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Chicago Tribune
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Aurora Christian pitcher Zach Zappia faces former travel teammate Alec Novotney in sectional final. ‘Pretty cool.'
This was different. Aurora Christian pitcher Zach Zappia found himself in a unique position Saturday morning. The junior right-hander drew the starting assignment for the Eagles against defending state champion Ottawa Marquette. He would oppose Alec Novotney, someone very familiar. 'This was pretty cool,' Novotney said of their playoff matchup. 'I've seen Zach play baseball before and he's pretty good, but we had never actually played against each other.' Zappia lives in Plano. Novotney used to live in Yorkville before his family moved away, but growing up, the two friends played travel basketball together on the same team. They were evenly matched on the mound Saturday through four innings before the Crusaders pulled away for a 5-1 win in the Class 1A Harvest Christian Sectional final at Elgin's Trout Park. Novotney was breezing along, recording eight of his 13 strikeouts in that span and needing only 42 pitches for Ottawa Marquette (32-3). Zappia, meanwhile, worked in and out of trouble for Aurora Christian (21-15). Backed by four defensive gems, he threw 65 pitches and faced a 0-0 deadlock against his friend. 'In that moment, the adrenaline was really helping me get through it,' Zappia said. 'I knew I was up there in pitches, but I was giving it all I had. I wanted to win this game. I tried my hardest.' Novotney started the game with a double off the left field fence. The next batter walked before Zappia got out of trouble with a double play and a groundout to senior shortstop Jack Burns. In the third, junior right fielder Christian Huerta ranged far into foul territory to track down a fly ball. Then in the fourth, with Ottawa Marquette runners on first and second and nobody out, junior first baseman Nolan Robertson made a diving catch of a bunt and doubled off the runner at second. Zappia followed by retiring the side, alertly covering home as senior catcher Kaleb Elwood tracked down a wild pitch and threw out a runner trying to score from third. 'He's been a magician a couple times,' Aurora Christian coach Andy Zorger said of Zappia. 'In our regional championship game, he did the same thing, getting out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam. 'He wriggled out of a couple things but couldn't quite get out of that fifth. He got a little tired, they barreled up a couple balls, and he probably made a mistake on an 0-2 pitch down the middle.' Ottawa Marquette finally broke through with two outs in the fifth inning, getting an RBI single from Novotney to open the scoring and following with two more RBI hits. The Crusaders, who advanced to the NIU Supersectional, added two insurance runs in sixth. 'I told our guys beforehand the pressure was on them — they're expected to be here,' Zorger said. 'We were really not expected to be here. We're just kind of riding it out. 'Unfortunately, we ran into a really good arm and he got aided by a very wide zone. They took advantage of it and we weren't able to make that adjustment.' Elwood pointed out that Zappia also benefitted from the strike zone and both pitchers used curveballs to their advantage. 'I was setting up in the other batter's box and knew I could get that call if my framing was good to bring it in, and that's what happened,' Elwood said. '(Novotney) was using mainly fastball-curveball, but when it's working, you're not going to use anything else.' Freshman designated hitter Noah Zappia, Zach's younger brother, lined a single up the middle in the third inning for Aurora Christian's first hit. Novotney, however, didn't allow a runner to reach second until junior second baseman Noah Hensley doubled for the Eagles in the sixth inning and later scored on Elwood's sacrifice fly. 'We've got a strong team coming back,' Zach Zappia said. 'We only lose two senior starters. We just have to put in the work.'
Chicago Tribune
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
St. Edward's Sarah Gurley has never tried travel softball in the summer. She plays baseball. ‘Figuring it out.'
St. Edward's Sarah Gurley oughta be in pictures. The sophomore shortstop, in a manner of speaking, is in a league of her own. She burst onto the scene last spring, hitting .521 and earning Chicagoland Christian Conference's player of the year and Illinois Coaches Association third team all-state honors. Impressive, especially when considering this. 'I've never played travel softball,' Gurley said. Say what? 'Sarah is a baseball player,' Green Wave coach Jerry Kublank said. 'She plays baseball in the summer and she likes to catch. She's a good catcher, but I need her at shortstop. 'You've seen some plays she made, showing good instincts to get that force at third base.' It came with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh inning Wednesday in St. Edward's come-from-behind 16-9 conference win over visiting Aurora Christian at the Elgin Sports Complex. Gliding over from the hole between short and third on a hard-hit ball that bounced away from sophomore Layne Dawson, Gurley scooped it up and beat a runner to the bag for a force out. 'She's picked up skills that some other players don't have,' said Kublank, who has coached baseball and softball for more than 50 years. 'Last weekend in the Larkin Tournament, she turned a couple double plays.' Gurley looked even better Wednesday at the plate, leading off the game with a triple to the wall in right field and then driving in three more runs with another triple in a 10-run sixth as the Green Wave (7-7, 4-1) rallied from an 8-6 deficit. In between? Gurley singled, was hit by a pitch and drew a walk while finishing with five runs scored. The strong support helped sophomore Kendall Pemberton gut out a win in the circle. She was filling in for ace Alaina Nolan, who suffered a hand injury Monday that will likely to keep her out of action for up to a week. That's a relief to Kublank, who learned earlier in the day school officials accepted an Illinois High School Association offer to host a regional. 'It just meant we all had to step up a bit to try to fill the spot,' said Gurley, who usually bats third. Freshman outfielder Mady Wagner and junior first baseman Grace Kendall had big days at the plate with three hits apiece for Aurora Christian (2-7, 0-4). Wagner homered and Kendall doubled twice for the young Eagles, who have no seniors on the roster. Gurley, meanwhile, has found a home with St. Edward. 'We're glad she decided to play softball,' Kublank said. 'Matter of fact, when she was a freshman, she was thinking of going out for baseball here. 'She was in our camp and I was thinking, 'Please, no, you have a better future in college in softball.'' Gurley, who is hitting .512 this year, had the lone hit off Newark ace Kodi Rizzo in a 4-0 loss in last season's regional final. She struck out just twice last spring and has not struck out this season. 'I've been playing baseball since I was 5 and didn't start playing softball until starting high school,' said Gurley, the middle of Glen and Jennifer's three children. Her oldest brother, Zach, is a senior. Her youngest brother, Nate, is in seventh grade. 'Baseball has always been a good all-around experience,' Sarah said. 'The guys respected me, I respected them and we get along. 'Nate and I played on the same team that my dad coached for a while.' She also has played two seasons of varsity basketball at St. Edward and continues to play summer rec league baseball. 'I'd like to play one of them in college if opportunities are there,' she said. 'I'm still figuring it out. 'It's always a transition going between baseball and softball, but I adjust. I'm liking softball more, but I think I still like baseball better.' Kublank doesn't mind. 'I don't think summer baseball is hurting her,' he said. 'It's OK with me.'
Chicago Tribune
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Sophomore Preston Morel maintains a persistent approach for Aurora Christian. Spotlight or not. ‘I play loose.'
The sharp glare of the spotlight doesn't bother Aurora Christian's Preston Morel whatsoever. A sophomore infielder/pitcher, the versatile Morel doesn't feel out of place in the big moments. 'I've been dealing with pressure ever since I was a little kid,' Morel said. 'I'm used to it — and that is all the motivation I need. I play loose and I know how to keep my teammates up.' Morel kept the Eagles on the upswing Friday afternoon, coming up with a two-run single that sparked his team to a 9-3 nonconference victory over host Aurora Central Catholic. Junior infielder Nolan Robertson added two hits and drove in a run for Aurora Christian (8-2). Junior starter Zach Zappia (3-0) struck out eight, allowing five hits and a walk in five innings. Junior pitcher Tyler Davis and freshman infielder Leo Corral drove in a run apiece for ACC (8-3). Morel finished 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs. A starting guard in basketball, he had a quick turnaround to the spring season following the Eagles' run to the supersectional in Class 1A. 'I was still practicing in the offseason, but basketball was a long season and I only had a week off between seasons,' Morel said. 'I had a slow start with baseball, but I'm getting used to it.' The 6-foot-2 Morel is hitting .379 with eight runs, three doubles and nine RBIs. He has the size and power to go deep and the athleticism to make plays on the bases or with his smooth fielding. In his only start as a pitcher this spring, Morel struck out eight in four innings March 27 during an 8-3 win over Serena. 'He's a baller,' Aurora Christian coach Andy Zorger said of Morel. 'He comes to play every day. He never lets a strikeout or anything negatively affect him. 'He's not really fazed by anything. He's very versatile defensively and he can play a lot of different positions. He's got a good head on his shoulders.' Robertson said Morel has a disarming quality that allows him to fit into the culture of the team. 'The guy's hilarious and he makes me laugh,' Robertson said. 'He's a competitor. He has fun, but he competes at the same time. 'I could tell last year when he was a freshman that he was going to be up with us. He's just a natural.' He has also emerged from the shadow cast by older brother Cameron, a two-sport star who was the second-leading scorer as the Eagles took fourth place in basketball at state in 2023-24. Their parents were both tennis players in college. 'It was so competitive with the two of us when we were growing up,' Preston said of Cameron, who's now playing basketball at Wisconsin-Platteville. 'We'd fight all the time. 'I miss him not being around. He's really the reason why I started playing both sports. I saw him playing and I wanted to play with him.' Playing at the highest levels in baseball and basketball, Preston is primed for any experience. 'You need such a strong mentality, especially in baseball,' he said. 'The game is all mental. When I pitch or out in the field, it doesn't really matter. You just need that short-term memory. 'You make an error, just forget about it. Scratch it and move on.' Morel deflects the attention and prefers to be part of a larger collective. It's his nature. Even if his talent dictates otherwise. 'I just love hanging out with the guys,' Morel said. 'What I've taken from them and my brother is just the hard work I'm always putting in. 'I feel like I can't go a day without going to hit or something like that.'
Chicago Tribune
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Jacob Baumann and Asa Johnson see another super-sized future for Aurora Christian. ‘They were grizzled veterans.'
If the Aurora Christian boys basketball team didn't belong here, experienced juniors Jacob Baumann and Asa Johnson didn't get the message. They wanted to prove that point. The Eagles were seeded fifth in the sectional they won. Three sophomore starters also grew up as the program reached the supersectional for the second straight year and third time since 2020. And at Northern Illinois, no less. 'It is a bit tougher because of all the lights shining on you, plus it's a bigger facility and court,' Baumann said of playing on the college floor. 'I think it's a lot more spacious and you're able to drive, and there's not much help because the court is so wide. 'I kind of like that aspect of it, but (Lanark) Eastland's pressure was definitely unexpected.' Baumann, a high-scoring guard, ended up leading Aurora Christian with 13 points Monday night, but the top-seeded Cougars rode a 10-2 spurt in the fourth quarter to take control for a 51-43 victory in the Class 1A NIU Supersectional at the Convocation Center. Lanark Eastland (33-4) advances to an 11:15 a.m. Thursday semifinal at the State Farm Center in Champaign against Peoria Christian (28-9), a 66-49 winner over Greenfield co-op (24-11). A 6-foot-4 forward, Johnson added 11 points and a team-high five steals for the Eagles (19-13) in a game that developed into a monumental defensive struggle. 'You have two teams that really focus on defense,' Aurora Christian coach Dan Beebe said. 'Both really hang their hat on defense, so what you got was a cold, classic slugout with a great defensive effort from both teams. And that showed up on the offensive end.' How? Both teams combined for just one offensive rebound in a game featuring 15 turnovers for the Eagles and 16 for the Cougars. 'I guess I didn't expect their pressure because they didn't show much on film,' Baumann said of the second half. 'It was definitely unexpected. I should have made smarter decisions and not turned it over as much.' Aurora Christian trailed 19-16 at halftime and 32-25 after three quarters, but Baumann connected on a 3-pointer and a 3-point play in the first 90 seconds of the fourth to cut the deficit to 34-31. The Cougars, who started five upperclassmen and shot 64% (21 of 33) by pounding the ball inside, responded with the 10-2 burst to grab momentum. 'They definitely had grit and knew they were one win from being at state,' Johnson said. 'They might not have shown it on film, but I think when adversity hit, they realized it. 'Kind of put their defense first and let their offense come from that.' Junior forward Parker Krogman led Eastland with 16 points and senior guard Adam Awender added 12. Junior forward Zyacn Haverland had the lone offensive rebound early in the second quarter, scoring two of his eight points on a putback. 'They're a very aggressive team,' Johnson said. 'I locked into No. 10 (Haverland) who was a pretty big boy, so I knew I had to stay attached to him. 'I think I got too attached and let some others get away from me, not being able to play help defense.' Making seven 3-pointers to the Cougars' one helped the Eagles keep it close, but they didn't have enough firepower in the end. 'When you get the momentum, you've gotta keep it going,' Baumann said. 'You have to keep the intensity up on defense.' Coming up short in the super, though, will only put more bricks on Aurora Christian's foundation. 'These two guys to my right are juniors in theory, but they've played a lot of games,' Beebe said of Baumann and Johnson in the postgame interview. 'That includes downstate last year. They're essentially senior in terms of leadership, and we get them back next year. 'The three sophomores started the season like sophomores. Early, it was truly Basketball 101, but by the end of the year, they were grizzled veterans.'
Chicago Tribune
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Wheaton St. Francis transfer Jalen Carter joins basketball mix for high-flying Kaneland. ‘Thought I'd give it a shot.'
Jalen Carter is a late arrival to this group, but the well-traveled junior guard for Kaneland has added more quality depth to the team's already deep bench since becoming eligible on Feb. 7. Carter attended Aurora Christian his first two years and was a sophomore starter at quarterback for a playoff football team and guard for the basketball team that finished fourth in the state. Then he transferred last fall to Wheaton St. Francis. 'I'm very surprised,' Carter said. 'I didn't think Kaneland would be an option for me, but St. Francis didn't work out and this was my home school. I thought I'd give it a shot, and so far, I love it here. 'I transferred at semester and had to sit out 30 days. I've played in several games. Each game, I'm knocking off a little bit of rust. I hadn't really played basketball much but it's starting to feel more comfortable.' That was pretty evident Wednesday night for the top-seeded Knights in a 50-32 victory over seventh-seeded Rockford Boylan in a Class 3A Rochelle Sectional semifinal. The 6-foot-1 Carter and senior guard Preston Popovich were the first reserves tabbed by coach Ernie Colombe late in the first quarter. 'Coaches told us to go up and play, get up in there, get aggressive and force them to speed up the pace,' Carter said. 'That's what we did.' Each player had a steal in the second quarter for the Knights (31-1), with Carter scoring on a layup. He added a 3-pointer in the third quarter. Popovich made 1 of 2 free throws. 'The big thing for us is just bring a lot of energy,' Popovich said. 'We take pride in our defense and getting stops in a big way. Then, at the offensive end, try and get the ball inside.' Junior guard Marshawn Cocroft, Carter's former teammate at Aurora Christian, led Kaneland with 15 points. Senior forward Freddy Hasan added 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. The Knights (31-1) advance to a 7 p.m. Friday game against second-seeded Crystal Lake South (30-4) in a rematch of last year's sectional final. The Gators won 69-38 on the Knights' home floor. Rockford Boylan (6-27), which kept its Cinderella bid alive with long, patient possessions while looking for good shots, trailed only 25-19 at halftime. Kaneland, however, took advantage of eight turnovers to extend the lead to 13 after three quarters. 'Whether we're playing a seven seed or one seed, our job is to play the best we can and not worry about anybody else but us,' Colombe said. 'That's a storied program with a lot of pride. 'They did a good job in the beginning, but we found a way to scratch and claw, trying to get some runs going.' Steals from Cocroft, Hassan and senior guard Luke Reinert sparked the spurt in the third quarter. 'It's been a great pickup having him,' Cocroft said of Carter. 'He can knock down shots. Not only that, he's a very good defender. He gave us big minutes against Wheaton Academy last Friday in the regional final. 'It doesn't matter who comes in off the bench, whoever it is has to be ready to play.' Carter was behind touted junior quarterback prospect Brady Palmer — who transferred this winter to a school in Florida — and played defensive back for St. Francis before suffering a knee injury that sidelined him until the playoffs. He has also played AAU basketball with Kaneland teammates Evan Frieders, Isaiah Gipson and Jeffrey Hassan, in addition to Cocroft and Freddy Hassan. Nothing, though, is given, according to Colombe. 'The guys know they earn everything they get, so whoever is playing well on a given night is gonna play more,' he said. 'If you're playing well, you stay out there. 'Jalen knows a lot of these guys and they've played together for a long time. It's not easy adding players in the middle of the season, but it is what it is.'
