Despite end, lots of memorabilia
No matter how I started to write this story, no matter how many times I deleted a sentence and started over, it felt more and more like I was writing a season obituary rather than a season recap.
That, in and of itself, is still just sad and frustrating, even after a week has passed since the cancellation of the IHSA state tournament.
This recap will get us through 90 percent of the season. The problem is that last 10 percent of the season is the most exciting. That last 10 percent answers seasonlong questions and brings closure to what took place the previous threeplus months.
While we all terribly missed that last 10 percent, we can celebrate the 90 percent that was played. So here’s what I’ll remember most from this 201920 season that was abruptly cut short in the most unprecedented way.
♦ Sadly, what I’ll first remember — and for years to come — will be the feeling I had the moment when it became fact that the season would not be finished.
♦ DJ Steward’s play and talent will be remembered. He’s a McDonald’s All-American and Sun-Times Player of the Year.
But what I’ll remember more is how this kid always carried himself. He was respectful to the game, opponents, coaches and media and always looked like he was having so much fun. Steward went about his business, played the game and showed character and life with his actions and words.
♦ I’ll remember how well Curie played and how composed the Condors were despite losing coach Mike Oliver to a suspension, and I’ll remember the energy and competitiveness Curie’s Ramean Hinton played with.
♦Thornton’s 32-1 season is memorable enough. But I’ll remember that this was the team others can look to when they have big dreams but lack big names.
♦ Loyola’s defense is memorable. As one defensive guru of a coach, Benet’s Gene Heidkamp, told me recently, “I think it’s one of the greatest high school defenses I’ve ever seen.”
That’s a credit to coach Tom Livatino and his players for buying in and staying consistent and disciplined with it. And it’s a reminder of how defense can alter and win games, just without the glamor and appreciation a great offense receives.
♦I will remember Dom Martinelli being unlike any player I’ve watched and covered in a long time. What a unique style the Glenbrook South star played with in scoring more than 2,000 career points.
You rarely ever see a player like Derrick Rose, Jahlil Okafor or Tyler Ulis. We’re lucky when we do. But in a completely different way, we also rarely see a player like Martinelli.
♦I’ll remember Bloom’s highflying act, particularly the performance the Blazing Trojans put together in their dazzling display of talent and athleticism in an 81-79 victory against Evanston at the When Sides Collide Shootout in January. Bloom had that crowd buzzing, just as it did so many times this season.
♦ I’ll remember Notre Dame for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that the Dons — yes, the Niles Notre Dame Dons! — were the best team in the state in Class 3A.
♦ I’ll remember thinking back in June and when the season began in November that Joliet West would be muchimproved. But I’ll remember more how improved they actually were, along with senior Jamere Hill’s individual improvement and rise to become a mid-major prospect. When was the last time a team improved its win total by 24 games from one season to the next?