The Loyola boys basketball team accomplished more than any Ramblers team in recent memory.
It won 30 games, the most in school history. It won the Catholic Blue League, the Jesuit Cup and a Class 4A regional title. There were loftier goals in March, such as a sectional title and trip to Peoria and the state tournament.
Late in the day on March 12, amidst preparations for the Class 4A Elk Grove Village Sectional final against Evanston, the Ramblers were forced to accept a hard reality — the IHSA canceled the state playoffs over concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had a great practice and team dinner (March 12) and later we found out,” coach Tom Livatino said. “We had a text conversation with our entire team, then a phone conversation with each of our nine seniors. That was really tough.”
Top-seeded Loyola earned a right to play for a sectional title after a convincing 48-24 win over fourth-seeded Niles North in the March 11 sectional semifinals, a game played at Robert Morris College. Two notable Ramblers seniors were Jordan and Bennett Kwiecinski, twin brothers and Division I recruits. Jordan Kwiecinski will play next year at Drake University (IA), while Bennett Kwiecinski heads to Siena College (NY).
Senior guard Billy Palmer said another prominent reason for the Ramblers success in 2019-20 was their defensive mindset.
“Talent is not the biggest factor in playing defense,” said Palmer, who lives in Golf. “It’s a grind and a mindset and a willingness to trust each other. Allowing less than 30 points per game feels better than scoring 70.”
The Ramblers end the season allowing an average of 31 points per game in 34 games.
“When teams guard to the level that we do, that’s your soul, your toughness and your connectivity to your brothers,” Livatino said.
Glenbrook South ends season making school history: Dom Martinelli could not leave the court at Robert Morris College.
The Glenbrook South senior boys basketball player had just finished his last game, the second-seeded Titans losing 62-57 to third-seeded Evanston in the Class 4A Elk Grove Village Sectional semifinal on March 11.
Family members, fans, and other well-wishers kept approaching Martinelli as he attempted to reach the locker room for one final farewell with his teammates and coaches.
“It’s been a quick four years. I can’t believe it’s over,” Martinelli said.
The 6-foot-4 Martinelli ends his Titans career as one of the school’s most prolific scorers. He passed the 2,000-point mark in the Titans’ March 3 regional semifinal win over Maine West. Glenbrook South won back-to-back regional titles for the first time in school history, set a program mark for wins with 29 and shared a Central Suburban League South divisional title with Evanston.
All of this was accomplished after the Titans had to replace four seniors following the 2018-19 season.
“We had four kids stepped in and we were just as good as we were last year. A big part of that credit goes to Dom,” coach Phil Ralston said. “He did things I’m not sure I’ve seen a high school player do. He showed great leadership with the young kids. He carried this team the entire season.”
Martinelli scored a team-high 18 points against the Wildkits.
Jon J. Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
