Coming into the 2023-2024 year the boys basketball program had high expectations for the season at the varsity level. Coming off one of the best years in program history with a 24 win season ending in a loss to eventual state champion Metamora in the sectional semi final, Head Coach Ryan Vasquez said that the standard was set.
“20 Win Season, Conference Championship, and Regional Title are the expectations in our program,” said Vasquez.
The varsity squad had a successful regular season going 24-8 and having the top two scorers in the programs history with Senior Lucas Austin breaking the record late in the regular season after surpassing Joseph Bertrand’s point record and Andre Klaver surpassing Bertrand in the last game of the season to come into second place behind his teammate.
Other key players were juniors Kaedon Phillips, Nicholas Battaglia, and Maddux Osborn who all starred alongside the star studded senior duo. Unfortunately the Golden Warriors fell short of their sectional championship goal losing to LaSalle-Peru in the regional championship to end their season. While it may seem as though the season ended on a sour note, it was nothing but a successful season that once again tied the record for program wins in a season.
Vasquez said, “We all know the season didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but the guys should be very proud of what they accomplished this season. They played for the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back. We couldn’t be more proud of them and all their achievements over the past two years!”
The girls basketball program entered the 2023-2024 season led by head coach Taylor Jackson with hopes to improve. In past years sophomores and freshmen like Madison Austin, Delali Amankwa, and Olivia Melcher had been receiving more and more playing time and now as juniors and seniors they were ready to show the Western Big 6 they were there to compete.
Austin said, “Coming off of a three-win season, the goal was to improve as a team and work to turn the program around!”
They did just that, improving their record from an underperforming season to a top half of the standings record. Key players were senior Melcher, juniors Austin and Amankwa, as well as freshman Joslynn James, with Austin receiving second team all conference honors and Amankwa receiving honorable mention honors.
The Golden Warriors would go on to face the Dixon Duchesses in the regional semi-final where they fell in a hard fought game 27-41. While the girls may have not reached their end goal of a regional championship, this season was a major leap forward to a bright future for the program.
Wrestling came into the season with a new standard of winning. Former Olympic team member Nolan Baker stepped in as a new head coach and did not disappoint. The team won their first meet of the year against Erie-Prophetstown but fell short to Moline. The team enjoyed a memorable team dinner after the DeJarnett tournament which brought everyone together.
One of the many highlights of the season was versus Alleman, where senior Isaiah Mendoza pinned his opponent in 22 seconds. After a strong end of the regular season beating LaSalle-Peru, the Golden Warriors competed in the Western Big 6 Conference Meet and achieved 3rd place.
The boys then went on to Regionals where junior Charle Reyes and junior Tatum Allen placed 4th. Senior Isaiah Mendoza, junior Gage Tate, junior Zion Westbrook, and junior Oswaldo Navarro all placed second in their weight class. Unfortunately, no wrestlers made it to state, yet the team had plenty of positives to reflect on.
Mendoza said, “I felt the season went well; we had young guys step up to fill the varsity position and everyone kept improving throughout the season.” This year, IHSA opened up regionals for girls and junior Alize Gomez placed 4th in her weight class and would go on to compete in sectionals where she fell just short of a trip to the state meet.
The swim team has always had a hard working reputation, and this year the team did not disappoint. The Golden Warriors had their first meet against LaSalle-Peru, but unfortunately lost. However, there were individual performances worth noting. Both sophomore Charles Johnson and junior Ivan Marin had very impressive race times.
After, the Golden Warriors swam at the Freeport Invite and placed third overall behind well-talented teams. The team destroyed Rock Island in a meet and placed third in a United Township invite.
At the Western Big 6 conference the team placed second overall, with junior Patrick Riley and senior Dale Johnson winning their individual events. Unfortunately, no swimmers made it to state. However, the team can look forward to future seasons as the young team will surely work hard in the off season. Johnson said “The future class will be ready to do even better next year.”
Overall Sterling High School’s winter sports were an overall success and were an enjoyment to watch.
