Continued from Big Boys on the Block

#2 New Trier
In Mike Napoleon’s 11 years as head coach at New Trier, he’s had his share
of loaded teams. This year’s edition,however, just may be the best he’s ever coached,and that includes the state-championship squad in 2000.

“On paper, we look awfully good,” said Napoleon. “We don’t have many holes to fill. But until you get on the field, you never know.”

One thing is certain: the Trevians have the quality pitching depth to make a serious run at another state championship.

Napoleon has seven high-level pitchers at his disposal, including four who have already committed to Division I college programs. In all, the Trevians boast six Division I signees on their roster.

One other thing about the Trevians: they are huge. Just look at their pitching staff. Villanovabound right-hander Will Hebard is 6-7; Bucknellbound right-hander Trey Frahler is 6-6; junior right-hander Jack Boehm is 6-6; Eastern-Kentucky-bound lefty Paul Duncan stands 6-3, as does junior Dillon Napoleon.

And let us not forget 6-4 Northwesternbound third baseman Chris Lashmet, 6-2 Harvardbound outfielder Sam Franklin, and 6-3 senior catcher T.J. O’Donnell.

“We’re the tallest team I’ve seen,” Napoleon said. “I just can’t believe how big these kids are.”

Duncan is the ace of the staff. The lefty, who went 8-0 last year, throws in the upper-80s and has the ability to completely shut down offenses. Frahler, however, was the team’s No. 1 last year, Napoleon said. Frahler, who was also a standout quarterback on the football team, went 8-1 as a junior.

Although Walker McKinven (signed at Binghampton University in New York) doesn’t have the size of some of the other pitchers, the 6-foot right-hander has a quick arm and a hard-biting curve. Hebard was used more as a closer last season (four saves, 1-1 record), and may have a similar role this season.

Napoleon also has three juniors who will see action on the mound. Left-hander J.B. Blanchard went 10-0 on the sophomore team last year; Boehm is “a strike-machine,” Napoleon said; and Dillon Napoleon, Mike’s son.

“I think we have enough depth that we can put another guy out there and not miss a beat,” said Napoleon, whose team got blindsided by state runner-up St. Patrick in the supersectionals last year.

New Trier also returns several quality starters in the field. Franklin is a two-time all-conference center fielder who serves as the team’s offensive catalyst. Last year Franklin scored 37 runs, drove in 24,hit four homers, eight doubles and stole 19 of 22 bases in the leadoff slot.

Lashmet is another power source. Last year he tallied 32 RBI, batted .347 and struck out only nine times. The Trevians also return their steady and quick double-play combination of shortstop Ben Gardner (.320 BA, 15 SB) and second baseman Mac Murphy (.333 BA, seven doubles, 37 runs, 20 RBI, 14 SB ). Murphy had a fielding percentage of .974 and Gardner had a fielding percentage of .932 (in 147 chances).

O’Donnell, a senior, is a three-year starter behind the dish.

Senior outfielder Danny Pritz, Dillon Napoleon, junior Matt Ruske and several other juniors will also contribute, Napoleon said.

#3 Lyons Township
The Lions captured their third summer state championship in five years in July, and there’s no reason to believe that they won’t find themselves in a similar position at the end of the spring season, too. Even though coach George Ushela graduated an extremely talented class and a lot of pitching from last year’s squad that advanced to the state quarterfinals, the Lions are stacked once again. The heart and soul of the team is Illinois-bound OF Casey McMurray (.496 BA, 44 RBI, 45 runs, 13 doubles, 5 HR), a three-year standout who earned PBR first-team All-State honors last year. Butler-bound 3B-RHP Grant Fillipitch (.375 BA, 15 doubles, 4 HR, 32 RBI; 6-1 pitching record, 1.59 ERA) provides more power in the middle of the lineup and will be the team’s ace on the mound. But Fillipitch won’t have to carry the load on the hill. Ushela said he has 10 talented pitchers he can use. Lyons also features arguably the most talented junior class in the state, led by RHP-OF-3B Brian Lorenz (5-2 record, 1.04 ERA over summer), who was the summer tournament MVP, LHP-1B C.J. Esposito (5-1 over summer), RHP-INF Eddie Viliunas, and INF Ryan McMillin. But Lyons has plenty of senior talent to work with as well. Sure-handed senior SS Luke Gacek (5 doubles, 15 RBI, 9 SB), senior 2B Mark Hochberg (.311 BA, 6 doubles), senior Jack Easley (starter as a sophomore), senior OF Alex Georges and senior RHP Josh Heller are all returning. For Ushela, depth is never a problem.

FINALWORD: Last spring, the Lions headed into the state tournament as the favorites to win the championship, but fell to O’Fallon in the quarterfinals. Despite the losses of PBR first-team All-State OFLHP Danny Weston and many others, Lyons should be right there again vying for a state crown.

#4 Naperville Central
The Redhawks are the defending state champions. And although they graduated PBR All-State RHP Colin Bates, they have the talent and, yes, even the pitching depth to make another run at the title. Coaches Bill Seiple and Phil Lawler enter their 26th season together, and couldn’t be happier that Michigan State-bound RHP Kyle Kaminska (10-1 record, 2.76 ERA) is back for another season. Few pitchers in the state are more accomplished than Kaminska, whose career record on the varsity level is 17-3. While Kyle is in his swan-song season, his sophomore brother, Pat, a RHP, is a budding ace (2-0 as a freshman last year). Beyond the Kaminskas, the Redhawks return four starters, four pitchers and have a stable of talented players who had to wait their turn. Senior 2B Garrett Bransiel (.338 BA, 11 doubles, 2B RBI) is a returning allconference performer. Senior RHP-SS Derek Graham, who played behind Lou Johanns (Southern Illinois) and Bates, is one of the biggest sleepers in the state. Senior C Corey Pryor (21 RBI, 7 doubles) and senior OF Sean Waszak (delivered game-winning hit in state title game) are also back in the fold. Other seniors who figure to make impacts include LHP Brian Colucci (2-0 record), 6-6 RHP Kevin Ericksen, INF-OF Brad Lucas and OF Matt Vorderer.

FINALWORD: Yes, they graduated a lot of talented players, but don’t be surprised to see the Redhawks at the state quarterfinals once again.

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