Local Sports Notebook

New Coach Looks for Old School Ways to Spark Rich Central Basketball

Mike Curta has Olympians working hard this summer in preparation for what he hopes is a turnaround season.

Rich Central players and coaches have worked hard this summer on improving on last year's eight-win boys basketball season. New coach Mike Curta is trying to bring back the tradition from his playing days in the '80s. "I am making the guys work this summer," Curta siad.  "Nobody has a spot on the roster yet, so they are going to have to earn it." The Olympians competed in shootouts at Joliet West and Bloom Township the last two weeks. "I am really preaching defense to these guys," Curta said. Munang Ekoi has surprised Curta with his ability to take charges. Bloom Township girls soccer player Monica Chavolla recently was named to the Southtown Star All-Area Soccer Team. Chavolla finished with 18 goals and 15 assists. Ex-Bull Craig …

• Photos (1)

Marian's New Boys Volleyball Coach Having A Blast

Despite the fact Spartans dropped their first match of the season, Bob Piekarski says couldn't ask for a better group of kids to take under his wing.

Marian Catholic's Bob Piekarski is in his first year as the Spartans' boys volleyball coach. He's also in his first year coaching on the high school level. He previously coached women's volleyball for two years at South Suburban College. He already has noticed a number of differences. “There is a great difference between coaching boys and girls,” Piekarski said after Marian dropped a tight match to Lincoln-Way East.  “This is the greatest group of kids. They are polite, and I enjoy it tremendously.” The Marian Catholic baseball team went 3-1 on its trip to Scottsdale, Ariz. The highlight of the trip was a thrilling 5-4 nine-inning victory over Sandia Prep, New Mexico.  Brett Lilek had the game-winning hit, a solo home-run, and Robbie Nunn …

• Photos (1)

Four Bloom Students Honored at Board Meeting

Bloom Supt. Glen Giannetti praised the students for their hard work.

Four outstanding Bloom High School students were honored at the District 206 School Board meeting Monday. Each possessed a unique combination of hard work, dedication, and respect of their peers. Amy Edwards maintains a 4.99 Grade Point Average with a class rank of four out of more than three hundred. She's been in band and the theater all four years of high school. She's also competed in scholastic bowl her last year and currently tutors junior high school students at Columbia Central. "Amy is a student that makes teachers realize why they are teachers," Bloom teacher Kathy Hocher said. Edwards remarked upon accepting her award, "I don't know what to say but I'd like to thank my teachers and parents." Edwards has been accepted to the …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)