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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Sophomore Shane Torres takes control behind plate for Waubonsie Valley. But he can hit, too. ‘Irreplaceable for us.'
Shane Torres, who caught 25 games on the varsity as a freshman last spring, has been an anchor defensively for Waubonsie Valley throughout its surprising playoff run. And that's not a shock. Pitching has been key for the Warriors, but what happens behind the plate is just as important. 'He's one of the best there is,' Waubonsie coach Bryan Acevedo said of Torres. 'I truly believe that. He's able to handle all of our different pitchers and block everything in the dirt. 'We can have confidence we can throw anything in any count. Even with a guy on third base, we know it's not getting by him. And this year, he's added the offense. He's irreplaceable for us.' High praise, especially for a sophomore like Torres. And he was at it again Saturday. Torres handled a gem thrown by senior right-hander Nick Lambert as the 10th-seeded Warriors upset Downers Grove North 5-0 in the Class 4A Lockport Sectional final at Ed Flink Field. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Torres, who bats left-handed, also led the offense for surging Waubonsie (23-12) with two singles, a walk and two RBIs. 'He does an amazing job,' said Lambert, who did likewise in pitching a five-hitter with three strikeouts and no walks on just 75 pitches. 'He's a good framer, good blocker. 'He keeps the run game down, which really helps.' The Warriors also had just five hits, but took advantage of seven walks issued by three pitchers for the top-seeded Trojans (30-8), who didn't help their cause with three errors. Waubonsie didn't make an error behind Lambert, who followed up the first-rate effort in the semifinals by ace Owen Roberts. 'Nick has been unbelievable for us on the mound this year,' Acevedo said. 'He's gotten better every single time out. He threw some last year, and we talked in the offseason. He asked what he had to do to be in the rotation. 'I said, 'You're stuff has to be a little sharper,' and, jeez, did he do that. Owen gets a lot of notoriety, but Nick has been equally good. We play good defense behind him and find ways to score runs. It's special.' Last season, Waubonsie lost 3-2 to Downers Grove North in the sectional final on a walk-off homer in the seventh. Lambert, who last week pitched the Warriors to the regional title, didn't pitch that game in 2024 but still remembered. 'It gave me a little confidence,' Lambert said of winning the regional. 'But I did come in here pretty nervous. I try to work quick, throw strikes, let them put the ball in play and trust my defense.' Lambert finished it in style for the Warriors — who play Monday at 6 p.m. in the Illinois Wesleyan Supersectional against Normal Community (35-4), a 10-8 winner over O'Fallon — by fielding a comeback grounder and running it to first base himself. That clinched the program's first sectional title since Michael Bowden, who went on to play for the Chicago Cubs, led Waubonsie to the Class AA quarterfinals in 2005. 'We came in understanding we're playing with a little house money,' Acevedo said. 'We're not supposed to be here and that's helped us play loose. Having been here last year helped, too.' Senior right fielder Josh Hung also drove in two runs with a sacrifice fly and single. Roberts, playing second base, scored twice after reaching base three times. Torres, an academic all-conference pick who uses a wide stance at the plate that he developed on his own, said Waubonsie's approach was to be patient and not chase. And it worked out well. 'For me, it's a case of more simple, less movement,' Torres said. 'There's less head movement which helps me see the ball better.' Torres had a narrow stance with a huge leg kick in eighth grade. 'It didn't really work well, so I simplified it and came by it myself,' he said. 'With two strikes, I'd widen up a little bit and I'd hit better, so I thought, 'Why don't I just stay there?'' Little wonder his coach said of Torres, 'He's special.'
Chicago Tribune
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Rorey Donnelly, who wants to be a federal agent, lays down the law for Marist on defense. ‘Really stands out.'
Marist's Rorey Donnelly knows this is the chance of a lifetime, even if it can happen twice. The RedHawks, ranked No. 2 in the nation in the latest USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, will take on No. 1 Mira Costa of California in a Thursday road match. A No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup between teams from other states is rare, and the teams then could meet for a second time in a tournament over the weekend. 'I'm excited to play them,' Donnelly said of Mira Costa. 'We played them last year and took them in the first set and struggled a bit in the last three sets. 'I think we can do it this year.' Donnelly and Marist are pumped for the chance to snare that top spot in the nation after taking care of business Saturday in winning the 24-team RedHawk Invitational. The host RedHawks capped off the championship Saturday with a 25-18, 25-18 victory over Downers Grove North as Donnelly was named the tournament MVP. Donnelly, a senior libero, totaled 15 digs and five assists for Marist (6-0) in the championship match. He finished with 38 digs in three matches Saturday. Ohio State recruit Christian Teresi and MIT commit Nathen Toth each had eight kills against Downers Grove North (6-1). Griffin McElroy added seven kills and four blocks, while Jacob Finley chalked up 16 assists and Nicholas Mayoski came through with five digs and three aces. Although Donnelly said winning the MVP was a surprise to him, it wasn't to Marist coach Jordan Vidovic, whose RedHawks won their own tournament for the seventh straight season. 'He fits what the libero job is,' Vidovic said of Donnelly. 'He has a presence, and he has energy and the ability to help other people. He makes plays that bring a lot out of other people. 'It all collectively goes together for him.' Lincoln-Way East (6-1) took third in the tournament over district rival Lincoln-Way Central (4-3) with a 25-23, 25-19 decision in a match that saw Griffins coach Kris Fiore on the other side of the court against his son Braeden, a sophomore setter for the Knights. Marist, meanwhile, is the defending state champion — and Donnelly wants to celebrate his graduation with back-to-back titles. He's giving up volleyball after this season to major in criminal justice at Illinois State. 'I would like to be a federal agent,' Donnelly said. 'My dad (Jack) is one and my brother (Joe) is going to be a cop. I want to be active. I don't think I could ever have a desk job.' In that manner, Donnelly and Marist figure to be plenty active on the upcoming California trip. Vidovic said he has been told the match against Mira Costa (22-1) is already sold out. Last season, Mira Costa handed Marist one of its two losses with an 18-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-21 decision in a best-of-five showdown. With a No. 1 vs. No. 2 scenario in the nation, the intensity Thursday will be ratcheted up. Both teams will also take part in the Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions on Friday and Saturday in Santa Barbara and could face each other there as well. 'After losing to them, I felt like it was a mental loss for us,' Teresi said of last season. 'There was a lot of chirping going back and forth. This year, we're prepared. I hope we can play them twice.' While Marist's offense has proven to be powerful, Teresi knows the defense is in good shape with Donnelly leading the way. 'Rorey has a huge role on the team,' Teresi said. 'We have a lot of good players on defense, but he really stands out.'
Chicago Tribune
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Benet's Edvardas Stasys is ‘ready when the time comes.' Given chance, he comes through in sectional final.
Benet sophomore forward Edvardas Stasys practiced patience while waiting for his turn. Then he played with aplomb when he got it in the Class 4A Benet Sectional championship game on Friday. 'Edvardas gave us a huge lift off the bench,' Benet coach Gene Heidkamp said. 'He's a defensive specialist for us. He's so active on the glass. I thought he really did a good job of giving us a different look defensively.' The 6-foot-7 Stasys contributed six points, four rebounds and four blocks while teaming with 7-0 junior center Colin Stack to lead the third-seeded Redwings to a 44-32 victory over fourth-seeded Downers Grove North on their home court in Lisle. Stasys, who didn't play at all during Benet's semifinal win over Waubonsie Valley, was tasked with defending against the Trojans' star forward, 6-6 senior Bobby Grganto. 'The focus was mainly guard No. 10,' Stasys said, referring to Grganto. 'I wanted to get rebounds, play defense and play the short corner against the zone. That was our game plan coming into the game, and I think we executed it pretty well.' Although Grganto, a Wisconsin-Stevens Point commit, led Downers Grove North with 13 points, six of those came late in the game, and he had only three rebounds. Stasys and Stack were so dominant inside that the Trojans scored just five 2-point baskets. 'Grganto is a tough cover,' Heidkamp said. 'He shoots the three well. He's so strong physically, and he plays so hard. So we knew he was going to be a handful for us, and I thought Ed did a good job of trying to slow him down.' The Trojans usually pair methodical offense with dogged defense. But that strategy was foiled by the Redwings (30-5), who will play Alton (31-3) in the ISU Supersectional at CEFCU Arena in Normal at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Benet junior guard Jayden Wright scored 11 of his game-high 16 points, including a trio of 3-pointers from NBA range, during an opening 15-6 run. Downers Grove North (26-9) pulled within 17-13 early in the second quarter but scored only one basket in the next 15 minutes as the Redwings stretched the lead to 32-16. When Stasys wasn't blocking shots and getting rebounds, he was starting Benet's transition offense. 'Ed is one of the best defenders on our team,' Stack said. 'He's a very good rebounder, obviously, offensively and defensively, and he can guard all five if we need him to. He helps in gaps, he helps me rebound and push in transition. He's just a great overall player.' Which is why it was strange to see Stasys sitting on the bench against Waubonsie Valley. Heidkamp used only his five regular starters in that game, including senior guard Michael Doyle, who held star senior guard Tyreek Coleman to 11 points. Downers Grove North presented a different matchup challenge, one that suited Stasys. 'That's what we told him,' Heidkamp said. 'Doyle was the matchup for Tyreek, and he did a really good job on Tyreek. Ed was the matchup for Grganto, and that's part of being on a team. 'I tell these guys that different games call for different players, so they understand that. They're ready when the time comes.' The time came for Stasys on Friday. He was ready when the proverbial curtain went up and deserving of the ovation that came when the curtain went down. 'I know our team is full of great players,' he said. 'Everyone can do their part, but when my name is called, I'm going to go out there and give it my all. 'He told me when my time comes, I'm going to have to perform, and I pretty much knew that today is going to be the day. So I was ready.' While some players might be rusty after not playing in the previous game, Stasys motored up and down the court like a well-oiled sports car. Stack wasn't surprised. 'Ed could be a starter,' Stack said. 'We had it going on Wednesday, so we just kept going, and then today, his number was called, and he stepped up and answered.' Stasys, a varsity rookie, did so in front of another sellout crowd, which witnessed the Redwings win their 11th sectional title and sixth during Heidkamp's 17-year tenure. 'It was unreal,' Stasys said. 'It was the craziest game I've ever played in my life. 'This crazy community — all of our friends, all of our classmates, all of the parents — showed up. It was a great environment to play in, and I'm ecstatic with the result.'
Chicago Tribune
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Despite changing roles, Kael Adkins enjoys the ride as a senior for West Aurora. ‘It's been a crazy roller coaster.'
West Aurora's Kael Adkins was well aware that all good things must come to an end. It didn't make this finish any easier to take, however. The 6-foot-5 senior guard earned an opportunity early this season that he wasn't expecting and then made the most of things despite changing roles for the Blackhawks. 'It's been a crazy roller coaster, certainly not like the year before,' Adkins said. 'My junior year, I watched the team play really good basketball but was at the back of the bench, the last to go in. 'Our season started off, and it was bad and good at the same time. I thought I'd be the sixth or seventh man, and I was one of the go-to guys with everybody out with injuries, grades and stuff.' Adkins proved he was ready again Friday night, scoring the first and last baskets for fifth-seeded West Aurora on 3-pointers and finishing with a team-high 15 points in a 52-45 loss to Downers Grove North in the Class 4A Downers Grove South Regional championship game. It was the first loss of 2025 for the Blackhawks (21-9) and snapped a 16-game winning streak that coincided with Jan. 4 return from injury by senior forward Terrence Smith, an Iowa football recruit. 'I thought Kael played well,' West Aurora coach Michael Fowler said. 'He's a good breed. He's fun to be around — fun to have in the program. He's always upbeat, and he came to play.' Fowler mixed and matched his lineup for the first two months and Adkins took advantage. 'He stuck with us and deserves it,' Fowler said. 'He shows up and comes to work. He understands what's going on. He came out ready to play. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough.' Smith scored 10 points and sophomore point guard Travis Brown added nine for West Aurora. Fourth-seeded Downers Grove North (25-8) advances to a 7 p.m. Tuesday semifinal in the Class 4A Benet Sectional against top-seeded Bolingbrook (27-4), which beat Oswego East 49-40. The Trojans gave West Aurora's offense trouble, clogging up the passing lanes with their length. Bobby Grganto, a 6-6 senior forward, was a force inside in scoring a game-high 20 points. Grgnato benefitted from the absence of senior center Gabe Gonzales, who was in foul trouble all game for West Aurora after picking up a pair in the first two minutes. Downers North pulled away in the third quarter, sparked by runs of 7-0 and 9-0. 'I just thought we had a stretch in the third quarter where it got away from us,' said Fowler, whose Blackhawks trailed 43-30 entering the fourth. 'Once that team gets ahead of you, they're gonna make you pay with their patience and make you work at the offensive end. They made us pay.' Adkins said those spurts took the Blackhawks out of their game. 'We were trying to force up threes,' he said. 'I definitely shot one I should have pump-faked on and driven. They were closing out hard on the threes. 'They went on their run and stalled the game out. We knew that's what they'd try to do and knew it was important to keep the lead. They hit a few tough shots in that third quarter.' Losing Gonzales for stretches also hurt, according to Adkins. 'They called a charge on him that I thought was a block,' Adkins said. 'We couldn't get Gabe and Terrence going in the high-low action we hoped to use.' Still, Adkins enjoyed the season and hopes to play next season somewhere in college. 'It was a great run, especially when Terrence came back,' Adkins said. 'I stopped worrying about scoring and tried to play more of the defensive, rebound, take care of the ball and pass it role. 'It was fun dousing coach with water in the locker room after several big wins. He'd have to get the mop out, but he loved it.' Originally Published: March 1, 2025 at 12:33 AM CST
