Cougars Insider: Kane County poised for second-half surge

The Kane County Cougars have held up the bargain on star power, putting six players in the Midwest League All-Star game. But at the all-star break, the Cougars find themselves at 30-36 and needing a strong second half to reach the postseason.

Midwest League: All-Star break brings R and R for players

The Cougars get the longest break of their 140-game season this week when the Midwest League shuts down for the midseason All-Star game, which this year will be played in Dayton. While six Cougars had the honor of representing the team Tuesday night, the rest of the players will be taking some needed time off before beginning the season’s second half Thursday night at Quad Cities.

MIDWEST LEAGUE STANDINGS Eastern Division Team W L PCT. GB H A L10 Streak South Bend 44 25 .638 — 21-14 23-11 3-7 L1 Fort Wayne 43 26 .623 1.0 25-11 18-15 7-3 W2 Bowling Green 38 30 .559 5.5 18-17 20-13 8-2 W2 West Michigan 33 37 .471 11.5 19-18 14-19 5-5 L2 Lansing 32 37 .464 12.0 18-14 14-23 5-5 L2 Dayton 28 41 .406 16.0 11-24 17-17 3-7 W1 Greak Lakes 27 43 .386 17.5 12-21 15-22 7-3 W1 Lake County 23 44 .343 20.0 13-21 10-23 3-7 L1 Eastern Division Team W L PCT. GB H A L10 Streak Beloit 43 27 .614 — 21-14 22-13 8-2 W2 Cedar Rapids 40 28 .588 2.0 23-13 17-15 3-7 L4 Peoria 38 29 .567 4.5 20-11 18-18 7-3 W4 Quad Cities 38 31 .551 5.0 17-17 21-14 4-6 W1 Clinton 33 36 .478 9.5 17-17 16-19 5-5 L2 COUGARS 30 36 .455 11.0 18-17 12-19 4-6 W1 Wisconsin 29 36 .446 11.5 12-20 17-16 5-5 L1 Burlington 26 39 .400 14.5 9-22 17-17 3-7 L1 UPCOMING COUGAR GAMES WEDNESDAY: Off. THURSDAY: Away vs. …

Player of the Year: Sabrina Rabin second to none

St. Charles North’s Sabrina Rabin is the Courier-News Player of the Year after putting together a tremendous junior campaign at the plate and in the pitcher’s circle. The Northwestern-bound standout posted an 18-4 pitching record and .534 batting average.

Coach of the Year: Kelly Horan leads St. Charles East’s surge

St. Charles East’s Kelly Horan is the 2013 Courier-News Coach of the Year after guiding the Saints to a 33-6 record and runner-up finish in the Class 4A state tournament.

Softball: 2013 Courier-News All-Area Team

St. Charles North’s Sabrina Rabin headlines the 2013 Courier-News All-Area Softball Team. South Elgin’s Alyssa Buddle and Burlington Central’s Brooke Gaylord are also among the 15 first-team honorees.

Midwest League: Cougars knock off Wisconsin

The first half of the Midwest League season hasn’t necessarily gone the way the Cougars wanted it to, but they were able to end it on a positive note by defeating Wisconsin 4-2 on Sunday in Geneva.

Player of the Year: Mark Skonieczny is Huntley’s Mr. Hustle

Mark Skonieczny is the 2013 Courier-News Player of the Year after using his blend of power, speed and smarts to emerge as the top producer in Huntley’s prolific offense. The junior hit .432 with seven home runs 36 RBI and 43 runs scored.

Coach of the Year: Len Asquini still has winning touch

St. Charles East’s Len Asquini is the 2013 Courier-News Coach of the Year, marking the fifth time he has landed the honor. The Saints finished 28-12 and claimed third place in the Class 4A state tournament this spring.

Baseball: Courier-News All-Area First Team

Check out the 2013 Courier-News All-Area Baseball First Team. Jacobs’ Evan Blunk, Hampshire’s Tyler Crater, St. Charles East’s Joe Hoscheit, St. Edward’s Tighe Koehring and Huntley’s Colin Lyman all make repeat appearances on the 15-man team.

Baseball: Courier-News All-Area Second Team

Burlington Central senior Blake Alexander, Hampshire senior Piotr Barnas and South Elgin senior Nick Binder are among the 15 players on the 2013 Courier-News All-Area Baseball Second Team.

Football: St. Charles North’s Garrett Johnson picks Ball State

St. Charles North rising senior tight end Garrett Johnson wasn’t planning on choosing a college until much closer to his senior season, but he felt the time was right to give his verbal commitment to Ball State.

Midwest League: Timber Rattlers get jump on Cougars

The Timber Rattlers jumped ahead 7-0 in the second inning and went on to beat the Cougars on Saturday night in Geneva.

Golf: Rich Harvest Farms reaping rewards

Grow the game. That simple statement is an important part of the legacy Jerry Rich envisions for his Rich Harvest Farms golf course in Sugar Grove. Hosting the 2015 Palmer Cup, an annual Ryder Cup-type competition between top American and European-born collegiate players? It’s another step in the process.

Golf: Advantage to big hitters at Phillips Park’s 16th hole

The hole of the week is No. 16 at Phillips Park in Aurora, a 448-yard, par 4 adventure. Phillips Park is one of two courses owned and operated by the city of Aurora, and it features two distinct nines.