A Handle On The Game

By LEROY BRIDGES
H&R Staff Writer
OLNEY - Sara Stevenson never remembers dictating defenses with her ball handling the way her sister Taylor does.
Eight years removed from being H&R's Area Player of the Year and four years since playing at Illinois State, Sara sees that Taylor's taken her game beyond what she ever did in high school.
It's the "total package," according to Sara, who admitted she was more of a shooter.
Taylor's all-around game that features the area's best point guard abilities helped another Stevenson win Herald & Review Area Player of the Year honors this season.
"She is very unselfish and can pass the ball, and her ball handling skills are great," said Sara, who watched Taylor and Olney East Richland play against Bloomington Central Catholic in the super-sectional. "You can tell she has developed her ball handling skills, and that's what you need to be a great point guard."
As a junior, Taylor is the cornerstone of one of the area's best programs.
Olney coach Brent McKinney points to Stevenson as the common denominator between back-to-back super-sectional runs for the Tigers. In 2009, they reached the state tournament with her in the starting lineup as a sophomore, averaging 11.5 points and the second-most assists behind a senior. In 2010, Olney's state tournament run was cut short by No. 1 Bloomington Central Catholic, the eventual Class 2A state champ. The season did include 25 wins, including one against state-ranked Teutopolis to win a sectional.
But Stevenson's role on the team grew as she averaged a team-high 15 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.7 assists a game. All of that came while running the show and committing only 1.5 turnovers a contest.
"It makes the coaches look that much better when you have a girl who can handle the ball," McKinney said about the value of Stevenson on the floor. "Maybe some teams like to press, and now they have to change their game plan because of what she can do in the open court with the ball.
"She's a special kid, and I love having her in the program."
When McKinney took over three years ago, he saw Stevenson had the potential to be something special.
That's because Stevenson hit the court as a freshman who grew up in gyms. She first played competitively in fourth grade and hit the AAU circuit as an eighth-grader. She was busy looking up to her two older sisters, who both got Division I scholarship offers.
"I always wanted to practice and be as good as them," said Stevenson, who talks like a seasoned basketball veteran. "I always followed basketball and I knew it took a lot of hard work, and I enjoyed that."
Often times, high school players plateau after a season or two at the varsity level, but that hasn't happened with Stevenson. McKinney has seen her put in enough work to reach her potential and redefine what her capabilities are.
"It's been nice to see her progress, and to her credit, she's done a great job to get in this situation," McKinney said. "She lived in the gym and was going to put the time in it."
With both her sisters being D-I athletes, Stevenson knows her career won't end after her senior season. That's why she'll be found in the gym working on her mid-range jumper during the summer and showcasing her talent in AAU.
So far, she's gotten interest from Lipscomb (Division I), Penn (D-I), University of Maryland-Baltimore (D-I), Indiana University-South Bend (NAIA) and Missouri Western State (D-II)
"I do think she can play D-I," Sara said. "It's huge for her this summer to get exposure while playing AAU."
Stevenson is the third player from Olney in the past nine years to win area honors. Sara won it in 2002, and Brittany Johnson, now playing at Ohio State, was a four-time winner from 2004-07.
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970

Published in the Herald & Review in March 2010.

Small In Stature, Gordon Showcases Talent

By LEROY BRIDGES
H&R Staff Writer
TOLONO — Picking out the area’s most successful athlete at the Tolono Unity Sectional on Friday would have been a challenge.
It wasn’t a 6-foot plus kid. It wasn’t an upperclassman who had dominated the area plenty of times before. It wasn’t even someone who competed last year.
It was Monticello sophomore D.J. Gordon, a 5-10 kid sporting glasses, who opponents likely underestimated. There’s no doubt after the meet, the opposition will remember him.
He advanced to state in four events after winning the long jump (21-9) and 400 meter (52.04), helping win the 4x400 relay (3:28.73) and taking second in the 100 (11.33).
“When he came into track he didn’t have any idea of how to utilize his talents,” Monticello coach Jeff Butler said. “He has come so far and has let his talent blossom.”
Gordon’s had an impressive season for someone who last competed in track as an eighth-grader. He made state then in the long jump, but took his freshman year off to focus on transitioning to high school.
Despite playing some summer baseball, he was admittedly lazy.
“I took the year off almost,” said Gordon, who has become more coachable since working with assistant track coach Cullen Welter. “I had a streak where I just didn’t do anything. I kinda’ gained a little weight.”
With that behind him, he returned to the track and even surprised himself with his results on Friday.
“Wow, I had no idea this would happen at all,” Gordon said.
Gordon was a big reason why Monticello dominated the sectional.
The Sages, who had their streak of seven straight sectional titles snapped last year, won the meet with 118 points, 41 more than Tolono Unity. St. Joeseph-Ogden came in third with 76 points and Sangamon Valley finished in fourth at 69.
“These guys knew that last year was a down year and was a bummer and that was on their mind going in,” Butler said. “It feels good to get another one.”
Monticello senior Brett Winterbottom advanced to state in three events. Winterbottom ran in the 4x4, finished second in pole vault and won the 300 hurdles. Sophomore Steve Schroeder moved on in two events. Schroeder crushed the field in the 3,200 (9:48.25) and finished third in the 1,600 (4:36.00).
The Sages advanced five individuals and a relay to next weekend’s state meet.
“The mind is always a tougher place to conquer than another person,” Schroeder said about running alone ahead of the pack in the 3,200. “It’s a lot tougher than running with other guys, so it makes for good preparation for when you get to run against guys who are faster than you who will push you.”
Sangamon Valley fares well
Sangamon Valley notched fourth place behind a record performance by its 4x800-meter relay team.
The Storm added Tyler Ramsey to the mix and re-arranged the order and the result was a school record 8:16.27. The entire bunch had season-best splits, including the fastest 800 junior Casey Acree has ever run.
“We were just doing it for each other,” said Acree, who won the 1,600. “It was good competition and we knew we’d be able to get a good time.”
Along with Acree and the 4x8 team, Sangamon Valley advances three other athletes (Eric Leonard, Jordan McCall and Dan Rentschler).
Warrensburg advances a couple
Warrensburg-Latham nearly advanced three relay teams to state.
The Cardinals’ 4x1 team got edged by .01, but their 4x2 and 4x4 teams took second and moved on. Senior Eric Gibbs, who helped on the 4x4, won the 800 and senior Dejay Salmons took second in the shot put.
“We’re happy to get that team in,” Binkley said about the 4x2 after the same group got bad news in the 4x1. “We’re getting a few out (to state), so we’re happy.”
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970

Published in the Herald & Review in May 2010.

Hartman Set To Sign With Cubs

By LEROY BRIDGES
H&R Staff Writer
DECATUR — It’s been 17 years since Mount Zion’s last athlete signed to play professional baseball.
Ryan Hartman’s ending that drought today.
Three days before the Arizona Rookie League begins, the 6-foot-3 left-handed pitcher is signing a contract to play for the Chicago Cubs, who drafted Hartman in the 16th round two weeks ago.
“I am still kind of speechless,” Hartman said. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Jeremy Current knows exactly what Hartman’s feeling.
Current was the last Mount Zion product drafted and still remembers the day vividly. He went on to play a couple years in the minors before returning to the area.
Fittingly, Hartman and Current have grown close during the past two years after Hartman joined the Decatur Commodores. On draft day, Hartman spent all morning and afternoon on Current’s pond trying to put the process out of his mind. Throughout the whole way, Current was there providing support and advice.
“We got to have some good conversations out there on what to expect on signing a contract and what it’s going to be like shipping out 2,000 miles away from home,” said Current, who knew Hartman was going to be a pro the first time he saw him throw. “I’m very excited for him. He’s got a great opportunity.”
Current emphasized that Hartman has to be prepared for some failure on what is an up-hill battle.
Most players make between $1,000-1,500 a month and the competition includes everything from high school studs to college graduates. The players lucky enough to make the bigs — or even make a living playing — go through a lot of growing pains.
“You’re going to struggle; it’s going to happen,” Current told Hartman. “You’re facing the best and half your team won’t speak English. You’re not pitching in the Apollo Conference anymore and it’s a lot different than Macon County.
“It’s baseball 8 hours a day. If you don’t love it, you’re going to learn to love it.
Even so, Current knows with the maturation that Hartman’s gone through during the past year will help him through the rough patches. And there’s always family and friends to lean on, too.
“He’s made some hurdles of bearing down mentally,” Current said. “He’s matured a ton in a year. Some may have doubted his maturity level, but they can’t now.”
Hartman finished his senior season 8-2 with a 1.28 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 60 innings. He was slated to play baseball at Eastern Illinois, but was going to entertain an offer to play professional ball depending on the money.
The Cubs’ offer was good enough.
Hartman and the Arizona Rookie League Cubs start play on Tuesday in Mesa and the season runs through August 29.
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970

Published in the Herald & Review in June 2010.

Connor Torches First Round Of Futures

By LEROY BRIDGES
H&R Staff Writer
DECATUR — Forgive Rachel Connor for thinking about shooting below 60 after nine holes on Thursday.
The 19-year-old rookie on the Duramed Futures Tour was having the round of her life at the Tate & Lyle Players Championship and wanted to stay aggressive after five early birdies.
Connor didn’t quite make enough shots for the 59 she wanted, but after five more birdies on her final nine holes the Brit opened up a healthy lead thanks to 9-under, 61.
Chelsea Curtis and Jenny Shin sit four strokes back at 5-under.
“I feel really confident playing here,” Connor said about Hickory Point Golf Course. “It’s similar to an English golf course, so I think that’s why I feel comfortable playing it, but my game just felt solid today.
“I felt like I was in my own little world. I enjoyed it. I really enjoyed it.”
Connor started her day off unlike she normally does.
She ignored the leaderboard and convinced herself to shoot for pins while trying to win the event. She was rewarded early and often for that approach.
Her day started with a birdie thanks to a 15-foot putt, which was a sign of things to come. After a bogey on her fourth hole, where the putt was only five feet, she reeled off three straight birdies with putts of 17, 10 and 16 feet. After another par on her eighth hole, she hit the turn after a 15-foot birdie putt on 18, too.
She didn’t slow down, either. After a “terrible” second shot, Connor sunk a 20-foot putt to start her 5-under final nine holes.
“I’m usually playing it a bit safe, but it’s not been working lately,” said Connor, who had trouble remembering each birdie as they blurred together. “So, I was like ‘you know what? I’m just going to do it, see what happens,’ and this is what came out.”
It’s a pleasant change of pace for Connor, who’s missed the cut in the past three tournaments she’s played in. After switching from a draw shot to a fade, she struggled, but she handled her new swing well in Round 1.
“I’ve been said Connor, who finished with a round-best 24 putts. “My coach said ‘just go for everything, you’ve got the game, just believe in it’ and that’s what I did today.
Heading into the second day, Connor has no plans to change her aggressive approach that helped her beat her previous career round by six strokes.
“I’m going to just go out with the same thought process really,” said Connor, who was hopeful her parents back home in England stayed awake for a phone call at 1 a.m. “It’s more just believing in my swing
“If I can trust it, I can do this again. That would be pretty cool.”
It wasn’t until Connor came along late in the day that Curtis, a rookie from Georgetown, lost her lead.
Curtis also used an efficient putter to position herself well, including a 50-foot birdie on her seventh hole, with her 5-under, 65. Along with the 50-footer, Curtis had three more birdies in the first nine holes and didn’t have a bogey all day.
“I definitely hit the ball close and gave myself a lot of opportunities,” said Curtis, who’s best finish on Tour this year is third. “I just had everything kinda going for me today.”
Jenny Shin also fired a 65 without having any trouble. She used birdies on two of her final four holes to put herself in a tie for second.
Esther Choe and Elisa Serramia sit in fourth at 4-under with four players locked at 3-under.
A total of 38 players shot under par in Round 1.
Action gets under way at 8:30 a.m. today. Connor is in the first group off tournament hole No. 1, while Shin goes off at 10:20 on No. 1 and Curtis at 1:20 p.m. on one.
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970

Published in the Herald & Review in June 2010.

Moll Possesses Impressive Ability

By LEROY BRIDGES
H&R Staff Writer
SHELBYVILLE — All it took was one pitch from his 9-year-old daughter for Tony Moll to know she could be special.
Forget that the ball went over his head and the backstop; Grace’s ball possessed the “snap” to get your attention.
It was enough to send her new instructor, Stephanie Fitzpatrick, raving to her dad about the new girl she worked with. Fitzpatrick saw the wildness, too, but that was nothing new for a kid Grace’s age who possessed enough raw power to impress a former college pitcher.
The area got its first taste of Grace in high school this season with Shelbyville and hitters were in awe, too. She allowed only 54 hits in 22 games on her way to a 21-1 record, a 0.98 ERA and 291 strikeouts in 135 innings. All of that success earned her 2010 Herald & Review Area Player of the Year honors as a freshman.
“You can never judge how good you are going to be and you never want to go into it thinking you’re going to be great,” Moll said. “Have a positive and under control attitude. I would have never gotten that many wins without my teammates behind me.”
Moll has been able to keep her career in perspective, but plenty of people knew she would terrorize batters this year. There was talk about her long before she ever threw her first pitch in high school and Fitzpatrick had a good idea of what to expect.
“I think we all knew that she was going to have an outstanding season,” said Fitzpatrick, who’s a Stephen Decatur grad who played college softball in Evansville, Ind. “The 43 feet has made a big difference in high school ball and her movement and velocity kept her in games. You have to have both to be outstanding at 43 feet and she was.”
Just like that first pitch she threw to her dad, Grace always had plenty of movement and speed.
Thanks to Fitzpatrick and Moll’s willingness to work, Moll has been able to harness that wildness into a gift inside the circle. During Fitzpatrick’s first year of working with Moll, the 10-year-old progressed unlike most kids her age. Moll went from throwing 50 mph to 56 right away.
“The thing that sets her apart is that she has a drive, intensity and competitiveness that other girls her age don’t have,” Fitzpatrick said. “She’s a smart girl, too, and you pick that up right away.
“It’s hard to think about her as just a freshman.”
Moll’s maturity is evident throughout conversation. Moll doesn’t hesitate when detailing how important the other eight players on the field are or why consistent preparation for every opponent is important.
Her words mirror those of a coach or an upperclassman who’s been leading a team for a couple years.
“Where she is at today is with a lot of folks’ help,” said Tony, who started up a travel softball team when Grace was 9. “She’s wise beyond her years and I don’t think you can put a value on it.”
There have been some tangible results so far.
The year round competition and every day practice helped her hit .459 and drive in 29 runs this season, too. She’s also competing on a the Midland Magic ’94s, which is a 16-under, A-ball travel softball team that features some of the best players from the Midwest.
“We travel around and I have fun and enjoy it,” Moll said. “It’s never been about being good, it’s about having fun and just playing the sport I love.”
Moll is still eligible to play 14-under, but she’s playing up two years, which is something she’s familiar with.
She’s also seen her velocity increase to the high 60s and recently hit 72 on a gun, which is the fastest she’s thrown. That speed came after a couple weeks off, which had to come at a terrible time for Shelbyville.
The combination of throwing three games in four days back in early May, which was capped by a 4-0 win against Effingham St. Anthony, and lifting weights in P.E. irritated her ulnar nerve in her throwing elbow. The irritation caused pain, so she wasn’t available late in the season.
“The timing was horrible for the regionals,” Tony said. “For her it was the first time she had experienced any type of pain, so we decided to shut it down.”
St. Anthony coach Crystal Tipton was completely impressed with Moll when the Bulldogs faced her thanks to — you guessed it — the velocity and movement. Tipton was just appreciative the umpire measured the mound that day because the alternate field after rain was only 40 feet.
“Grace brought the heat,” said Tipton, who played with pitchers in junior college who topped out at 65 mph. “I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like at 40.”
Fitzpatrick said Moll’s already heard from plenty of college coaches and there’s no doubt in her mind she’s a Division I talent, mostly because she possesses great leadership qualities that include a strong work ethic.
“The possibilities are endless for her,” Fitzpatrick said. “Any program would be floored with her leadership in the circle. She’s a gamer. She will play 110 percent and any program would be ecstatic to have her.”
Despite plenty of talk that Moll is leaving Shelbyville, Tony emphasized his family wouldn’t relocate for softball and Grace is excited about what the next three years have to offer.
“I hope it’s bright, but it just depends on our motivation the next couple years,” Grace said about the next couple years. “It’s a team sport, not just a pitcher and catcher. There are nine players on the field and without those nine you can’t win games.”
Again, Moll proving she’s not your typical freshman.
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970

Published in the Herald & Review in June 2010.