When John Daniels took the Stagg boys basketball coaching job in 2003-2004, his team was 4-24.
District rival Sandburg was 21-8.
Who knew back then that Sandburg’s wouldn’t enjoy another 20-win season until this school year? And that Daniels would be the coach guiding the team to that mark?
After beating Eisenhower 60-32 on Feb. 11, the Eagles improved to 20-10 and it’s just the second time since 1995 Sandburg hit the 20-win mark.
“It’s always a good mark,” Daniels said. “Twenty wins is a coach’s mark and as a team you want to win 20 games, you want to win conference and you want to win the regional. That’s sort of the way it’s always been.”
The key to this season is that the Eagles have a deep roster.
While Malachi Perkins, Will Johnson and his twin brother Jonah, and Will Hooks have been constant contributors, Bryson Dagon, Jake Tomczak, Karim Diab, Daniel Morakinyo and Kendall McDowell also have been popping up with some big games.
“We’ve had nights when our first group struggled and the second group came in and made a run,” Daniels said. “Some nights, it’s the first group that plays really well.
“And when they both are doing really well, we’re a tough team.”
EP girls make history
Evergreen Park’s girls basketball team won its first conference championship since 1989 when the Mustangs beat Reavis 45-42 on Feb, 10 to clinch the South Suburban Red title.
“I’m very happy for each of (the players), very happy for Evergreen Park High School and very grateful that I have been given the opportunity to be their head coach,” Mustangs coach George Shimko said.
The Mustangs finished 11-2 in the league. It’s just the third conference title in program history with the first coming in 1977.
Garcia wins bowling sectional
Defending IHSA girls bowling state champion Ulyssa Garcia won the Hinsdale South Sectional on Feb. 14 with a 1,399.
The Richards senior led her team to a second-place finish (5,497) while Evergreen Park (5,252) placed third and Stagg (5,119) took fourth.
Morton won the De La Salle Sectional with a 5,175 with sophomore Makayla Veals leading the way with an 1,140.
All four area teams head to the state tournament Feb. 20-21 at the Cherry Bowl in Machesney Park.
Allen tops all-around gymnasts
District 230 coop girls gymnastics sophomore Avery Allen won the all-around event at the Oswego Sectional Feb. 11 with a 36.8250 and advances to the IHSA state meet Feb. 20-21 at Palatine.
Allen also qualified for state in the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Freshman Emily Pocica (uneven bars, vault, all-around) and senior Kylie Wagner (balance beam) also qualified.
The district qualified as an at-large team.
Former SXU assistant dies
Former St. Xavier football coach Mike Slovick died last week. He served the Cougars as a special-teams coordinator and special-teams coach from 2005-2016.
He also started and headed up the St. Francis program in Joliet in 1986 and coached Mike Feminis, who is the Cougars current coach.
Football dates set
After much debate, the IHSA football season will open practice on Aug. 5 to accommodate the expanded playoff format.
Schools voted for the change 290-245 with 67 submitting a “no-opinion” ballot.