Looking back at the local sports year for 2024

It’s time to look back at the sports people and stories from 2024 through the eyes of your local sports editor. Follow me on the ride.

Best quotes: PHS senior captain Ace Christiansen knew the Tigers were in for a battle against Rockridge in the second week of the football season, saying “We knew it was going to be tough. They’ve got dudes.”

Longtime area coach Demi Salazar, 65, joked that he’s outdone Brett Farve in coming out of retirement when he took over as Mendota volleyball coach this season.

“I’m closer to [Muhammad] Ali. I guess next time I should just say I’m going on vacation,” he said.

Mike Filippini knew his Hall Red Devils caught a break when they faced Princeton in the Colmone Classic without all-stater Noah LaPorte, who was out with an injury for their matchup in the Colmone Classic.

“We played well, but obviously they’re missing their 6-7 guy. I’m not going to feel sorry for Smitty (PHS coach Jason Smith). They have farms of 6-7 guys in Princeton, Ill.,” he said.

My favorite story: Have to step out of sports for this one about the long-lost ring that was found 62 years later. In the midst of a spat with her high school boyfriend Larry Isaacson, who would soon become her husband, Janice May, threw the class ring he made for her back him over the top of his car onto a yard on Park Avenue East in 1962.

She went back the next day and couldn’t find it. The ring remained lost for 62 years, until it was recovered this fall by the father-son team of Tim and Ryan Manahan and their metal detectors in the exact yard she told them.

My most talked about stories: Got to go back to the ring story. It was the No. 2 most-read story of the day across the Shaw Media board and drew many comments on Facebook posts. Also received much feedback on my Geno Storm, David Camp, Derek Baird and John Smith tribute columns.

Best interview(s): Coach Fil could win this every year with his wit and humor like the quote above. I’ve talked to Noah LaPorte many times since he broke on to the scene with the Princeton Tigers football and basketball teams. Each time he’s insightful and enthusiastic. Going to miss him next year and wish him the best of luck at Northwestern.

Favorite games to cover: Whenever a local team like the St. Bede girls basketball team makes it to state it’s always fun to cover them in the state arena. The Bruins made a historic run for its first state appearance with a great cast of players and coach in Stephanie Mickley and took in the moment along the way. Princeton’s football playoff games were fun to cover, especially the first-time trip to play in Chicago. I was also happy to see Bureau Valley and Princeton basketball teams get to meet at the Colmone Classic when it appeared they would not be playing this year.

Feel good moments: I always love to see the little guy do well. It was so cool to see the Malden Musketeers boys basketball team upset 8-time defending champion DePute for its first BVEC championship in nearly 50 years.

Getting a chance to visit with Cardinals 2006 postseason hero Scott Spiezio after he spoke to the LaSalle-Peru student body about the dangers of alcohol and drug addictions was pretty cool. He knocked his talk to the kids out of the park. He has not only turned his life around, he saved it, and hopes he can do the same for others.

It was great to see Noah LaPorte see his hard work pay off with a full-rides scholarship at Northwestern. He’s the fourth Tiger football player to earn a Div. I scholarship in three years following Teegan Davis (Iowa), Payne Miller (Western Illinois) and Bennett Williams (Air Force)

Worst moments: The Princeton community lost a much beloved coach with the tragic November accident that took the life of Dave Camp. His son, Michael, who survived the crash along with mom, Melinda, and sister, Lexee, told me his dad “took one for the home team” because he wouldn’t have wanted to lost anyone else. Dave was highly instrumental in the bowling and American Legion baseball communities and will be deeply missed. I’m sure going to miss our many sports conversations throughout the year. The Spring Valley/Hall community had a loss that was also felt by many when former Red Devil Derek “Birdy” Baird lost his fight with cancer. He was remembered by the Curran twins on the Red Devil football team and the Hall and JFK girls basketball teams coached by Baird’s childhood friend.

Sadly lost: They were just two of the many good sports people we lost the past year. They include: Don Holler (PHS basketball coach, 1968-74), Chris Fisher (Masters Bowling champion), Ray Vetter (longtime Cubs fan, Children’s Home diamond namesake), Steve Philbrook (multiple BVCC club champion), Greg Berry (all-time leading scorer at Manlius, 3-sport letter winner at Bradley), Steve “Motor” Heatherington (who can forget his Bucky commercials?), Ron Happach (Bradley University Football Hall of Fame), Makenna Peed (Kewanee wheelchair athlete), Jim White (former PES/Ohio administrator, Tiger sports fan/dad), Geno Storm (Tiger fan/former PHS distance standout), Paul Lind (son of PHS coach Connie), Derek “Birdy” Baird (member of Hall playoff football/state runner-up football teams), Beau Harp (Walnut Blue Raider/Princeton Tiger dad), Dave Camp, Chuck Hanson (former Princeton Little League coach) and John Smith (retired PHS teacher/coach/Cubs fan).

Kevin Hieronymus has covered Bureau County sports as the BCR Sports Editor since 1986. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews.com