Catchings sisters visit Stevenson; Dineen recognition set

The names still bring smiles and fond memories to anyone associated with Stevenson High School and girls basketball in Illinois.

Tamika and Tauja Catchings, who helped lead Stevenson to the Class AA state girls basketball championship in 1995, will return to the high school Wednesday to take part in National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Tauja also starred on Stevenson's 1996 state champion.

The sisters will be joined by Chicago Sky assistant coach Stephanie White to discuss the importance of hard work, school, dedication and overcoming obstacles to reach goals.

They will make their appearance at the high school from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Tamika plays for the Indiana Packers of the WNBA, and Tauja is the Chicago Sky radio color analyst. Tauja also helps run Catch the Stars Foundation, the Catchings' non-profit organization, which provides positive academic and sports-related programs for at-risk youth between the ages of 9-16.

• Matt Corning (Mundelein) of the University of Chicago scored 27 points in a 79-77 win over Brandeis University. He also had a game-high 15 points as Chicago rolled past New York University 61-44.

• Jonny Reibel (Hoffman Estates) of No. 8 Rollins College (Winter Park, Fla.) collected 27 points (5 assists, 7 rebounds) against Florida Southern, 25 points against Eckerd College and 18 points and 14 rebounds against Barry University.

Rollins' Craig Reichel (Schaumburg) had 15 points against Eckerd that included three 3-pointers, plus 17 points and a career-best 9 assists against Barry.

Dineen recognition

The past and present will come together on Thursday, Feb. 14, to honor one of the most distinguished coaching careers in Illinois high school basketball history, girls or boys.

Tom Dineen, head girls basketball coach at Buffalo Grove High School who has 670 career wins, will be the man in the spotlight for this Valentine's Day celebration.

The special tribute will take place on the night of the last girls basketball game actually hosted by Buffalo Grove in Dineen's career before his retirement in June.

Buffalo Grove will host the 7:30 p.m. regional championship game on Feb. 14, and the school plans to recognize Dineen's many contributions to Bison athletics.

An open-house reception will be held in the school's Pat Cassidy Community Room at 6 p.m. for friends, family, former players and well-wishers to congratulate Dineen for his 29 years of coaching.

Refreshments will be available, and memorabilia will be on display.

The IHSA 3-point contest will take place at 6:53 p.m., and at 7:05 p.m. Dineen will be introduced to the crowd, along with his family and many former players.

The regional title game is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. Following the game, complimentary cake and beverages will be provided in the gym, and anyone attending will have an opportunity to talk to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer.

Dineen's teams have won 17 Mid-Suburban League divisional titles, nine overall MSL titles, 24 regional titles, 10 sectional titles, eight supersectional titles and a Class AA state championship in 2000 with a 60-51 overtime win over Chicago Washington.

He coached his 600th victory on Jan. 20, 2006, and ranks No. 3 on the all-time list of coaching wins in Illinois girls basketball behind Dorothy Gaters and Dave Power.

For more information on the Dineen event, call (847) 718-4000 during school hours.

Track and field

Keli Coleman (Carmel) of Augustana College won the 55-meter dash (7.25) and 200 meters (26.45) in the Midwest Invitational.

• Max Petersen (Mundelein) of Augustana College won the 55-meter dash in 6.71 against Wartburg.

• Freshman Arthur Baptist (Prospect) of the University of Chicago won the mile run (4:27) at the University of Chicago Duals. Ten schools participated in the meet.

Soccer

Junior Kelly Mitchell (Barrington) of Millikin University won her third varsity letter and the Coaches Award for the 2007 season. She started all 19 games and had 8 goals and 7 assists.

Wrestling

World Sport Chicago in alliance with USA Wrestling will present Chicago Cup 08 today at Northwestern University. Scheduled for McGaw Hall/Welsh-Ryan Arena, there will be demonstrations from 5:45-6:30 p.m. and the Chicago Cup at 7 p.m.

Some of the best wrestlers in the world, including Lindsey Durlacher (Buffalo Grove), will compete as the first-ever USA World Champion Greco team faces off against Bulgaria, and the U.S. Women's National Team challenges Poland in the Olympic weight categories.

Ticket prices are $5 for students and $10 for adults.

For information and tickets call (312) 616-5450 or visit www.worldsportchicago.org.

• Kyle Katz (Maine West) of Elmhurst College posted a 4-0 record to win the 157-pound title at the North Central College Invitational. He beat No. 7-ranked Jesse Milks of Wisconsin-Platteville for the championship.

Charlie Curran (Hersey) gained a second-place finish at 141 pounds with a 3-1 record, falling to UW-Platteville's Vince Albert in the final.

Baseball

Third baseman Jordin Hood (Lake Zurich) of Northern Illinois University is a 2008 preseason all-Mid-American Conference selection and also listed by Collegiate Baseball as the MAC Player to Watch. Last spring, he was named a freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball and Ping Baseball.

• Blue Chips Sports and Entertainment will hold a spring training day for boys and girls ages 8 through 13 on Presidents' Day, Monday, Feb. 18, at the Sears Centre.

The camp will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Gene Belmonte, head baseball coach at St. Edward of Elgin, and other high school coaches will direct the training day.

In addition to skills, drills, fundamentals and competition, each player will get a hat, T-shirt and playbook of exercises and drills they can do at home to prepare for the summer season.

There will be a discount for teams that register together.

For information and application, call Bob Suvada at (847) 373-0300 or go to www.BlueChipSports.Net.

Swimming

Katie Rowland (Libertyville) of Augustana College was on the winning 200 relay (1:56.18) in the Eureka Invitational.

Stefanie Leafblad (Warren) won the 100 breaststroke (1:19.19).