The Chicago Board of Trade is the center of the American Empire. If you go out the back door and west on Madison a ways, you'll arrive at the home of our favorite sports dynasty. A statue of some guy memorializes the Bulls threepeats.
If you go out the front door of the CBOT and travel west down Jackson Blvd. a ways, and then a little ways more, and then a little more you'll be at the home of a dynasty you may not know about.
Marillac Social Center at Francisco and Jackson houses a charter school and Project Hope which helps teenage girls navigate the perils of Chitown's west side. "Hope Jr." focuses on Jr. High age girls and provides tutoring, resources, and a space to play basketball.
The Lady Warriors' leader is Jalesa Haggard (pictured above right) who has coached the team the during the current run of three straight championships. She played at the beginning of the dynastic drive a few years back and brings the positive attitude she played with to the current cast of kids. She emphasizes teamwork and drills her charges until passing and team defense are second nature to quiet confident players like Alisa J. Hill.(left) Vinny D. might still be working if he took a few lessons from Coach Haggard.
The statistical leader of the squad which threepeated in '09 is Carrie "Steal Wheels" Randle. (center) Randle amassed 77 steals playing 8 games of the undefeated 2009 championship season. To put this in perspective, the entire Bulls team of 1997 together didn't even produce at that rate. This stifling defense from Hill, Randle and the other girls held opponents to single digits in 5 games and a shutout against the AGSAs. If we were talking baseball we would be talking perfect game. Randle and Hill will be moving on to High School and leave a big void for Miss Jalesa to fill, but with the possible addition of Kareemah Martin to the squad, who is reported to b e working on her sky hook this summer, they look to extend the
dynasty well into the this next decade. Marillac Social Center probably needs some thing$. I'm not sure what that may be, but I do know one immediate need is a new trophy case, as the current one is overflowing.
