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New Coach Looks for Old School Ways to Spark Rich Central Basketball

Mike Curta has Olympians working hard this summer in preparation for what he hopes is a turnaround season.

Posted Fri, Jul 1, 2011 at 11:08 pm CT|Updated Fri, Jul 1, 2011 at 11:36 pm CT

Rich Central players and coaches have worked hard this summer on improving on last year's eight-win boys basketball season.

New coach Mike Curta is trying to bring back the tradition from his playing days in the '80s.

"I am making the guys work this summer," Curta siad. "Nobody has a spot on the roster yet, so they are going to have to earn it."

The Olympians competed in shootouts at Joliet West and Bloom Township the last two weeks.

"I am really preaching defense to these guys," Curta said.

Munang Ekoi has surprised Curta with his ability to take charges.

Bloom Township girls soccer player Monica Chavolla recently was named to the Southtown Star All-Area Soccer Team.

Chavolla finished with 18 goals and 15 assists.

Ex-Bull Craig Hodges will be hosting a coaches clinic at Rich Central High School on Wednesday.

The cost is $150 per coach and $225 for a staff of four coaches.

Chicago Heights Boxing Club's Martez Jackson fell in the third-place match to Antoine Burke at the U.S. Boxing National Championships.