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On the Fence 2-16-2012

It wasn't that long ago, perhaps three or four seasons in the past when the Romeoville Lady Spartan varsity basketball team was regularly out scored by 40 or 50 points.

If I glanced around in the stands they were lucky to have fifty people sitting in the stands and many of them could have been dozing off during the drubbings. Of course there was an effort put forth but for the most part, Romeoville would have found the bottom of the conference sooner than finding the bottom of the net.

Fast forward to last Thursday night at Plainfield East and a wild game that ended in a stunning loss for the Spartans. Leading by as many as 14 points, Romeoville found themselves in a battle with young upstart Plainfield East and in the end failed to close out the win in the second half. It was the last game of the season and in years past a certain bottom seed for the IHSA tournament but hold on...lets count their wins. Wow!

Romeoville finished the regular season with a 22-4 record which was good enough for a share of the Southwest Prairie Conference title. Oswego East and Romeoville will each finish atop the conference after both teams split in their regular season conference meetings. Ironically both teams lost to each other on their home courts with Romeoville getting the better of Oswego East last which guaranteed at least a share of the conference title.

I have personally seen the lean years and so often tried to offer any word of encouragement to head coach Julio Carrasco when given the opportunity. It was hard to see a very good coach struggle to turn around a program that hadn't seen any real success since the 1990's. Not that I witnessed much complaining in the bad days, I am sure he took some grief from parents as many coaches do when the scoreboard isn't in their favor. As I have said many times in my column, give these coaches some credit and understand that building a program takes years to accomplish in most cases. Unless your son or daughter is suffering abuse (and I mean that in a very narrow sense), sit down.

I have always been one to cheer for the underdog which can hardly be said about this seasons Romeoville squad. Watching this team bring the first ever conference championship in any sport since joining the SPC brought a smile to my face and I hope as vindicated the efforts of a good coaching staff that typically hasn't gotten the credit they deserve.

Romeoville High School has always been a school that I have cheered for and while I know I am not supposed to have loyalties as a journalist, it's hard not to show my admiration of the staff that works there. What greater lesson to learn than that of loyalty. Well done coach Carrasco, you and your staff have done the job and while I am sure your not done, I'll stand and clap for all of you now!

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