Catalyst Maria graduate Jonathan Brundidge (left) and St. Rita alum Cameron Bartmann pose with the NJCAA National Championship trophy on Sunday as South Suburban College won the title the night before. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Area Sports Roundup: South Suburban College wins national title
By Jeff Vorva
Staff writer
Now for some March Madness that was not as heavily publicized over the weekend …
Area athletes participated in three national championship basketball games on Saturday, and a couple of them can lay claim to being national champs.
St. Rita grad Cameron Bartmann and Catalyst Maria alum Jonathan Brundidge play for South Suburban College, which on March 19 won the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II national championship.
SSC beat Davidson-Davie Community College (North Carolina) 79-63 to win the title at Mary Miller Gymnasium in Danville. The Bulldogs finished 33-0, becoming the first school in NJCAA Division II history to go unbeaten. It’s happened five times in NJCAA Division I and five times at the Division III level.
Bartmann, a 6-10 sophomore, started and had two rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal in the title game. Brundidge, a 6-7 sophomore, came off the bench at the end of the game.
“This was everything I thought it was going to be and more,” said Bartmann, a transfer from Augustana. “An undefeated season. It was everything I could have dreamed of.”
“It felt good to be out there,” said Brundidge, a transfer from Governors State. “Everybody was happy.”
Neither player is sure what their future in basketball holds, but they hope to hear soon from four-year colleges.
“Winning a national championship carries a lot of weight,” Brundidge said.
Just Short
Morton College’s women’s basketball team finished second in the nation in NJCAA Division II, losing to Kirkwood (Iowa), 49-44, in Port Huron, Michigan. Both teams came into the game averaging more than 80 points per game.
Nazareth graduate Jovanna Martinucci and former Argo star Tadriana Heard, both sophomores, were key players for the Panthers, who ended the season 30-3. Heard was named to the all-tournament team.
To get to the title game, the Panthers hit 18 3-pointers in an 84-72 victory over CCBC Essex of Maryland in the semifinals. The victory snapped Essex’s 34-game winning streak.
It was the first time in Morton College’s history that any of its athletics teams made it to a national championship game.
Elmhurst College’s men’s team, meanwhile, took second in the nation in NCAA Division III, dropping the title game, 75-45, to Randolph-Macon College (Virginia) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Former Mount Carmel star Jake Rhode, the Caravan’s all-time leading scorer, finished with nine points. Former Sandburg player Jack Walsh and Nazareth alum Tagen Pearson are also on the team.
Can the area get another athlete in a championship game?
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, which was scheduled to start on Tuesday in Evansville, Indiana.
Former Sandburg standout Tommy Demogerontas, who played at Moraine Valley and Northern Illinois, is a key contributor averaging 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
All-Staters
No area players made the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s first-team all-state teams for 2021-22, but there were some that made second and third teams, plus some honorable mentions.
In Class 4A, Lyons senior Tavari Johnson was a second-teamer while Riverside-Brookfield senior John Paul Hanley, Brother Rice junior Ahmad Henderson and St. Rita sophomore Morez Johnson each made the third team. Of the 36 players on the first three teams, Johnson was the only sophomore.
St. Rita’s James Brown, Curie’s Jeremy Harrington, Oak Lawn’s Davion Lawrence and Marist junior Xavier Sulaiman received special mention.
In Class 3A, Mount Carmel junior Deandre Craig made the second team while De La Salle senior DaJuan Bates was named to the third team.
Solorio senior Donovan Jones was named special mention.
National Treasures
Marist’s boys volleyball team was ranked 14th in the nation in a recent list by USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association.
But don’t shine up a state championship trophy just yet for the RedHawks. Out of the top 15 nationally ranked teams, five are from Illinois. Barrington is ranked fifth, Glenbard West sixth, Hinsdale Central 13th and Lincoln-Way East 15th.
Marist and Lincoln-Way East could be on a collision course this weekend in Marist’s 24-team invitational.
Local News
SD229 names former board to replace Cruz
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Oak Lawn High School District 229 board members opted for a familiar face to replace ousted school board member Rob Cruz. Former board member Safaa Zarzour, 58, was named last week to fill Cruz’s term. Cruz was removed from the board by a 6-1 vote at a special board meeting…
Oak Park man charged in Forest View woman’s murder
Spread the love By Carol McGowan and Bob Bong A 24-year-old Oak Park man has been arrested and charged in the strangulation death last month of 20-year-old Charisma Ehresman, of Forest View. Richard Chavez, of the 600 block of South Maple Street in Oak Park, was arrested on February 18 at Cook County Jail where…
Years later, he still takes the cake
Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 In the past I’ve started columns dated Feb. 25 by giving a shout out to former Beatle George Harrison, who would have celebrated his 79th birthday today. Today is no different. He was my favorite of…
Laff-Jam coming to St. Bede, no foolin’
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac GSWNH Columnist At-Large joan.hadac@gmail.com Once again this week, it’s my privilege and pleasure to write the Greater Southwest News-Herald’s column for Greater Ashburn (the Wrightwood, Ashburn, Parkview and Scottsdale neighborhoods). As usual, there are plenty of interesting things happening in this special, vibrant part of Chicago. St. Bede School’s athletics…
Best of all, spring is coming
Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 284-7394 Mardi Gras, Paczki Day, Fat Tuesday and the start of the Lenten season all happen this coming week. But the absolute best part is, March is here. Spring is just around the corner (we can…
A sweet treat, right on 63rd Street
Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 Hi neighbors! Today is Chocolate Covered Nuts Day. Celebrate wisely. I suggest a trip to Villa’s Nuts and Candy, 4635 W. 63rd St. They have scrumptious chocolate-covered everything and so much more. Call them for information on days and hours at (773) 581-8313.…
Warm homecoming on cold, snowy night for Olympian Abbey Murphy
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Streets lined with residents welcomed back USA Olympic Silver Medalist Abbey Murphy Thursday night to Evergreen Park. The Evergreen Park community has been cheering on 19-year-old Murphy as she and Team USA battled in the women’s hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Countless residents have decorated their houses…
St. Patrick’s Day parade dedicated to Officer Ella French
Spread the loveHeroism, sacrifice to be honored By Tim Hadac A 29-year-old woman remembered as a hero and martyr among many—in Chicago and elsewhere—will be saluted at the Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day parade, set for Saturday, March 12. The late Chicago Police Officer Ella French, shot to death during a traffic stop near 63rd…
Eight years later, an Eagle takes flight
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. I want to tell you about the eight-year journey of one young man, which started in fourth grade at Kinzie School and ended just recently. His journey took him from Cub Scout Pack 3625 at Kinzie School through…
A crazy fun day
Spread the love Dahlia Walkosz and Olivia Lopez, fifth graders at St. Daniel the Prophet School, were among many having fun during Crazy Hat Day–part of St. Dan’s efforts to promote good spirit during this year’s Catholic Schools Week. Parents looking for a school for their children for the 2022-23 school year are invited to…
Neighbors
Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Halfway through the 2024 election cycle and just a few weeks away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy on Wednesday announced his resignation as head of the state Republican Party. Tracy, who’d held the job since February 2021, explained his resignation in…
Pritzker signs bill creating new Department of Early Childhood
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday creating a new cabinet-level state agency dedicated to early childhood education and development. The new Department of Early Childhood, which will become operational in July 2026, will take over programs currently housed across three state agencies, including funding for preschool…
Speaker Welch rebuffs lawsuit from would-be staff union as ‘forum shopping’
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is urging a Cook County judge to dismiss a lawsuit members of his staff filed against him last month seeking to force recognition of their union. In a new filing Monday, attorneys for Welch argued the Illinois Legislative Staff Association has no…
Advocates say SCOTUS ruling paves way for law ensuring abusers have guns confiscated
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com After the U.S. Supreme Court last week upheld a federal law that bars those under domestic violence-related restraining orders from owning guns, victim advocates say Illinois lawmakers should pass a measure to ensure firearms are actually confiscated in those situations. The legislation has been stalled for more than…
Communities, commission push Pritzker admin for more prison plan details
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Jimmy Soto spent more than 42 years wrongfully imprisoned in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities. In 2020, he was moved to the “F-House” at Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, a condemned unit, not because he was being punished, but because it was where the facility was housing individuals…
Elections board urged to dismiss complaint that Bailey illegally coordinated in 2022 campaign
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com A hearing officer is recommending the Illinois State Board of Elections dismiss a complaint that alleged conservative radio host and political operative Dan Proft illegally coordinated with former Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey during his 2022 campaign for governor. Proft, a one-time gubernatorial candidate himself, is behind an…
State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois State Police say an automated license plate reader program has helped the agency identify witnesses or suspects in 82 percent of highway shooting cases this year, including all eight that resulted in a death. But as the state looks to further expand its network of more than…
Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Halfway through the 2024 election cycle and just a few weeks away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy on Wednesday announced his resignation as head of the state Republican Party. Tracy, who’d held the job since February 2021, explained his resignation in…
As Illinois session ends, lawmakers’ attempt to reinstate wetland protections fails
by JENNIFER BAMBERG Investigate Midwest jennifer.bamberg@investigatemidwest.org In 2006, 19-year-old Jessica Whinston inherited 20 acres of land that her grandparents once farmed in Quincy, Illinois. The land had sat dormant since the 1980s and was overgrown, but Whinston and her husband Bradley worked to turn it into a productive farm. The couple were eventually able to…
Elections board dismisses illegal campaign coordination complaint, declines to clarify law
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – State elections officials on Tuesday indicated they were unlikely to step in to clarify what constitutes illegal campaign coordination after voting to dismiss a complaint alleging such coordination in the 2022 campaign for governor. At their monthly meeting in Chicago, Illinois State Board of Elections members…