logo
Instead of going to another high school, Taylor Norkus gets Beecher back to state with walk-off hit. ‘So grateful.'

Instead of going to another high school, Taylor Norkus gets Beecher back to state with walk-off hit. ‘So grateful.'

Chicago Tribune03-06-2025
EAST PEORIA — Taylor Norkus almost wasn't a Beecher Bobcat. When she was in middle school, Norkus and her parents had a decision to make.
Norkus was a talented pitcher, but at Beecher, she would likely be behind Ava Lorenzatti, who was in the same 2026 class and even back then was considered one of the top pitchers in the country.
'There was an opportunity for me to go to a different school,' Norkus said. 'We passed it up and this is where we are now. I'm so grateful for that.'
So is Beecher, especially after Norkus' heroics Monday.
The junior pitcher earned the win in relief and delivered a two-out, walk-off single in the 10th inning, sending the Bobcats back to state with a 4-3 win over Brimfield/Elmwood in the Class 2A East Peoria Supersectional at the EastSide Centre.
Norkus, a Colgate recruit, threw the final 4 2/3 innings without allowing a run. She struck out eight and scattered five hits.
Northern Kentucky commit Makenzie Johnson went 2-for-5 with an RBI double and Lorenzatti, a Florida State recruit, added an RBI double for Beecher (35-2). Carmela Irwin singled and drew a walk, while Rockford commit Tayiah Scanlan made two key catches in left field.
The Bobcats will take on Auburn (24-5) at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. Beecher, which clinched the eighth state trophy in program history, will play in the Final Four for the second time in three years after last season's supersectional loss.
'I'm so excited,' Johnson said. 'Last year, we came up short down here against Rockridge. That hurt. This season, we knew this was our year. We needed to make it back.
'We weren't going down again like we did last year.'
Norkus has pitched terrifically all season, but her batting has been inconsistent. Her average is .289, she was hitless in her last five games and she wasn't in Monday's starting lineup.
But when she came up with the bases loaded and two outs in the 10th, she was ready to break some hearts for Brimfield/Elmwood (33-4).
'My mind was just like, 'Hit the ball — the game has to end somehow,'' Norkus said. 'There was a lot of pressure, but I just really wanted to do it for my team.'
Norkus then ripped a single up the middle to start the celebration for the Bobcats.
'Her pitching has been amazing, but hitting … we didn't know which Taylor we were going to get,' Johnson said. 'Line drive base hit up the middle to walk us off. It was great. She's amazing.'
Beecher coach Kevin Hayhurst, who celebrated after the game with a lime snow cone he got from a food truck at the stadium, was definitely proud of Norkus.
'That was really nice to see,' Hayhurst said. 'She didn't start the game. She didn't pout. She was ready to go. She's a team player.'
When it comes to pitching, Norkus has certainly taken a backseat to Lorenzatti in past years.
But this season, she has appeared in 25 games to Lorenzatti's 21. Norkus is 17-1 with a 1.03 ERA and Lorenzatti is 18-1 with a 1.48 ERA.
Norkus also has had plenty of motivation. Before the season, she knew that, if she was going to get more than a few pitching chances, she was going to have to earn them.
'You know you really have to be good,' Norkus said. 'You have to take after her footsteps. There can't be a hole in the pitching staff. I try to fill that.'
Lorenzatti was terrific through five innings Monday, allowing just one hit as Beecher took a 3-0 lead. But Brimfield/Elmwood started hitting her in the sixth, rallying to tie the game,
Norkus was there to help. What a duo.
'We really have each other's backs,' Norkus said. 'I didn't expect to have this big of a role this season, but it feels amazing.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Chicago Bulls, coach Billy Donovan agree to contract extension, per report
Chicago Bulls, coach Billy Donovan agree to contract extension, per report

USA Today

time2 hours ago

  • USA Today

Chicago Bulls, coach Billy Donovan agree to contract extension, per report

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has agreed to a contract extension with the franchise, ESPN reported Sunday, July 27. Donovan, who has been the Bulls' coach since 2020-21, is 195-205 in his five seasons with Chicago and is entering his 11th season as NBA coach, spending his first five seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Bulls were 39-43 last season and finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. They lost to the Miami Heat in the play-in game. Chicago has been to the playoffs once under Donovan – a first-round loss to Milwaukee after going 46-36 in 2021-22. Donovan won two NCAA men's basketball national titles at Florida in 2006 and 2007 and played in a Final Four in 2014. He took the Oklahoma City job in 2015 and has been in the NBA since. Why did Billy Donovan get a contract extension? The Bulls like stability, and Donovan provides that with his coaching and relationships with players, front office and ownership. Donovan enjoys coaching in the NBA and living in Chicago. The two sides have been working on extension for months, and at the trade deadline in February, Donovan told reporters, "I want to be part of building something." The New York Knicks requested permission to speak with Donovan about their previously open head coaching position but were denied. Which direction are the Bulls headed? As the Eastern Conference improves with teams such as the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic moving toward deep playoff runs alongside Cleveland, New York, Indiana, Milwaukee and Boston, the Bulls seem stuck in neutral. They were 39-43 in 2023-24 and 40-42 in 2022-23. They have tried to make playoff runs with DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Nik Vucevic, Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball. Injuries, especially Ball missing two seasons, derailed Chicago's plans, and only Vucevic remains on the roster. Chicago has young talent it is trying to develop, including Matas Buzelis, the No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft, and Noa Essengue, the No. 12 pick in the 2025 draft. They are also working to bring back restricted free agent Josh Giddey on a long-term deal.

Florida football had wild plans for 7-foot-9 basketball star Olivier Rioux
Florida football had wild plans for 7-foot-9 basketball star Olivier Rioux

New York Post

timea day ago

  • New York Post

Florida football had wild plans for 7-foot-9 basketball star Olivier Rioux

Give Billy Napier some points for creativity. Florida's football coach brought in Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 redshirt freshman basketball player for the Gators, to work out with the hope that he could help block field goals and extra points. 'I like the idea,' Gators basketball coach Todd Golden said at a booster event Thursday, per the Associated Press.'I give them credit for trying it.' 3 Florida's Olivier Rioux stands at 7-foot-9. AP Unfortunately, the tryout didn't go as hoped. Rioux has just an 11-inch vertical, so despite his massive wingspan, he couldn't get up high enough to block any kicks. 'They were a little disappointed,' Golden said. Rioux is expected to be in the rotation this year for the Gators, though his minutes could be limited given that Florida returns its entire national-title winning frontcourt. 3 Rioux dunks during warm-ups before the Final Four. NCAA Photos via Getty Images He could also be used to guard inbounds passes, where his height and wingspan is likely to create a major problem. There is a recent history of college athletes playing both football and basketball. 3 Florida football coach Billy Napier. Getty Images for ONIT Keon Coleman, currently a receiver for the Bills, committed to Michigan State to play both football and basketball — and did play a handful of basketball games for the school before transferring to Florida State for his junior year. The Bills ultimately selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. That, however, was in a much different, less-specialized role than Florida was aiming for with Rioux. Rioux, a Canada native, did not appear in any games for the Gators last season, with Florida's website stating he took a redshirt season to work on his 'strength, conditioning and agility.' He made headlines after the national title triumph over Houston by cutting down the nets without a ladder.

Tyran Stokes or Jordan Smith Jr.? College hoops coaches on their favorite players in 2026
Tyran Stokes or Jordan Smith Jr.? College hoops coaches on their favorite players in 2026

New York Times

time2 days ago

  • New York Times

Tyran Stokes or Jordan Smith Jr.? College hoops coaches on their favorite players in 2026

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — When it comes to the 2026 recruiting class, two players have separated from the pack: Tyran Stokes and Jordan Smith Jr. Stokes, a 6-foot-7, 245-pound forward, has been the consensus No. 1 player in the 2026 class according to talent evaluators for years now, but he might not be the overwhelming top player any longer. Based on conversations with college coaches last weekend at Peach Jam, Nike's annual championship tournament for its circuit, Stokes is the most polarizing player in this class, and Smith, a 6-2 guard with a 6-9 wingspan, is a player coaches believe can immediately impact winning. The duo dominated our poll when we asked 35 coaches which player they would most like to have from the 2026 class. Advertisement And in somewhat of a surprise, Smith barely outpaced Stokes. This is the conclusion of our Peach Jam coaches' poll, which also included what coaches think about NCAA Tournament expansion and the future of revenue sharing/budgets. Coaches were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor. Below, we also asked coaches whether they believe eligibility rules should be changed to allow for a fifth year of eligibility. Here are the results. (Note: Two coaches picked two players.) Big Ten assistant: 'Motor, impacts winning at the highest level of anyone. College body. Can come in and help a team right away.' ACC assistant: 'Toughest player I've ever seen play the game. Winner, best defensive player, every 50-50 is his. And if you want to have a chance to win a national championship, you get those players.' SEC head coach: 'NBA body ready. He just guards the ball. He just dominates the ball, and he's just fierce.' Big Ten assistant: 'He will change your program.' Mountain West assistant: 'I'm watching Tyran Stokes — I think the kid's an absolute stud, he's awesome — but I'm not saying you're going to take him No. 1 in the draft. (If) that's the No. 1 player in the country? There's nobody. 'He's just so physically gifted. LeBron (James) looks like a fish out of water in terms of strength and physicality in the NBA, and that's what Stokes is going to look like in college. He's a Zion-ish (type) where you just can't stay in front of him.' SEC assistant: 'Have you seen him?' Diane, a 7-1 center from Norwalk, Iowa, and the No. 15 player in the class (per 247Sports), was the only other player to pick up multiple votes. Big 12 assistant: 'I just think what he does translates the most to the college game. You look at the four Final Four teams, they had the best, deepest front lines in college basketball. Front courts don't win in the NBA, but they win in college.' Advertisement Atlantic 10 head coach: 'Rebounds, runs the floor, has super high motor. He can handle it and dribble. He can operate as a hub, and then he's just a monster in the post, monster rim runner, runs so hard, puts so much stress on the defense. Just plays so hard. He's so physical. He's fantastic.' Big Ten assistant: 'I would always start with a point guard. I'd go with Deron Rippey. He's just a dynamic playmaker as a point guard. I think he's going to be a great four-year college player who wins 120 games and goes to two Final Fours.' Big 12 head coach: 'Ethan Taylor. Seven-footer who catches the ball and can score and doesn't have an ego and plays hard. He comes off the bench on his team, and he might be the best player on the team.' Big Ten assistant: 'I want tough kids, culture kids, kids who want to be coached hard. That's harder and harder to find. But Jasiah Jervis (NY Rens) and Julius Avent (PSA Cardinals) are two of those kind of kids.' This past season was the final year of the extra year of eligibility for athletes who competed in the 2020-21 season — known as the COVID-19 year. There are still a handful of players using a fifth season because they competed that year and then might have also had a medical redshirt season, but we're closer to the old standard: You have five years to play four. Several players have tried to sue for an extra year of eligibility, and chatter around college athletics is that eventually the NCAA might allow for a fifth year of eligibility. The NCAA Division II Management Council recommended this week that its executive board sponsor a proposal for the 2026 NCAA Convention that would allow athletes to compete in five seasons of competition during their first 10 semesters or 15 quarters of enrollment. We asked coaches whether they were for or against such a proposal. Big 12 assistant: 'I think it should be normalized. So many of these kids, their first year is their most frustrating year, and a fifth year just needs to be normalized in college to where these kids and their people and their circles don't hold programs hostage for first-year success. We've got to get back to where, your first year, it's okay to develop. And if fifth-year eligibility helps the groupthink with that, then I'm all about it.' Advertisement ACC head coach: 'With all the transferring now, most kids need five years now to graduate — if we're still going to even pretend like we're trying to graduate kids academically. I think five years makes a lot of sense. Most college kids — normal college students — take five years now to graduate. So it would make sense, stand to reason, that a student-athlete get five years, too.' Big East assistant: 'In football, 30 percent of a football season, a guy gets to start four games at quarterback and transfer and get the year back. For us, we've had young players that we knew weren't going to play that much, and if we put them in the game for a minute in the opener, they're done for the season. So it's hard to get these guys a true understanding of where they are in the rotation after an exhibition game and a scrimmage. So if you have five years, you have a little bit more leeway there.' SEC assistant: 'You got five years to play five. Don't care how you do it, no more redshirt, no more blueshirt, no more all the shirts.' Atlantic 10 head coach: 'It gets rid of any waiver, any BS. Everybody knows you got five years. It takes out an injury unless you have two injuries. You get five years to play however many years you can. NCAA needs as few things that they can get sued on as possible.' Conference USA assistant: 'I'm OK with it, because it's a money-maker for those (fifth-year) players. It keeps NBA-fringe guys here, in the states, longer, instead of going overseas.' ACC head coach: 'I don't like it. I'd rather still have the option to redshirt, but the fact that we're giving kids five seasons now, I think, is ridiculous.' ACC assistant: 'Everything kind of got screwed up with the COVID year; obviously, a lot of guys got fifth years — and sometimes sixth years — so it appeared we were going away from the traditional way. I think now is the time for us to get back to that, and I like that. Obviously, if it weren't for NIL, from the player standpoint, there wouldn't be this push to stay in college for as long. So we're seeing one affect the other.' Advertisement Big 12 head coach: 'Where does it stop? I mean, if you get a fifth, then what's a sixth? I don't even know where the end comes. It makes sense if we could figure out how to not be more than five, but to me, if it's five, then it keeps going.' Big 12 assistant: 'I just hate seeing 26- and 27-year-olds playing college basketball. I wish they would change it that if your coach left, then sure, you got 45 days or whatever to transfer, but a one-time transfer rule where you play right away or else you got to sit out a year so that it's not just free agency every year like it is now.' SEC head coach: 'They talk about coaches having workarounds and finding workarounds; I think players, families, agents are gonna find workarounds to try to extend their length of college because the majority of them are gonna make way more money in college than they are after college.' West Coast Conference head coach: 'I think the old model of five years to play four worked so well, and you had that extra year in case they got hurt. The academic piece has been totally lost in this. There are guys who have gotten a sixth or seven year with so many waivers. It's crazy. Also, if we gave everyone five years, what's going to happen to all the records we value so much? Then again, maybe if everyone is transferring every year or two, we don't need to worry about records being broken.' (Photo of Tyran Stokes: Chris Day / The Commercial Appeal / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store