Column: Rick Armstrong’s Aurora-Elgin area top 10 sports stories of the year for 2023

So many choices and so little space.

Limiting a year’s worth of work to my personal top 10 is never an easy task.

The list could easily number 20 or 25, but the assignment calls for 10.

Candidates for the top spot were many as well.

From a West Aurora graduate pitching her team to the College World Series to players of the year in football, boys basketball and softball, we have those bases covered.

There’s also an NFL player from the Aurora-Elgin area aiming for the Hall of Fame, the revival of a high school football powerhouse and a basketball play you don’t see every day.

And that leads us to something we haven’t seen in 40 years.

So, without further ado, here goes. Let’s count them down:

10. A career for the ages

I didn’t get to witness Hannah Beatus pitch during a six-year college career extended by injuries and the pandemic at Grand Valley State, but the former West Aurora standout was worthy of the follow-up I wrote and them some. Called “Grandma” by younger teammates, the strong-willed Beatus went 30-3 in the circle. She led the Lakers to a runner-up finish in the NCAA Division II World Series before starting work for a firm involved in college athletics’ emerging name, image, likeness industry.

9. Hail Mary? No, Hail Billy

The memory from last January brings a smile as I recall West Aurora’s Billy Samp throwing a pass three-fourths the length of the court with time running out in the first overtime against visiting Plainfield East that was a perfect strike to Terrence Smith, who made a 3-pointer for the tie. The Blackhawks then won in the second OT. You can’t make this stuff up, but it’s fun to write about.

8. Sandwich bounces back in big way

One year removed from having to cancel the varsity season due to low numbers, Sandwich’s football team made believers out of the doubters. Coach Kris Cassie and the Indians provided a feel-good story by qualifying for the Class 4A playoffs, then making a run to the quarterfinals before losing to Wheaton Academy.

7. Big wheels keep on turning

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I caught up with Neuqua Valley sophomore Drew Beutel, point guard for the Jr Bulls wheelchair basketball team of the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association that has won the last two Illinois High School Association wheelchair state titles and 12 of the 20 that have been held. An eye opener was not only the talent of the kids involved but their competitive drive. Athletes are athletes, no matter their condition or circumstance.

6. All they do is win, win, win

Batavia’s football program kept rolling under coach Dennis Piron, reaching the playoffs a 12th straight time they have been held in his 13-year tenure for a winning percentage of .843 (129-24). Northwestern recruit Ryan Boe, the 2023 Beacon-News/Courier-News Football Player of the Year, threw 33 touchdown passes with just three interceptions to lead the Bulldogs on an extended playoff run to the Class 7A semifinals.

5. Catch him if you can

Senior speedster Kenneth Cooley seemed unstoppable for East Aurora in football, earning all-state and conference offensive player of the year honors after scoring 27 TDs — 12 receiving, eight running, four punt returns, two kick returns and one fumble return. No wonder senior quarterback Amado Martinez called Cooley a “showtime player.” He truly was a threat to score any time he touched the ball.

4. A season to remember

Miami of Ohio recruit Madi Reeves, the 2023 Beacon-News/Courier-News Softball Player of the Year, was a pitching powerhouse in leading Yorkville to a second-place finish in the program’s first trip to state. The hard-throwing Reeves (26-2) struck out 936 during a three-year career. Just imagine if the pandemic didn’t help wipe out her freshman season.

3. Going above and beyond

Towson recruit Mekhi Lowery, the 2022-23 Beacon-News/Courier-News Boys Basketball Player of the Year, was a must-see for Oswego East. His strong all-around game led the Wolves to their first sectional title in the program’s 18-year history. They bowed out 59-55 to Moline in the supersectional. It was the Maroons’ closest game on their way to the Class 4A state championship.

2. Making case for Ken Anderson

Batavia’s Ken Anderson went to NCAA Division III Augustana to play basketball and baseball. Anderson ended up doing so well in football as a quarterback, however, that he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals and had an outstanding 16-year NFL career worthy of Hall of Fame recognition. Speaking with former teammates Anthony Munoz and Cris Collinsworth to tell Anderson’s story was a treat. Anderson fell short with the senior committee for a second straight year. Hope they get it right next year.

1. In the Nick of time

Under coach Nick Kukuc, East Aurora clinched the program’s first playoff berth in 40 years with a 54-20 win over Fenton. The Tomcats, who finished the regular season 6-3, had been close with four wins each of the previous three full seasons, one short of playoff eligibility each time. This time, the 32-year-old Kukuc led them up that hill. The postseason didn’t go as well with a 70-0 loss to Belleville East, but it’s a big start. Kukuc, who connects with his players, wants to make this season a new program standard.