Trading places with girls basketball coaches

When Crystal Lake South’s girls basketball team committed a turnover Thursday in its season opener, Joe Komaromy jumped out of his seat on the Gators bench.

The only problem is that Komaromy is no longer a head coach. Komaromy retired as Dundee-Crown coach after 26 years, but has found on spot as an assistant coach for the Gators’ Kyle McCaughn. Coach K is staying in the FVC while his former player and assistant coach, Michelle Russell, the school’s all-time leading scorer, takes over at D-C.

“He’s having a hard time keeping his enthusiasm down,” McCaughn said of Komaromy. “That’s what we love.”

Komaromy will need some time to get used to sitting instead of standing during basketball games.

The six teams at the Bison Classic have plenty of old faces in new places. Former assistant coach Patrick Dudle has replaced Tom Dineen, who retired after 29 years, at Buffalo Grove. Dudle has brought along Matt Myers, the school’s girls golf coach, as his new varsity assistant.

Regina coach Jim Russo has added Carol Plodzien, formerly of Richmond-Burton and Fremd, onto his staff as an assistant. Former Buffalo Grove center Jennifer Guth is in her first year as Babbi Barreiro’s assistant at Barrington. Guth coached at the freshman level last season.