Softball Player of the Week: Jourdan Skirha, Oak Forest

Jourdan Skirha, of Oak Forest, is this week’s Jenny’s Steakhouse/SouthtownStar Softball Player of the Week.

Skirha, a senior shortstop, was 8-for-11 with four doubles, eight RBI and seven runs as the Bengals earned a share of the South Suburban Blue title.

Coaches wishing to nominate …

Disabato: St. Laurence-St. Rita baseball incident embarrassing to the Southland

There are many things both St. Rita and St. Laurence can be proud of in their rich histories. Friday night’s baseball melee doesn’t rank among them. It was an embarrassing sight, a black eye for both schools and, in the big picture, the Southland high …

High School Sports Spotlight for May 21, 2012

This week we shine the spotlight on: Josh Conley, Argo track and field; Scott Fifer, Sandburg volleyball; Carolyn Richards, Chicago Christian soccer; and Jenna Tasic, Lincoln-Way North water polo.

Q-and-A with Angelica Lafemina, Tinley Park track and field

Angelica Lafemina, a junior, has qualified for the state meet in each of her three seasons for Tinley Park track and field. This month, she won her first sectional title in the 800 meters (2 minutes, 21.06 seconds). As a sophomore, Lafemina was sixth in state in the 400 (58.49 seconds).

Baranek: Stagg’s Sarah Mussalem a three-sport star

If there were three of Sarah Mussallem, Saturday could have been the busiest day a Southland high school athlete has ever had. The senior from Stagg would be competing for the school’s 400-meter relay team at the state finals in Charleston. She would be competing …

Disabato: Twenty years later, lessons still learned from Andrew state champion baseball team

On Saturday, Andrew will recognize the 20-year anniversary of its 1992 Class AA state championship baseball team before its 11 a.m. home game against Brother Rice. Members of the ’92 team will be treated to a postgame barbecue. There are also some surprises lined up, …

Soccer Player of the Week: Nina Izzo, Queen of Peace

This week’s Chicago Fire/SouthtownStar Girls Soccer Player of the Week is Nina Izzo, of Queen of Peace.

Baseball Player of the Week: Corey Krupske, Lincoln-Way North

Corey Krupske, of Lincoln-Way North, is this week’s Beggars Pizza/SouthtownStar Baseball Player of the Week. Krupske, a junior center fielder, was 7-for-11, including going 6-for-8 during a two-game series sweep of Andrew. He also made a game-saving catch in Game 2 vs. the Thunderbolts.

Coaches …

Disabato: Funkhouser, Lietz represent area’s elite

When it comes to power pitching at the high school level, Oak Forest’s Kyle Funkhouser and Homewood-Flossmoor’s Dan Lietz represent the area’s elite.

They are one-two in the area in strikeouts, Lietz with 85, Funkhouser 84, and in ERA, Lietz’s 0.63 to Funkhouser’s 0.64.

And …

Q-and-A with Amber Buss, Tinley Park

Amber Buss, 17, of Tinley Park, is in her fourth season on the Titans varsity. She is the starting shortstop this season.

Girls Softball Player of the Week: Analiese Sori, Morgan Park Academy

Analiese Sori, of Morgan Park Academy, is this week’s Jenny’s Steakhouse/SouthtownStar Softball Player of the Week. Sori, a freshman designated player, was 7-for-9, with three doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 RBI and six runs scored in leading MPA to three victories and its …

Q-and-A with Juan Valdez, Stagg water polo

Juan Valdez has 68 goals, 69 assists and 105 steals last season as a defensive ace for the Chargers. This year, the Stagg water polo player has become one of the area’s top offensive threats.

High School Sports Spotlight for May 14, 2012

This week we shine the spotlight on: Ana Valdez, Reavis soccer; Scott Rigg, Sandburg gymnastics; Trang Van, Reavis badminton; and Cory Galen, Homewood-Flossmoor badminton.

Baranek: Soccer goalie sees bright future in the (red) cards

Life is a real balancing act for Lincoln-Way North senior Michelle Balcerzak. She’s in a ton of extracurricular activities, the sort of service- and academic-oriented pursuits that really dress up a college application — kind of like her ranking in the top 10 percent of …

Soccer Player of the Week: Alexis Boyer, Tinley Park

This week’s Chicago Fire/SouthtownStar Girls Soccer Player of the Week is Alexis Boyer, of Tinley Park.