Chicago Public League Sports Blog

Taft Looking to Move Forward in CPS Girls Softball Playoffs

Thank you to a reader for contributing the following article and photos. Also, special thanks to every contributor the past few days on baseball, water polo, tennis, lacrosse, and other sports that I would love to cover more often and definitely deserve more attention. For submissions: Publisher@LaneTechFan.com

- Neilski

Taft's Senior celebrate on Senior Day: Bottom row (from left to right) Amber Colon, Katie Bargo, and Kathleen Meersman, Top row Carolyn Jedd, Deanna Pirpiris, Leticia Rosalez, and Patrice Pirpiris.

Lane, Ag Science, Whitney Young and Taft are CPS Girls Softball's Final Four!

With the weather taking a toll on the CPS Girls Softball season this year - making for many schedule changes and muddy fields it is quickly coming to an end. 

Taft prevailed over Kennedy in a hard fought game yesterday, winning 5 to 1 at Brooks, allowing them to advance to the Final Four again this year, along with Lane, Ag Science and Whitney Young.

On Friday, May 17th the CPS Softball Semi-Finals will see Lane battle against Ag Science at 3:30 followed at 5 pm by a rematch of two of last year's final four contenders, as the Taft Lady Eagles will once again be going against Whitney Young.  

Since Whitney Young has beat Taft both times that they played during the regular season and Lane is RED HOT this year, most are assuming that Saturday's City Championship match up will once again be Lane versus Whitney Young.  Most also believe that Lane will prevail again and be crowned the City Champs one more time  Yet, Ag Science and Taft have not given up hope.  Will Lane and Whitney Young be so focused on State that they forget to bring their "A" game to UIC on Friday?  You can bet that Ag Science and Taft (teams that would also like to return to UIC for the finals on Saturday) will give their opponents on Friday a run for their money!

 

Taft's Wozniczka wins CPS individual tennis title

Brandon Wozniczka(jr) of Taft won the 2013 CPS individual tennis title. He did it with a 2 set win over upcoming Lane Tech sophomore Yahn Gawrit(so). The two faced each other earlier in the year with Wozniczka dominating 6-4,6-0. This time it was a lot closer.

Woznickzka was the city individual runner up last year to Payton's Darrell Robbins. Robbins won the title last year after Wozniczka had to retire in the 2nd set due to an ankle injury.

Brooks won the 1st doubles title. Lane Tech's Alex Keller(sr) won the 2nd singles title with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Whitney Young's Ellis Lora.

The CPS team championship is today at Tuley Park.

Tomaszewski, Taft - Improving on Middle Distance

Matt Tomaszewski(sr) of Taft on his way to winning the 800 meter run (2:10.86) at the CPS Group C Indoor City Championship.

I just got word that Taft and Clark tied for 2nd place in yesterday's Group C CPS Indoor track championships. Taft's points came almost exclusively in distance and middle distance events.

Matt Tomaszewki(sr) has emerged this season as he won the 800 meter run in 2:10.86. The former Taft basketball player ran track last year but only this year has his times really dropped. Taft has not had an 800 meter runner make the finals at the city meet in a very long time. If Matt keeps improving, he will have a chance.

Taft also looked good in the 4x800 and 1600 meter. The 4x800 took second to Hubbard by about 1.5 seconds with a time of 9:11.45.

"We feel we will break 9 minutes," said Taft's Bruce McCaffrey(jr).

Rising sophomore Abraham Tobias(so) continued to impress as he ran a leg on the 4x8 and finished 2nd to Hubbard's Manuel Lule(sr)  in the 1600 meter with a time in the 4:55 range.

Joyce Picks up First Offer

John Joyce(jr, 6-5, G/F) of Taft  picked up an offer to play basketball for Chicago State University.

I was not going to bring this up, but John Joyce seems to be one of the most talked about players on this blog. Ever since he bursted on the scene two years ago to as a freshman on the varsity basketball team, his name always gets brought up. Often mentioned is how he turned down attending high school basketball power Notre Dame to play for Taft.

I have seen Joyce play a few times. He can shoot the three and at 6-5 he has some size. He has improved since freshman year and is trying to develop going to the basket instead of relying all on 3's. Last year as as sophomore he helped Taft to a CPS quarterfinals appearance and averaged about 14 points, 3 rebounds, and two assists. This year he has upped his averages to 21 points and 5 rebounds a game.

Joyce is also getting interest from Colorado State , North Dakota State, Wright State , Indiana State, Southern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Nebraska Omaha, Minnesota State, South Dakota , and UIC.

Like Joyce on Facebook

Numbers Up for Taft Track

Taft had over 20 athletes run at the Niles West City Meet 1. For Taft, those are big numbers.

As I entered the hallway towards the Niles West indoor track before the Niles West City Meet 1, I couldn't help but notice a bunch of tall athletic looking guys dressed in white and blue uniforms. My first thought was who are these guys dressed in those unfamiliar uniforms? As I got closer, I was surprised to see that they were from Taft. I was surprised Taft had that many guys and that athlethic looking people on their team.

I've been going to the Niles West indoor meets for years and Taft has never had a lot of numbers. Usually there are only a handful of Taft runners and in most years are not very noticeable because they usually did not finish near the front of any race.

Things are a bit different this year for Taft.

"We had about 40 guys show up for pre-season track conditioning. We had 22-23 guys participate in this meet," said Taft distance runner Bruce McCaffrey.

I then asked McCaffrey where they came from?

"I don't know know. Maybe from other sports like basketball and soccer. But this is the most number of runners we have ever had at this meet."

On the track, Taft, unlike previous years actually had some competitive runners. Senior Matthew Tomasczewski(sr) ran well in the varsity 800. He finished near the front with a time in the low 2:10's.
Sophomore Abraham Tobias(so) won the sophomore 1600 meter with a time around 4:59. Both are now
on the CPS distance radar.

As far as being a fully developed track program, Taft still has a ways to go. I will say, I am noticing some improvement in the Taft track program.

 

Bowen Stuns Lane Tech to Win City Wrestling Title

Jon Figueroa(sr) was one of 3 city champions from an improved Taft program.

CPS Wrestling Tournament Top 3
1. Bowen - 142.5
2. Lane Tech - 139.5
3. Taft - 123

Individual Champs
106: Devonta Williams, Morgan Park
113: Ciry WIlliams, Bowen
120: Jerry Flores, Amundsen
126: Nate Smith(31-0), Austin
132: Johnny McCarthy, Lane Tech
138: Jake Davis, Lane Tech
145: Ryan Fulton, Taft
152: Jon Figueroa, Taft
160: Romero Stancil, Westinghouse
170: Nico Gallo, Taft
182: William Whitehead, Simeon
195: Terry Martin(25-0), Douglass
220: Duece Rachael, Lindblom
285: Ben O'Connor(28-2), Northside Prep

Bowen snapped Lane's 3 year CPS tournament win streak.

 

Taft Track Preview

Taft's best hope this year may come from distance runner Abraham Tobias(so)- who last year ran a 4:57.63 in the 1600 meter run.

Taft top returning marks from the 2012 Leaderboard

110HH: 19.4 Jesus Torres(jr)
1600: 4:57.63 Abraham Tobias(so)

In the last 10 years, Taft may have scored at the varsity CPS meet only about once or twice. So for a program like Taft, progress is probably best measured by something other than scoring at the CPS meet.

For this year's Taft team I'll be looking at the development their younger guys.

Taft has junior hurdler Jesus Torres(jr) returing. Torres placed 7th in the 110HH at the CPS sophomore meet.

Sprintwise, look for Matt Mach(so). As a freshman he ran a 58.59 in the 400 at the CPS sophomore meet.

Also look for the development of Taft's 4x800 team. Believe me, I noticed when Taft ran a 9:01.14 in the 4x800 at sectionals last year. That time is one of their best times a Taft 4x800 team has run in a long time (maybe over 10+ years ago or more). Their frosh-soph team finished 3rd in the 4x800 at the CPS sophomore team. Some potential 800 runners for Taft this year could include: Abraham Tobias(so), Bruce McCaffrey(jr), Metodi Pepovski, and  Patrick Linnane(jr).

Luther North Holiday Tournament 2012 - Day 1 Schedule

I am picking Taft to win the Luther North Tournament. John Joyce(jr-F-left) and Joshua Doss(sr-G-Right) have been heating it up lately and could be the tournament's top players.

Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012
Blue Pool
3:00 Taft vs Chicago Academy
4:30 Maine East vs Gordon Tech

Gold Pool
6:00 Jones vs Mather
7:30 Guerin Prep vs Luther North

Taft, Mather, and Jones are the CPS schools participating in this year's Luther North Tournament. In my opinion, Taft, Gordon Tech, and Maine East are the top teams. Unfortunately, all three are in the same pool (Blue Pool). Whoever survives the Blue Pool will be the clear cut favorite to meet the winner of the relatively weaker Gold Pool. I'm picking a Taft vs Guerin Prep final with Taft coming out on top.

James Liss of Taft Wins Chicago Conference Offensive Player of the Year

Congratulations to Taft junior running back James Liss for winning the Chicago Conference Player of the Year fan poll.

Here are the final results:

1. James Liss(jr, RB), Taft  25.85%  (343 votes)
2. Jordan Miller(jr/WR), Lake View  20.42%  (271 votes) 
3. James Graham(sr, RB) Westinghouse  11%  (146 votes)
4. Willie McCullom(RB)Austin  10.4%  (138 votes) 
5. Michael Hill, Foreman(sr, WR/CB, 6-0,165lbs)  8.59%  (114 votes) 
6. Lonnie Washington(sr, RB), Calumet  5.88%  (78 votes) 
7. Joel Lohoua (QB, RB), Sullivan  5.12%  (68 votes)  
8. Alex Bressler(sr, QB), Payton  2.26%  (30 votes) 
9. Deshaun Jordan(sr, WR), North Lawndale  1.73%  (23 votes)

Top write in candidate:
10. Johny Daniels(sr), Foreman (14 votes)

 

Big 3rd Quarter Propels Lane over Taft

Lane Tech 69 Taft 51

In this earlier season battle between two Red-North foes, Lane Tech came on top. The first half was close as Lane took a 23-22 half time lead. But what killed Taft was a big 3rd quarter by Lane. Lane scored 28 points in the 3rd quarter to take a 51-42 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter. The key in the 3rd quarter was 3 point shooting. Admir Suljic(jr,F, 6-4) hit at least 3 3's and Matt Delaney hit one or two.

The 3rd quarter was frentic for Taft as Taft put a full court defense to try to cut the lead.

Suljic, a 6-4 junior forward is a legit star for Lane. He scored 22 of his 24 points in the 2nd half to lead the Indians. Zach Barth(6-6,235lbsC/F, sr) provides great size and a physical prescence for Lane down low. He scored Lane's first 5 points.

Taft has two staters returning from it's Red-North championship team from a year ago. Those two Joshua Doss(sr, G) and John Joyce(jr, F) led Taft in scoring today. However, the loss of their big men from graduation last year, has adversely affected this team.

Lane picks up its first win. Taft is 0-2 with games against Notre Dame and Evanston coming up.