By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

Team of the Week- Downers Grove South- The Mustangs bounced back from two heart-breaking West Suburban Gold losses to state-ranked Willowbrook (22-5, 16-1) last week, by going 5-0 this week to claim the Voyager Media’s Week 8 Team of the Week Award.

On Friday in Downers Grove, the Mustangs salvaged the third game of their crucial WSC Gold series, handing the Warriors their only WSC Gold loss, 3-1.

Player of the Week Brandon Micetich Plainfield Central- All the Wildcat second baseman did was drive home 14 runs and hit three home runs for the week, leading the Wildcats to a 4- 1 week.

 Pitcher of the Week-Zach Rana Plainfield Central- With season-ending injuries to the top two Wildcat pitcher’s, Zach Rana has put the Wildcats on his back. On Monday, Rana fired a three-hitter with nine strikeouts at Joliet West. On Saturday, Rana fired a five-hitter at Minooka to win the Week 8 Pitcher of the Week Award, the second of the season for the new Wildcat ace. Rana was the Week 6 Pitcher of the Week.

Terrific Ten Area Rankings

1 Joliet Catholic       23-7  Greg Ziegler leads Hilltoppers past Marist in ESCC South.
2 Plainfield South    22-6  Plainfield Civil War Monday and Friday.

3 Plainfield North    15-7   The Tigers have won an even dozen in a row.
4 Notre  Dame         13-9  Dons wrap up ESCC North title, No. 1 next?
5 Plainfield Central  21-9   Another 20-win season, for Wildcat coach Rosner.

6 DG South               16-10 Team of the Week, 5-0, beat state-ranked Willowbrook.

7 Plainfield East       18-10  Bengals suffer three one-run losses, in SPC.

8 Lockport                19-10  Porters suffer through 0-3 week.

9 Maine South          18-12  New Trier sweeps Hawks 2-0 and 2-1.

10 Niles West           14-13  Pabst, Wolves stun CSL South, leading GB South.
On the Bubble– Joliet West 15-16; Westmont 20-10, Lisle 16-11.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

MAINE EAST (1-18, 1-13)
8-0 CSL loss to Maine South   “The Battle of Park Ridge” went to the Hawks. The Blue Demons were only able to muster two hits on Monday.
14-2 CSL North loss to Deerfield  The Blue Demons scored two runs on just one hit against the Warriors.
11-0 CSL North loss to Glenbrook North
12-1 CSL North loss to Deerfield
10-0 CSL loss to Glenbrook South  Demons picked up only one hit against CSL South leaders.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN SOUTH

MAINE SOUTH

8-0 CSL win over Maine East The Hawks won “The Battle of Park Ridge” behind Zach Buchan and Bobby Rinaldi, who each had two RBI. Timmy O’Brien’s assault on the baseball continued with three more hits, while Ethan Sus struck out eight and fired 5 1/3 shutout innings, allowing just two hits to get the win.
2-0 CSL loss to New Trier Timmy O’Brien had the lone hit for the Hawks.

2-1 CSL win over Evanston- Bobby Inserra and Mike Yager combined to fire a four-hitter at the Wildkits. Inserra stuck out six in his four innings on the mound. Yager struck out five in his three shutout innings, to nail down the save.  Ben Sacor and Mike Altman had a pair of hits, each for the Hawks and Inserra helped himself with an RBI.
2-1 CSL South  loss to New Trier  Brandon Sacor had a hit and drove home the lone Hawk run.
10-1 CSL loss to Glenbrook North Connor Leyden led the Hawks with two hits.

NILES WEST  (14-13, 4-10)

13-9 CSL South loss to Glenbrook South Bradley Pawlow drove home a pair of Wolves’ RBI, while Brendan Som picked up a pair of hits.
8-2 CSL South loss to New Trier  Brad Pawlow and Mike Daratzis drove home the two Wolves’ runs.
3-2 CSL win over Glenbrook South Andy Pabst singled home the Wolves game winner in the top of the seventh in Glenview. Kyle Gibson had two hits while Alex Cherian picked up a big RBI for the Wolves.
6-3 CSL South win over Maine West  Myles Derbigny drove home two runs for the Wolves. Brad Pawlow and Jack Lochner chipped in with two hits a piece and Themi Kastrnakis fired a six-hitter at the Warriors.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC NORTH

NOTRE DAME (13-9, 10-3)

10-0 ESCC North win over Carmel- The ESCC North leaders opened up a 1 ½ game lead over the Corsairs with the win. Pat Ambrose fired a two-hit shutout at Carmel with four strikeouts. Nick Loizzi  and Cole Manley led the Dons’ attack with two hits and two RBI each. Kyle Schuster drove home a pair and Bryan Broecker chipped in with two hits.

2-1 ESCC North loss to Carmel- The Dons could only muster three hits against the Corsairs. Matt Salmonson drove home the lone Don run.

8-2 ESCC win over Marian Catholic- Cole Manley and Kyle Shuster each drove home a pair of runs for the Dona, as ND wrapped up the ESCC North championship. Matt Murphy chipped in with two hits while Matt Salmonson and Nick Loizzi combined on a six-hitter against the Spartans.

5-0 loss to Lyons Township Dons could only two hits against the West Suburban Silver leaders.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC SOUTH
JOLIET CATHOLIC (23-7, 9-3)

9-4 ESCC win over Benet– Greg Ziegler drove home a pair of Hilltopper runs, while Tony Fleischauer and Chris Knapczyk had two more hits. Dan Wuestenfeld picked up an RBI and Zak Gould picked up the win on the mound for JCA.
4-2 (9 innings) ESCC South win over Marist (See Game Story)
1-0 loss to Lincoln-Way East

2-1 (8 inning) win over Lincoln-Way West (See Game Story)

BENET ACADEMY (9-19, 2-10)
12-10 ESCC South loss to Nazareth  Nick Hoeppel drove home three runs for the Redwings.
9-4 ESCC loss to Joliet Catholic- Jared Novak had three hits and Aaron Staehely drove home three Redwing runs.

6-4 ESCC South loss to Marist Connor Hincks had three hits and drove home a Redwing run.

8-7 loss to Hinsdale Central  Jared Novak led the Redwings’ attack with two hits and three RBI, while Aaron Staehely added three hits with a pair of RBI. Dylan Glasgow chipped in with three hits for the Redwings.

INTERSTATE 8 NORTH
WESTMONT (20-10, 6-5)

1-0 I-8 North win (12 innings) over Lisle  (See Game Story)
4-3 I-8 win over Peotone- Riley Basit blasts a two-run bomb and Alex Marotta triples home a Sentinel run. Zac Fisher picks up the win on the mound and singles home a Sentinel run.
6-1 I-8 North loss to Lisle (See Game Story) 

LISLE (16-11, 6-6)
1-0 12 inning I-8 North loss to Westmont (See Game Story)
5-1 I-8 win over Reed-Custer

6-1 I-8 North win over Westmont (See Game Story)

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE
PLAINFIELD SOUTH (22-6, 10-4)

4-3 SPC loss to Plainfield East- Griffin Lapp (4-1) suffered his first loss of the season on the mound. Lapp had two hits while Dylan Miller and Jonny Hernandez drove home Cougar runs.

5-4 SPC win over Plainfield East (See Game Story)

5-3 win over Lockport- Cougars scored five times in third inning to erase 2-0 Porter lead. Zach Pawlak singled, doubled and drove home a Cougar run. Griffin Lapp had a single and an RBI and Ryan Pawlak drove home a pair of Cougar runs without the benefit of a hit. Tylor Phommachanhom (3-0) allowed a run and two hits in his four innings of relief to pick up the win and Lapp picked up the save, pitching a scoreless seventh.

PLAINFIELD NORTH  (15-7, 11-2)
6-0 SPC win over Joliet Central  Jake Goss allowed one Steelmen hit and struck out eight in his stellar six shutout innings to pick up the win. Noah Mazza, Cam Kissel and Garret Cook all had two hits for the Tigers. Mazza, Kissel and Aiden Campbell all drove home a Tiger run.

2-1 SPC win over Oswego East Dylan Szajkovics improved to 5-0 for the season with the four-hit shutout over the Wolves. Noah Mazza drove home an important Tiger run, as the SPC leaders opened up a 1 ½ lead over Plainfield South in the SPC.

5-3 SPC win over Joliet Central Greg Budig and Aidan Flynn each had two hits and drove home a Tiger run against the Steelmen. Sammy Valdez picked up the win on the mound and Brandon Hutson nailed down his second save, as the defending Class 4A State champs won their 12^th consecutive game.

PLAINFIELD EAST (18-10, 8-7)

4-3 SPC win over Plainfield South- Trailing 3-0 after 3 ½ innings of play, the Bengals scored two runs in the fourth to pull within 3-2. In the bottom of the sixth, Dylan Sullivan singled and drove home his second and third RBI of the game, driving home the eventual game-winning runs. Brandon Ruehle (5-2) fired a four-hitter at the Cougars and Riley Morris had three hits for East.

5-4 SPC loss to Plainfield South (See Game Story)
5-4 SPC loss to Joliet West  Sean Blanchard and Andrew Hillm both had three hits and drove home a run for the Bengals.

7-1 SPC win over Joliet West Jack Crowder struck out 13 Tigers and fired a seven-hitter at West. At the plate, Crowder helped himself with two hits and three RBI. Riley Morris chipped in with two RBI for the Bengals

5-4 SPC loss to Romeoville  Jack Crowder had two hits and drove home three Bengal runs while Nick Pratscher and Riley Morris added three hits each for the Bengals.

JOLIET WEST (15-16, 6-9)

8-4 SPC loss to Romeoville- Mason Kasprisin drove home a pair of Tiger runs. Mark Garcia, Jr. chipped in with two hits.

10-0 SPC loss to Plainfield Central  The Tigers could only muster three hits in the SPC loss.

14-6 SPC loss to Plainfield Central  Ty Batusich drove home three Tiger runs.

3-2 SPC win over Minooka- Mark Garcia Jr, sent Tiger fans dancing onto Oneida, when he belted a walk-off two-run homer to stun the Indians. Lefty Dylan Wolf went the distance for West, firing a four-hitter at the Indians. Cam Hayden had two hits and drove home a Tiger run while Tyler Pransk had three hits for West.

5-4 SPC win over Plainfield East- Tigers explode for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to stun Bengals.

7-1 SPC loss to Plainfield East Dylan Johnstone had three hits for the Tigers while Lucas Pirc added a pair of hits. Tyler Batusich drove home the lone Tiger run.

9-3 loss to Providence  Matt Garcia Jr. led the Tigers with three hits.

MINOOKA (8-16, 4-11)

7-4 SPC loss to Romeoville-

4-3 SPC win over Plainfield Central- Indians rally for two in the seventh to deal Plainfield Central devastating SPC loss behind Zach Stoner and Nate Cochran, who each had two hits. Nate Gough, Jake Allgeyer and Nick Serr, drove home the big Indian runs. 
3-2 SPC loss to Joliet West Nate Cochran had a pair of hits for the Indians.
8-5 SPC win over Romeoville Pedro Martinez led the Indians past the Spartans with 3 hits and 3 RBI while Colin Olkiewicz had three hits and drove home two Indian runs.

6-1 SPC loss to Plainfield Central  Cooper Herold led the Indians with  two hits.

ROMEOVILLE (10-18, 6-9)

7-4 SPC  win over Minooka AJ Cappalletti and Kevin Murphy each had three hits, while Luis Delgado added two hits and two RBI in the win over the Indians. Dylan Scafurri chipped in with two hits and Spartan ace Ullyss Munoz (5-4) picked up the win on the mound.
3-1 SPC win over Oswego Hunter Frost gave up a first-inning run to the Panthers and then slammed the door, scattering seven hits to go the distance and hand Oswego a crushing SPC defeat. Joey Selby continued his hot hitting with two more hits and Tyler Gallegos drove home a Spartan run.
12-2 SPC loss to Oswego

8-5 SPC loss to Minooka Dylan Scafuri led the Spartans, driving home four of their five runs.

5-4 SPC win over Plainfield East Anthony Perez went the distance for the Spartans as they held off the Bengals on Saturday.
9-8 win over Machesney Park Harlem  Hunter Frost drove home three Spartan runs, including the walk-off hit that gave the Spartans the win over their guests from the Rockford-area. Julian Jimenez chipped in with two hits.

PLAINFIELD CENTRAL (21-9, 9-6)
10-0 SPC win over Joliet West Brandon Micetich had two hits, including another home run and drove home five Wildcat runs in the five-inning victory over the Tigers. Zach Rana (5-4) fired a three hitter at the Tigers and the red-hot Charlie Bischoff drove home two more ‘Cat runs. Ryan Daly chipped in with a pair of hits.
4-3 SPC loss to Minooka  – Jac Lindish had three hits in the Wildcats devastating SPC loss to the Indians.

15-6 SPC win over Joliet West Justin Divelbiss led the 17-hit Wildcat attack, with three hits and four RBI, while Brandon Micetich drove home three more runs. The red-hot Charlie Bischoff  and Josh Cunniff chipped in with three hits.

7-3 SPC win over Oswego East Brandon Micetich continued his all out assault on the baseball as he singled, homered and drove home four Wildcat runs. Jake Donahue added two hits and two RBI while Anthony Noble scattered eight hits in his 6.2 innings on the mound to pick up the win.

6-1 SPC win over Minooka – Brandon Micetich hit his third home run  of the week and drove home two more Wildcat runs against the Indians. That’s 14 RBI for the week to wrap up the Voyager Media Publications Week 8 Player of the Week. Jake Donahue added a hit and an RBI and Zak Rana (6-4) won for the second time this week, this time throwing a five-hitter at the Indians

JOLIET CENTRAL (9-19, 2-13)

6-0 SPC loss to Plainfield North  The Steelmen had but one hit against the SPC leaders from Plainfield North.
6-0 SPC loss to Lincoln-Way West Sebastian Pantoja and Alex Rocha had the two Steelmen hits.

5-3 SPC loss to Plainfield North Jared King drove home a pair of runs for the Steelmen. Alex Gregurich and Jim Zdanwic each had two hits, while Noah Riley drove home a run against the defending Class 4A state champion Tigers.

8-4 SPC loss to Oswego  Ethan Darley led the Tigers with three hits and two RBI. Osvaldo Lopez added two hits for the Steelmen while Alex Gregurich drove home a Steelmen run.

8-2 win over Argo  James Zdanwic led the Steelmen with three RBI, while Ethan Darley drove home a pair in the win over the Argonauts.

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE
LOCKPORT (19-11, 3-5)
6-5 SWSC Blue loss to Sandburg  Josh Bentley and Jack Mladic each singled and drove home a Porter run.

7-2 SWSC Blue loss to Sandburg  Nolan Weis and sophomore Ryan Moerman each had two hits for the Porters.
5-3 loss to Plainfield South- Joe Fiorell had two singles and an RBI while Nolan Weis each singled and drove home a Porter run.

BOLINGBROOK (8-18, 1-7)

12-3 SWSC Blue loss to HF Ben Mottlow drove home a pair of Raider runs while Hunter Hrycyk chipped in with two hits.

9-3 SWSC Blue loss to HF Sophomore David Underdonk hammered out four hits for the Raiders in the SWSC Blue loss to the Vikings.

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH (16-10, 13-3)

3-2 WSC GOLD win over Hinsdale South– Kyle Vogt picked up the win and Joe Galvin nailed down the save, as the duo combined on a five-hitter. Jake Pileggi had two hits and an RBI, while Chris Gory had two RBI. Keegan Garland chipped in with a pair of hits for the Mustangs.
11-0 WSC Gold win over Morton Chris Gory and Jack Blazevich each had two hits and three RBI to lead the Mustangs. Sophomore Joe Consenza drove home two runs and Keegan Garland chipped in with three hits. Mike Hoes fired a one-hitter with six strikeouts at the Morton Mustangs.

  9-2 WSC Gold win over Hinsdale South Jake Pileggi led the rampaging Mustangs with two hits and three RBI. Mike Hoes and Chris Gory each picked up an RBI and Keegan Garland had two more hits. Gino Cozzi struck out six in his solid five innings on the mound to pick up the win.

3-1 WSC Gold win over Willowbrook Chris Gory pitched and hit himself and the Mustangs past WSC Gold leader Wiilowbrook on Friday. Gory, at the plate had two hits and drove home a run. On the mound, Gory struck out 10 Warrior batters in his five innings of work. Andy Alfini slammed the door on the Warriors in the sixth and seventh innings, to nail down the save.

6-2 WSC Gold win over Hinsdale South Andy Alfini and Jake Pileggi each had two hits and two RBI to complete the Mustangs WSC Gold sweep of their archrivals from Hinsdale South.

Joe Galvin fired a three-hitter at the Hornets.

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER
DOWNERS GROVE NORTH (5-23, 4-14)
8-1 WSC SILVER loss to Glenbard West– Elijah Carter had a pair of hits for the Trojans.

6-5 WSC Silver loss to Glenbard West Elijah Carter continued to crush the baseball with three hits for the Trojans. Joey Stellato also had three hits while Cal Brossard drove home a DGN run.

4-0 WSC Silver loss to Lyons Township  The Trojans could only muster two hits against the WSC Silver-leading Lions.

13-4 WSC Silver loss to Glenbard West  Ryan Schindler had three hits to lead the Trojans.

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

In a must-win Southwest Prairie Conference game on Monday, Plainfield South (23-6, 11-4) scored six runs in the third inning and held off their arch rivals from Plainfield North, 7-4.  With the win, the Cougars pull within ½ game of Plainfield North (15-8, 11-3) in the final week of SPC play.

On the mound for North was their ace right-hander Dylan Szajkovics (5-1). On the mound for the hosts from Plainfield South, was their ace right-hander Griffin Lapp (5-1). The duo produced nothing but goose eggs on the South scoreboard, as the game moved to the bottom of the third.

Cougar DH Alex Lekovish worked the “dreaded leadoff walk” to leadoff the Cougar third inning. No. 9 Cougar hitter Dylan Miller laid down a perfect sac-bunt to move Lekovish into scoring position. Leadoff man Justin McGuigan ripped a single moving Lekovish to third.

Lapp helped himself with an RBI single to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Cougar second baseman Connor Blake followed with a booming RBI double, and after Zach Pawlak walked, Plainfield South super-sophomore Tyler “Puma “Phommachanhom (2-for-2, RBI, R, SB) singled home McGuigan for a 3-0 lead.

The Cougars picked up a fourth run on a wild pitch and then Cougar right fielder Tony Mosher highlighted the six-run Cougar outburst with a two run single.

“Solid win for us today,” Mosher said. “We really needed it. I swung and missed on the first pitch trying to hit it out of here. I hit the second pitch for the big two-run single in the third.”

The defending IHSA Class 4A State Champions Tigers quickly responded. In the top of the fourth, Tiger left fielder Eben Heine drove home a Tiger run with an RBI double. The Tigers picked up a run to pull within 6-2 before Tiger first-baseman Aiden Campbell’s clutch two-out two RBI single pulled the defending state champs to within 6-4. Lapp got out of the jam with a huge strikeout to end the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Tiger catcher Greg Budig reached on a Cougar error and Cook ripped his second hit of the day and the Tigers were in business.

Lapp induced the hard-hitting Tiger right fielder Cam Kissel to hit a roller to Phommachanhom at short, who turned the 6-3 twin-killing. Heine flied to Miller in center to end the Tiger threat in the fifth.

“North’s our big rivals and are a very good team,” Phommachanhom said. “We had to come out strong and picked up the big win today. I tried to do my job and stay within myself at the plate. One game at a time beginning with Oswego on Wednesday.”

The Tigers’ Brandon Hutson reached on a Cougar miscue in the sixth, but Lapp pitched around the miscue to end the Tiger sixth.

The Cougars Ryan Pawlak hammered an insurance blast over the right field fence for a 7-4 Cougar lead. The blast was the second home run of the season for the Cougar first baseman.

“It was nice to get the insurance run for us in the sixth with the home run,” Pawlak said. “I got a fastball and took it out over the right field fence. Win out.”

Lapp mowed down the Tigers 1-2-3 in the seventh, to pull the Cougars within ½ game of the Tigers in the ultra-tough SPC.

“I relaxed a little with the six-run lead but after allowing the four runs, I was able to shut them down,” Lapp said. “I’m never worried on the mound. It was a great win. We want to keep hitting the ball and continue doing what we are doing. If we do, we can win the SPC.”

For Plainfield North, the Tigers will travel to Oswego East (16-11, 8-7) on Tuesday before taking on Plainfield East (19-10, 9-7) on Wednesday at East and home on Thursday.

“We didn’t pitch well. We didn’t hit well,” Plainfield North head coach John Darlington said. “When that happens, we’re not going to win many ball games. We have a lot of baseball to be played this week. We must play well to win the SPC.”

For Plainfield South, the Cougars will host Oswego (17-11, 10-6) on Wednesday and then travel to Oswego on Thursday.

Act Two- “Plainfield Civil War”  Friday on the “North Side” at 4:30.

“It was a must win for us today,” Plainfield South head coach Phil Bodine said. “These huge pressure-packed games this week are great for the kids. We’ll play them one at a time and if we can win the SPC, that would be great. Even if we are not able to win the SPC, the games this week will get us in the proper mind-set to win the regional, next week.

“That’s the first time Griffin has been touched up this year. With the 6-0 lead he relaxed and wasn’t the same pitcher as he was in the first three innings and the last three innings of the game. Today should be a great learning experience for Griffin.”

“Tony had a big hit for us today,” Bodine said. “Ryan needed that homer today because he had been struggling lately and Connor Blake had a big RBI double. If we can get those three hitting, we can do a lot of damage. One game a time. Oswego on Wednesday.”

“One game at a time and Good Lord willing, we will get where we want to be,” Plainfield South associate coach Dan Fezzuoglio said.

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Through Games of May 13
Plainfield North        15-8     11-3
Plainfield South        23-6     11-4
Plainfield Central     22-9      10-6
Oswego                     17-11    10-6

Plainfield East           19-10     9-7

Oswego East             16-10     8-7
Joliet West                16-16     7-9

Romeoville                10-19     6-10

Minooka                     8-17      4-12

Joliet Central             9-20      2-14

More than 40 Eighth Grade Students from the Individual Education (I.E.) Program at Hufford
Junior High School recently participated in a Holocaust Remembrance Service to remember the
victims of the Holocaust at the Joliet Jewish Congregation.

(Photo Submitted)

The students used art, music, readings, and pictures to remember the 1.5 million children who lost their lives in the Holocaust.

The program was a culminating event that tied into what the students learned in their language arts
unit on courage and social studies genocide unit.

Student participants included: Maya Alcantar, Haleigh Almazan, Evelyn Bailey, Connor Brown,
Kyleen Buan, Matthew Budde, Emma Bueschel, Joana Contreras, Michael Del Rio, Diego
Fernandez, Robert Fitzpatrick, Tyler Gloodt, Daniel Goin, Sergio Gomes, Angela Gutierrez,
Joselyn Hernandez, Julisa Hernandez, Sam Hernandez, Alize Hinojosa, Mia-Anela Jimenez,
Janaye Jordan, Gina Kanive, Lidia Lazo, Mario Lazo, Juliza Leon, Natalie Martinez, Tony
Mejia, Bryan Mireles, Jariany Mireles, Ashlyn Noon, Hailey Ortiz, Alyssa Papesh, Julia Ryan,
Myles Slachetka, Izzy Sorapuru, Sam Szendzial, Taniya Taylor, Luis Trevino, Jason Vallejo,
Diego Vazquez, Hailey Vital, and Kamaree Walton. The program was directed by Hufford I.E.
Teacher Jeannine Janicki.

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce awarded 44 students, including 19 Joliet Public Schools
District 86 students, from Joliet area schools with $1,000 college scholarships at the sixth annual
Hawk Joliet Education Scholarship Banquet. Students in grades 4-8 who maintained a grade point
average of 3.75 or above on a 4.0 scale and demonstrated service to their school or community
were nominated by their school principal for the award. The scholarships were created to
encourage and motivate students at an early age to attend college.

(Photo Submitted)

This year’s District 86 winners were: T.E. Culbertson Elementary: Sean Kirman (5 th grade); M.J.
Cunningham Elementary: Amber Davis (5 th grade); Dirksen Junior High: Saniah Files (8 th grade);
Eisenhower Academy: Teresa Swearinger (4 th grade); Farragut Elementary: ShyAwnna Green (5 th
grade); Forest Park Individual Education (I.E.) School: Sergio Trevino (5 th grade); Gompers Junior
High: Nydia Martinez (8 th grade); Hufford Junior High: Olivia Tristan (8 th grade); Thomas
Jefferson Elementary: Camryn Matheny (5 th grade); Edna Keith Elementary: Victoria George (5 th
grade); A.O. Marshall Elementary: Fatima Mascote (4 th grade); Pershing Elementary: Isabella
Hebrard-Flores (4 th grade); Sator Sanchez Elementary: Darlyn Ulloa-Martin (5 th grade); Carl
Sandburg Elementary: Melissa Verdin (5 th grade); Isaac Singleton Elementary: Natalie Barrera (4 th
grade); Taft Elementary: Sophia Jordan (4 th grade); Lynne Thigpen Elementary: Tequanae Johnson
(5 th grade); Washington Junior High: Elizabeth George (8 th grade); and Woodland Elementary:
Gabriela Mendoza (5 th grade).

By Brian Stanley
Bugle Staff
bstanley@buglenewspapers.com

A Joliet police officer’s fatal shooting of a bank robbery suspect earlier this year was justified, according to official reports.

“It is my conclusion that Detective (Aaron) Bandy acted lawfully and was justified in using deadly force against Bruce Carter Jr.,’ Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow wrote in a May 7 letter to the Joliet Police Department. State law requires inquiries officer-involved shootings to be conducted by separate law enforcement agencies. Carter’s Feb. 6 death was investigated by the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force.

About 9:30 a.m. Carter approached a teller at First Midwest Bank, 1415 W. Jefferson St., and passed him a note that said it was a robbery and demanded money or the teller would be hurt.

After the teller gave Carter money from his drawer, Carter reached over the counter to take more bills and left with $1,173.

Police learned Carter had been walking toward a nearby apartment building and surveillance photos from the bank were shown to witnesses who provided Carter’s name.

At 11:20 a.m. Bandy and Det. Brad McKeon went to Carter’s house in the 200 block of South Des Plaines Street. While McKeon went around to the back of the house, Bandy spoke on the front porch with Carter’s mother who uses a wheelchair. A housekeeper said Carter came downstairs when his mother called him, but kept one hand in his pocket when Bandy told him to raise his hands, according to the state’s attorney’s report.

Carter then sprang at Bandy with a boxcutter in his hands, Bandy and the housekeeper told investigators.

“As Bruce Carter Jr. was coming towards him with the knife in his hand, Det. Bandy pulled his gun from his holster and fired…twice,” the report said. Bandy told investigators he used his free hand to push the still-oncoming Carter back while his own back was against the wall and he continued shooting.

19 seconds after shots were reported, Bandy radioed dispatch to say “he came after me with a knife, shots fired,” according to the report. Toxicology tests showed Carter had marijuana in his system when he was killed.

“Based upon a thorough review of all the facts and applicable law, Det. Bandy had the reasonable belief that the deadly force employed was necessary to prevent the imminent death or great bodily harm to himself,” Glasgow said.

“No officer ever wants to be in a situation where he must use deadly force to save his life and those lives around him,” Police Chief Al Roechner said. “It’s not good for anyone involved when reports are generated without the true facts.”

By Mark Gregory
Editorial Director
@Hear_The_Beard
mark@buglenewspapers.com

While May 4 may be considered Star Wars Day nationally, in Joliet the day gets what is sure to be a warmer reception.

This year, June 1 is the day for the Joliet Public Library’s award-winning 10th Annual Star Wars Day.

The family-friendly festival has more than 200 costumed Star Wars characters, games, live music, a vow renewal, movie prop exhibits, and more.

“Our Star Wars planning committee is made up of extremely creative and talented people from the library and our partners,” said JPL’s communications coordinator Mallory Hewlett. “Jody McQuarters, a member of the 501st Legion, has been with us since the beginning. The vow renewal was his idea, and our committee ran with it. People seem excited about the idea, and it is something you don’t want to miss.”

A ticket is required fro the special ceremony for those who want to renew their marriage vows under the watchful eye of the Empire.

Tickets are free and can be picked up at the Rialto Square Theatre Lobby beginning at 8:30 am on June 1.

A limited number of tickets are available and the ceremony will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and is for entertainment purposes only —no legal or spiritual implications apply.

“We always try to mix things up a little, but at the same time keep the fan favorites each year,” Hewlett said. “Our trash compactor game inside the library is a favorite for the kids. The parade is a huge draw, and we have costumed characters coming from near and far. Since this is the 10th Anniversary, we really wanted something to make people say ‘wow’ and that is where the vow renewal came in.”

Other activities will kick off at 11 am with a parade of costumed characters and Star Wars themed vehicles.

The parade will start at the Joliet Area Historical Museum on Ottawa Street, go east on Cass Street, south on Chicago Street and west on Clinton Street. The route does not go in front of the Rialto.

The Rialto will welcome exhibitors such as Darkside Galactibiles, the Mandalorian Mercs, R2-Builders Droid Club, A. Tom Rehn, and Civilized Galactic Gear. They will also feature fan favorite Jedi Training Academy on the Main Stage.

The main stage on Clinton Street near the food tent will host bands and an all-ages costume contest at 1:15 p.m.

Several authors and artists will be returning to this year, including John Jackson Miller and Keith Ryan Kappel. Artist Alley on the second floor of the library will feature Dave Dorman, Steve Palenica, Mikey Babinski, James Tampa and Jamie Snell.

Kids games will be set up on Clinton Street and the Trash Compactor game on the first floor of the Library and the Scavenger Hunt at the Museum.

The event will shut down Chicago Street from Cass to Van Buren. Be sure to get there early to get a spot in one of the parking garages or at the Joliet Area Historical Museum

“We are so grateful for the community partnerships that we have formed over the years. Star Wars Day first began 10 years ago as a celebration of literacy and a way to get people into our building and excited about summer reading,” Hewlett said. “Today, we partner with several local organizations, work with the City of Joliet, and have the Joliet Area Historical Museum and Rialto host with us. We also have support from community sponsors. It has turned into a huge event for downtown Joliet, and we can thank our community and partnerships for that.”

The Joliet Public Library received the 2018 ALA Excellence in Library Programming Award for Star Wars Day. This award recognizes a library that demonstrates excellence by providing programs that have community impact and respond to community needs.

“Our Library staff is amazing and all of us work together to make Star Wars Day happen. The event attracts nearly 10,000 people each year and allows us to open our doors to people who may have never set foot in our library before or been into the Museum or Rialto,” Hewlett said. “We welcome familiar faces back each year, and people also come in to visit from different cities and states. We are happy to welcome them to Joliet to celebrate literacy, learning and Star Wars.”

For a full list of activities at the library and these locations, pick up a Star Wars Day Jedi Passport at the event or visit jolietlibrary.org/starwarsday.

Event passports will be located at the library, Museum and Rialto entrances and information booths.

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

Team of the Week   — Plainfield South

The Southwest Prairie Conference champions completed a 4-0 week with an SPC Championship victory over their arch rivals from Plainfield North, 8-2, on Saturday. The Cougars defeated the Tigers 7-4 on Monday and then defeated Oswego 5-3 and 4-3 on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

Junior relief pitcher, Brady Shelton had a season-saving performance on Wednesday with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win against the Panthers.  On Thursday at Oswego Cougar senior Tony Mosher’s solo blast in the seventh gave Cougar a 4-3 win and super-soph Tylor Phommachanhom his third win on the mound in a week and a half.

Pitcher of the Week  Plainfield South senior Griffin Lapp — All Lapp did was pick up two complete game victories against Plainfield North. On Monday Lapp went the distance in the Cougars 7-4 win over the Tigers.
In Saturday’s 8-2 SPC championship-clinching victory, he gave up two hits and no earned runs.

Player of the Week Plainfield South senior catcher Justin McGuigan – Since he was 14 years old and leading the 2016 summer Cougars to the IHSBCA Summer State Championship, the South senior can beat you in a number of ways.

In four consecutive games this week McGuigan either picked off or threw out potential base runners. He hit .400 for the week and his huge RBI bunt single on Wednesday tied up the game at 3-3 in the 5-3 Cougars win over Oswego. He added four stolen bases for the week and allowed one earned run in his 5 1/3 innings of work on the mound against Oswego. He is tied for the Cougars team lead in wins on the mound with Lapp with six.

For Brian Rupp, Valentine’s Day, 2019 is one he will never forget.

The Plainfield resident is in his sixth season as head girls basketball coach at Lake Park High School in Roselle.

In the early morning hours of February 14, Rupp’s older sister, Donna, died at just 40 years old with he and other family at her side after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

An emotionally draining day already, Rupp was then on the sideline to coach the No. 7 seed Lancers to a 49-47 win over No. 1 Rolling Meadows in the championship game of the Rolling Meadows Regional.

“It was the coaches, the fans, the parents — it was the other team. We walked into Rolling Meadows, the host school of the regional final and their AD was hugging and crying with me at the end. There are moments of that game I still don’t remember. I remember the moment at the end when we won and I remember that AD in particular. It was one of those days that started with the worst of times and ended with the best of moments. It is what movies are written about. The win was pretty sweet. Our girls had tape on their ankles that said “For Donna” on them. It was a moment that I shared with that group of girls at that moment and that is a moment they will remember forever. We had talked about since March of last year and to have it culminate in that moment is something I will never forget.”

submitted photo
Plainfield resident Brian Rupp with wife Tammy and children, from left, Brady, Maddie and Benny after he coached Lake Park to a regional title. Rupp was named an IBCA Coach of the Year.

The win was the first regional title in 10 years for Lake Park. The Lancers ended the season 21-9, losing to conference rival Wheaton Warrenville South in the Batavia Sectional semifinal four days later.

The season success earned Rupp recognition as the Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Association Class 4A, District 7 Coach of the Year. He was honored along with the other winners at a ceremony May 4 at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.

“It is humbling,” Rupp said. “I am someone who is always trying to learn. In the league we are in we have some fantastic coaches, Hall of Fame level, and if you get the respect of some of those coaches that validates that you are doing something good.”

Since taking over a Lake Park program that had three wins the year prior, Rupp said he focused first on rebuilding the culture of the team.

“The three things I talk about when I talk about our program — it is about people, about success and then about basketball. I talk to eighth graders about that and I talk about it at parent night, because if people aren’t the No. 1 reason we are doing this, then our priorities are not in the right place,” Rupp said. “I felt like everything we have been preaching came in that moment. To have Wheaton Warrenville South send flowers (to the wake), a scoreboard does not matter at that moment — it is about people.”

Part of the culture Rupp has brought to the program is taking personal interest in the players and their families and letting them understand his.

He does this through a ‘mom’s dinner’ and a ‘dad’s dinner’ each season. He has also started a dedication game where every year the coaching staff and the senior players dedicate a game to someone important in their life.

It is through those games that the Lancer players got to know Donna and why they showed the support they did for their coach.

“They know Donna through that, they know Jackson (Donna’s son, who died of brain cancer in 2009 at age 2) through that. We get to know each other through that. We are into each other’s lives enough that we share stuff like that,” Rupp said. “To have the players drive to McHenry for the wake was wonderful because that was not an easy drive.”

Fixing the culture has resulted in fixing the record as well. In his tenure, Rupp has an 85-88 record, beginning with seven wins his first season and notching double-digit wins every year since then.

This season was only the seventh time since 1980 that a Lake Park girls team eclipsed the 20-win mark and the 21 wins is the third most in the program in that same span.

The atmosphere and success of the team has paid off when it comes to players as well, drawing talented athletes to attend their local public school instead of searching out the likes of Montini Catholic or other private school powers.

Most recently that paid dividends with DePaul University recruit and IBCA and Associated Press First Team All-Stater Darrione Rogers, who hit the winning shot to claim the regional title.

“As coaches, we have reaped the benefits from that. At minimum, we are not pulling against each other. When I took over, the nasty parents ruled everything. That took some grinding and I didn’t care about how many wins or losses we had at that moment, we needed to clean that up. Having Darrione Rogers helps, but the parents appreciate that we talk about people first and all that and now winning a regional — I feel like we are officially on the map.”

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

With the hosts from Joliet Catholic Academy comfortably ahead of the their guests from Manteno 7-0, all was well at historic Gillespie Field on Saturday.

Hilltopper starting and winning pitcher, Alex Vera (8-2), had knocked down the first 11 Panther batters, before allowing his first hit of the game, in the top of the fourth inning.

The normally impregnable Hilltopper defense imploded with three errors and the Interstate 8 Conference South Division Panthers (22-9) were within 7-2 after four innings.

What seemed to be an easy 2019 IHSA Class 3A Joliet Catholic Academy Regional Championship for the Hilltoppers, suddenly wasn’t that easy.

In the top of the fifth, the Panthers knocked Vera out of the game and pull to within 7-4. Senior Josh Ragusa picked up a huge strikeout to end the Panther fifth.
Enter Dan Wuestenfeld.

Wuestenfeld led off the Hilltopper fifth with his second home-run of the season. JCA (27-7) added two more runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth and roll  to the 12-4 regional championship victory.

“I was looking for a fastball. I knew their pitcher wanted to get ahead on the count,” Wuestenfeld said. “I got a fastball and I was able to hit it out of here. Great win today and I’m confident we will go to Ottawa and win the sectional championship. This team never gives up.”

The Hilltoppers scored two runs in the top of the first on senior shortstop Jared Cushing’s (2-for-3, 2RBI) RBI single and a Panther miscue.

Four more Hilltopper runs would cross the plate in the second inning.

Senior right fielder Mike Gurka tripled home a run for a 3-0 lead. Senior centerfielder Greg Ziegler (2-for-3, 2B, RBI), who’s double would score Gurka for a 4-0 lead. Cushing’s RBI single scored Ziegler and Cushing scored on a wild pitch.

Gurka made it 7-0 on an RBI ground out in the third.

“Manteno is a really scrappy team and they fought hard,” Gurka said. “ I was seeing the ball really well. I am so confident at the plate and one needs to have that confidence to be successful at the plate.”

After Wuestenfeld’s bomb, Gurka made it 9-4 with an RBI double — his third RBI of the game. Junior second baseman Christian Knapczyk drove home Gurka on an RBI single.

In the Hilltopper sixth, senior Tony Fleischauer in his last at bat of his JCA career at historic Gillespie Field hammered a two-run blast to make it 12-4 Hilltoppers.

“We are playing great and moving on. Go Hill,” Fleischauer said. “It was awesome to hit my first home run ever here at home. I’ve touched the warning track way too many times.”

“What a great win for us today,” Cushing said. “It was so exciting to play in front of so many people. We opened up our new deck in left field and it was packed. There were people everywhere. What an atmosphere. We really hit the ball well today and our senior veterans helped lead us to this important regional championship.”

Senior relief pitchers Zak Gould and Zach Hise slammed the door on the Panthers in the sixth and seventh innings. Hise would ended the game by dialing up a 5-4-3 double-play — Wuestenfeld-Knapczyk-Cullen — game over.

“We hit the ball well today. Mike Gurka hit well for us,” JCA head coach Jared Voss said. “We jumped out to the big, early lead and put pressure on them. Manteno did not quit and Dan’s home run was a huge reason we won this game.”

The Hilltoppers will meet Tinley Park (26-6) in Wednesday’s second IHSA Class 4A Sectional Semifinal at 6:30. The Hilltoppers ended the Titans 2018 season in this game last season 10-0.

By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle

Back on June 9, 2018 at then-named Slammers’ Stadium in Joliet, Plainfield North defeated Huntley 4-3 to win the IHSA Class 4A state championship.

Juniors Greg Budig, Garret Cook, Cam Kissel and Eben Heine were the lone players to return for the 2019 Tigers. Heine picked up the last two outs of the state championship game on the mound in the win over Huntley.

With the 2019 Class 4A Plainfield North Regional Championship Game deadlocked at 3-3 in the North bottom of the sixth, senior Greg Budig was in the batter’s box.

With Plainfield North’s Aiden Campbell on second base, Plainfield East starting pitcher Jack Crowder was one strike away from sending the game to the seventh still deadlocked at 3-3.

Budig, on a 1-2 pitch, popped up a foul ball behind the plate that was misplayed and was given new life.

Budig hit Crowder’s next pitch for a monster two-run homer, putting the Tigers ahead to stay at 5-3. Plainfield East pulled to within 5-4 and have the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

“It’s always great to get a second-chance in baseball,” Budig said. “One has to take advantage of the opportunity and I hit a fastball out of here.”

Tiger senior right-hander Sammy Valdez retired the final Bengal batter on a foul out to first to nail down the save and the 5-4 win. Senior Harrison Pfiefer, who retired the only batter he would face in the sixth inning, picked up the win on the mound for the Tigers.

The defending Class 4A state champs survived and advanced.

The first four batters in the Tiger first inning hit safely. Budig and Cook hit back-to-back solo shots. Tiger starting pitcher Cam Kissel doubled and scored on an RBI single from Heine.

“It was great for Garret and I to go back-to-back in the first inning and we were able to get the three early runs that really helped us out today,” Budig added.

“I had to go back-to-back with Greg in the first inning,” Cook said. “I couldn’t let him have the team lead in homers this season. By going back-to-back with Greg, we are both tied for the team lead now with three homers each.”

Plainfield East scored single runs in the second third and fifth to tie the game at 3-3.  RBI groundouts from Ryan Skiba and Caleb Anderson pulled the Bengals within 3-2.

in the fifth, Riley Morris picked up one of the only two hits the Bengals would muster for the day. Morris scored the tying run on a sac-fly from Andrew Hill.

The Bengals, who had their chances, left 13 runners on base.

Considering all of the graduation losses from the 2018 East squad that set a school-record with 29 wins, the 2019 season was a success for coach Adam O’Reel and the Bengals. The Bengals close out 2019 with a 21-12 record.

Up next for North is a 4 p.m. Oswego Sectional semifinal date Wednesday with Neuqua Valley. In the 2018 Class 4A Hinsdale South Sectional championship game, the Tigers beat the Wildcats 14-2.

Neuqua Valley (25-7) defeated Hinsdale Central 11-1 Saturday to win the 2019 IHSA Class 4A Hinsdale Central Regional title.

“We walked 11 batters and we hit two more. We didn’t swing the bats well but we still won,” Plainfield North coach John Darlington said. “Hitting three home runs sure helped. I’m so happy for Greg. He’s been winning games for us for the last four years. It was also good to see him and Garret go back-to-back for us in the first inning.

“We have had a real up-and-down season this year. Hey, we’re here in the sectionals. Anyone can win this thing now. We have to keep playing and see what happens.”

Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

The official 2019 Beep Ball Bash is coming to Bolingbrook Saturday, June 8 at is hosted and sponsored by the Bolingbrook Lions and the community of Bolingbrook.

The games are slated for 8 and 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, all teams play at 8 a.m. followed by the award ceremony at the Bolingbrook Aquatic Park.

Unfortunately, because of the popularity of the tournament, there is a waiting list for teams to play in the tournament.

“The Bolingbrook Beep Ball Bash is known as the best eight team [tournament] in the nation,” said Jim Patula, Lions Club representative. “With that reputation, there is a waiting list for teams to play in the event and generally all teams in good standing that played in the previous year’s tournament are invited to play the following year.”

Beep Baseball is a game designed for the visually impaired, with the National Beep Baseball Association was organized in the United States in 1976

In the game, fielders and the batter are blindfolded, although they must also be legally blind, in most cases. However, if a team cannot field the minimum six batters required to fill its lineup card, the NBBA allows the team up to two sighted volunteers to blindfold themselves and play as the players with visual impairments do. Catcher, pitcher and spotters do not wear blindfolds and are usually sighted, although there have been a few who are partially blind.

The ball beeps and is a modified, oversized softball. The bases are blue, are nearly 5-feet tall, and have mostly foam interior with the electronics that cause it to buzz steadily when a switch is thrown. They are each placed 100 feet from home plate and are in the equivalent positions to first and third bases in regular baseball.

The Bolingbrook tournament was one of the first in the country to offer a cash award.

The following teams that will be competing in this year’s tournament are: Chicago Comets (hosts), Austin Blackhawks, Cleveland Scrappers, Indy Edge, Indy Thunder, Minnesota Millers, New Jersey Titans and the St. Louis Firing Squad.

With this tournament being around for the last 18 years, it has gotten a lot of popularity within the city of Bolingbrook, and for good reason.

Spectators who witness today’s style of beep baseball are delighted and amazed.

They see athletes who are visually impaired dive on to the ground to stop a beeping ball and run full speed 100 feet toward the sound of a buzzing base to score a run.

They see desire, determination, teamwork and in many cases skilled performances of players with visual impairment having fun in the midst of extreme competition.

“This is a unique event which most people have never experienced,” Patula said. “Most first time spectators are impressed by the skill level of blind athletes and are emotionally moved by the event.”

For more information on the 18th annual BeepBall Bash, you contact Jim Patula by email at patulajim@yahoo.com or by phone at (331)-253-7094.

The Will County Board called on the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker to pass a robust capital plan that funds desperately needed improvements to I-80, I-55 and other roads and bridges in Will County which is home to the largest inland port in the United States.

“We’ve seen employment in the freight industry grow by 140 percent in Will County since 2005,” said Will County Speaker Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet). “We need a capital bill that will address the rapidly growing logistics industry and the overburdened infrastructure in Will County. At stake is the largest inland port in the United States. We cannot jeopardize this major economic engine.”

Will County adopted a freight mobility plan in September 2017 that aims to provide community friendly strategies, goals, and policies for freight development throughout Will County over the next few years. In particular, the plan pinpoints 25 critical infrastructure projects. These include improving: I-80 from Ridge Road to US 30; the Weber Road Interchange at I-55; and the Lorenzo Road Interchange at I-55. The Plan also found that further regional, state, and national funding is essential to maintain the county’s infrastructure.

“Infrastructure funding has been a critical message that we’ve taken to the statehouse in Springfield,” said Will County Board member and Legislative and Policy Committee Chair Jackie Traynere (D-Bolingbrook). “It’s not just about Will County, it’s about the economy in Illinois and frankly the entire country.”

Today, Will County is the largest inland port in the country, with more than 3 million containers traversing its rails, roads, and waterways each year. The freight industry supports 55% of the county’s economy and provides more than 106,000 jobs. The value of products moving through Will County each year is about $65 billion, or 3.5% of the US GDP.

“Will County and the State of Illinois have partnered on a number of recent key infrastructure projects and we  are hoping to keep the momentum going with a capital bill,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Sr. “With investments like improving I-80, Will County will remain competitive for additional economic development and keep residents safe on our roadways. I encourage the General Assembly and the Governor to keep working to get a capital bill done this year.”

The logistics and shipping industry in Will County is only expected to grow. Freight volume may reach nearly 600 million tons, valued at $1.2 trillion, by 2040. Without further planning, the Freight Plan found that the county’s current infrastructure would not be able to keep up: bottlenecks and community safety could worsen, and Will County could lose economic competitiveness.

“The County Board adopted the Community Friendly Freight Plan to provide a framework and a tool for approaching the infrastructure needs in our region,” said Will County Board Minority Leader Mike Fricilone (R-Homer Glen).

“We hope that the General Assembly and the Governor are able to pass a Capital Bill that addresses the needs we’ve outlined in Community Friendly Freight Plan,” said Will County Board and Capital Improvements Committee Chair Herbert Brooks Jr. (D-Joliet).

State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is partnering with State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, D-Shorewood, to host a free community shred and prescription recycling event next month.

“Shredding documents with personally identifiable information, like tax returns, bank statements and old bills, is very important to help protect yourself from scammers and identity thieves,” said Manley.  “I encourage area residents to stop by our shred day to safely destroy their old documents for free.  This is not only an opportunity to protect yourself from identity fraud, but is also a great chance to do some spring cleaning and get rid of old paperwork you no longer need.”

Local residents are encouraged to join Manley and Bertino-Tarrant’s for their free community shred and prescription recycling event on Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at Troy Craughwell Elementary School, located at 3333 Black Rd. in Joliet.

Residents are invited to stop by with a maximum of two boxes full of documents with sensitive information like medical bills, bank statements, and old credit cards to shred. The Romeoville Police Department will also be providing free medicine disposal.

“Shredding old, unneeded documents helps to ensure that they do not get into the wrong hands, and decreases your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft,” said Bertino-Tarrant. “We encourage local residents to stop by our free community shred day.  We hope to see you there.”

By Mark Gregory
Editorial Director
@Hear_The_Beard
mark@buglenewspapers.com

Like always, the basketball season in the Joliet area produced several talented, winning teams — and this season, two of the teams saw its coach claim the Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Association Coach of the Year Award.

Laura Brumfiel, Joliet Central High School

Laura Brumfiel

Brumfiel led the Steelmen to a 24-7 record and a regional championship and was named as IBCA Girls High School Basketball Coach of the Year for Class 4A, District 9.
It is her first time being honored as coach of the year.
“I am very thankful to receive the coaching award. It is a testament to how hard the entire coaching staff works to help these young ladies become successful,” she said. “All of the time and effort each of them put in is appreciated and all of our hard work is paying off.
The 24 wins were the most by a Central team since the two programs split in 2010. The Steelmen were regional champions, sectional runners-up, as well as winning the Lincoln Way Thanksgiving Tournament and finishing second in the Oswego East Holiday Tournament.
“This season was special because of the group of girls we were privileged to coach,” Brumfiel said. “This entire group has worked extremely hard and their hard work paid off this season. They were able to accomplish many goals that were set two years ago.”

Matthew Stortz,
Troy Middle School
Stortz, the 7th Grade girls basketball coach for Troy Middle School led the team to a 26-4 record, going 12-2 to finish second in the Des Plaines Valley Conference.
He won for IESA, Class 4A, District 9.
Troy won the Steelmen Shootout Tournament, Marian Catholic Tournament Champions.
In the regional championship game, Troy defeated previously undefeated Bolingbrook Humphrey and repeated the task to win the sectional title beating previously undefeated Mokena.
In the IESA seventh-grade Class 4A state title game, the Titans faced undefeated Alton and lost, placing second in state.
It is Stortz’ first time being tabbed as IBCA Coach of the Year.
“This season was special as I had the opportunity to coach many of these young ladies over the past two seasons,” he said. “The great thing about this team was that each and every one of them played a pivotal role on the team. They were all willing to step up to the challenge when called upon and rarely got down on themselves or each other and maintained an even keel throughout every game. “The essence of this team’s showing of sportsmanship was evident all season long. One great moment was when we received a compliment after a tournament we competed in stating that Troy Middle School runs a great girls basketball program and that each of the ladies represented themselves and their school in a very respectful manner. It is a blessing to work in a district that allows me the opportunity to positively impact student lives both in and out of the classroom. I am humbled to win the coach of the year award and was honored to be part of such a wonderful event hosted by the IBCA at Red Bird Arena.”
On the collegiate side, University of St. Francis men’s basketball coach and women’s coach Steve Brooks were named NAIA college coach of the year by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.
The men posted a (20-15) record on the season and fell in the second round of the NAIA Tournament.
The women were rated No. 14 and posted a 24-9 mark, losing to defending national champion Dakota Wesleyan.

By Drake Skleba

For the Bugle

In the IHSA Class 3A St. Laurence Sectional Semifinal at Ozinga Stadium in Crestwood, JCA trailed Tinley Park 5-1 as the game moved to the top of the sixth.

Answering the Titans (26-7) five-run bottom of the fifth inning, the Hilltoppers (28-7) answered with a five-spot of their own in the top of the sixth inning, to grab a 6-5 lead.

Senior right-hander Zach Hise fired 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, to lead JCA to the 6-5 victory. JCA will take on the sectional hosts from St. Laurence  (33-5) on Saturday for the IHSA Class 4A St. Laurence Sectional Championship. The game will be played at Viking Field in Burbank.

(For complete details on this game see next week’s Joliet Bugle and Shorewood Sentinel)

After Plainfield South’s Ryan Pawlak hammered a three-run homer in the bottom of the second inning in Plainfield Central’s Class 4A Oswego Sectional Semifinal, Wildcat senior right-hander Zach Rana turned the lights out on the rival Cougars.

Rana (6-4) shut the Cougars out the rest of the way and struck out seven of the last 10 Cougar hitters he faced, and the Wildcats (28-9) rallied past the Cougars 6-3. The Wildcats used a little 2-out magic scoring five of their six runs after two outs.

Plainfield Central will meet Neuqua Valley (26-8) at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning in the IHSA Class 4A Oswego Sectional Championship game.
(For complete details on this game see next week’s Plainfield Enterprise)

The defending Class 4A state baseball champions from Plainfield North (18-13) fell to Neuqua Valley 3-0 in Wednesday’s first Class 4A Oswego Sectional Semifinal. Junior Eben Heine had the two lone Tiger hits in the game.

Congratulations to the Joliet Public Schools District 86 students who received the Superintendent’s
Award for the third trimester of the 2018-2019 school year. One student from every District 86 school
was selected for this honor. Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, along with the school principal,
surprised the students with the award in their classroom.

The student winners are Adrianna Clark, T.E. Culbertson Elementary; Xochiquetzalli Cuevas, M.J.
Cunningham Elementary; Camila Sandoval, Dirksen Junior High; Julian Fuentes, Eisenhower
Academy; Gloria Patino, Farragut Elementary; Andrea Leon, Forest Park Individual Education
School; Megan Mangabhai, Thomas Jefferson Elementary; Giovanni Ortega, Gompers Junior High;
Reid Hogan, Hufford Junior High; Joziah Davis, Edna Keith Elementary; Sebastian Luna, A.O.
Marshall Elementary; Monica Patel, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Fernanda Chavez, Pershing
Elementary; Angel Lopez Cuevas, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Aidan Rutherford, Carl Sandburg
Elementary; Bryce Bryan, Isaac Singleton Elementary; Zy’King Mercer, Taft Elementary;
Annalise Pantoja, Lynne Thigpen Elementary; Inglynn Lee, Thompson Instructional Center;
Ke’von Boykin, Washington Junior High; and Karrington Wallace, Woodland Elementary.

Congratulations to the four newly elected Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School
Inspectors who were sworn into office. (From left to right) Incumbents Tonya Roberts, Erick
Deshawn Dorris, Deborah Ziech, and community member R. Emil Standfield were elected to
four-year terms. Also pictured: Board of School Inspector Jeffrey Pritz. Deborah Ziech has
served on the school board since 2003, Tonya Roberts since 2011, and Erick Deshawn Dorris was
appointed to the school board in 2017.

Tonya Roberts will serve as president and Anthony Contos as vice president of the Board of
School Inspectors for the next year. Currently 11,228 students, from PreKindergaten through
Eighth Grade, attend one of 21 Joliet Public Schools District 86 schools. District 86 is the fourth
largest elementary school in Illinois.

Isaac Singleton Elementary School was transformed into an art gallery showcasing over 1,400
pieces of student artwork at the annual Joliet Public Schools District 86 Fine Arts Festival. The
art show was coordinated by teachers Miranda Campbell, Jason Cuevas, Marisa Dion, Rene
Fitz-Henley, Deanna Hasselbring, Brianna Hubbard, Denise Johnson, Angela Klunder, Christine
May, MacKenzie Powell, Andrea Rickmon, Katherine Roberts, Martha Summers-Romero, and
Jessica Zych.

In addition to the art, music was provided by the Dirksen Junior High Band, Gompers Junior
High Jazz Band, Hufford Junior High Jazz Band, Washington Junior High Jazz Band, and the
District 86 All City Jazz Band at the event. The student musicians were directed by Christine
Adelmann, Laura Armstrong, R. Scott Barnas, and James Shaw.

Note cards highlight one piece of student artwork from each District 86 school. A pack of 20
note cards and envelopes are available for purchase at the J.F. Kennedy Administrative Center at
420 N. Raynor Avenue in Joliet for $10.00. Pictures of the artwork are posted at
https://www.joliet86.org/student-note-cards-winners/
This year’s student note card winners included: T.E. Culbertson Elementary: Jayden Burton;
M.J. Cunningham Elementary: Andrea Ramirez; Eisenhower Academy: Zoe Cardenas; Farragut
Elementary: Caleb Dennis; Forest Park Individual Education School: Rebecca Hernandez;
Thomas Jefferson Elementary: Aaliyah Ugalde; Edna Keith Elementary: Yazaria Brathwaite;
A.O. Marshall Elementary: Adamari Sanchez; Marycrest Early Childhood Center: Naima
Gonzalez; Pershing Elementary: Maye Villagomez; Sator Sanchez Elementary: Diego Tirado;
Carl Sandburg Elementary: Kimberly Flores; Isaac Singleton Elementary: Lindsey Arciniega
Ramirez; Taft Elementary: Ariana Aragon-Alfaro; Lynne Thigpen Elementary: Valerie Ruiz
Flores; Woodland Elementary: Gabriela Mendoza; Dirksen Junior High: Kaylah Howard;
Gompers Junior High: Bryan Velazco; Hufford Junior High: Bethzy Contreras Orozco; and
Washington Academy: Tanasia Poe.

Congratulations to the top Joliet Public Schools District 86 elementary school and top junior high
school students who received the Reader Award from the District 86 Board of School Inspectors
at their May school meeting based on the number of minutes the students read this school year on
Renaissance myON Reader.

Renaissance myON Reader is a student-centered, personalized online library that gives District 86
students (Kindergarten through eighth grade) access to more than 6,000 enhanced digital books.
Books are matched to each individual student’s interests, grade, and reading level.

The top three junior high students, all from Dirksen Junior High, were Yair Real (14,547
minutes), Dahlia Rosales (11,806 minutes) and Brianna Lenoir (6,414 minutes).The top three
elementary students were Natalie Arroyo from Isaac Singleton Elementary (5,974 minutes) and
two T.E. Culbertson Elementary students Joselyn Alcantar (4,296 minutes) and Dominique Dunn
(4,281 minutes). Overall, District 86 students read 6,232,895 minutes on Renaissance myON
reader during the 2018-2019 school year or a total of 103,882 hours of reading.

In addition to the Board of School Inspectors and Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, Dirksen
Junior High Principal Dr. Markisha Mitchell, T.E. Culbertson Elementary Principal Larry Tucker,
Culbertson teacher Patricia Ingram, and Isaac Singleton Elementary Principal Christopher Latting
also attended the meeting to recognize the students.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 kicked-off the 17 th year of Joliet Reads, a community reading
campaign to promote literacy, at a recent Joliet Slammers baseball game. This year, 33 Joliet District
86 students were recognized as the winners of the annual Joliet Reads bookmark contest during the
pre-game activities at the ballpark. The students' bookmarks will be distributed throughout the
community, including at District 86 schools and the Joliet Public Library, during the upcoming school
year to promote reading.

The student winners included: Dulce Arriaga De Lira, Hufford Junior High; Maria Avalos Angeles,
T.E. Culbertson Elementary; Jasmine Betancourt, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Benjamin Calderon,
Washington Junior High; Yaksi Cisneros-Zafra, Dirksen Junior High; Justin Cobbs, Carl Sandburg
Elementary; Nicholas Cole, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Jacqueline Colunga Beltran,
Gompers Junior High; Audrey Desiderio, Isaac Singleton Elementary; Jocelyn Diaz, Woodland
Elementary; Lily Dyche, Forest Park Individual Education School; Kiyah Fulton, Woodland
Elementary; Denise Gutierrez, Gompers Junior High; Esmeralda Guzman, M.J. Cunningham
Elementary; Lonna Hebrard-Flores, Hufford Junior High; Niaya Herndon, Edna Keith Elementary;
Aiden Hult, Pershing Elementary; Bella Lesa, Carl Sandburg Elementary; Jayden Lopez, Farragut
Elementary; Mya Mays, Lynne Thigpen Elementary; Gabriela Mendoza, Woodland Elementary;
Vanessa Navarro Gama, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Isabella Padilla, Eisenhower Academy;
Katherine Pearson, Washington Junior High; Allison Ponce, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Jessica Ruiz,
A.O. Marshall Elementary; Jesus Sanchez-Garfias, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Sofia Saravia
Avila, Taft Elementary; Montgomery Sawyer, Farragut Elementary; Anderson Tucker, Washington
Junior High; Samantha Velazquez, Thomas Jefferson Elementary; Joyce Wilson, Thompson
Instructional Center; and Fatima Zamudio, Thomas Jefferson Elementary.