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Court 594 ST ; PATRICK'S MY ^CELEBRATION 'Wjk?̂ 1. J Saturday, March 17, 1979 M LIVE ENTERTAINMENT DELICIOUS KOSHER STYLE CHAPEL HILL McHENRY PHONE 815 3*5-0333 PAGE 7 - PL.AINDKAI KK - FRIDAY. MARCH 16.1979 Sports Ink bv Randy Swikle For the seniors the game is over, but their story will long be remembered! The game was over. With tears in his eyes, he walked over to his opponents to extend his congratulations. Then he went straight to the locker room. Scott Dixon-basketball star, captain of the Johnsburg Sky hawks-needed his moment of solitude. For several minutes he sat sobbing, his head buried beneath the blue and gold of his warmup jacket. A thousand thoughts must have raced through his mind as he coped with the realization that he had just played in his last high school game. Those hundreds of practice sessions, and their humorous and serious moments...that special comradery among teammates and coaches...the cheering of so many loyal fans...the excitement of game time...and all the other treasured moments of seven years of interscholastic basketball were only memories now. For Scott Dixon, a dedicated athlete who loves basketball with a passion, it was like a severe blow to the mid-section. He already was feeling the void, and it hurt. In the locker room, Dixon was a solitary figure. He sat alone. But he was by no means alone in the way he felt. Outside on the basketball court athletes, cheerleaders, parents, and fans wept openly. Almost everyone found it necessary to grasp a hand, pat a back, or share a hug; and there wasn't a person around who didn't have at least some moisture in his eyes. The Johnsburgers felt a great deal of affection toward this team, and they wanted to share that affection with the players...regardless of victory or defeat. When Dixon emerged from the locker room to rejoin the Skyhawk squad, the first player he met on the crowded floor was teammate Don Bentz. Holding the second place Sectional trophy proudly in his hand, Bentz may very well have been looking for Scott. The two friends embraced and, amid the tears, could manage only to say each other's name. They had been teammates since sixth grade at Johnsburg Jr. High School. Now it was all over, and nothing could summarize it better than such a touching gesture of friendship. And it was over for Lenny Pecucci, who was also caught in the emotions of the moment. Pecucci-the tall, angular fellow whose head­ first dives for loose basketballs symbolized his desire and served as an inspiration to those who appreciate maximum effort. Lenny Pecucci taught us that it's never too late, he joined the team after being inactive last year at McHenry, and he became a starting forward immediately. When he lost that starting position later in the season, he did not allow it to affect his performance. He continued!giving his very best on the basketball court, and the fans knew and appreciated that. Lenny had a sensational season, and he was now sad it was over. Tears also accented the face of Kerry Christy. He was the quiet senior on the championship club, and because of that his performance did not always receive the recognition it deserved. He did his job efficiently and without fanfare. As the starting point guard, Christy was responsible for controlling the momentum of the game. He provided brilliant leadership. Many things he did-such as calming a teammate after a foul, moving the ball to set up a score, picking up a teammate's opponent on defense--often went unnoticed. But without Christy's contributions, the 1978-79 Skyhawks would not have collected three championships and four trophies. It was a emotional time for senior John Flood. He did not see a great deal of playing time this year, but he contributed to the success of the team in many other ways. His total effort to challenge the starters during practices, his perseverance in improving his own performance, and his delightful sense of humor boosted team spirit and inspired top performance. For senior foreign exchange student Juha Vester, it was the end of a completely new adventure. Juha, who hails from Finland, never played basketball before this year. His improvement since the first day of practice has been remarkable, and it must be attributed to his dedicated efforts toward enhancing his basketball skills. Juha was always one of the last players off the court after practice. He, too, learned and loved the game, Don Bentz, always a winner and now a champion, was crying not because of a loss, but because of an end. His contributions to the Johnsburg sports programs1 have been immeasurable. His temperment and performance have been exemplary. These were the seniors: they provided the leadership. The juniors added to the magic of Johnsburg's first boys varsity basketball team. Schoenig, Szumlas, Zimbrick, Fowler, Ansell, Valentin and Chris Dixon all wrote passages in the squad's success story. It was the winningest team in McHenry County \ with a 23-6 record. The Skyhawks were champions of the eight-team Northern Illinois Classic Tournament of Hampshire. They were champions of the Shark Conference. They were champions of the IHSA Regional Tournament. They were second in Round Lake's Thanksgiving Tournament and second in the IHSA Sectional. No first year school in the history of IHSA ever went further in State Tournament competition than did the Johnsburg Skyhawks. Most sportswriters will miss the real story of Friday night's championship game of the Oregon Sectional. They will write who won and who lost the game, what the turning point was, and who scored the most baskets. It will be the same information found in the story of any ordinary high school basketball game. But what happened in the closing minutes and after the final buzzer of this game was not ordinary. It was something very rare, indeed. It was a demonstration of how a community could turn defeat into a celebration of love and unity. When the seniors made their final exit in the closing minutes of the game, they were honored by a standing ovation. The tears were already flowing. And with the Skyhawks down by 24 points, the cheering never stopped. "We're Number One!" chanted the Johnsburg "Rowdies", "We're Number One!" They said it, and they meant it. And they showed they meant it as they burst upon the floor at the end of the game and embraced those who wore the uniform of their school. It was a genuine showing of love and unity. Almost everyone who gathered around the players and their coach was crying. They were not tears of defeat, but tears of pride. It was a tremendous season, and it was time to congratulate a tremendous team. The athletes responded with smiles of appreciation for the support the fans had given throughout the season. Words were still difficult. This display of overwhelming affection was the real story of the evening. In 15 years of observing and reporting athletic contest, this reporter has never seen anything quite like it. Even the Oregon fans were visibly moved by the outpouring of Johnsburg spirit. Many of them joined the Johnsburg crowd in congratulating the Skyhawks for a fine effort. Oregon principal Rod Sargeant told Johnsburg principal Bill Hayes that the Johnsburg fans were the finest group to visit the Oregon gym all season. It was 15 minutes before the Skyhawk cagers finally found their way to the showers. In the locker room Principal Hayes told the players that they had done more in the past three weeks to instill pride and unity into their school than was accomplished in three years of administrative planning. Thirty minutes after the game, Kerry Christy made the observation that seemed to sum it up best. He was waiting outside the locker room for his teammates, some of whom were still dressing. "Look," he said as he scanned the gymnasium. "All the Oregon fans have already gone. If we won, our fans would still be here." Noticing all the Johnsburg loyalists who were still in the gym, Ken# quickly amended his observation. "Look", he repeated. "We lost and our fans are still here!" And that's the way it was all season: unity in victory and unity defeat. It is a spirit that Johnsburg school officials will work hard to maintain. Just as it is hard to close the covers of a good book, it is difficult to accept the end of a fantastic sports story. The 1978-79 first-edition of the Johnsburg Skyhawks was a best seller. Thank you, Don Bentz, Scott Dixon, Kerry Christy, Lenny Pecucci, John Flood, Juha Vester, Chris Dixon, Tom Schoenig, Brett Zimbrick, Rick Szumlas, Tom Fowler, Dennis Ansell, and Kurt Valentin for providing 29 evenings of exciting and dramatic entertainment. And my thanks to your editor, Bob Kies. for putting it all together. To Scott, Don, Kerry, Lenny, John and Juha: The first-edition of the Johnsburg Skyhawks ends. There is sadness in the air because, as seniors, you can write no sequels. But find comfort in the fact that you have left a mark upon the school and community that can never be erased. Your team had very special magic, and your exploits will not be forgotten. The standards you have set in conduct and performance will be felt by youngsters who never even saw you play, and it will inspire them to seek noble goals. The game is over. The season ends. But the story will always live! Final Warrior Statistics McHenry Wrestling Award Winners The top award winners at last week's McHenry Warrior Wrestling Awards banquet were Junior Rivera (left) and Dave Ramer (right). Rivera won the top award, the Most Valuable Varsity Wrestler. The senior Rivera had 13-12-4 record this season and finished his four year career with a 17-23-4 varsity record. Ramer. a junior, was voted Most Improved Wrestler bv his teammates. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD F orester. T ourney In Second Week The Catholic Order of Forester State Basketball tournament enters its second week Sunday, with 13 games scheduled to be played in six divisions at West campus. Games begin at 9:30a.m. and continue throughout the day, with the final game of the day scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Entertainment will be provided between games and during halftime. The following Sunday, when the championship games are scheduled for the 33rd annual event, a dixieland band will perform during intermissions. Several teams from the1 McHenry-Johnsburg area will play Sunday. At 11 a.m. in gym two, Johnsburg Court 96 meets Aurora Court 1544 in a ranger division game, for boys 15 years and under. The winner of that game plays again at 1:30 p.m. against the winner of a game played earlier between two teams from Moline. In gym one at 11 a.m., St. Gregory in a senior division game for boys 19 years and under. Immediately following that game at noon, Johnsburg's entry inthe senior division meets a team from East Moline. In the Heavies division, comprised of players of any age, McHenry Team One meets McHenry Team two at 1 p.m. in gym one. At 2 p.m., teams one and two from Johnsburg battle. The following Sunday, the winners meet in the cham­ pionship game. At 3:15 p.m. in the junior division, for boys in eighth grade and under, McHenry meets Johnsburg in gym two. The McHenry team is com­ prised mainly of members of the Montini diocesan champs. A new division added to the tournament this year is the Heavies division for men 30 and over. Sunday at 3 p.m. in gym one. teams from McHenry and Johnsburg meet in a game featuring many players who had participated in previous state tournaments. The same two teams meet the following Sunday at 3 p.m. The McHenry area has no teams playing in the junior division (6th grade and under). Teams entered from Johnsburg and McHenry in the division lost last week and were, eliminated. Sunday, March 11 RESULTS Junior Division 6th Grade & Under East Moline (Ct. 1985) Johnsburg (Ct. 96) Rapid City (Ct. 2050) McHenry (Ct. 594) Junior Division 8th Grade & Under St. Gregory (Ct. 650) Rapid City (Ct. 2050) McHenry Team 1 (Ct. 594) Johnsburg Team 2 (Ct. 96) OPEN YKAR ROl Nl> Nitrly. and Sunday* from 2 p GENOA THEATRE G E N O A C I T Y W I S Jusl off 12 >>n Hwys H & H 'I Miles North of Richmond 414 279 6491 1)A^ MTK Friday-Saturday 7 00 & 9 10 Sunday 2 30. 4 40. 6 50 9 00 Monday Thursday 7 00 & 8 50 R.«. *13 0 Adult., Tit Child IIICT AND ENTIRE AD Jl? ADMITS ONE PEIS0N* Sut MAItCH it n »up.fvi»ing pot»nt ot pay R«g. Adi* HELD OVER MARCH 14-21 ACTION - COMEDY WITH COUNTRY WESTERN MUSIC COMING: WARRIORS. • SATURDAY NIOHT FEVER PG SUPERMAN Wall Dltn«y. TMIIOVE BUG « NORTH AVENUE IRREGULARS ANIMAl HOUSE "Have truck (and orangutan* I will travel " SONDRA LOCKE CUNT 73 19 Johnsburg Team 1 (Ct. 96) 38 McHenry Team 2 (Ct. 594) 16 Ranger Division 15 years and under East Moline (Ct. 1985) McHenry Team 2 (Ct. 594) 39 38 McHenry Team 1 (Ct. 594) 49 St. Gregory Team 1 (Ct. 650) 30 Johnsburg (Ct. 96) 50 St. Gregory Team 2 (Ct. 650) 33 East Moline (Ct. 1985 ) 24 McHenry Team 1 (Ct. 594) 23 Senior Division 19 years and under No games played. HAPPY HOUR Weekday 4-6 CVfc >AM% Restaurant 6 Cocktails 'CONGRATULATIONS1 Terry & Craig (Dining Room closed Saturday Y Evening. | Saint Patrick's Day | Party Starting at 8 The Uncle's Luncheon special 11-2 Tues. thru Friday 11-3 Saturday Heavies Division Any Age McHenry Team 2 (Ct. 594) St. Gregory (Ct. 650) Johnsburg Team 2 (Ct. 96) Aurora (Ct. 1544) Heavies Division 30 years and over No games played. 41 36 NIGHTLY SPECIALS Tuesday-Barbecued Ribs Thursday-Roast Beef Wednesday--Chicken Fry Friday-Fish Fry Saturday - Prime rib 7518 Hancock Dr., Wonder Lake Carry Out 653-9202 Mo. AH. Pet. Mo. AH. Pet. p.p. T.P. pt. A*«. No. Qtr Turn Overt OH. Oaf T.«. Anderson 4 10 40 12 17 71 12 20 1.4 25 7 0 10 10 Bitterman 16 51 31 9 14 64 11 41 2.2 47 30 7 3 10 Condon 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0.0 3 0 0 0 0 Conway 10 30 33 8 16 50 19 28 1.6 38 10 10 14 24 Glossen 10 20 50 3 6 50 16 23 1.4 37 9 8 14 22 Jensen 105 266 39 33 52 63 72 243 10.6 93 108 11 30 41 Johnson 75 137 55 37 71 52 65 187 10.4 71 46 56 71 127 Sroka 48 119 40 22 32 69 24 118 5.9 65 44 14 10 24 Thomas 103 202 51 31 56 55 40 237 10.3 92 32 57 96 153 B. Zeller 68 145 47 13 23 56 66 149 6.5 76 38 36 53 89 T. Zeller 95 236 40 36 71 51 88 226 9.8 91 90 61 84 145 Others 24 83 9 18 25 57 38 6 8 14 Warrior Totals 547 1306 42 213 377 59 441 1323 57.5 450 266 396 662 Opponent Totals 547 1126 49 319 469 68 368 1413 61.4 That s-A-Fact A man resents bein^ called lazy, but he'll open­ ly admit that he doesn't like to work. -News, Brunswick, Ga. KEY Ma-Field goals made Att-Field Goals attempted •J pet-Percent from field *: Ma-Free Throws Made Att-Free Throws Attempted Pet-Free Throw Percentage PF-Personal Fouls TP-Total Points Pt Avg-Points per game No Qtrs-Quarters played Turnovers Off-Offensive rebounds Def-Defensive rebounds TR-Total rebounds David H.Min, DDS Announces the opening of his office for the practice of family Dentistry at the Crystal Lake Ambutal s 4900 S. Route 31, Suite 105 Crystal Lake, Illinois 815-455-1172 Days - Evenings & Sat. Available •SALAD BAR •SOUP BAR Call For Reservations ** GOLF CLUB CHICAGO PHONE 250QN. Chapel Hill Road 312 /McHenry, Illinois 0277