Former St. Louis Cardinals’ Hall-of-Fame Announcer Jack Buck punctuated each Cardinal victory with the catch phrase, “That’s-A-Winner”!
In 1988, Buck’s commentary following Kirk Gibson’s pinch World Series homerun has become legendary………“I Don’t Believe What I Just Saw”!!!!!!!!!!
These two historic “calls” pretty much sum-up the Lakeview Spartans Girls’ basketball victory last Friday night!!!!!
Having lost twice to Old Quarry (15-0) during the regular season, and having to again face one of the most intimidating players in the conference, the Spartans came ready to play!!!!!!!!! After trailing 2-0, the Spartans battled and fought……literally……to stay either two ahead or two behind for the entire game. After trailing by three points with less than three minutes to play, the Spartans shut the door, and came back to win the championship, 22-21.
The Spartan win was a total TEAM effort…….Coaches Jacob Little, Brian Kukulski, John Holakovsky, and Beth Nyhlen, players, managers, parents, students, administration, teachers, alumni, as well as Mike the bus driver all pulled together to bring the trophy home. The Lakeview plan was three-fold…..
“PACK THEIR PLACE”, WEAR GREEN, and BE LOUD!!!!!!!!!
THE SPARTAN FANS WERE RIGHT ON!!!!!
As a side note, and this is something all the Spartans (6th, 7th, and 8th) of both genders should take notice about……..GAMES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE WON ON THE COURT / FIELD, AND NOT JUST GIVEN TO THE TEAM THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!! If you PLAY HARD, you will be successful!!!!!
Since 1974, I BELIEVE this is the FIRST Girls Championship in Basketball, and only the SECOND by either gender!
My personal congratulations go out to Coach Little and his entire program!!!!!!!!!!
On the Boys’ side of the season, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate my squad on their successes this season. Even though our overall record stood at 6-16, I feel that they reached three of the four goals I set for them at the beginning of the season.
All fourteen boys: 1) Worked hard! 2) Improved their game! and 3) Prepared for high school competition (in some sport)! The 4th….Win the conference tournament just wasn’t meant to be!!!
I look forward to seeing all our great players and parents at the Winter Sports banquet on Thursday; March 25th at Lakeview. More information will follow in the next few weeks!!
On a final note, I would like to say “Thank You” to all the parents who were supportive this past season! I have been on teams at both ends of the spectrum, so I realize how tough the feeling is after many close losses!!!!!!!!
Have a great week, and…………….
GO SPARTANS……………PLAY HARD!!!!!!!!
Coach Dodd
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
BASKETBALL...BASKETBALL...BASKETBALL...and WEIGHT TRAINING!!!!!
Hey Spartans..........
I hope this blog finds everyone enjoying the longgggggggggggggggggg weekend in honor of all our Presidents, from George to Barack!!!!!
As well, I hope all the GENTLEMEN out there anted up and made this Valentine's Day weekend a pleasant one for their significant other!! As well, I would like to say "Thank You" to the many Lakeview students who were so kind with their Valentine Grams sent to me!!
Our P.E. classes continue their units on Basketball and Weight Training (and Floor Hockey in 6th grade), with .......what appears to be............much fun being had by all. Our state mandated STEROID AWARENESS projects took place recently, with most students doing an outstanding job. This project included a video outlining the many hazards and problems that accompany the non-prescription use of steroids, a ten question quiz on the video, and finally a word search .
BOYS Varsity Basketball heads into their final week of the regular season!! Before I get to the Boys season, I would like to take this opportunity to CONGRATULATE THE GIRLS VARSITY on their efforts in 2010!!! Following their Consolation Championship in the Westmont Rotary Tournament, the Lady Spartans have reeled off 11 wins in 13 games, and head into their last two regular season games sitting in 2nd place behind Old Quarry!! Third place Jefferson comes into Lakeview on Thursday; February 18th in an attempt to move ahead of the Spartans!!!!!!! DON'T BACK DOWN!!!!!!
LET'S HAVE A GOOD CROWD OUT THIS WEEK TO CHEER THE LADIES ON TO VICTORY.....Wednesday; Feb. 17th >>>> LISLE AT LAKEVIEW >>>>Both games tipoff at 4:00 PM.
As far as Boys Varsity play goes, it has been a very frustrating season for everyone involved.......players, managers, and the coach. As a team, we stand 5-14 overall, while 2-11 in the conference. The hardest part of this season has been the inability to "finish" games that we controlled. FOUR LOSSES came by a total of 14 points. In all three losses, our Spartans were ahead at the end of the third quarter, only to ........basically........self-destruct at the end!!!!!
BUT.................the conference tournament starts everyone over equally, so with that I have the hope that we play at the level which has made us successful. Our current record (with 2 games left) should seed us 10th, meaning we will have a play-in game ON THE ROAD....Monday; February 22nd. A win on that date moves us into the second round on Tuesday; Feb. 23rd, with Third round games tipping off on Wednesday; Feb. 24th. All games start at 4:00 PM, UNLESS the hosting team has a Boys and Girls game, at which time, Girls at 4:00 PM, with the Boys immediately following. BOTH CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES WILL BE HOSTED BY JEFFERSON JR. HIGH SCHOOL (Janes Avenue....3 blocks NORTH of 75th St.) IN WOODRIDGE ON FRIDAY; FEBRUARY 26th. GIRLS TIPOFF AT 6:00 pm, WITH THE BOYS AT 7:30 PM.
On a final basketball note, I would like to first of all recognize the outstanding job done by ALL parties at the 2010 "Pack-The-Place" games. The list of helpers, workers, support personnel, and just plain GREAT FANS, YOUNG AND OLD is HUGE!! Highlights of the two days included a big win by the Girls over Butler, a loss (but great game) by the Boys, GREAT fan turnout by students from Prairieview, Ide, Lakeview, and our high schools, but................and I think I speak for all attendees...................Mrs. Schultz (Prairieview principal) ability to land her "Pie-In-The-Face" of Mr. Windsor......GOOD SHOT!! (Now that I think of it, our Boys played the best half of their season after watching Mrs. Schultz in action!!!!!!
Have a great week, and.....................................
GO SPARTANS.........................PLAY HARD!!!!!!
Coach Dodd
I hope this blog finds everyone enjoying the longgggggggggggggggggg weekend in honor of all our Presidents, from George to Barack!!!!!
As well, I hope all the GENTLEMEN out there anted up and made this Valentine's Day weekend a pleasant one for their significant other!! As well, I would like to say "Thank You" to the many Lakeview students who were so kind with their Valentine Grams sent to me!!
Our P.E. classes continue their units on Basketball and Weight Training (and Floor Hockey in 6th grade), with .......what appears to be............much fun being had by all. Our state mandated STEROID AWARENESS projects took place recently, with most students doing an outstanding job. This project included a video outlining the many hazards and problems that accompany the non-prescription use of steroids, a ten question quiz on the video, and finally a word search .
BOYS Varsity Basketball heads into their final week of the regular season!! Before I get to the Boys season, I would like to take this opportunity to CONGRATULATE THE GIRLS VARSITY on their efforts in 2010!!! Following their Consolation Championship in the Westmont Rotary Tournament, the Lady Spartans have reeled off 11 wins in 13 games, and head into their last two regular season games sitting in 2nd place behind Old Quarry!! Third place Jefferson comes into Lakeview on Thursday; February 18th in an attempt to move ahead of the Spartans!!!!!!! DON'T BACK DOWN!!!!!!
LET'S HAVE A GOOD CROWD OUT THIS WEEK TO CHEER THE LADIES ON TO VICTORY.....Wednesday; Feb. 17th >>>> LISLE AT LAKEVIEW >>>>Both games tipoff at 4:00 PM.
As far as Boys Varsity play goes, it has been a very frustrating season for everyone involved.......players, managers, and the coach. As a team, we stand 5-14 overall, while 2-11 in the conference. The hardest part of this season has been the inability to "finish" games that we controlled. FOUR LOSSES came by a total of 14 points. In all three losses, our Spartans were ahead at the end of the third quarter, only to ........basically........self-destruct at the end!!!!!
BUT.................the conference tournament starts everyone over equally, so with that I have the hope that we play at the level which has made us successful. Our current record (with 2 games left) should seed us 10th, meaning we will have a play-in game ON THE ROAD....Monday; February 22nd. A win on that date moves us into the second round on Tuesday; Feb. 23rd, with Third round games tipping off on Wednesday; Feb. 24th. All games start at 4:00 PM, UNLESS the hosting team has a Boys and Girls game, at which time, Girls at 4:00 PM, with the Boys immediately following. BOTH CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES WILL BE HOSTED BY JEFFERSON JR. HIGH SCHOOL (Janes Avenue....3 blocks NORTH of 75th St.) IN WOODRIDGE ON FRIDAY; FEBRUARY 26th. GIRLS TIPOFF AT 6:00 pm, WITH THE BOYS AT 7:30 PM.
On a final basketball note, I would like to first of all recognize the outstanding job done by ALL parties at the 2010 "Pack-The-Place" games. The list of helpers, workers, support personnel, and just plain GREAT FANS, YOUNG AND OLD is HUGE!! Highlights of the two days included a big win by the Girls over Butler, a loss (but great game) by the Boys, GREAT fan turnout by students from Prairieview, Ide, Lakeview, and our high schools, but................and I think I speak for all attendees...................Mrs. Schultz (Prairieview principal) ability to land her "Pie-In-The-Face" of Mr. Windsor......GOOD SHOT!! (Now that I think of it, our Boys played the best half of their season after watching Mrs. Schultz in action!!!!!!
Have a great week, and.....................................
GO SPARTANS.........................PLAY HARD!!!!!!
Coach Dodd
Monday, February 1, 2010
FEBRUARY........BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!!!!!!!!
HEY SPARTANS !!!!!!!
As we honor BLACK HISTORY month, let us recall and honor the many black athletes who have paved the way for the successes of today's athletes...........
Jackie Robinson.......Jim Brown.......Jesse Owens.......Bill Russell.......David Lattin.......Wilma Rudolph.......Althea Gibson.......LeRoy "Satchel" Paige.......Buck O'Neill........Arthur Ashe........Ernie Davis........Perry Wallace.......Jerry Levias........and finally Curt Flood. I have a special place for Mr. Flood due to a happening that took place in the Summer of 1968. As a 15 year-old high school baseball player, I had the opportunity to travel to St. Louis and see the Cardinals play. While taking a tour of their "new" Busch Stadium, my friend and I noticed three Cardinal players taking "extra hitting" at 2 PM in the afternoon. After gaining some courage while watching from the front row of box seats, we yelled at the players asking if we could chase balls during their hitting. Mr. Flood said, "Sure", and we were off to the outfield. An hour later, Mr. Flood, and teammates Bobby Tolan and Lou Brock thanked us, gave us a quick look around the clubhouse, and an autographed ball. What an experience for a couple of high school kids!!!!!!
The St. Louis Cardinals attempted to trade Curt Flood in the Fall of 1970, but found Flood balking at the trade, and declaring free agency. I think we all know what has happened with free agency during the last 40 years!!!! TODAY'S PLAYERS ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HAD CURT FLOOD AS A PIONEER TOWARD FREE AGENCY AND THE RICHES THEY NOW REAP!!!!!!!
How many of the above athletes can you name, and what are they famous for......and what sports??????? E-mail me back, and hot lunch is on me (or maybe SUBWAY or a PEPSI!!!!!!)
Varsity Basketball is progressing along as we enter February. My congratulations to Coach Little, Coach K, Coach Holakovsky, Miss Nyhlen, and all the Lady Spartans!! Currently sitting second in the standings behind only Old Quarry; continued GOOD LUCK to the gals!!!!!
On the Boys side, we stand 4-10, while 1-7 in the conference. Even though our record is not where we would like it to be, I feel the guys are improving, and we are PLAYING HARD!!!!! A high point thus far in the season has been the D.G. Mayor' Tourney in which the Spartans came home with the Consolation Championship!!!!!!!
Wednesday; Feb. 3rd is "Pack-The-Place" for the Girls vs. Butler, while Thursday (2/4/2010)is the day for the Boys vs. Burr Ridge. Tipoff at Lakeview (Old Gym) is scheduled for 4 PM, with special activities starting at 3:15 PM. A special "Teacher...Pie-In-The-Face" contest will go down just before game time. A small "donation" to get into the game will be accepted, with all funds going to the Haiti Relief Fund!!!!!!! HOPE TO SEE A BIG CROWD!!!!!!!!!!
Have a great week, and GO SPARTANS......PLAY HARD!!!!!!
Coach Dodd
As we honor BLACK HISTORY month, let us recall and honor the many black athletes who have paved the way for the successes of today's athletes...........
Jackie Robinson.......Jim Brown.......Jesse Owens.......Bill Russell.......David Lattin.......Wilma Rudolph.......Althea Gibson.......LeRoy "Satchel" Paige.......Buck O'Neill........Arthur Ashe........Ernie Davis........Perry Wallace.......Jerry Levias........and finally Curt Flood. I have a special place for Mr. Flood due to a happening that took place in the Summer of 1968. As a 15 year-old high school baseball player, I had the opportunity to travel to St. Louis and see the Cardinals play. While taking a tour of their "new" Busch Stadium, my friend and I noticed three Cardinal players taking "extra hitting" at 2 PM in the afternoon. After gaining some courage while watching from the front row of box seats, we yelled at the players asking if we could chase balls during their hitting. Mr. Flood said, "Sure", and we were off to the outfield. An hour later, Mr. Flood, and teammates Bobby Tolan and Lou Brock thanked us, gave us a quick look around the clubhouse, and an autographed ball. What an experience for a couple of high school kids!!!!!!
The St. Louis Cardinals attempted to trade Curt Flood in the Fall of 1970, but found Flood balking at the trade, and declaring free agency. I think we all know what has happened with free agency during the last 40 years!!!! TODAY'S PLAYERS ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HAD CURT FLOOD AS A PIONEER TOWARD FREE AGENCY AND THE RICHES THEY NOW REAP!!!!!!!
How many of the above athletes can you name, and what are they famous for......and what sports??????? E-mail me back, and hot lunch is on me (or maybe SUBWAY or a PEPSI!!!!!!)
Varsity Basketball is progressing along as we enter February. My congratulations to Coach Little, Coach K, Coach Holakovsky, Miss Nyhlen, and all the Lady Spartans!! Currently sitting second in the standings behind only Old Quarry; continued GOOD LUCK to the gals!!!!!
On the Boys side, we stand 4-10, while 1-7 in the conference. Even though our record is not where we would like it to be, I feel the guys are improving, and we are PLAYING HARD!!!!! A high point thus far in the season has been the D.G. Mayor' Tourney in which the Spartans came home with the Consolation Championship!!!!!!!
Wednesday; Feb. 3rd is "Pack-The-Place" for the Girls vs. Butler, while Thursday (2/4/2010)is the day for the Boys vs. Burr Ridge. Tipoff at Lakeview (Old Gym) is scheduled for 4 PM, with special activities starting at 3:15 PM. A special "Teacher...Pie-In-The-Face" contest will go down just before game time. A small "donation" to get into the game will be accepted, with all funds going to the Haiti Relief Fund!!!!!!! HOPE TO SEE A BIG CROWD!!!!!!!!!!
Have a great week, and GO SPARTANS......PLAY HARD!!!!!!
Coach Dodd
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