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!['Her speed is unmatched': Andrew's Megan Nemec named the 2019 Daily Southtown Girls Soccer Player of the Year](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/1t1lPoskjR92uckyZihrtNFs6Rw=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/6HGK4F4G7RDQTICSAYY5CAUYUM.jpg)
'Her speed is unmatched': Andrew's Megan Nemec named the 2019 Daily Southtown Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Whenever her team needed a little bit of thunder this season, Loyola recruit Megan Nemec was there to provide it for Andrew.
![Announcing the 2019 Daily Southtown Girls Soccer All-Area Team](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/KHdzE9WUg63geGi0EHtQ6t06MEQ=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GC3XD2HG2FEUREBVDG5FWOU4R4.jpg)
Announcing the 2019 Daily Southtown Girls Soccer All-Area Team
Putting the ball in the back of the net wasn't a problem for this dynamic first team of the best girls soccer players in the Southland.
![What's in a number: Schererville’s Mike White changes to 2X in pursuit of title at Grundy Speedway](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/atEN85RFJP69A5psEUPfn4kkRSo=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/3UCNVLA55JBPVDC7GJ6LBNFPNE.jpg)
What's in a number: Schererville’s Mike White changes to 2X in pursuit of title at Grundy Speedway
Mike White set fast-qualifying time and ran second behind Eddie Hoffman in the 30-lap feature at Grundy County Speedway in Morris.
![Say 'Hay': Beecher's Kevin Hayhurst is the 2019 Daily Southtown Softball Coach of the Year](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/yBvc9M13s9yUOzcMjW77PyVlzhM=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/YL2EZR3LQBB4LLSNQDMEUWYLOA.jpg)
Say 'Hay': Beecher's Kevin Hayhurst is the 2019 Daily Southtown Softball Coach of the Year
Beecher's Kevin Hayhurst keeps communication and caring as two of his top coaching priorities, and his players have responded with consistent success at state.
![A Z-force: Marist's Angela Zedak is the 2019 Daily Southtown Softball Player of the Year](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/qYTAvyRgp6TPnYMmiDM--nhkacc=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/AGXRB2D3OZAWZLOBXQVOULZJKU.jpg)
A Z-force: Marist's Angela Zedak is the 2019 Daily Southtown Softball Player of the Year
Northwestern recruit Angela Zedak established single season and career records in home runs, RBIs and pitching wins for state-bound Marist.
![Announcing the 2019 Daily Southtown Softball All-Area Team](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/qfPlrvPHxjpWpTHAOtgB4d7AUmc=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/LBKFSLHKKZH4BIQ7EGSLVTM3KM.jpg)
Announcing the 2019 Daily Southtown Softball All-Area Team
Players from Class 4A state finalist Marist and 2A state champ Beecher represent a look at the best players in the Southland from the 2019 softball season.
![Disabato: His father. His confidant. His best friend. Marty Bechina plays baseball in memory of 'Stevo'](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/yPaRDS5JFrf4HiISnURWvopv9Z4=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/IDPQSRE6WRACRHR5FX2WGREYIE.jpg)
Disabato: His father. His confidant. His best friend. Marty Bechina plays baseball in memory of 'Stevo'
Steve Bechina wasn't there physically when his son was drafted by the Oakland A's, but St. Rita graduate Marty Bechina could feel his presence.
![Baranek: Oak Lawn and Marist share a championship bond in cancer survivor Rosemary Jepsen](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/5SaVRRV98xhBvb0n0Nsb8hbU6K8=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/POKRSDSK5BEJFOUNG26JN53YEA.jpg)
Baranek: Oak Lawn and Marist share a championship bond in cancer survivor Rosemary Jepsen
Oak Lawn's Rosemary Jepsen, 19, beat cancer twice and inspired her brother, Marty, to win the boys volleyball state championship this season at Marist.
!['We're in a good spot': Hillcrest grad Todd Gillespie takes over for Townsend Orr as T.F. South coach](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/qptSoaDLMvfnBtc77ohEBgiwT3k=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/FY2YFY65FNB7XIJQFHWJRZMZOA.jpg)
'We're in a good spot': Hillcrest grad Todd Gillespie takes over for Townsend Orr as T.F. South coach
New T.F. South boys basketball coach Todd Gillespie was a member of the explosive 1990-91 Hillcrest team that advanced to Class AA quarterfinals.
Scores, schedules and highlights in Sports from around the Southland.
![To the tarp: Penn recruit Briana Brown ignites rally but Marist loses to Joliet West in 4A third-place game](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/7A2J_2-sHmiXsNgMyd5qDYorE5c=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/SYDLPWBVBZHPFE7PHMIZPMKX3M.jpg)
To the tarp: Penn recruit Briana Brown ignites rally but Marist loses to Joliet West in 4A third-place game
For the second day in a row, winning didn’t happen for the RedHawks, who fell 3-2 to Joliet West in the Class 4A third-place game at the EastSide Centre.
!['He can be special': Sean McDevitt scores winning run in seventh as St. Rita tops Hampshire for third in 4A](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/-A2CxMNEJvhDqEKdZ_AgieJuzaM=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/OZHGA64EXZB3BGXFUN7UXWNVUQ.jpg)
'He can be special': Sean McDevitt scores winning run in seventh as St. Rita tops Hampshire for third in 4A
The junior third baseman used his speed in the bottom of the seventh to score the winner for a 3-2 victory over Hampshire in the Class 4A third-place game.
![Chris crossed: Seropian stays in command but St. Laurence can’t stop Montini in 3A baseball state final](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/Z0UCicCEaNM_vPbEy-6C0kTE4Bg=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/7AN72ERGPJFVBNUWHYRPUHETAA.jpg)
Chris crossed: Seropian stays in command but St. Laurence can’t stop Montini in 3A baseball state final
A pair of defensive miscues by the Vikings in the third inning were costly in a 6-3 loss to Montini at DuPage Medical Group Field in Joliet.
![Good Morgan: Lindsay Morgan sparks 3-run third inning as Huntley stuns Marist in 4A state semifinals](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/7Q9Pivk5IrBLLFYeGxM0HhvNzU4=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GAUQSXVC35CGFKGNWOACOVLJCA.jpg)
Good Morgan: Lindsay Morgan sparks 3-run third inning as Huntley stuns Marist in 4A state semifinals
It ignited a three-run inning for Huntley, which held on for a 3-2 victory in the Class 4A state semifinals at the EastSide Centre.
![Hitting a roadblock: Marist falls behind, runs into defensive juggernaut of Huntley in 4A state semifinals](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/AV7QAFjel2iGcnQflHNiycviU3s=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/5L22EHBN6JEXNEGPF3UDKFSUPY.jpg)
Hitting a roadblock: Marist falls behind, runs into defensive juggernaut of Huntley in 4A state semifinals
Senior outfielder Lexi Voss, a Michigan recruit, has been on both sides of the fence enough times to know that’s just how the game of softball works.
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Scores, schedules and highlights in Sports from around the Southland.
!['We didn't tack on': Brendan Carrane sets table with three walks, but St. Rita falls short in state semifinals](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/KV8Df2kmDaCZec8fMUacHFr-wSU=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/6SO2ARF2XNEB5GPXY7UHVAAAOM.jpg)
'We didn't tack on': Brendan Carrane sets table with three walks, but St. Rita falls short in state semifinals
Brendan Carrane, a senior second baseman and Saint Louis recruit, walked three times Friday afternoon in setting the table for some fireworks.
!['A warrior': Matt Zahora battles ankle injury to pitch St. Laurence past Waterloo in 3A state semifinals](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/uBP9zmULd45YBRs3tNxv_SKwgHY=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/H2SEHZU6N5AJVDQTGVT36FQSVE.jpg)
'A warrior': Matt Zahora battles ankle injury to pitch St. Laurence past Waterloo in 3A state semifinals
The junior right-hander allowed only three hits Friday over 5 1/3 innings to lead the Vikings to an 8-2 win over Waterloo in the Class 3A state semifinals.
![A 'dream' team: H-F pitcher Tyler Schlaffer picked by Cubs, among 12 Southland players taken in MLB draft](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/DjQX3KuL0sJYjLVpVUefsRjEIbw=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/EHQ7MZOBNJCGVFPSBFUMZAXG2I.jpg)
A 'dream' team: H-F pitcher Tyler Schlaffer picked by Cubs, among 12 Southland players taken in MLB draft
Brother Rice's Mike Massey, St. Rita's Jalen Greer and Joliet Catholic's Drake Fellows among local players taken in the MLB draft.
![Baranek: Beecher's Class 2A state softball championship includes a true community celebration](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/jgcz8Y2U7AvXlHNY5QdPAvqPlzA=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/JA277TNRSVGX5CYJ4QVXDSQL64.jpg)
Baranek: Beecher's Class 2A state softball championship includes a true community celebration
Beecher's Class 2A state softball championship was its second in the last three years, and was one that the team made sure to share with the entire community.
!['I am made for these big moments': Vic Aguilar pitches St. Rita back to 4A state semifinals](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/Pn8o6apikK7STJorRkb9BvmkE18=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/57XJ2RLZCBDCZDEPVFU6AAKLEY.jpg)
'I am made for these big moments': Vic Aguilar pitches St. Rita back to 4A state semifinals
The senior left-hander bewildered Fremd with a superb mix of off-speed pitches and accuracy, lifting the Mustangs to a 3-0 win in the Class 4A supersectional.
![St. Rita shocker: Northwestern's Vic Law calls the ouster of basketball coach Gary DeCesare 'a joke'](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/mfWKHXVwdOxojGMQ6kLuYH6Jp50=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/6PKORJJZMVHZVJJ7PPQWJJJXLI.jpg)
St. Rita shocker: Northwestern's Vic Law calls the ouster of basketball coach Gary DeCesare 'a joke'
Former Michigan standout Charles Matthews and Northwestern's Vic Law attributed much of their success to former St. Rita basketball coach Gary DeCesare.
Scores, schedules and highlights in Sports from around the Southland.
![V for Vera = victory: Jake Vera drives in winning run in seventh as St. Laurence stops De La Salle in supersectional](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/uAlIMAv8DAy2rAK2DDFqpc8gbWM=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/75MWRRUJZFAB3PDDGWZWLE4PGU.jpg)
V for Vera = victory: Jake Vera drives in winning run in seventh as St. Laurence stops De La Salle in supersectional
Jake Vera ripped a single into center field to score Alex Gasbarro for a 3-2 victory over De La Salle in the Class 3A Crestwood Supersectional.
![Voss not at a loss: Michigan recruit Lexi Voss powers up as Marist routs Geneva, reaches state for 2nd time in 3 years](https://www.chicagotribune.com/resizer/d6VJsIYb-P47ijJkWuZNz9S0riQ=/400x225/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-sandbox-sandbox-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/N7EORO4A2NDMHLEWES4LD2TNYU.jpg)
Voss not at a loss: Michigan recruit Lexi Voss powers up as Marist routs Geneva, reaches state for 2nd time in 3 years
It was one of many for the RedHawks in a 10-2 win over Geneva in the Class 4A Marist Supersectional, sending them to state for the second time in three years.