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Pat Disabato
Pat Disabato, a lifelong resident of the (Blue) Island, has been a sports writer for more than 20 years, beginning his career in 1990 with …
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Disabato: Put up or shut up time for H-F
They have size, boasting a starting frontline that stands 6-foot-7, 6-7 and 6-6. They have a point guard who can handle the ball and a 6-3 shooting guard who can pose match-up problems. They have experience, with one starter having spent his entire four-year career …Read More
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Disabato: Richards family helps Chappettos ease heartache
Once every season, Richards’ boys basketball team selects an organization to donate proceeds from one home game. It’s a way for Richards coach John Chappetto to demonstrate to his players the importance of assisting others. This year’s cause — providing financial assistance to the American …Read More
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Disabato: Barham’s departure from Eisenhower leaves gaping hole
Athletic director. In my estimation, it’s the worst job in education. Of course, overseeing a thriving athletic department, one that boasts student-athletes excelling in the classroom and on the field, must be extremely gratifying. And, yes, the pay is sweet. However, it doesn’t make up …Read More
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Disabato: St. Rita shooting for fifth straight Kennedy Cup
They are attempting to accomplish what only three other teams have in Catholic League hockey history: win five consecutive Kennedy Cup championships. It’s a tremendous feat, one that requires great reserves of skill and discipline, and the occasional puck bouncing the right way. For the …
Disabato: Despite loss, Andrew has arrived
There was no way Thornton’s Joshua Russell was giving up the ball. Despite the pleas of a few teammates near him, Russell, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, remained focused on the task at hand Tuesday, which was to somehow convert a game-winning shot that would hand …
Disabato: Balciunas leads Lemont turnaround
With the exception of undefeated Andrew, the biggest surprise among area boys basketball teams is Lemont. The Indians are 18-2 overall, 8-1 in the South Suburban Blue. The program that won a combined 16 games the past three seasons, including a two-win effort in 2008, …
Disabato: One crusader to honor the Crazies
Shaun Jacob attended the Brother Rice-Marist basketball game nine days ago — no different than many supportive alumni from the respective schools — and stood amazed at the atmosphere. Yes, the game itself was memorable, with Marist taking down Brother Rice 75-69. But the action …
Disabato: Hillcrest among the elite again
There are few certainties in life, beyond death and taxes. And, oh, of course, Hillcrest producing a boys basketball team that ranks among the best in the Chicagoland area. Don’t believe me? The Hawks are embarking on their 24th straight conference championship. And accompanying most …
Disabato: Koziol ruling sends wrong message
I would give Ed Koziol more credit and, ultimately, more respect if he would have revealed the truth surrounding his son Ryan’s transfer from Brother Rice to Providence. You know, instead of feeding us a baloney sandwich loaded with horseradish. I don’t like baloney. Apparently, …
Disabato: Stagg football needs to make a bold move
After enduring a four-year slide of 8-28 and being outscored 970-391 in the process, it’s imperative Stagg hits a home run when naming a successor to football coach Brian Buglio, who resigned in November. In a perfect world, the Palos Hills school would folIlow the …
Disabato: More than the ‘Ws’ to these coaches
When a fresh-faced Mike Flaherty graduated from Lewis University, his alma mater, St. Rita High School, just so happened to be in the market for an assistant varsity basketball coach. The position was vacant after an equally fresh-faced young man by the name of Tom …
Disabato: Oak Forest’s Coleman chooses Indiana
By the time Tevin Coleman’s college football career is over, it’s possible the 2011 SouthtownStar Player of the Year may have to shift his allegiance from offense to defense and develop into a cornerback. He’s cool with that. But all Coleman has desired through an …
Disabato: A look at the midway point in boys basketball
The boys basketball regular season has reached the midway point. A number of teams have exceeded expectations, while others have yet to meet them. Let’s discuss. For the second consecutive season, Homewood-Flossmoor earned top billing in our Preseason Top 10. The Vikings finished 23-6 last …
Disabato: There are reasons Bloom is top team in area
Defense wins championships. It’s a theme that’s been drilled into the heads of athletes — no matter the sport — since their first day of organized competition. I get it. Scoring is fun and glorified. Defense, at least of the above-average variety, takes hard work …
Disabato: Goodrich free, but never loses sight of past
Dwayne Goodrich sits across from me at a table in a local restaurant, looking a few pounds heavier than his playing weight. He looks like a man who’s lived a pretty good life, not one who’s served hard time. But the truth is, Goodrich, a …
Disabato: Moore, Ulis showcase point guard skills
The look of disappointment on Tyler Ulis’ face Tuesday night resembled that of a heartbreaking McDipper championship loss, not a second-round McDipper defeat. But that type of emotional destruction occurs when you’re on the wrong end of a Marian Catholic-Bloom encounter. Not just in boys …
Disabato: Sandburg showing signs of life
Will the real Sandburg please stand up? To say the start of the season has been a challenging one for Todd Allen’s boys basketball team would be an understatement. This publication bestowed a No. 9 pre-season ranking on the Eagles. Hopes were high that Sandburg, …
Disabato: Thornwood grad Eddy Curry receives a second chance
Like an aging left-handed pitcher or a strong-armed but erratic quarterback, 7-foot centers seemingly always find their way onto an NBA roster. Hence, the Miami Heat signing Eddy Curry, the 2001 Thornwood graduate and former first-round pick of the hometown Chicago Bulls, on Saturday. The …
Disabato: Marist, St. Rita rank among elite
When the final horn sounded, signifying an end to a thrill-a-minute basketball contest Tuesday night between Marist and St. Rita, it was evident why these two teams rank among the area’s elite. The Mustangs are No. 4, the RedHawks No. 5 in the SouthtownStar hoops …
Disabato: H-F’s Williams will play hoops in college
He will be remembered as one of the most skilled and productive two-sport athletes in Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s rich history. He is the rare athlete who could alter the outcome of a game on the football field and basketball court. However, Tim Williams knew he …
