Upon review, Ag Science still in the mix

Agricultural Science, the high school located on the Mount Greenwood property that was Chicago's last farm, is eligible for the state tournament after all.

On Jan. 12, the IHSA announced that the Cyclones, along with three other Public League schools, were suspended from all IHSA state series because the school's principal had not attended a Town Hall meeting for two consecutive years. But new principal William Hook had attended a meeting for incoming administrators, said athletic director Ken Bringe, not knowing attendance was needed at the Town Hall.

"He received a letter from the IHSA that said, if you've gone to a meeting, please disregard this letter," Bringe said.

Shortly thereafter came the announcement that the Cyclones were on the outs. The snafu was cleared up when both Hook and Bringe went to a meeting in Bloomington, where the IHSA is headquartered, and the suspension was lifted, though no announcement has been made. As a result, Cyclones athletes are participating in state tournaments, including five wrestlers who have advanced to a Class 2A sectional, and the boys basketball team is assigned to the Class 3A Richards Sectional complex.

Seeding will be announced today, but no matter which team the Cyclones meet in the first round, their survival is in doubt. They were 7-14 overall, 4-5 in the Public League's Blue South, entering this weekend's play. In a group with Richards, Hillcrest, Crete-Monee, Evergreen Park and Rich East, the Cyclones aren't expected to last long.

Chicago Christian seeded 2nd

Westmont, a contender in the Interstate Eight Conference, is the top seed in the Class 2A regional at Chicago Christian, which leaves the host Knights with the No. 2 seed.

The Knights, led by Andy Stuursma, are 10-11 overall and 3-3 in the Private School League entering this week's play and will open state tournament play Feb. 25, hosting Lisle (9-14), another Interstate Eight team. The winner of that game would likely face Westmont (17-6) in the regional title game.

That winner would advance to the Momence Sectional, potentially playing downstate powerhouse Watseka.

MPA to Luther South Regional

Morgan Park Academy has earned the first seed in the Class 1A Luther South Regional and will open state playoff action on Feb. 25, playing the winner of the quarterfinal between Luther East and Illinois Lutheran.

The Warriors were seeded first on the basis of ballots submitted by the six coaches in the regional, despite an 11-15 overall record. MPA is 5-5 in the Independent School League.

No. 2 seed Luther South was seeded into the other semifinal, and will play either Big Picture of the Public League or Universal High of Bridgeview. Both Big Picture and Universal went into the week winless.

The winner of the regional advances to the Somonauk Sectional, and could run into Kankakee County small school power St. Anne.

Did you know ...

Morgan Park Academy has two graduates who became members of the College Football Hall of Fame. Wallace Wade, a 1913 graduate of the school when it was known as Morgan Park Military Academy, was a famed coach at Alabama and Duke. Jesse Harper, a 1902 graduate, became the head coach and athletic director at Notre Dame, where one Knute Rockne studied under him.

Tim Cronin can be reached at tcronin@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-5948.