Sting can smile about standout teams

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:38AM

Top sports moments

1 Second to none

The 2008-09 Sting beat Massac County 83-63 to win the Class 2A boys basketball state title. Forwards Jordan Walker (26 points, 10 rebounds) and Corbin Thomas (25 points, 11 rebounds) had double-doubles, and point guard DJ Cooper (six points, 12 assists, nine rebounds) was spectacular as Seton (31-2) rolled to its 20th consecutive victory.

2 Hoffman leads in track

In 2001, Seton finished second to Timothy Christian in the Class A girls state track meet, led by Jennifer Hoffman, who won the 200 meters (24.90). Hoffman was part of a Fab Four with Simone Thornton, Priscilla Collum and Simone Harris; they won the 100 and 200 relays. Hoffman also finished third in the high jump. She excelled in volleyball at Louisville.

3 Downstate in girls cage

Laurie Jakubczak, now athletic director at Mother McAuley, led the Sting to the Class A basketball Elite Eight in 1999. LaKisha Hoffman averaged 16.2 points and 12 rebounds, Marla Amazzloroso 12 points and Renee Slalvis 9.7 points. The Sting beat Luther North in the sectional and Luther North in the supersectional before running into eventual champion Nokomis.

4 Boys basketball arrives

Donald Duncan scored seven points in the final 84 seconds to give Seton a 71-68 upset of top-seeded Hillcrest to win the 2008 Illiana Christian Class 3A regional title. Anton Nixon led Seton with 22 points, and Duncan added 12 points and nine rebounds. It was the first regional title for the boys and coach Ken Stevenson after the school went co-ed.

5 Girls basketball shines

Seton put itself on the girls basketball map in 1989-90 with a 20-8 team that won a regional before falling to Tinley Park in Class AA. In the Galaxy Tournament at Rich South, the Sting finished third by edging Thornridge 64-60 in overtime behind Michelle Farlow, who scored 23 points, and Jody Prete, who had 10 points, including four in overtime.

What Seton means to me by D.J. Cooper, now an Ohio University guard, Cooper led the Sting to the 2009 Class 2A boys basketball state championship.

Seton Academy left an unmistakable impression on my life. While it was one of the most exciting times, it was also the most challenging. My parents had always stressed that education would be the key to my success, and they instilled in me the courage to attack any challenge head on. However, that state of mind was easier talked about than practiced.

The administrative staff and instructors welcomed me as a transfer student and athletic hopeful with open arms. But unlike the athletic programs we often hear about, there were no shortcuts at Seton. Every day was considered a new day for each of us to perform at our highest level. The instructors were committed to pushing every student to reach his or her full potential, and I did just that.

Failure was never an option at Seton. The staff, instructors, coaches and parents developed a support system that was never short of time, effort or encouragement.

It seemed that my family and I had been granted extended family. Award nights and banquets were more like family reunions. Basketball games were packed with parents and grandparents - so packed that the administration was forced to consider purchasing more seating for the gym.

That environment placed a higher level of responsibility on me than I had ever experienced. I felt the innate desire to make everyone proud. I became conscious of my own character. The way I interacted with my peers mattered, a higher level of sportsmanship was required, and putting forth my best efforts academically became second nature. My mentor, coach Brandon Thomas, is always present and ready to support me with that same Seton spirit.

Notable alumni

* Claudette Baker, physician

* Diana Burda, physician

* Sue Carlson, Ch. 2 CBS Morning News anchor

* Dr. Lee Marie Cera, director of veterinary laboratory services, Loyola University

* DJ Cooper, basketball standout playing at Ohio University

* Carole Hennessey, executive director, Hughes Charitable Fund

* Jen Hoffman, Louisville assistant volleyball coach

* Annabelle Juhasz, physician

* Celeste Kaliski, physician

* Sabrina Kendrick, physician

* Sue Linn, executive director, Morraine Valley Community Foundation

* Micah Materre, WGN Ch. 9 evening news anchor

* Renata Moore, physician

* Tony Nixon, Northern Illinois basketball player

* Jean Lenti Ponsetto, DePaul athletic director

* Gayle Ziolowski, physician

Seton by the numbers

Location: 16100 Seton Rd., South Holland

Conference: Catholic (boys), GCAC (girls)

Colors: Black/white/gold

Nickname: Sting

Enrollment: 279

Title: 2008-09 2A boys basketball

Behind the name: Elizabeth Seton, first native-born American Catholic saint

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