SENIOR DISTANCE TRIO LEADS SAGES

Seniors Scott Phelps, Keith Butler, and Andrew Colbert have their eyes on a state track title in the 4x800 meter relay. Last year these three were on a team that finished third. Last fall the trio led the Sages cross country team to a fourth place finish in the state meet. Looks like another good track team for Coach Jeff Butler this spring.

WILL OKAW CONFERENCE ADD TWO TEAMS?

TUSCOLA AND UNITY SEEK OKAW ENTRY
Tuscola and Unity have partitioned the Okaw Valley Conference to be added to the present 10-teams. Currently Tuscola has been somewhat dominating in Little Okaw Valley sports and it seems best that the conference and the Warriors go their separate ways. Unity is no longer in a conference and has a hard time scheduling.
Both these schools were longtime members of the Okaw Valley Conference. Unity left for the East Central conference. A few years ago, the East Central disbanded and combined with the Sangamon, but left Unity and SJO out in the cold. SJO has found a conference, but Unity is operating as an independent.
It is a little hard to be sympathetic to the Rockets and the Warriors. The Okaw was a highly respected conference in Central Illinois and I could never really see a good reason for the teams to leave unless they were looking for easier competition.
Seven of the ten Okaw schools will need to vote yes to bring the schools back. It is hard for me to see why Shelbyville, Central A&M, Meridian and Sullivan would want to add a long trip to Tolono. Geography and enrollment gives Tuscola the best chance to gain acceptance.
However, adding Tuscola would make an odd number of conference teams and make scheduling difficult. I will be surprised it either team gains acceptance.

LITTLE HOPE FOR THE 2006 CUBS

WILL THE CUBS WIN? WILL PIGS FLY?
It is time for my annual Cub baseball prediction. My heart is not in it this year. However, here is what I really think.
(1) Pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood will get healthy and win 20 games each.
(2) First baseman Derrick Lee will be the league MVP.
(3) Rookies Ronny Cedeno and Matt Murton will both hit over .300.
(4) The Cubs will win their first pennant since 1945 and first world series since 1908.
(5) Pigs will learn to fly.
I may have stated the above in the wrong order. Actually, the first four predictions will not come true unless the fifth one does.
Spring training has been a disaster for the Cubs with both Wood and Prior injured. The players acquired in the off-season will make little difference for the team that finished 79-83 and 21 games out of first place last year. Oh yes, we still have “Dusty” Baker as manager. That alone will make winning difficult.
Since I am so pessimistic--should I become a Cardinal fan? If I ever become a Cardinal fan, you will see pigs flying over barnyard fences.
No matter what, I will always be a loyal Cub fan—it must be in my genes.

SAGES SHOW PROMISE FOR NEXT YEAR

NEXT YEAR LOOKS GOOD FOR THE SAGES
While I am pessimistic about the 2006-2007 Illini, I feel the Monticello Sages basketball team will be improved over their 14-14 record this year. Matt Finet is the only graduating senior that was a starter. Maroa-Forsyth, Warrensburg-Latham, and Meridian were very good this year and the young Sages played close games with all of them.
Nathan Swarts, 6-5 sophomore, played very well in a starting roll during the latter part of the season. Sophomore Trever Drake led the team in scoring. Corbin Sebens, a starter, gives the class a three-point shooter. Sophomore Curtis Lieischner started a couple of games before injuries and illness ended his season early. There are a couple of other sophomores still in the running for lots of playing time. The current sophomore class ranks with the best basketball classes ever at Monticello High School.
Junior Ryan Koncel had his second outstanding year as a starter. Jonathan Dighton and Luke Marry are current juniors that started several games this year. Add to this a couple of other juniors that saw some playing time and you have a very deep group of talented players coming back for next year. Coach Randy Moss will be dealing with lots of depth next season.
Are you ready for a 20 plus wins for the Sages and a long run in the IHSA playoffs next year?

WILL ILLINI SLIP NEXT YEAR?

WHAT ABOUT ILLINI BASKETBALL FUTURE?
The Illini defeated Michigan State on the road last Saturday and some fans are dreaming of another NCAA title run. Until Saturday, most of these same fans had many doubts.
In early January, the Illini basketball team had a 15-0 record and was ranked sixth in the nation. This came the year after Illini finished 37-2 and reached the finals of the NCAA tournament. The Illini had won more basketball games in this century than anyone except Duke. Coach Bruce Weber’s recruiting had just gotten a commitment from Eric Gordon of Indianapolis. Gordon is the nation’s top ranked shooting guard from the class of 2007. Things were looking good and Coach Weber looked like a genius.
Since then the Illini have a 10-5 record and have dropped to 10th in the polls. I am not disappointed or surprised at the current record. Actually, the Illini are better than expected. The bad news is that the well may be running dry. Next year does not look like another fun season.
A couple of weeks ago I attended a meeting where the main speakers were local radio and sports writers. They answered questions from the audience. I did not learn much new about next year’s team but I had some of my worst fears substantiated.
The underclassmen have many weaknesses. The 37-2 team had three guards, (Dee Brown, Luther Head, and Deron Williams) that are far superior to what we can expect again. The future players do not have that kind of talent.
Expect to see Jamar Smith, Rich McBride, and Chester Frazier at guards next year.
Smith can shoot but has problems getting open and creating shots. McBride is a veteran, but still doesn’t move well without the ball and can’t take the ball to the basket. Frazier handles the ball but does not score. The other guard prospect, Calvin Brock, would be wise to transfer.
Brian Randle has great athletic ability. However, his strong defense is sporadic, he can’t shoot from outside, and is very poor from the free throw line. Shawn Pruitt, Marcus Arnold, and Warren Carter can be good players but appear to lack the talent for greatness. Yes, Dee and Augie will be missed. Are you ready for a 17-15 season with no trip to the NCAA tournament next year?