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Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Michael Osipoff's top 10 boys soccer teams and 25 players to watch in Northwest Indiana for the 2025 season
Featuring Cal Stuckert, Chesterton may be the team to beat in the Duneland Athletic Conference again. 1. Chesterton (11-4-2): The Trojans, who have won at least a share of the Duneland Athletic Conference title for seven straight years, open this season atop a crowded field. Senior forward Cal Stuckert (23 goals, 3 assists) stars. Senior forward Zarek Sierazy (10 goals, 10 assists) is another productive player. Senior goalkeeper Elliott McEvoy and senior defender Nate Kitchel also return, and the Trojans add senior Danny Lule, a transfer from Portage, among their newcomers. 2. Crown Point (13-4-2): Senior midfielder Nate Townsend and junior Oliver Brewer, perhaps the area's top goalkeeper, headline the Bulldogs. Sophomore defender/midfielder Kane Estrada joins the team after transferring from Portage. Sophomore Maksim Tasevski could help offensively after switching to forward from defense during club season. The Bulldogs lost their top three scorers, including star midfielder Brayden Kurtz and forward Landyn Hoyhtya to academy teams. 3. Lake Central (7-6-3): The Indians are in the mix among the elite every season. They should have a formidable midfield with seniors George Karabatsos (12 goals, 5 assists) and David Dorneanu, and Ethan Tarry also made a significant impact as a freshman. 4. Valparaiso (11-10): The Vikings look to continue their momentum after winning their first sectional title since 2012. Senior defender/midfielder Jack Luth (8 goals, 12 assists) leads the way. Junior midfielder Noah Barnett (2 goals, 11 assists) also is back. Senior goalkeeper Zach Bayer, sophomore forward Patrick Klimek and junior midfielder Nasser Ali also are among their returnees. They lost standout forward Will Donley (23 goals, 9 assists) to academy ball. 5. Munster (14-4-1): The Mustangs, perennial Northwest Crossroads Conference champions, won a sectional title last year for the first time since 2021. They graduated a large and talented senior class, including midfielder Nikola Dimitrijevic (24 goals, 6 assists), but typically reload. Senior midfielder/forward Lucas Ferguson is among the returnees. 6. Bishop Noll (12-5-1): There's an unmistakable buzz surrounding the Warriors, who shared the Greater South Shore Conference title last season. Junior forward/midfielder Joaquin Rosas (18 goals) broke out, and senior forward Alfonso Leon (22 goals in 2023) returns after missing last season following a sophomore season in which he led the team in scoring. Sophomore midfielders Lino Melero and Kevin Bogarin also are among their returnees, as is senior defender Adrian Luna. 7. Illiana Christian (14-3-2): Expectations are high once again for the Vikings, who have won back-to-back sectional titles and shared the GSSC title for their fourth straight. Senior midfielder Josh Carter (8 goals, 12 assists) should be their key player again. Senior defender Noah Davids (7 goals, 2 assists) also returns, as do senior forward Grant Terpstra (9 goals, 5 assists), senior midfielder Lucas Terpstra and junior goalkeeper Aidan Drost, part of an experienced group that includes 10 seniors. 8. Hanover Central (12-4-1): The Wildcats are another team with high expectations. Among 10 returning starters are eight seniors. The dynamic duo of senior midfielder Logan Zilz (3 goals, 10 assists) and senior forward Kyle Otworowski (21 goals, 9 assists) lead the list; Otworowski is out with a knee injury, but there's hope he can come back by the end of the season. Also among their returnees are senior midfielder Owen Furman, senior defender Evan Brooks, senior goalkeeper Tyler Burroughs and junior midfielder Aldo Desiderio (9 goals, 3 assists). 9. Wheeler (11-6-2): Senior midfielder Harper Schaberg (9 goals, 7 assists) should be the focal point for the Bearcats, who have won three straight sectional titles. Junior defender Leo Vega and senior forward/midfielder Tyne Vettickal (7 goals) also return. 10. Hobart (6-7-2): The Brickies suffered several significant injuries last season, forcing younger players into action. Now they're an experienced team with 18 seniors and juniors among their 19 players. Senior midfielder Gabriel Rodriguez highlights the group. Junior midfielder/forward Cameron Guess and senior midfielder Cooper Evans also are among their returnees. Keith Luttell, their third coach in as many seasons, said 'my intent is to be here long term and develop a winning program.'
Chicago Tribune
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Drawing Power Four interest, Hobart's Bryce Tolliver intends to ‘just dominate.' On both sides of the ball.
Hobart's Bryce Tolliver was just getting started last season. Tolliver, who had an area-high seven interceptions as a sophomore, expressed his approach to this season in direct terms. 'I'm going to just dominate every single person across the line from me,' he said. 'They're not stopping me. I'm that confident in myself, and I'm ready, and I'm going to prove that. I'm just ready.' That readiness applies not only to defense but also to offense and special teams, according to the 6-foot-1, 175-pound junior cornerback/wide receiver. Tolliver focused almost exclusively on defense last season, but he has prepared to vastly increase his role on offense. 'I've been working so hard this offseason,' he said. 'I got my stamina right. I want to show how I am at wide receiver. I want to get my name out there for wide receiver.' Tolliver, who had 23 tackles last season, already is well on his way to getting his name out there at cornerback. 'I was really good at reading routes,' he said. 'I was a ball hawk at corner. The ball is in the air, that's my ball. 'It's just thinking, 'You can do it.' When you go out on the field, be a dawg, go crazy. Just dominate everybody in front of me.' Tolliver believes he has put himself in position to raise his level even higher. 'I worked on my technique,' he said. 'I've been improving on my craft a lot, my footwork, my speed.' Tolliver is also a hurdler and sprinter, and he hopes to utilize that speed at receiver for the junior-laden Brickies (6-5), who gained valuable experience last season. They shared the Northwest Crossroads Conference title with Andrean and Hanover Central before losing in the Class 4A sectional semifinals to New Prairie. Tolliver should be a major contributor as Hobart tries to get over the hump in Eric Schreiber Jr.'s second season. 'He's extremely athletic,' Schreiber said. 'He's rangy. He's just a really good kid. He's really grown up a lot. He probably won't come off the field much this year. We're excited about what he can do on the field.' Include junior quarterback Aleks Tatum in that group. 'Bryce is great,' Tatum said. 'He gives me a great look on defense, but he's also going to be one of our best receivers this year too. He plays both sides of the ball, so it's a little love-hate relationship in practice. But Bryce is going to be a great guy. I'm excited to see what he's going to do this year.' Tolliver likes the way his connection with Tatum has been developing. 'It's going to be great,' Tolliver said. 'Me and Aleks are ready. We're going to go crazy. Me and Aleks are starting to click. We're building that chemistry.' Tolliver has also been building a promising future. He has drawn interest from colleges such as Indiana, Kentucky, Northwestern and Purdue, as well as most of the Mid-American Conference. 'He's gotten a lot of looks,' Schreiber said. 'We're expecting him to get a lot of offers. There's a lot of potential to what he can pull. 'We'll see what he can put on film this fall and really show what he can do for teams at the next level.'
Chicago Tribune
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Introducing the 2025 Post-Tribune Baseball All-Area Team
Three players from Crown Point and three players from Boone Grove highlight the first team. Alex Barr, Kankakee Valley, senior, pitcher: Went 3-2 with 0.57 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. Also hit .452 with five home runs, 25 RBIs and 19 runs scored. North All-Star, conference pitcher of the year. Committed to Indiana. Mason Barth, Andrean, senior, shortstop: Batted .505 with three home runs, 27 RBIs, 51 runs scored and 44 steals for Class 3A state champion and Northwest Crossroads Conference champion. Also went 5-0 with title-clinching save, 1.50 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 28 innings. North All-Star, conference offensive player of the year. Committed to Notre Dame. Dylan Bowen, Hanover Central, junior, shortstop: Batted .390 with five home runs, 26 RBIs and 34 runs scored. All-conference. Committed to Oklahoma State. Braden Branigan, Andrean, senior, pitcher: Went 7-0 with 0.62 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings for 3A state champion and NCC champion. All-conference. Committed to Lindenwood. Davian Carrera, Boone Grove, senior, first baseman: Batted .466 with 47 RBIs, 35 runs scored and 11 steals for 2A state champion and Porter County Conference round-robin and tournament champion. All-conference. Committed to Indiana. Xavier Carrera, Boone Grove, senior, shortstop/pitcher: Batted .436 with four home runs, 42 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 10 steals for 2A state champion and PCC round-robin and tournament champion. Also went 6-3 with 2.28 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Indiana. Linus Chariton, Crown Point, senior, pitcher: Went 8-0 with 0.62 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 45 innings for 4A sectional champion and Duneland Athletic Conference co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Olive Harvey. Billy Chidsey, Crown Point, senior, shortstop: Batted .487 with one home run, 28 RBIs, 31 runs scored and 17 steals for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. North All-Star, conference most valuable position player. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Caden Crowell, Valparaiso, senior, pitcher/first baseman: Went 9-0 with 0.25 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 55 innings for 4A state champion. Also hit .375 with three home runs, 24 RBIs and 32 runs scored. North All-Star, conference most valuable pitcher. Committed to Notre Dame. Sean Dunlap, Crown Point, junior, catcher/outfielder: Batted .429 with six home runs, 35 RBIs, 36 runs scored and 15 steals for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Tennessee. Billy Miller, Kouts, freshman, pitcher/shortstop: Went 8-1 with 0.61 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 57 innings for 1A state runner-up. Also hit .514 with five home runs, 45 RBIs, 54 runs scored and 20 steals. All-conference. Seth Pitcock, Boone Grove, senior, pitcher/shortstop: Went 9-1 with 0.74 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 66 innings for 2A state champion and PCC round-robin and tournament champion. Also hit .484 with two home runs, 29 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 33 steals. North All-Star, conference MVP. Committed to Valparaiso. Troy Barrett, Chesterton, junior, pitcher/outfielder: Went 7-1 with 1.11 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings. Also hit .368 with 20 RBIs and 30 runs scored. All-conference. Gabe Bush, Valparaiso, senior, outfielder: Batted .352 with 17 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 27 steals for 4A state champion. All-conference. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Matt Cook, Hanover Central, junior, pitcher: Went 3-3 with 2.16 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Evansville. Logan Cotton, Crown Point, senior, pitcher: Went 8-2 with 1.59 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 53 innings for 4A sectional champion and DAC co-champion. All-conference. Committed to Indiana. Trevor Fenters, Valparaiso, senior, infielder/pitcher: Batted .373 with one home run, 28 RBIs and 27 runs scored for 4A state champion. Also went 6-1 with 0.77 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Indiana State. Josh Flores, Lake Central, senior, pitcher: Went 7-1 with 2.76 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 38 innings for DAC co-champion. North All-Star, all-conference. Committed to Kentucky. Mason Jarrett, Munster, senior, outfielder: Batted .398 with 36 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 14 steals. All-conference. Committed to Triton. Drew Kosteba, Lake Central, senior, outfielder: Batted .404 with three home runs, 38 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 12 steals for DAC co-champion. North All-Star, all-conference. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Blake Kouder, Andrean, senior, catcher: Batted .386 with 20 RBIs and 34 runs scored for 3A state champion and NCC champion. All-conference. DJ Malloy, Valparaiso, junior, second baseman: Batted .408 with 22 RBIs and 17 runs scored for 4A state champion. All-conference. Ivan Mastalski, Andrean, senior, pitcher: Went 7-0 with 1.69 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings for 3A state champion and NCC champion. Committed to Indiana. Caiden Verrett, Hanover Central, senior, catcher: Batted .395 with three home runs, 17 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 19 steals. North All-Star. Indianapolis recruit in baseball and football.
Chicago Tribune
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Andrean's Sadie Drousias prepared for this. ‘I've never pitched as much as I did in the offseason.' It shows.
Andrean junior Sadie Drousias lived in pitcher's circles during the offseason. Every minute that Drousias had available was devoted to preparing to be the 59ers' top pitcher this season after ace Abbey Bond graduated last year. 'In my entire life, I've never pitched as much as I did in the offseason from my sophomore year to my junior year,' Drousias said. 'Pretty much every day it was just pitching, pitching, pitching.' It's a role Drousias owns for Andrean (10-6, 4-4), which is in third place in the Northwest Crossroads Conference and hopes to make a postseason run after its Class 2A sectional semifinal exit last year. She's 6-4 in 57 innings of work, having already surpassed her 55 1/3 innings as a sophomore and her 56 1/3 innings as a freshman. With Bond pitching for Purdue Northwest, Drousias has taken the reins. 'I know she worked super hard in the offseason, and I'm really proud of the progress she's made,' Andrean coach Miranda Elish said. 'I don't think she pitched all that much before she came here, but she knew that was a possibility down the road in her career, she prepared for it and she's ready for it.' Drousias has also been a key part of the 59ers' offense. She's hitting .444 with five doubles and two home runs, and she's in a three-way tie for the team lead with 18 RBIs. She said a more selective approach at the plate has helped fuel her success there. 'I'm looking for the pitch that I want to hit,' she said. 'Those other years, I'd just swing at the first thing I saw.' Drousias knows batters will make contact against her too. Her work in the circle is more about placement than power. She has struck out just 45 this season. 'Some people are going to hit the ball,' she said. 'But if my spots are on point, then we should be able to get the routine plays that we need so we can go far.' It took some time for that message to get through to Drousias, according to junior shortstop Aubrey Grasha. They play on the same travel team, and Grasha said Drousias had to be convinced that she didn't need to strike out all 21 batters every game. 'She's taken a step back and is realizing that she doesn't have to put so much pressure on herself,' Grasha said. 'She's not a strikeout pitcher, so she's going to put balls in play, and her defense is going to go to work for her. We're not going to leave her out there by herself.' But Drousias is a fiery competitor. She's the youngest of four siblings, and the other three have played sports in college. Her older brothers Colton and Caleb are wrestlers, and her older sister Cydney plays softball at Lewis. 'I'd say I do feel some pressure because I'd be the only one who didn't,' Drousias said. 'So of course I feel like I have to get up there.' Elish isn't surprised. 'You can tell she's the youngest of four kids,' Elish said. 'She just fights, man — like any youngest sibling would. She fights hard.' That will carry Drousias forward, even after the huge leaps she has already made as a pitcher. 'From where I was last year, I feel like I've improved a ton,' she said. 'But there's always something you can do better.'
Chicago Tribune
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Munster's Mason Jarrett builds on relationships with brother and teammates to become a ‘special player'
Munster senior outfielder Mason Jarrett doesn't take too kindly to losing. That's not limited to baseball. It also applies to more than video games, card games and board games. It extends into areas not typically associated with keeping score. 'My competitive nature has always been there, since I was a little kid,' Jarrett said. 'I remember it started with me and my brother — who's the first one to close the door, who's the first one to put their seat belt on, who's the first one to eat — and that was like at 5, and it just kept going. It kept going in my mind that I needed to be first, that I always needed to do something better. 'I'm a very competitive person. I'm not going to sit here and lie.' Truth be told, that characteristic has served Jarrett well on the baseball field. After earning a call-up from the junior varsity team as a sophomore and securing a starting spot, he enjoyed a breakout season as a junior. The Triton commit hit .410 with a homer, a team-high 28 RBIs, a team-high 25 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. Jarrett is off to a flying start this season. He's 5-for-10 with five RBIs, eight runs and four stolen bases after the Mustangs (2-1, 1-1) lost their debut on their new turf field in a Northwest Crossroads Conference game against Hobart on Thursday. 'A lot of it's just been relaxing,' Jarrett said. 'Last year, I had a pretty good season, and just trying to re-create the same thing, just breathing, having some fun, smiling more. You may make an out, but it's like, 'So what?' Don't worry about it. Just go into the next at-bat like nothing happened. It's been fun.' Munster senior shortstop Zach Wright, a Purdue Northwest commit who is one of a program-high seven seniors committed to play in college, is a co-captain with Jarrett and appreciates his contributions. 'He's a special player who brings both offensive and defensive traits to our team that you don't see very often,' Wright said. 'As a teammate, he's always very motivational to all of our players, not even just our younger players, but also our seniors as well. He keeps us motivated throughout the season, helps bring everyone up, not bring anyone down.' Jarrett set a significant foundation as a sophomore, learning and drawing inspiration from the seniors at the time, including Kevin Hall Jr. and Denham Kozy. He continues to keep in touch with them. 'I love those two guys,' Jarrett said. 'Those two guys are like my brothers. I try to surround myself with people like that. When they were here, it was like, 'Oh, he's doing this good. I want to do it better.' I was always trying to be better than them.' Jarrett's brother Troy continues to be a source of motivation. 'A lot of it's based on my brother, making him proud,' Mason Jarrett said. 'I always want to make sure he says, 'That's my brother right there. He's just great.'' Troy Jarrett started as a sophomore on the Munster boys basketball team this past season. He's also a talented baseball player, but Mason Jarrett couldn't convince him to continue on that path too. 'I tried,' Mason Jarrett said. 'I really did. I really did. I had a conversation with him, but he couldn't.' In the meantime, Mason Jarrett continued to develop his baseball skills. 'I've gotten a lot faster this year,' he said. 'Hitting-wise, I've tried to open up my game. Last year, I lived a lot in left-center. This year, I've really opened up my game more to right field. That's helped me a lot also. 'I'm a quick guy. I realized I should use it and go the opposite way.' Munster coach Mike Mikolajczyk realizes what he has in Jarrett. 'Mason knows that I love him,' Mikolajczyk said. 'He's a special player, no doubt about it. He's basically a five-tool player. … He has all the tools.' Jarrett has made an impact both on and off the field. He helps out at the South Holland Church of Christ, which his grandparents operate. He has also developed an affinity and eye for sports photography, particularly taking pictures of Mundelein football and basketball games this school year. Jarrett plans to pursue a career as a special education teacher. He has already gained insight in that area by participating in Munster's ASPIRE program. 'He's just a great kid, comes from a great family,' Mikolajczyk said. 'I just love that kid. He's a great leader for our program and has been a great player for us for three years, and he's probably an even better person. He's going to be missed after this year, for sure.'
