blue Thunder in an immediate 11-2 hole and the visitors were never able to climb out of it. 

Malik Lightfoot started the early run by scoring inside off an inbounds play just 16 seconds into a fast paced, high-scoring first half.

Go on a 9-0 run

North put back a missed shot to tie it, then Harlem went on a 9-0 run for the 11-2 advantage. Lightfoot and Woods each had two baskets in that two-minute span, with Woods nailing a 3 at the 6:38 mark.

The Blue Thunder were limited to a pair of 3s in the first half, with Hunter Blake netting the first one at 4:51 to 2 1/2-minute scoring drought and reduce the deficit to 11-5. Kyle Harftfiel got the other one with 2:48 left in the first quarter.

Despite many attempts North wouldn't get another 3 until Howe cashed in two of them in the fourth quarter.

Harlem was up 22-14 after the first period and increased that difference to 28-16 on two basketes from Karbarz and one by Chris Scoville, who grabbed his own missed free throw and scored.

Karbarz's picturesque left-handed layup 51 seconds before intermission produced the biggest lead of the game, 41-26. It was 41-28 after Jake Howe's two free throws a few seconds later.

The Huskies led by as many as 17 points in the second half but North battled back to pull within 70-63 on consecutive Berkenpas baskets, the last one following a Harlem turnover with 50 seconds left to play.

Missed free throws - Harlem was 4-for-8 in the closing moments - precluded the Huskies from salting away the win until late in the game. But the Thunder comeback was stymied by four missed 3s in the final minute and losing one possession to an offensive foul.

Karbarz led all scoring with 27 points followed by Woods with 19 and Lightfoot with 14. Howe had 14 for North with Hartfiel and Blake adding 13 apiece and Berkenpas 10.

Jan. 28, 2014

ROCKFORD – The Rockford University men’s basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak, by getting a comeback win over Concordia Chicago, Wednesday.

David Dixon scored a season-high 34 points for the Regents, who returned to the .500-mark at 9-9 with the win. The teams remained within a few points of each other for the first six minutes of the game, then Rockford took its first sizeable lead.

The Regents went on a 13-2 run, to take a nine-point lead with nearly 13 minutes remaining in the half. Their lead reached 13 points before Concordia made a run of its own.

Concordia went on a 15-4 run that brought it within two points of the Regents, but six straight points by Dixon kept the lead with Rockford.

The Regents held a seven-point lead at halftime, but it would be quickly erased in the second half. Concordia scored seven of the half’s first nine points to tie the game, then took the lead on free throws at 51-49. Rockford’s deficit grew to 10 points with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

But back-to-back 3-pointers from John O’Bryan returned the lead to Rockford. The lead was traded multiple times until just four minutes remained and a pair of Dixon free throws gave Rockford the lead for good.

Scott Suchy added 26 points for Rockford and led the Regents with 10 rebounds. Belvidere’s Zach Wallace did not play in the game.

Tonight, Rockford plays on the road against Aurora, before returning home for a pair of games to open February.

Lauren Hyser (Belvidere) scored five points and grabbed four rebounds for the Rockford University women’s basketball team in their 91-55 win over Dominican, Jan. 21.

After scoring the game’s first five points, the Regents didn’t allow Dominican a lead throughout the game. It was briefly tied at 7-7, but Rockford regained the lead soon after and held it the rest of the way.

The Regents extended their lead to 15 at one point and entered halftime with a 10-point advantage.

Dominican started a comeback in the second half, closing the gap to five points with 15 minutes remaining. But Rockford outscored Dominican 20-2 over the next four minutes to take control of the game.

Katie Clark led Rockford with 21 points and 13 rebounds; Arielle Nichols had 11 points.

The win put Rockford to within a game of the .500-mark at 8-9 overall and kept Dominican winless on the season at 0-17.

Wednesday, the Regents travel to Concordia Chicago.

The Kirkwood Community College women’s basketball team and Kirsten Larson (Belvidere North) remained undefeated in 2014 with a 66-44 win over Southwestern, Wednesday.

Larson sank one of the 12 3-pointers the Eagles scored in the game and the defense made-up for their 12-for-42 performance shooting as a team.

The Eagles held Southwestern to just 21 points in the first half and took an 11-point lead into halftime.

Kirkwood had 10 players score by the end of the game, led by Ariel Sneed with 12.

It was the fifth consecutive win for Kirkwood, which hasn’t lost a game since Dec. 30. The Eagles host a pair of home games to begin play in February and are 17-3 after the first 20 games of the season.

Troy A. Bruzewski compiled this report.

Jan. 26, 2014

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Correspondent

BELVIDERE – Haley Grana scored a game-high 27 points for the Belvidere North girls basketball team in their 57-44 win over Freeport, Tuesday.

North’s defense allowed for an early lead, holding Freeport to just seven points in the first quarter. Keri Dodson scored four points in the first and helped the Thunder to a five-point lead heading into the second.

Grana made two 3-pointers in the second and finished with eight in the quarter, as North took control of the game.

Quinn Bannon made a 3-pointer for the Thunder, who entered halftime with a 12-point lead. Defensively, they allowed just six points in the second quarter.

The Thunder offense put the game far from Freeport’s reach in the third quarter. Grana scored 11 points in the third, while Taylor Martocci added five points. North held a 17-point lead after three and though Freeport closed the gap in the fourth, the game was never in question. Grana scored five points in the fourth and Elise Rand added two baskets.

Grana finished 3-for-5 in 3-point shooting and 6-for-8 from the free throw line. Rand finished with 10 points; Dodson and Martocci finished with seven points each.

Tuesday, the Thunder go to Hononegah, then host Rockford East, Friday.

North boys

The Belvidere North boys team split a pair of decisions, Monday.

It was the second day of the Martin Luther King Tournament at Jefferson and the Thunder lost a 74-58 decision to Wheaton, after beating Innovations 70-37 earlier in the day.

Kevin Tevabaugh led North with 18 points in each game; Hunter Blake added 15 in the loss to Wheaton.

The Thunder and the rest of the field began the tournament, Jan. 17. North dropped a 71-63 decision to Richards.

Tevebaugh again led the Thunder, this time with 20 points and helped them to a 31-point fourth quarter. However, the comeback fell short and Richards took the win.

Chris Meyers and Blake had 12 points each for North, which hosts Auburn, Wednesday, in a game rescheduled from Jan. 10.

Dec. 11, 2013

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Editor

ROCKFORD – Two wins in as many days, was just a point away.

The Belvidere North boys basketball team was within a free throw of earning wins in back-to-back days, but an overtime loss to Rockford East relegated the Blue Thunder to a split last weekend.

North opened its NIC-10 season with a lopsided win over Freeport, Thursday. Hunter Blake scored a game-high 19 points, with 17 coming in the first half, to lead the Thunder to an 87-52 win. Kevin Tevebaugh added 17 points for North, which opened the game with a 16-2 run. The Thunder maintained a lead throughout the first half and entered halftime with a 47-24 advantage.

North’s defense overwhelmed the Pretzels, particularly in the second half, where they held Freeport to 23 points. The Thunder opened a 30-point lead and had the game well in-hand.

Tevebaugh put up large numbers in the following day’s game against East, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a loss. He scored a game-high 31 points for the Thunder, who had a 13-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

But Rockford was able to recover by outscoring the Thunder 20-7 in the fourth quarter and forcing overtime, where it took control of the game. East outscored the Thunder 21-7 in overtime, to get the win.

The loss evens North’s record at 3-3 overall on the season. Friday, the Thunder play at Boylan.

Dec. 11, 2013

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Editor

BELVIDERE – Cynthia Santiago led the Belvidere girls basketball team to a win over Guilford, helping the Bucs get past a loss to Freeport.

Santiago scored a game-high 22 points, Thursday, in Belvidere’s 56-47 win over Guilford. Jazmin Vazquez added 11 points for the Bucs, who claimed their first NIC-10 win of the season. They opened the season with four games in a tournament at Harvard.

Unfortunately for Belvidere, its in-conference record was evened with the win over Guilford. The Bucs were 1-1, rather than 2-0, due to a loss to Freeport two days earlier.

The Pretzels entered the game, winless at 0-5. But they were able to get their first win, with a 56

-46 decision over the Bucs. Belvidere had an early lead, but Freeport went on a 12-0 first-half run to take control of the game. The Bucs were down by 10 points at halftime and couldn’t return to the lead.

Santiago again led the Bucs, this time with 16 points.

It was the first loss of the season for the Bucs, who are 5-1 overall after the first six games.

Dec. 11, 2013

DETROIT - The No. 14 Northern Illinois University Huskies and Austin Smaha (Belvidere North) suffered their first loss of the season, Friday, in the Mid-American Conference Championship game against Bowling Green.

Their dreams of a second BCS bid also were dashed by the Falcons, who defeated the Huskies 47-27.

The loss ended the Huskies' school-record tying 12-game winning streak and 26-game Mid-American Conference winning streak, dating back to a 48-41 loss at Central Michigan on Oct. 1, 2011. NIU falls to 12-1 on the season, while Bowling Green improved to 10-3 overall.

The Falcons' defense bottled-up the Huskie running game, holding NIU to just 235 yards on 40 attempts despite 126 yards by quarterback Jordan Lynch.  Meanwhile, BGSU quarterback Matt Johnson picked apart the NIU defense, completing 21-of-27 passes for 393 yards and five touchdowns, a MAC Championship game record.

"We didn't play a good half of football," said NIU Head Coach Rod Carey.  "Give them all the credit in the world.  They made plays and we didn't.  We didn't have enough execution.  We dug ourselves too big a hole in the first half and in the second we have an opportunity to get it to a one-score game and couldn't do it."

Lynch compiled 345 yards of total offense with 126 rushing and 219 passing yards, and broke the NIU records for touchdowns responsible for and touchdowns scored in a season, while tying the school mark for rushing scores.  He threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Juwan Brescacin for the Huskies' first score and ran for touchdowns of eight and two yards.

The two teams traded touchdowns on their opening drives with the Falcons scoring on a 28-yard hook-up from Johnson to Tyler Beck, while the Lynch to Brescacin connection tied the game at seven with 9:08 to play in the first quarter.

Bowling Green took a 17-7 lead at the end of the quarter as big plays continued to hurt the Huskies. Johnson hit Ronnie Moore for 61 yards, setting up a 26-yard field goal by Tyler Tate, and after NIU went three and out on its next possession, Bowling Green came back with a five-play, 76-yard touchdown drive with Moore scoring on a 36-yard catch. 

The Huskies cut the deficit to 17-13 after field goals of 51 and 45 yards by kicker Mathew Sims. It was as close as NIU would get.  Bowling Green scored a pair of touchdowns in the last six minutes of the half to take a 31-13 lead into halftime as Johnson connected with Heath Jackson on a 22-yard pass and hit tight end Alex Bayer from 12 yards out.  Bayer finished the game with seven catches for 124 yards for the Falcons while receiver Moore caught four passes for 145 yards and a score.

Lynch and the Huskies narrowed the margin to 31-20 when the Huskies marched 64 yards on seven plays and 2:29 and scored on an eight-yard run.  Both kickers missed field goals in the third quarter before Tate hit a 54-yarder at the start of the fourth.

BG put two more touchdowns on the board in the quarter while the Huskies could manage just a late Lynch score. It was the most points given up by NIU since Central Michigan scored 48 on Oct. 1, 2011. 

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After having its win streak stopped at four games, the Rockford University men’s basketball team started another.

On Dec. 5, they earned a 75-69 win over Aurora, for their second consecutive win.

But Marian stopped the Regents from making it three wins, by handing them a 78-70 loss, Saturday.

Marian got out to a large first-half lead that reached 15 points with over seven minutes remaining in the half. By halftime, the Regents barely closed the gap and trailed by 13.

They were able to gain ground on Marian in the second half, getting within six points. But they were unable to take the lead.

Zach Wallace (Belvidere) had two rebounds in both the Marian loss and Aurora win, for the Regents. They dropped to 6-2 overall on the season.

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Lauren Hyser (Belvidere) brought the Rockford University women’s basketball team within a point of taking a late lead against Marian, Thursday. But they were unable to take the lead and dropped a 62-61 decision.

The teams were within a few points of each other for much of the second half, but the Sabres made a run to take the lead by eight. Rockford chipped away at the deficit, but Marian made free throws down the stretch to clinch the win.

Hyser finished with six points, five rebounds and two assists for the Regents, who dropped to 3-3 overall this season.

Marna Diemer compiled this report.

Dec. 11, 2013

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Editor

BELVIDERE – Maurice Jackson led the Belvidere boys basketball team to a good start in NIC-10 competition.

The Bucs were one of the three conference teams to emerge from the opening weekend, with a 2-0 record. They started with an 80-58 win over Guilford, Friday and followed with a 65-44 win over Freeport, Saturday.

Three Belvidere players reached double-figures, including Jackson with a game-high 17 points in the win over Guilford. Erick Brandy scored 12 points for the Bucs and Joe Byers added 11. Less than 24 hours earlier, the Bucs claimed their first of two conference wins.

Jackson also had a game-high 18 points in the win over Freeport, which was the first competition for Belvidere since the season-opening Hoops for Healing Tournament. The Bucs played four games in the event, winning three.

He led the Bucs to a 21-2 run in the first half, to take control of the game and the Bucs’ defense held the Pretzels to just 28 percent shooting from the field.

The win over Guilford extended the Bucs’ win streak to four games, after beginning the season with a 59-32 loss to Larkin in the tournament.

Belvidere again plays Friday and Saturday games this week; hosting Rockford East, Friday and playing at Auburn, Saturday.

Dec. 9, 2013

BELVIDERE – The fourth annual “Blue Thunder Co-ed Challenge” is scheduled for Friday at Belvidere North.

Teams scheduled to participate are: Barrington, Belvidere, Buffalo Grove, Downers Grove South, Grant, Hoffman Estates, Lakes Community, Lake Park, Metea Valley, Mundelein, Niles North, Palatine, South Elgin, and Belvidere North. Buffalo Grove is the defending state champ.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; the competition begins at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students.  Food will be provided by the Blue Thunder Booster Club.

For more information, contact Varsity coach Tammy Rentschler at (815) 218-7206. Via email: tbellmi@aol.com or athletic director Jody Flynn - jflynn@district100.com.

Dec. 9, 2013

By Bob BalgemannReporter

ROCKFORD – Belvidere North's Blue team finished fourth in junior varsity boys competition at the PreSeason Tournament with Belvidere North Red in eighth and Belvidere in ninth.North had two girls teams with North Red taking fourth place and North Blue in fifth. Belvidere did not field a girls JV team.Garrett Nelson had a 605 series (tie for seventh) and a 236 single game (eighth) to pace the Blue Thunder. Teammate Josh Paulowski shot a 600 (ninth) with his 246 single game being good for second place.Belvidere's Dakota Barkes shot a 559 series to take 19th place. His 218 single game earned a tie for 16th place.Annissa Hintt had a 512 series for Belvidere North's girls, sixth best of the day, with her 210 single game also sixth. Emily Nakashima had a 476 series (13th place) and 189 single game (tie-eighth) for Belvidere North Blue.

Dec. 9, 2013

BELVIDERE – Forfeits at several weight classes gave the Belvidere wrestling team a distinct advantage over Belvidere North.The Bucs got wins at 113, 132, 160, 170, 182, 195 and 220 by forfeit in the Nov. 26 match. They eventually won the event, 58-21. Ecclesias Fambro and Christian Apias earned victories by pin for the Thunder; Fambro in 1:31 in the 106-pound division and Apias in 1:04 in the 120-pound division.Psalm Fambro won a 17-0 decision over Belvidere’s Tanner Pavlak, but the Bucs got their first pin of the match, soon after. Justin McGady got a pin over Blayne Lindquist, in 1:17 at 138.Jordan Perez got the final pin of the event, getting a win for North in 1:28 in the 145-pound division. The Thunder also claimed the 285-pound division, with Jake Rodgers getting a 5-1 decision.

Dec. 9, 2013

FREEPORT – The North Boone girls basketball team split a pair of games in the Dakota Tournament, Nov. 30.Renee Martin scored a game-high 24 points for the Vikings in their 75-68 win over Freeport Aquin. Paityn Morris added 18 points. This was the second win of the season for the Boone girls, who opened the season with a 58-43 win over Christian Life.Ally Key and Emily Osterberg had 13 points each for the Vikings.Boone had another game later that day, but was unable to go 2-for-2. Despite 20 points from Martin, the Vikings lost a 65-52 decision.Morris added 16 points for the Vikings, who were unable to overcome a 10-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter.Tuesday, the Vikings were unable to return to a victory and lost a 64-52 decision to Oregon at home. The Vikings trailed by three after the first quarter, but were able to close the deficit to a point before halftime.They remained within striking distance in the third quarter and entered the fourth with a two-point deficit, but were outscored 24-14 in the fourth.Oregon’s Sam Lambrightsen led all scorers with 30 points, on 24 field-goal attempts.

Dec. 9, 2013

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Editor

BELVIDERE – Despite 16 points from Cynthia Sanitago, the Belvidere girls basketball team dropped its first NIC-10 of the season, Tuesday.

A first-half run by Freeport, eliminated an early Belvidere lead and the Pretzels won a 56-46 decision. The Bucs were up 10-5 in the first half, but Freeport went on a 19-0 run and built a 14-point lead. Belvidere decreased the deficit slightly before halftime, but was unable to regain control or the lead.

The game was a first for both teams this season – for Belvidere it was the first loss of the season and for Freeport, it was the first win. The Bucs entered with a 4-0 overall record while Freeport was 0-5.

Tuesday, the Bucs host Jefferson on Parent Night.

Dec. 9, 2013

By Bob Balgemann

BELVIDERE - The Belvidere-Belvidere North rivalry has returned to Dodge Lanes, with both the Bucs' varsity boys and girls teams taking all five points in inaugural NIC-10 bowling matches.

In junior varsity competition Belvidere took four points from the Blue Thunder boys, with the Belvidere North girls winning their cross-town match, 5-0.

Belvidere's boys rode five 600-plus series in the win over the Blue Thunder. Kyle Pattalio had a game-high 682 series and 220 high game to pace the Bucs. Devin Deddo was next in line with a 653 series and 217 high game; Dakota Barkes, 645 series and 215 high game; Larry Tripamer, 637 series and 212 high game; and Bryan Jenks, 618 series and 206 high game.

Dalton Kalas contrbuted a 565 series with a 188 high game.

The Bucs' pin total of 3,780 reflected an average of 210 per game but only was good for fourth in that day's competition. Guilford, amassed a day-high 4,270 pins, averaging 237 a game while Hononegah totaled 4,003 pins for a 222 average. Harlem was third with 3,843 pins.

Guilford's Trustin Givens had an 815 series that included a 300 single game.

North had three 600-plus series, from Andre Barker (663); Tyler Atkinson (651); and Austin Hintt, (610). They rolled high games of 221, 217 and 203 respectively.

Jake Pawlowski contributed a 579 series while Garrett Nelson had a 541. Field Blankenship bowled two games and finished with a 339 series. Tyler Bruno shot a 132 single game.

Belvidere's JV boys didn't have any 600 series but three - Josh Cheesbrough (598), Joe Gallagher (597) and Christian Langel (592) - came close. Zachary Brawner had a 582, Daniel Weger a 559 and Brock Irwin a 555. Gallagher and Cheesbrough tied for high game among the six with a pair of 199s.

North was led by Jordan Paulson with a 624 series and Josh Pawlowski with a 601. Peyton Lutzow contributed a 568; Kelby Hughhart a 550; Javier Martinez a 541; and Logan Blankenship a 501.

Varsity, JV girls

Heather Bailey rolled a 585 series to spark the Bucs against Belvidere North. She also had a match-high 195 single game.

Michaela Beard was a close second with a 582, followed by Sara Deddo, 578; Madelyn Deardorff, 575; Miya White, 567; and Tabatha Wilkinson, 471. Second-high game was recorded by Beard with a 194.

Tiffany Walker had a 589 series to lead North, along with a 196 high game. Haley Solberg chipped in a 574, Emily Ashens a 511, Ashley Platt a 508, Kylee Loveridge a 415 and Leann Alexandria a 404. Second-high game was credited to Solberg with a 191.

North's JVs divided the game among seven bowlers with four rolling three games and three bowling two games.

As a result Anissa Hintt had the high series, a 447, followed by Megan Misiak with a 438; Emily Nakashima with a 435; and Amber Voiles with a 420. Among those contributing two games Paige Bennett shot a 265; Kaitlynn Trimble a 264; and Alexis Mendoza a 220.

Hintt's 188 was the high for the game.

Belvidere only had three bowlers: Mercedes Medina (458); Cheyenne Coss (383); and Tanna Coss (322).

December 08, 2013

ROCKFORD – Both the Belvidere and Belvidere North boys bowling teams earned top-5 finishes in the Preseason Tournament at Don Carter Lanes, Nov. 29.

Bryan Jenks led the Belvidere team to a fourth-place finish with a total of 4,441. Jenks’ scores got progressively better through the event, beginning with a 189 and finishing with a 278, which was tied for the second-highest high game of the tournament. Rockford East’s Trevor Rodriguez had a 290 in his opening game, which was the event’s top game.

Dalton Kalas and Kyle Pattalio earned top-10 individual finishes for the Bucs. Kalas also improved his scores through the event, starting with a 204 and finishing with a 269, placing him in a tie for the sixth-highest game of the tournament. Pattalio’s high game was a 265, placing him 10^th.

Austin Hintt was the top bowler for North, scoring a 268 in his second game, which placed him eighth. North finished with a team score of 4,260, good for fifth in the team standings. Andre Barker had the next-highest game for North, finishing 32^nd, with a game of 222.

Hononegah won the event with a total of 4,654, finishing 60 pins ahead of Guilford.

Tuesday, Belvidere faces Auburn and Hononegah visits Belvidere North.

December 08, 2013

CHERRY VALLEY – Belvidere’s Sara Deddo led the girls bowling team to a fifth-place finish in the Preseason Tournament at Cherry Bowl, Nov. 29.

Deddo finished with the event’s second-highest game, with a score of 247 and helped Belvidere to a 2,729-pin total. Two other Belvidere bowlers earned top-10 finishing spots. Madelyn Deardorff rolled a 155 and 159 in her first two games, then earned a 232 in the third and final game, giving her the event’s sixth-highest individual score.

Belvidere finished with a final team score of 3,831.

Emily Ashens, who finished ninth with a 225 game, led Belvidere North to a sixth-place finish in the team standings. Tiffany Wagner had the next-highest score for North, with a 213 game, placing her 17^th.

North finished with a team total of 3,659.

Harlem’s Bree Zimmerman had the event’s highest game, earning a 257. Guilford won the event with a total of 3,939, finishing ahead of Hononegah by 21 pins.

Dec. 4, 2013

MILWAUKEE – The Rockford University men’s basketball team entered Saturday’s game against Milwaukee School of Engineering with a perfect 4-0 record.

That season-starting streak came to an end with a 77-70 loss to Milwaukee School of Engineering. The Regents and Belvidere’s Zach Wallace were unable to overcome a first-half deficit, created by a 16-3 run from Milwaukee, putting Rockford behind by double-figures early. After a 3-pointer from David Dixon made the score 5-5, the Regents managed just three points over the following seven minutes.

With nine minutes remaining in the half, Milwaukee hit a 3-pointer to give the Raiders a 14-point lead, which was their largest of the game.

The Regents were able to cut the first-half deficit to 10 points on two occasions, but going into halftime they trailed 43-31. Milwaukee maintained the sizeable lead for much of the second half. Rockford came within eight points of the Raiders twice, but could get no closer.

Tory Minnifield led the Regents with 19 points, Dixon had 12 and Wallace added four. Wallace also had two rebounds and an assist for Rockford.

The Regents have two games in the next three days, both at home. Thursday they host Aurora and Saturday face Marian. 

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The Rockford University women’s basketball team came close to a win over MSOE, but fell just short in a 71-67 loss. The Regents and Belvidere’s Lauren Hyser, dropped to 2-2 on the season, unable to get crucial points late in the game.

Rockford led for much of the first half, starting with a 13-7 advantage. But the Raiders slowly crept back and scored the final points of the half to take a 36-34 lead over Rockford.

The Regents quickly regained the lead in the first half, scoring the first eight points. With 11 minutes remaining in regulation, the Regents took their largest lead of the game, at 51-40.

But over the next 10 minutes, Rockford was outscored 22-6 and Milwaukee had its first lead since the start of the second half.

A 3-pointer by Erin Ryczek brought the Regents within two points while just 1:11 remained on the clock. But they managed just three points for the remainder, while Milwaukee sank five free throws in that span.

The Regents face Dominican on the road, tonight, before returning home to face Marian, Saturday. 

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The Northern Illinois football team enters this weekend’s Mid-America Conference Championship game in Detroit, with the school’s first undefeated regular season record, after a 33-14 win over Western Michigan, Nov. 26.

The Huskies and Austin Smaha (Belvidere North) broke a 7-7 second-quarter tie, with a pair of touchdown passes from Jordan Lynch. They added to the lead by scoring the first three touchdowns of the second half, taking control of the game. The Huskies allowed just 93 rushing yards, while Lynch totaled 321 rushing yards on his own, including three touchdowns. Lynch now has 4,178 career rushing yards, complementing his 5,774 career passing yards.

The Huskies face Bowling Green in Saturday’s MAC title game.

Marna Diemer compiled this report.

Nov. 24, 2013

ROCKFORD – Zach Wallace (Belvidere) scored eight points for the Rockford University men's basketball team in its 89-84 win over the Loras College, Nov. 22, in the season opener.

Friday night at the Seaver Center.

Rockford’s defense played well, forcing 20 turnovers and blocking five shots.

Nearly the entire first half of the game belonged to the Regents. After a difficult start for both teams, David Dixon scored nine points on a 14-2 Regent run, midway through the first half. Rockford took a 24-12 advantage, then pushed its lead to 15 points.

The Duhawks climbed back into the game and the second half had 14 lead changes as neither team was able to pull away.

Dixon drained his fourth three-point basket of the evening to put his team up 77-75 with 7:25 remaining. Dixon added a tip-in before Tory Minnifield scored five quick points, extending Rockford's lead to 11 with just 4:06 remaining in regulation. As the clock was running down, Rockford got a huge series of plays from Wallace, who got a steal and was then fouled with 11 seconds left and the Regents up by three. Wallace made both clutch free throws to seal the 89-84 win.

Dixon scored a game-high 30 points on 13-21 shooting including going 4-6 from beyond the three-point line. Minnifield had 23 points and was 2-for-2 from 3-point range.

Wallace finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal in his first collegiate game.

He also scored eight points in the following game, helping the Regents improve to 2-0 to start the season. The Regents defeated Concordia University, 87-79, Wednesday, led by Dixon with 34 points. He scored six consecutive points in the second half, to give the Regents a 69-59 lead, which they preserved by sinking nine free throws in the final two minutes.

Wallace also had six rebounds, two assists and a block.

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Tyler Yunk (Belvidere North) helped the University of Kansas men’s cross country team to its highest finish in the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships since 2006.

Yunk and the Jayhawks finished fifth overall in the event, held Nov. 15. They were just one point from tying fourth-place University of Oklahoma.

They finished with 157 points; Oklahoma State won the event with 45 points.

Yunk finished the course in 32:10, placing him 82^nd in the 205-runner field. Tulsa’s Chris O’Hare won the event with a time of 30:28.0.

This was the first time in 13 years that both the women’s and men’s teams for Kansas both finished in the top-5 of this annual event.

In their prior event – the Big-12 Cross Country Championships – the Jayhawks finished sixth with 123 points. Oklahoma State won this event too, finishing with 33 points.

Yunk finished 46nd, with a time of 24:45.4, in the 81-runner field.

Marna Diemer compiled this report.

Nov. 19, 2013

MILWAUKEE – The Cardinal Stritch University women’s volleyball team advanced to the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament finals with a win over Roosevelt University, Thursday.

The Wolves, including North Boone’s Breanna Schaedel, swept Roosevelt in three sets: 25-21, 25-23 and 28-26. Melissa Murphy led the Wolves with 12 digs; Kelsey Johnson had 13 assists and Paige Quinones had 10 kills.

It was the second consecutive three-set win for the Wolves, after they beat St. Xavier University, Tuesday in the tournament opener. The Wolves won 25-16, 25-19 and 25-16 two days earlier, to advance to the semifinal match against Roosevelt.

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Belvidere native Adam Bernardi and the Augustana College men’s swim team split two decisions in a tri-meet, Nov. 10.

The Vikings earned a 146-76 win over Morningside, but finished just short of Lake Forest, 120-110.

Bernardi got a third-place finish in the 1000 freestyle, finishing in 10:25.83. He also finished fourth in the 100 butterfly, with a time of 56.53.

His best finish in the event was with the 200 freestyle relay team. They finished second, with a time of 1:31.39.

Aaron Holt had three event wins for the Vikings, who are 2-1 on the season.

They have two events this weekend, at Monmouth, Friday and Saturday at the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational.

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Kirsten Larson and the Kirkwood College women’s basketball team improved to 4-0 on the season with a 67-45 win over Kishwaukee College, Nov. 11, in the Clarion-Kirkwood Classic.

The Eagles had to come from behind for the win, after a poor start put them in an early hole. They managed just five points in the first 10 minutes of the game, but went on a 15-0 run near the end of the first half to take their first lead. Kirkwood was up 29-20 heading into halftime and continued its scoring streak in the second half.

The Eagles scored the first seven points of the second half, making it a combined 22-0 run and they were up by double-digits.

Larson finished with five points, Danielle Woolfolk led Kirkwood with 12. Larson also scored five points in the Eagles’ other game in the event – an 85-43 win over Joliet.

The Eagles went on a 15-4 run to close the first half and take control of the game. They held Joliet to just 18 points in the second half and held a 51-30 rebounding advantage in the game.

Woolfolk again led Kirkwood, this time with 18 points. The Eagles are 4-0 on the season.

Nov. 14, 2013

ROCK ISLAND – Augustana men’s swimming and diving team spilt dual meets with Morningside and Lake Forest at Carver Pool, Saturday.

The Vikings, including Belvidere native Adam Bernardi, bested Morningside by a score of 146-76 and fell to Lake Forest 120-110. Bernardi was in the 200 freestyle relay team that finished second with a time of 1:31.29. He also finished third in the 1000 freestyle (10:25.83) and fourth in the 100 butterfly (:56.53).

Aaron Holt was victorious in the 200 individual medley (2:03.96) and 100 backstroke (:53.91) and led Augustana’s winning 200 medley relay, which finished in 1:39.02. He was joined on the 200 medley unit by Ian Disteldorf, David Sommers and Daniel Hinck.

Sommers also joined Josh Wielenga as individual winners for the Vikings. Wielenga won the one-meter diving competition with 235.80 points, while Sommers took the 100 butterfly, in :52.46. Each garnered a second-place finish as well, with Wielenga’s 226.65 at three meters and Sommers’ 1:48.79 in the 200 freestyle.

Justin Reppy earned a pair of seconds in the 1000 (10:21.81) and 500 (5:00.97) freestyles.

Hinck took third place in both the 50 (:22.95) and 100 (:50.69) freestyles. Duy was third in the 200 freestyle (1:50.40) and fourth in the 500 freestyle (5:06.81).

Bernardi finished second in the 500 freestyle (5:03.72) and fourth in the 200 IM (2:08.52) in Augustana’s 152-79 win over Loras, the prior day.

The Vikings defeated the Duhawks by winning 10 of the 13 events in the meet.

Michael Duy won two individual events, taking the 200 yard freestyle (1:48.93) and 500 yard freestyle (5:03.14) events. He also swam the second leg of the winning 400 yard freestyle relay, which finished in 3:25.19.

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The American International College women’s volleyball team managed to win just one set against Merrimack College, Saturday, losing a match at home.

Belvidere native Bailey Swan had seven kills, two digs and an assist for the Yellow Jackets, who won the second set 28-26 and challenged for the third set, but lost it 29-27. It’s the second consecutive loss for AIC, which dropped a decision to Southern Connecticut State, Nov. 5.

The Yellow Jackets won the opening set, 25-21, but dropped the next three. Swan had 11 kills and two digs.

AIC plays its final regular season match, Saturday, against St. Michael’s College. Its record dropped to 12-15 overall.

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The Judson University women’s volleyball team and Belvidere North’s Alyssa Oblinger ended their season with a three-match losing streak, capped by a four-set loss to St. Xavier, Nov. 7.

The Eagles dropped decisions to Roosevelt University (Oct. 31) and Illinois Tech (Nov. 5) before the season finale against Xavier. They dropped the first two sets, but rebounded for a 25-19 win in the third. However, a 25-19 loss in the fourth set, closed the season. Judson finished with an 11-27 overall record. Oblinger totaled 53 kills, 15 blocks, seven digs and two assists for the Eagles this season.

Nov. 12, 2013

Troy A. Bruzewski

Editor

BELVIDERE – The Belvidere boys soccer team had a rough regular season, but the Bucs’ fortunes changed in the postseason.

After a 7-16 overall record, the Bucs went 3-0 in the regional it hosted, winning their first-ever regional title. Belvidere earned shutout wins over Marengo and Harvard, then crushing Hampshire in the final.

The opening match against Marengo, Oct. 18, was a result of Bucs’ struggles in the prior months.

“We had to play in the play-in game against Marengo, because we did not play as well during our regular season,” Belvidere coach James Ivacic said.

But the Bucs earned their way into the regional with a 2-0 win over Marengo; with Andres Murillo and Emmanuel Resendiz scoring a goal each. The win earned Belvidere a game against the regional’s top seed, Harvard.

Belvidere made it back-to-back shutout victories, eliminating Harvard (Oct. 23) from the postseason with a 1-0 win. Ben Delgado scored the game’s only goal, 20 minutes into the first half and the Buc defense made it the game-winning goal.

“We played a very good game, defensively, against Harvard – the No. 1 seed in the regional,” Ivacic said.

Belvidere earned a spot in the regional final and though its shutout streak didn’t continue, its defense was still solid while its offense dominated for a win against Hampshire (Oct. 25).

Delgado led the Bucs’ offense with four goals and an assist, while Resendiz had two goals and two assists in an 8-1 win in the regional final. Saul Vilchis and Christian Corral each added a goal, while Adair Horteales and Daniel Reyes had assists. Belvidere scored five goals in the first half and avenged an earlier-season loss to Hampshire.

“It was a little bit of payback for the loss to Hampshire at the beginning of the season,” Ivacic said. “We got to the same point last year and lost, so the boys had a strong desire to win this game.”

Belvidere would have preferred for the postseason run to continue, but the Bucs faced a tough Wheaton team that turned the tables on them. After allowing just one goal and earning two shutouts in the postseason, Belvidere was the team shutout in the first sectional round, in a 7-0 loss.

“Unfortunately, we did not play with the same desire against Wheaton, but they were a tough opponent and did end by winning the sectional championship.”

But the loss doesn’t nullify Belvidere soccer’s first regional title, which has Ivacic and the Bucs looking forward to 2014.

Nov. 12, 2013

WEST ALLIS, Wis. – Carl Rapp (Belvidere North) earned his first All-NACC Team nomination for the Rockford University men’s cross country team, with his finish at the NACC (Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference) Championships, Nov. 2.

Rapp finished the course in 27:59.2, placing him 12^th in the 108-runner event. He was just one second behind teammate Timothy Lydy, who finished 11^th with a time of 27:58.2. The duo led the Regents to 7^th in the team standings, after completing many events this season with too few runners to record a team score. Aurora’s Matt Meyers won the individual event with a time of 26:38.8 and the team earned the top spot with a score of 45.

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Belvidere’s Bailey Swan had five kills, four digs and an assist for the American International College women’s volleyball team, Nov. 2, in a win over Bentley.

The Yellow Jacket win means just the second conference loss of the season for the Falcons, who won the opening set 25-23. But AIC responded with a 25-14 win in the second set and a 15-9 win in the fifth set, to clinch the win.

Swan had 11 kills and two digs for the Yellow Jackets in their following game, Nov. 5, against Southern Connecticut State. They managed a 25-21 win in the opening set, but were beaten in the next three and dropped to 12-14 overall on the season, 6-5 in the conference.

Saturday, AIC closes its regular season with a home match against St. Michael’s College.

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Brook Brinkman (Belvidere North) and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh women’s volleyball team ended their season, Nov. 5, with a loss in the WIAC Championship tournament.

The Titans dropped the first set against UW-La Crosse, 25-23, but they took a 2-1 advantage in the match by winning the second and third sets. They were tied 20-20 with the Eagles in the fourth set, but La Crosse got the 26-24 win and clinched the match with a 16-14 win in the fifth set.

Brinkman had 33 assists and seven digs in her first season for the Titans.

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The Cardinal Stritch University women’s volleyball team and Breanna Schaedel (North Boone) concluded their regular season with a win over Robert Morris, Thursday.

The four-set victory give the Wolves the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) North Division title. They finished the regular season with at 26-11 overall and 15-2 in the conference.

Tonight, the Wolves start play in the CCAC Conference Tournament.

Nov. 10, 2013

WHITEWATER, Wis. – Katie O’Malley (Belvidere) led the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women’s volleyball team with 23 assists, but the Pioneer season came to an end with a loss to UW-Whitewater, Tuesday.

The match was the first round of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament and though Platteville took two sets, it dropped the final set 15-10 and lost the opening round.

O’Malley also had 13 assists and two kills for the Pioneers in their final regular season match of 2013, but they were swept by Wartburg, two days earlier. Platteville finished the season with a 15-19 record and 3-5 in the conference.

O’Malley finished the season with a team-high 867 assists, while adding 18 aces and 25 kills.

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Kirsten Larson (Belvidere North) hit four 3-pointers and scored 16 points for Kirkwood College in its 88-48 win over Lewis & Clark, Tuesday.

It was the second round of the Southeastern Classic and the second game of the Eagles’ season.

Taylor Silva collected 10 points and eight assists for the Eagles (2-0). Hanna Haynes contributed 10 points and nine rebounds. Zoe Kelso scored 13 points.

Larson also scored in her first game as an Eagle, getting two points in the tournament opener against Owens, which was the first game of the regular season.

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Keith Larson (Belvidere North) got his first start for the Valparaiso football team, Nov. 2, against the University of San Diego.

Larson had five tackles for the Crusaders, but they dropped a 58-14 decision at home.

Though Valparaiso didn’t score in the first quarter, they were still within a touchdown in the second. However, San Diego scored the first three touchdowns of the second quarter and took control of the game. The Toreros scored 16 points in 83 seconds, during their first-half run.

The loss dropped Valparaiso to 1-8 overall on the season.

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The UW-Whitewater women’s tennis team – including Belvidere North’s Kelsey and Caitlin Fitzgerald – won the school’s seventh consecutive WIAC title.

It’s the 14^th WIAC championship in the program’s history and concludes the fall portion of the 2013-14 season.

The Warhawks are idle until March 7, when they continue their attempt to reach the NCAA Division III tournament.

Oct. 31, 2013

By Troy A. Bruzewski

POPLAR GROVE – Last year, it was North Boone that spoiled the season finale for Burlington Central. Friday, the roles were reversed.

Despite over 300 yards passing by quarterback Nathan Bodey, the Vikings lost their season finale and a chance for the postseason, with a 28-14 defeat.

The game had an unfortunate start for North Boone, with the Rockets recovering a fumble and returning it 24 yards for a touchdown, giving Burlington an early lead.

But the Vikings responded quickly and more than once. Less than two minutes after Burlington scored the game’s first points, the Vikings took to the passing game and tied the score. Bodey connected with Tre Williams down the right side for a 55-yard touchdown.

Jon Lilly made plays on both offense and defense that helped the Vikings gain the lead in the first quarter. He intercepted a Casey Matthews pass that was tipped and he caught the go-ahead score. Bodey completed a pass down the left sideline to Lilly, for a 30-yard touchdown, giving the Vikings a 14-7 lead with over seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Burlington managed to tie the game before the second quarter, scoring on a 40-yard pass from Matthews to Ian Napiorkowski with 46 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, all their scoring was already done, while the Rockets started to take the game, in the second half.

The Burlington defense forced a safety with just over four minutes remaining in the half, which ended as the game-winning points. But the Rockets also scored on the ensuing drive, capped by a 60-yard Matthews touchdown run, putting the Rockets up 22-14 heading into halftime.

Burlington Central provided the second half’s only score, on a 3-yard touchdown run by Reilly Marino, with 6:37 remaining in the third.

The game brought each team’s record to 4-5, though the Vikings were playing for a postseason berth.

Bodey finished with 337 yards passing and two touchdowns, along with 64 yards rushing on 17 carries.

Lilly finished with a game-high 243 yards receiving on eight catches; Williams had three catches for 83 yards.

Oct. 30, 2013

ROCKFORD – Two Belvidere natives played their final matches for the Rockford University women’s volleyball team, Saturday.

Heather Hyland (Belvidere) and Rebecca Johnson (Belvidere North) took to the court for the final time, in the Regents’ match against Benedictine. Unfortunately for the Regents, they were beaten in straight sets: 25-19, 25-18 and 25-19.

Rockford was in all three games but was never able to close out a set. They lost in three sets; 25-19, 25-18, and 25-19. Hyland led the match with 15 digs and added in 4 kills on 15 attempts. Kirsten Bergin tied for the Regents lead with 6 kills on 15 attempts. Taylor Rossi finished with 6 kills, 16 assists, and 12 digs. Johns added a dig.

This was the second consecutive straight-set loss for the Regents in the close of the season. They dropped a decision to Wisconsin Lutheran, Oct. 23. Hyland had 11 digs and eight kills for the Regents.

On the season, Hyland had 113 kills, 30 assists, 24 aces, 326 digs and 36 blocks. Johns had three digs, in four matches this year.

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Josh Dummer (Belvidere) had a tackle-for-loss in Carroll University’s win over Grinnell College, Saturday.

Dummer’s tackle cost Grinnell seven yards and was one of the plays that helped the Pioneers to a 37-0 shutout win.

The Pioneers were first on the board, scoring just five seconds into the second quarter, after a scoreless first quarter. Daniel Arden scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and gave Carroll a 7-0 lead.

Then, Casey Legan caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Schovanec, giving the Pioneers a two-touchdown lead. They added a 3-yard touchdown run from Lamont Williams, with 1:43 remaining in the half.

The third quarter was scoreless for both teams, but the Pioneers added a safety and two more touchdown runs in the fourth quarter.

Dummer and the Pioneer defense held Grinnell to just 27 yards rushing, while their offense gained 312 yards on the ground.

The win improved Carroll’s record to 4-3 on the season and the Pioneers can clinch a winning season record, with a victory against Beloit College, Saturday.

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Bailey Swan (Belvidere **) had 15 digs and 14 kills for the American International College women’s volleyball team, Saturday.

The Yellow Jackets earned a win in the first set, 25-14, but dropped the final three to lose the match.

Caitlin Connelly led the Yellow Jackets with 35 digs and Hannah Smith had 47 assists. AIC dropped to 11-12 overall on the season. Tonight, the Yellow Jackets face Bridgeport, before hosting Bentley University, Saturday.

Oct. 30, 2013

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Editor

ROCKFORD – The task facing Belvidere was formidable, Friday.

The Bucs needed a win in the season finale, to become playoff-eligible and clinch a positive record in the regular season. To accomplish their goal, they also needed to give Boylan its first loss of the season. Unfortunately for the Bucs, their postseason hopes were dashed with a 50-27 loss.

The Titans had four rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, a defensive touchdown and a safety en route to a win that kept their record perfect, at 9-0.

The game was scoreless for nearly the entire first quarter, until Boylan broke the scoreless tie with a touchdown pass. Demry Croft connected with Nick Nalewanski for a 7-yard score and the Titans were up 7-0. Croft followed that with a touchdown run, just 19 seconds into the second quarter, giving them a 14-0 lead.

Maurice Jackson got Belvidere on the board near the midway point of the second quarter. He scored a 2-yard touchdown to cut Boylan’s lead in half, at 14-7. The Bucs had a chance to tie the game before halftime, on a drive in the final two minutes of the half. However, Boylan’s Ian Riggs recovered a Belvidere fumble and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. Rather than entering halftime with a tie, the Bucs were down two touchdowns.

Belvidere responded in the second half, with the first score and closed the gap. Quarterback Garrett Hyser found Eric Munoz for a 16-yard touchdown pass, closing the gap to 20-14.

But Boylan answered on the following drive. Croft broke loose for a 52-yard touchdown run and returned the Titan lead to a pair of touchdowns, 27-14.

The Boylan special teams got on the board after holding Belvidere’s offense on the following drive and forcing a punt. The Titans blocked the punt and were awarded a safety, extending their lead to 29-14.

With less than a minute remaining in the third, Boylan put the game out of Belvidere’s reach. The Titans scored on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Croft to Ryan Stanicek and took a 35-14 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Bucs continued to challenge and keep their playoff hopes alive, scoring a touchdown less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Hyser found Tyler Morris for a 50-yard touchdown and Belvidere was back to within a pair of touchdowns.

But Boylan added another touchdown, this one on a 4-yard run by Zackary Mathews and the following 2-point conversion made the score 43-21.

On their following possession, Croft got yet another score, this one on a 9-yard run, putting the Titans at the half-century mark.

Belvidere closed the season with a score though, as Maurice Jackson scored on a 61-yard touchdown pass from Hyser, with 13 seconds remaining in the game. That made the final score 50-27 and Belvidere closed the season with a 4-5 record overall.

Despite surrendering over 40 points, the Belvidere defense was able to recover five Boylan fumbles. But the Titan defense was up to the task against the Bucs’ running game.

Boylan held the Bucs to just 86 yards rushing in the game.

Jackson finished with 53 yards rushing on 23 carries and had 74 yards receiving on three catches. Hyser had 193 yards passing, completing 14 of his 32 attempts. Colton Bahling had 38 yards rushing on two carries and had seven catches for 45 yards.

Devon Dean and Jacob Fondrk led the defense with eight tackles each.

Croft finished with 256 yards passing for Boylan and added 93 yards rushing. The Titans face Belvidere North in the first round of postseason play, this week.

Oct. 28, 2013

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Belvidere’s Bailey Swan helped the American International College women’s volleyball team to a conference win.

The Yellow Jackets earned a Northeast-10 Conference match, Oct. 22, over Assumption College. Swan had 25 digs and 13 kills for the Yellow Jackets, who won in four sets: 26-24, 21-25, 25-23 and 25-22.

With the win the Yellow Jacket improve to 11-11 and 5-3 in the NE-10, while the loss drops Assumption to 4-14 overall and 1-8 in conference play. AIC’s outside hitter Melanie Garcia, had 19 kills as she returned from a knee injury.

AIC went up two sets to none, 26-24, 25-21, before falling 23-25, and then putting away the Greyhounds 25-22.

The Yellow Jackets were stellar on defense, notching 108 total digs. Garcia and freshman setter Hannah Smith also grabbed double-digit digs, 17 and 11. She also averaged 9.25 assists-per-set, 37 total.

Swan had 10 digs and three kills for the Yellow Jackets in their previous match, Oct. 19, against Adelphi University. But AIC was on the short end of the final score, dropping the decision in straight sets: 25-23, 27-25 and 25-17.

Caitlin Connelly notched a team high 11 kills and she hit .216 with 11 kills and three errors. Blair Havron tallied 10 kills and hit a team-high .261 with four errors in 23 attempts. Havron also made two solo blocks.

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Heather Hyland (Belvidere) had 11 digs, eight kills and an ace for the Rockford University women’s volleyball team, Wednesday.

However, the Regents dropped the decision to Wisconsin Lutheran, in straight sets: 25-22, 25-21 and 25-13. Katelyn Hasken led the Regents with 13 digs and added seven kills; Laina Scheri added 11 digs and Taylor Rossi had 10.

The loss drops Rockford to 3-20 overall on the season and 1-9 in the NACC.

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Fernanda Chavez (Belvidere North) had the best opportunity to score a goal for the Rockford University women’s soccer team in its game against Concordia-Chicago, but it didn’t lead to a goal in the 3-0 loss.

Tuesday, was the final home game of the 2013 season and temperatures were in the low 40s for the finale.

After a scoreless first half, Chavez broke away from the pack early in the second half and lined a shot to the left side of Concordia Chicago's goal. The Cougars’ goalie made a diving save and the Regents could not capitalize on the ensuing corner kick.

The Regents were at a disadvantage for much of the match as they played with ten players most of the first half and all of the second half, forcing them to play defense much of the game. Concordia scored all three of its goals in the second half and Rockford’s win total on the season remained at one. Concordia fired 24 shots at the Rockford goal, while Chavez’s shot was the lone Regent attempt.

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North Boone’s Breanna Schaedel had two digs and a kill for the Cardinal Stritch women’s volleyball team, in its win over York College, Oct. 19.

The Wolves won in straight sets: 25-15, 25-17 and 25-12. They also earned a win over Valley City State University, later that day. Stritch dropped the opening set 25-18, but won the next two sets 25-11 and 25-18, forcing a fourth set.

The Wolves needed extra time, but they got the fourth-set win 29-27. The wins improved their record to 18-10 on the season.

Oct. 28, 2013

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Editor

BELVIDERE – Brianna Thounsavath had 23 digs for the Belvidere North girls volleyball team, leading it to its second win in three days, with a win over Jefferson, Oct. 17.

Jordan Neiber had 17 assists, while Rachael Kirane added 16, in North’s 25-22, 24-26, 25-18 win. Amanda Williams added nine kills for the Blue Thunder and Maria Moscato had 22 digs and seven kills.

Two days earlier, the Thunder won in straight sets over Auburn, 25-8 and 25-5. Ashley Colvin led North with five digs and three kills; Keeva Hursh added three kills. The wins improved North’s record to 14-10 overall and 10-4 in NIC-10 play.

Oct. 28, 2013

By Troy A. Bruzewski

Editor

KINGSTON – Skyler Yunk had a top-20 finish for the North Boone boys cross country team in the Big Northern Conference meet, Oct. 19.

Yunk finished the course in 16:24, placing him 19th among individual competitors. The Vikings finished with 248 points, placing them ninth in the final team standings. Winnebago won the boys division, with 54 points; followed by Burlington Central with 63 points.

Josh Herrmann was 50th overall for Boone, finishing in 17:31. He was followed by Tanner Synove (59th, 17:56), Josh Perez (64th, 18:24), Alan Rojas (69th, 18:40), Timmy Richert (75th, 19:17) and Danny Richert (76th, 19:19).

Boone Jacob Blouin earned a top-10 finish in the freshman/sophomore division, finishing 10th in 18:09.

Sydney Baule was the top Boone finisher in the girls division, placing 55th with a time of 22:06. She was followed by Diana Perez (77th, 25:12), Sarey Morales (80th, 25:30), Marisol Morales (84th, 25:39), Anel Pena (85th, 26:19) and Hannah Vassmer (86th, 26:20).

Marengo won the girls division with a score of 41; Boone was 13th with 376 points. Burlington Central, Richmond-Burton and Winnebago had a close fight for second place. Central took second with 112 points, with R-B one point behind and Winnebago two points behind.

Oct. 25, 2013

POPLAR GROVE – School District 200 Superintendent Steven Baule recently congratulated the North Boone sports teams:

“The boys’ golf team finished sixth in the 2A regional meet, a feat that coach Josh Conkling is proud of, considering North Boone’s small size. The team met several of the goals they set for themselves at the beginning of the school year, including winning two conference matches. Seniors Rodney Taylor and Kyle Kniep advanced as individuals to sectionals. The boys hope to continue improving their conference record next year.

North Boone’s boys’ soccer team saw many firsts this season, making it an exciting start to the school year: with more than 20 members they had their first ever win and finished with a total of three games won overall.

Finally, both boys’ and girls’ cross country teams have made great strides this fall season. North Boone’s girls’ team only saw one returning member this year, but freshman Sydney Baule finished in fourth place at the home meet. Coach Mindy Brown has high hope for the girls and is eager to see how they continue to grow individually and as a team.

Coach Brown is also enthusiastic about the boys, calling them “the strongest boys’ team we have had in the past couple years.” They had two first place finishes as a team this season and finished ninth overall at the All Conference meet this past Saturday. Notably, sophomore Skylar Yunk won the meet with a 19th place finish; sophomores Jacob Blouin and Thomas Lee finished the JV race in 10th and 16th place, respectably. Unfortunately, the boys will be losing six seniors this year, but they leave with good memories and having left their mark on the team. Says senior Josh Herrmann: "This season has brought hard work, dedication, and commitment to a new level. Our team has put in the hard work needed to succeed from winning our home meet to winning more meets in this season than ever before. We have done things no other North Boone cross country team has."

Congratulations to all athletes. North Boone is proud of all your hard work and is excited what you all do next.”

August 28, 2013

Belvidere’s Kyle LaPier (55) make an inside pass, en route to a win at Rockford Speedway, Saturday.

August 22, 2013

SPRINGFIELD — State Sen. Napoleon Harris (D-Flossmoor) saw his first major piece of legislation sponsored and signed into law on Sunday, requiring schools to offer catastrophic insurance coverage for student athletes.

 Inspired by Rasul “Rocky” Clark, Harris’ Senate Bill 2178 ensures student athletes will have insurance coverage if they sustain injuries that leave them paralyzed while representing their schools in athletics. The measure was signed by the governor at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, where Rocky went to school and played football. His mother Annette Clark was on hand for the occasion, along with other family, friends, and lawmakers who cosponsored the legislation.

 “These injuries are rare, but when they happen it’s devastating for young athletes and their families,” Harris said. “These students’ lives are dramatically changed in cases of catastrophic injuries, and they deserve access to health care coverage.”

 Harris, a former NFL and Northwestern University football player, knows the importance of this legislation. He sought and achieved bipartisan support in the Senate on this measure.

 Under the new law, the minimum policy for a school will cover $3 million in aggregate benefits or five years of coverage, whichever comes first, for injuries resulting in medical expenses in excess of $50,000. All schools will have this insurance except for those who already require athletes to have private insurance. Before this new law, there was no requirement in Illinois that schools carry insurance for their athletes, though some do voluntarily.

 The Illinois High School Association provides students with this catastrophic insurance for state tournaments. To acquire this coverage for the entire season, officials estimate the cost for schools to be less than $5 per athlete.

 “Illinois student-athletes and their parents have a victory today,” Harris said.

August 15, 2013

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

BELVIDERE — As the 2013 Boone County Fair wound down Sunday afternoon Jack Ratcliffe, vice president of the fair board, surveyed the field of cars for the demolition derby from his perch in the press box.

He was ecstatic.

Cars were all over the place, with the two afternoon events drawing over 100 entries – considerably more than last year. Some of them had been lured, most likely, by a hefty increase in prize money for the two competitions.

For some of the Boone County competitors, it was their first show, but not everyone. Alex Hermonson, owner of Flex’s House of Power in Belvidere, sponsors the car driven by Emily Belohlavy of nearby Harvard and has been involved with several Boone fairs.

“It’s just the action; it’s fun,” he said.

“You have fun building them, you have fun junking them,” said Emily’s brother, Joe Belohlavy, also of Harvard.

Winning isn’t the most important thing and it’s not wise for drivers to think that way when they’re on the track, Hermonson said.

“Just go out there and shut your brain off,” he said.

He said he’s been coming to this fair “forever,” for the demolition derby and showing pigs.

It was the fourth year of driving for Emily, who said she got into it “because of my crazy brothers and my boyfriend.”

She recently was fifth at a derby in Mendota and finished fifth last year at the Boone County Fair.

In memory of a driver

The No. 52 car driven by Jacob Temple was competing in memory of 41-year-old Mark Doser of Belvidere, who died of brain cancer, Saturday, Aug. 3.

Friends and members of his family, including his widow, Deanna, wore bright yellow T-shirts with the inscription, “In Memory of Mark Doser,” on the back.

“They pretty much told me I had to be here,” Deanna Doser said of family and friends.

Her husband was a spotter for a friend during the 2011 derby; the cancer was detected less than a year later, in June 2012.

Racing is part of his family, she said, what with daughter Alyssa and stepdaughters Lisa and Shelby having driven at the derby. Deanna Doser said Shelby won the compact competition in 2007.

Jacob Temple, in his third year of driving at derbies, said he hoped to do well for Mark.

“The demolition derby is a good family,” he said. “We all support each other.”

Longtime competitors

The Lungsfords of Belvidere were back for yet another go at it, this year with three cars in the competitions. Drivers were Mike Lungsford, Brian White and Austin Nofsinger. Brian won one of the features in 2008, while Mike won in 2010.

“I’ve been running for 10 years,” White said. He agreed that the increased prize money was “one of the biggest incentives” to get more cars into the field this year.

Mike Lungsford, 31, said he’s been driving for 15 years, winning once and numerous top-5 finishes.

“It’s the adrenaline rush” that brings him back here and to other tracks, he said. “Once you’ve been in a car you have to come back.”

His father, Mark, patriarch of the Lungsford racing family, said there’s a third-generation racer in the wings, a 7-year-old, who “loves to demo.” He said he last ran in the Boone County derby in 2012.

July 24, 2013

NASCAR American Short Trackers

Feature: 1. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 2. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 3. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 4. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 5. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 6. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 7. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 8. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 9. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 10. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 11. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 12. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 13. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton.

Heat 1: 1. Jason Bragg, Machesney Park; 2. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 3. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 4. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 5. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis; 6. Leo Bujak, III, Spring Grove; 7. Billy McCoy, Belvidere.

Heat 2: 1. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 2. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 6. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park.

Qualifying: 1. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 2. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 3. Zach Rodriguez, Rockton; 4. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 6. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 7. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park; 8. David Russell, Jr, Rockford; 9. Nick Letsinger, Rockford; 10. Artt Higbee, Rockford; 11. Leo Bujak, III, Spring Grove; 12. Billy McCoy, Belvidere; 13. Steve Putman, Jr., Beloit, Wis.

Dash 1: 1. Tom Gille, Winnebago; 2. Scott Hoeft, Watertown, Wis; 3. Nick Cina, Jr, Belvidere; 4. Brett McCoy, Belvidere; 5. Kyle Lapier, Belvidere; 6. Keith Pierce, Machesney Park.

NASCAR Late Models

Feature 1: 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Joel Clossey (r), Beloit, Wis; 5. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 6. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 7. Dave Cooter, Sr., Loves Park.

Heat: 1. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 2. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 3. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 4. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 5. Joel Clossey (r), Beloit, Wis; 6. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 7. Dave Cooter, Sr., Loves Park.

Qualifying: 1. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 2. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 3. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park; 4. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 5. Joel Clossey (r), Beloit, Wis; 6. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 7. Dave Cooter, Sr., Loves Park.

Dash 1 -- 1. Alex Papini, Machesney Park; 2. Jerry Gille, Roscoe; 3. Jon Reynolds, Jr., Rockford; 4. Joel Clossey (r), Beloit, Wis; 5. Steve Erickson, Jr, Machesney Park; 6. Jacob Gille, Machesney Park.

NASCAR Road Runners

Feature: 1. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 2. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park; 3. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 4. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 5. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 6. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton; 7. Robert Myher, South Beloit; 8. James Gregory, Winnebago; 9. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 10. Rick Rickelman, Machesney Park; 11. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 12. Josh Carter, Rockford; 13. Autumn Rudeen, Loves Park; 14. Daniel Opsahl, Rockford; 15. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 16. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 17. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 18. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park.

Heat 1: 1. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 2. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 3. James Gregory, Winnebago; 4. Daniel Opsahl, Rockford; 5. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford; 6. Rick Rickelman, Machesney Park; 7. Jonathon Dean, Machesney Park; 8. Josh Carter, Rockford; 9. Autumn Rudeen, Loves Park.

Heat 2: 1. Robert Myher, South Beloit; 2. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 3. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 4. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 5. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 6. Jeff Allendorf, Belvidere; 7. Ricky Nielsen, Rockford; 8. Gene Marocco, Machesney Park.

Challenge 1: 1. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 2. Jason Van Hise, Loves Park; 3. Daniel Opsahl, Rockford; 4. Terry Van Hise, Machesney Park; 5. Curt Nighswonger, Rockford.

Dash 1: 1. Arlyn Roush, Woodstock; 2. Terrance Robinson, Beloit, Wis; 3. Robert Myher, South Beloit; 4. Dennis Smith, Jr, South Beloit; 5. Kyle McQuality, Stillman Valley; 6. Shawn Rickelman, Rockton.