ETHS Fires Football Coach Following Disappointing Season

On Nov. 5 the District 202 School Board approved the firing of head football coach Anthony Johnson. In eight seasons, Coach Johnson amassed an overall record of 25-49, with only one winning season. The football team went 1-8 this year. "Historically, we've had a lot of success in the program," said ETHS athletic director Chris Livatino. "We want to teach our kids how to become a winning program again." Mr. Livatino says he has received numerous applications for the position and expects to name a new head coach by January 2008.

Mr. Johnson's position as an academic adviser is unaffected.

Girls Swim Team Vies for State Championship

By P.H. Toor

After another long and successful season, the girls swim team is just days away from the state meet at New Trier High School. While the team finished second at the conference and sectional meets last weekend, both times behind archrival New Trier, the team is primed for a strong showing at State.

"Sectionals were good for us. I had my best times so I'm hoping to get to my goal time this upcoming weekend," team co-captain Sophie Borchers said.

At sectionals, the swim team finished with 288 points while first-place New Trier finished with 306 points. However, achieving goal times at the state meet has been a season-long effort.

"This year we have a really good chance at placing at State. We want all our big times to be at State," said co-captain Grace Borchers.

"As a team, we're trying to make the top three because we're really trying to get a trophy," Sophie said.

"I don't think it'll be a disappointment if we don't make top five. We have all worked really hard this year and I think it has been a very good season for us."

As far as this week's training regimen is concerned, the girls expect more of the same rigor they have become accustomed to, but knowing their goal is just days away adds a sense of excitementin the pool.

"Now it's just a matter of being in the pool and getting our muscles moving, and focusing on Friday and Saturday. Also getting lots of sleep," Grace said.

Hooked on Fishing

Autumn is slowly departing. With the changes in air temperature and sunlight, fishing takes on new challenges. One challenge is the closing down of fishing facilities, like Lovelace Park.

The Saturday free family fishing closed for the season on Oct. 27, and will not reopen until the first weekend of May next year. Boat ramps are closing on a lot of the area lakes so launching is getting to be more difficult. Shore fishing becomes the best bet.

There are some great places to go this time of year to enjoy the autumn colors, the cool air and to take a shot at some really good fishing.

Lovelace Pond is still open to the public for fishing - you just have to bring your own rod and reel. The fishing for the kids is still really good.

The northern pools of the Skokie Lagoons are producing some really good catches of bass and crappies; they're being caught around any of the structure remaining in the water.

There is a wonderful new lake that just opened in late October up north of Libertyville off of Milwaukee Avenue (Rt. 21), called Lake Carina. It's a 53-acre area with only shore fishing available. The reports of late-season crappies and the occasional northern pike make this a place to try.

The Lake County Forest Preserve staff has mowed a path completely around the lake so there is a lot of access. The best part of fishing this time of year is that there are not a lot of people around.

You will probably have most of the area to yourself to enjoy, so get out there and take advantage of this late-in-the year-fishing.

-- Keep a tight line.

Girls Basketball Team Readies for New Season

By Michael O'Sullivan

With the leaves beginning to change color and the weather cooling off, the start of basketball season is right around the corner. Head coach Steve Wool's girls basketball squad is eager to begin. Last year the girls were beaten by their conference rivals, New Trier, twice. This season, however, Coach Wool feels his girls are legitimate contenders in the conference. "We know the kind of talent we have on this team. We are a very talented bunch and I feel really confident that we are going to make a lot of noise with our play this year," Wool said.

The girls are led by senior Kim Davis, who was the most consistent player on the team last year. "Kim really showed her capability last year, and we are expecting a lot out of her this season. Kim is one of many seniors that we are looking to be leaders out on the floor this year," Wool said. "All of our seniors got a lot of experience last year, and I am hoping that will help them succeed this year."

Along with Davis, fellow seniors Amy Wheeler and Darcelle Retreage are expected to make big contributions to the team. Coach Wool is also very excited about the talents of younger players: Juniors Collier Clegg and Kendall Sawa, for example, are expected to be key players off the bench. Both played valuable minutes on the varsity team as sophomores last season.

Coach Wool anticipates a lot of support this year. "We are hoping for our faculty, students and community to come and support us when we are on the floor. We are going to fight hard and try to win this conference, and we should be a very entertaining team to watch this season."

The girls had their first game of the season on Monday against the Fremd Vikings. Their first home game is this Friday, Nov. 16, against Whitney Young. Tip off is at 6 p.m.