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Sports

Eye on Sports

Libertyville cheerleaders bring home second place; boys hoops almost topples the top team.

On Monday there will be a championship march through Libertyville High School. And this is one of those teams that can truly entertain while marching.

It's the second place Libertyville co-ed cheerleading squad. And after Friday's results at the IHSA state tourney, it didn't look so good. Libertyville was in ninth place. The big rally to second place came on Saturday in Bloomington.

So if you want to catch the parade of these athletes it kicks off on the second floor near the English classes around 9:20 a.m. Athletics director Briant Kelly has worked out a schedule that will wind these fun team around the biology room  and tech wings. Don't bet on a quiet march for this spirited club.

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Wrestling: Ok, so the Wildcats didn't win another regional title. Maybe that serves the IHSA right for sending these Cats to Grant for the regional. But Libertyville still posted 156 points good for second place. There were three regional champions. Kevin Tavakoli (145) edged Carmel wrestler Bobby Dandino to notch his 33rd win of the season and claim a regional crown. Senior David Allen secured a pin at 171 for his 18th win. Luke Miller was the third champion. His 30th victory took that title at 215.

Charlie Meyer was second at 125. Luke Gaeth (33-10) was third at 130. And so was Sayad Banifazl at 152.

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Sectional wrestling is scheduled for Saturday.

Boys Hoops: On paper it was a two-loss weekend. But that one loss on Friday night gives area basketball fans cause to pause. How could this team, with a losing record, come within a single point of NSC power Warren? Ryan Barth had 28 points in the 55-54 loss on Friday night.

"We left it all on the court,'' said Libertyville boys coach Scott Bogumil. "We executed the game plan and got a lot of back cuts."

Saturday's results weren't so happy. Neighbor Carmel beat the Wildcats 56-46. Ellis Matthews tallied 18 in this loss.

This team doesn't have long to worry about these losses. There is a field trip scheduled for Saturday. At 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, the Wildcats will take the court at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee to battle Maine South. And after the game, the Wildcats will be treated to a Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers game.

Girls Hoops: Maybe I made too much of this fact but it's something you don't see every day or week for that matter. When Libertyville's Nicole Kruckman was a freshman, she clocked a fence-clearing grand slam homer in a regional win over Highland Park.

Kruckman still plays softball but for now she's a key member of the unbeaten girls basketball squad. This team will play for a NSC crown on Wednesday against Wauconda.

"Nicole is a smart player who picks up on things well and understands and accepts her role,'' said Libertyville coach Kathie Swanson. "That has been so important when you consider that we don't have a lot of size.  She seems to relish being a defensive stopper, so I appreciate her efforts on the court. "

Now back to Wednesday's home NSC title game (7:30 p.m.). No doubt the Cats will be favored but these Bulldogs still have a good player in Tammy Ellis.

"We know that Wauconda's team is pretty similar to last year's in style and play,'' Swanson said. "The only difference is the loss of [Kate] Martino. Tammy Ellis has certainly stepped up her level of play and is a force. I know that they also have a few transfer players who have helped them out in the post."

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