Last week, the Kenosha News Sports Department solicited reader opinions on the top local sports stories of 2009 via our “Sports Take.”

Here are some opinions we have received via e-mail or from the Kenosha News’ Facebook pages:

Bradford vs. Marquette

Mark (via Facebook): “(The) biggest sports story in Kenosha? I think that the (football) playoff game at Indian Trail Stadium with Bradford hosting Milwaukee Marquette was pretty huge. 6,000 fans at Indian Trail Stadium, are you serious? That’s got to be one of the biggest crowds for ANY sporting event in Kenosha at least in my lifetime going back to 1972.”

Editor’s note: On Nov. 7, Marquette defeated Bradford 35-28 in a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division-1 quarterfinal game. The game at Indian Trail Stadium attracted more than 6,000 fans.

St. Joseph baseball

Mike (via Facebook): ‘The top sports story of 2009 was the St. Joseph baseball team winning State for the third time in five years.”

Editor’s note: On June 18, St. Joseph won the WIAA Division-3 State baseball championship with a 4-2 win over Marathon at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.

A few choices

Ken (via e-mail): “Easily, the best sports stories locally are St. Joseph’s state championship in baseball and the incredibly exciting season of football given to us by the mighty Bradford Red Devils. Both of these teams deserve far more accolades than Kevin Costner’s Illinois team. Kenoshans aren’t known to support minor league ball anyway. Go Lancers and Red Devils.”

Editor’s note: One of the top story candidates put forth by the News was the February announcement that actor Kevin Costner was part of a group that was bringing an independent league baseball team to Zion, Ill.

Carthage wowed ’em

Cap (via e-mail): “(One of the top stories of 2009) was the Carthage football team’s assault on the school record books. ... The team produced seven All-CCIW players, three All-North Region players, two Division III All-Americans and one Little All-America. Awesome. Many long standing records fell this great season.”

Editor’s note: The Carthage football team went 7-3 in 2009. Coach Tim Rucks’ Red Men tied, surpassed or built on at least 16 school records. Named first-team All-CCIW were receivers Jeff Koeneman and Nick Merchut, kicker-punter Tyler Funk and offensive lineman Terrance Clark while junior quarterback Evan Jones, senior defensive lineman Alex Annes and senior center Matt Favero were named second-team All-CCIW. Funk was named Little All-America while Funk and Koeneman were named All-North region and All-America.”

Tremper turmoil

Tom (via e-mail): “My choice for the top sports story of 2009 (were) all of the issues surrounding the resignation of John Wilhelmson (as Tremper boys varsity basketball coach) and the discussions that surfaced in regards as to who should be his replacement.

“John was a successful coach in Kenosha both on and off the court. The general public does not know all of the elements that entered into John’s decision to step down. Everyone in Kenosha just thinks they do. Most of the people that commented on the situation have never even been to a varsity game.

“High school sports are about the students learning and growing with their classmates and teammates. These are the years that can never be replayed and we all wish we could go back to.

“John chose to resign. ... Whatever the (reasons), all of a sudden half of Kenosha thought they had all of the facts on who should or should not be the next Tremper varsity basketball coach. All of the negative remarks that were made about the first replacement interim coach displayed the lack of class that results when you forget what high school sports are all about.

“All of these negative comments resulted in doing things YOUR way and now the Tremper team cannot buy a win. We have lost John and St Joseph has lost (athletic director) Steve Nelson, two of the best guys for their jobs.

“Going forward, hopefully all of you readers can go out and support your teams in a positive way instead of attacking the people of Kenosha that want to work for the students.”

Editor’s note: John Wilhelmson resigned as Tremper boys varsity basketball coach in September. Al Savaglio was first named interim coach later in the month but the position was soon re-opened because of a Kenosha Unified School District never posted it. Current coach Lou Rideaux was appointed to the position on Sept. 29.

Leftover: Big Tenexpansion

Editor’s note: What follows is a Facebook submission that was inadvertently left out of our Sports Take of last week soliciting input on Big Ten expansion.

Pat: “You know, a year a two ago, I would have said Northern Illinois University. I would still like to say NIU but I am not sure if it would be good for NIU. Nevertheless, the Big Ten would not go there.

“However, I think the top school to look at is Missouri. That would be an excellent selection. I would also not extend another offer to Notre Dame. ND is not Big Ten. They are more Big East with big ego! They had their chance.

“I would also look at Iowa State, Pittsburgh and Louisville as possibilities.”