Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Niles North and Niles West are both breaking in new quarterbacks to start the 2011 season.
Patch sports reporter Ross Jacobson ranks the North Shore’s best football teams. While power rankings take season record into consideration, more recent results and news, including known injuries, have a bigger influence than early season victories or losses. They also are completely and utterly subjective in evaluating the teams in the Central Suburban leagues PRESEASON RANKINGS Check here for the Central Suburban North league schedule or here for the Central Suburban South league schedule as part of the Illinois High School Association's listings. (Covering the Patch communities of Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Niles, Highland Park, Glenview, Deerfield, Morton Grove, Des Plaines and Northbrook.)
Friday, July 15, 2011
Niles West coach is excited about new talent at several positions, including quarterback.
Scott Baum knew going into Tuesday’s 7-on-7 drills: That his team would not be flawless. But that was perfectly fine with him. “We’ve made a lot of mistakes, but that’s why we’re out here and they’re coachable,” said Baum, football coach at Niles West High School. “We competed with some good programs today, so we’re happy.” Niles West got a lot of early experience as more athletes than usual attended the Central Suburban League–Mid-Suburban League 7-on-7 Camp at Maine West High School in Des Plaines. The Wolves had 30-minute scrimmages against five teams from the Mid-Suburban League of the Illinois High School Association. The camp was mostly passing-oriented with no pads and no offensive or defensive linemen in the plays. Sacks were …
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wolves athletes provided memorable moments and accomplishments during the school year.
Here are Patch's Top 10 moments in Niles West athletics during the past school year. 10. Water Polo Wins First Playoff Game: In its first year as a varsity program, the Wolves beat Maine West in the first round of Illinois High School Association (IHSA) regional play. The playoff win marked a great accomplishment in the program’s development from a club sport that started two years ago. 9. Boys Basketball Rallies for Win Over Niles North: Niles West stayed undefeated with a 65-58 come-from-behind victory against its cross-town rival. Ramsan Younatham had 25 points to lead the Wolves. 8. Girls Basketball Takes Regional Title on Loyd’s Game-Winner: After Brigit Ieuter gave New Trier a 45-44 lead with 17 seconds to play, Jewell Loyd came off …
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Baseball and softball's postseason kickoffs are put on hold by the recent cold spell.
Girls Soccer: The Wolves’ season came to an end in the Winnetka Regional finals as New Trier defeated Niles West 3-1. Down 3-0 late in the second half, freshman Edan Scott scored the team’s lone goal with a shot from outside the box. Goalie Jackie Cardenas had 14 saves in the losing effort. Niles West finished the season 8-12-3, but was winless (0-4-1) in the Central Suburban League (CSL) South division. Girls Track and Field: Hampered by a hamstring injury that occurred at the sectional meet, Niles West senior sprinter Kellion Gordon took sixth in the 100-meter (12.15 seconds). Gordon missed the finals in the 200-meter, placing 12th with a time of 25.25. As a junior, Gordon was All-State in the 100- and 200-meter races, taking third place…
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Boys track's relay teams got back to the state championships while a handful of gymnasts finished their season at the state finals.
Boys Track: Niles West’s defending state champion relay teams made some noise at the right time on Thursday, winning the 4x100 and taking third in the 4x200. After a season full of injuries – Santiago Ochoa has had hamstring issues – and switching in different people, Niles West’s performance at the sectional meet was one of its best all season. The Wolves’ relay marks weren’t spectacular and they’ll have to battle at state to get back on the podium, but it’s something they’re familiar with. Last year Niles West came out of relative obscurity to take both relay championships. Now with a full week before the state championships in Charleston, Niles West still has a few kinks to work out. “Get our handoffs right and hopefully we come home …
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
High school squad completes its first season at the varsity level with some notable accomplishments.
Eric Himmler wasn’t sure about water polo. He swam for Niles West High School in the winter, but couldn’t commit to the school’s newest sport, one he had never played before. He tried out for baseball instead. But after he didn’t make the cut, Himmler knew exactly where he was going. “I walked right in with my baseball bat and glove and said, ‘Coach [John Przekota], I’m joining the team,' ” said Himmler, a sophomore. “Now it’s probably the most fun part of high school.” Himmler’s story isn’t unique. In only its second year of existence – and first at the varsity level – Niles West’s water polo team is littered with athletes who had no previous experience in the sport. Many of the school's swimmers have made the transition to the “other” …
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Kellion Gordon was a double winner in the 100 and 200 while Niles North's Kiana Foreman took second in the 400.
Judging by her results, you couldn’t tell that something was wrong with Niles West’s Kellion Gordon. She cruised to first-place finishes in the 100 and 200 preliminaries early on in Thursday’s IHSA Class 3A Wilmette Sectional at Loyola Academy. But Gordon was hurting. Whether it was the 80-plus degree heat or a slight muscle pull, Gordon’s hamstring was not right. Still the senior sprinter persevered, taking first place in the 100 and 200 finals and advancing to the state championships. “I had to pull through it because I had to go to state,” Gordon said. “That’s my number one goal right there.” Gordon was one of four Niles West athletes to move on to next week’s state championships. Jasmine Townsend won the shot put (37-10), Vicki Barela …
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Baseball finds itself mired in a losing streak while softball finally gets a win.
Baseball: After getting off to a scintillating start in the Central Suburban League (CSL) South, Niles West is struggling against some of the better teams in its conference. The Wolves lost all four of their games in the past week, including two to New Trier--9-5 in the first matchup and 10-9 two days later. The offense failed to get anything going in a 7-1 defeat to Glenbrook North on May 7, as Kevin Ross drove in the Wolves’ only run with an RBI double in the sixth inning. Niles West lost its fourth straight game 6-4 on Monday to Maine South. Boys Water Polo: In what shapes up to be a preview of this week’s Illinois High School Association's Northbrook Sectional, Niles West went 1-1 at the CSL conference tournament last weekend. Niles …
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
With a couple of sprint wins, Niles West track teams are starting to shape up for the postseason.
Baseball: Niles West (18-3, 4-0 conference) hasn’t faced the traditional Central Suburban League (CSL) South powers of Glenbrook South or New Trier yet. But with each victory, the Wolves are proving that they too are conference championship contenders. The Wolves reeled off three more victories last week, including another CSL South win over Evanston. Kevin Ross led the Niles West offense by going 3-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer and three runs scored in the Wolves’ 9-7 win over Niles North on April 25. The Wolves edged Evanston 3-2, as winning pitcher Jason Meger (4-0) struck out five batters and Kenny Blanchard was 2-for-3 with an RBI at the plate on April 29. Nick Wheeler completed Niles West’s undefeated week with a complete …
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Baseball tacks on another victory while boys tennis is getting its lineup set for the stretch run.
Tennis: Coach Andrew Suarez has seen his team rally to win an inordinate number of three-set matches this year. Against Maine East, the Wolves’ second and fourth doubles teams pulled out third-set tie-breakers, helping the team to a 4-3 win in a Central Suburban League (CSL) crossover match. But as with every good coach, Suarez sees where his team can improve down the stretch. “I am glad we have been able to pull out the matches, which shows our experience and mental toughness", Suarez said. "But we can make things a lot easier on ourselves if we are focused and ready to go from the beginning of the match.” From the start of the season, Suarez has switched around his lineup, putting players in different spots and mixing up the doubles…
