In 96 years, Neuqua Valley might be doing what New Trier was able to do this school year: celebrate its centennial.
But Friday, despite its youth, Neuqua Valley will be doing exactly the same thing as the high school that’s become an institution on the North Shore — playing in the girls Class AA state basketball quarterfinals.
It’s a year of anniversaries, what with the IHSA celebrating 25 seasons of girls tournaments. So it’s only natural to compare the old with the new.
One might say Neuqua Valley is definitely new school. Neuqua emerged as a result of skyrocketing population that would have overwhelmed Waubonsie Valley. The Wildcats spent their first school year competing at the frosh-soph level.
Now Neuqua Valley is flexing its varsity muscle. In only its third season of varsity competition, its girls golf team took second in the state — behind New Trier.
New school vs. old school. Here are some others to think about:
Old School . . . .New School
Kim Williams . . . .Cappie Pondexter
Williams led Marshall to state titles in 1992 and 1993. Now it’s Pondexter who is going for a second title with the Commandos.
Letter sweaters . . . .Letter jackets
Neil Besnahan . . . .Sarah Kwasinski
Bresnahan starred at Fenwick in the mid-1970s when the school was boys-only. Kwasinski is now big person on campus.
Tauja Catchings . . . .Jenni Dant
Catchings helped Stevenson to two consecutive state titles, then starred for the Illini. Dant will try to get the title back for the Patriots.
Makeup . . . .Tattoos
Dorothy Gaters . . . .Dorothy Gaters
Marshall’s Gaters was there at the beginning of girls game — and now has a state best 713 victories.
6-on-6 . . . .5-on-5
Iowa’s style of basketball was all the rage — until girls basketball got serious in this country.
Indians . . . .Trevians
New Trier’s original nickname was Indians. Trevians was chosen when East combined with West.
Michael Jordan . . . . Britney Jordan
No, Britney is not related to MJ — nor does she have his game. But she’s considered one of the best sophomores in the country.
GAA . . . . IHSA
Before interscholastic girls athletics, there was the Girls Athletic Association and one-piece blue uniforms.
John Schneiter . . . .Teri Rodgers
After compiling 387 victories as a boys coach, Schneiter totaled 331 more with New Trier’s girls before Rodgers took over.
Dale Kelley . . . . Sarah Pacheco
Kelley led Galesburg’s Silver Streaks to the boys title game in 1966 ; Pacheco hopes for a girls title.
Girls cheering boys . . . . Boys cheering girls
Larry Lubin . . . . Lauren Lubin
Larry Lubin was an outstanding guard for Evanston. Now his daughter plays for the Wildkits’ biggest rival.
Katie Coleman on court . . . . Katie Coleman on bench
An outstanding player in Frank Mattucci’s two title runs, she’s now an assistant for the Stevenson coach.
Horton Fieldhouse . . . . Redbird Arena
The girls’ first tourney, won by Sterling in 1977, was at Horton — a stone’s throw from Redbird Arena.
1-9 Fenwick . . . .33-2 Fenwick
Fenwick’s first girls team, all freshmen, got off to an inauspicious start in 1992-93. This year’s team is now ranked No. 2 in the state.
Three-point play . . . .Three-point shot
Naperville . . . . Neuquaville?
If the Wildcats win the title, will they rename the suburb?
