MLB NOTES: Region products try to rev up careers in minors

Jeff Samardzija of Valparaiso, Curtis Granderson of Lynwood and Lloyd McClendon of Chesterton are household names in the majors. John Mallee of Schererville soon will be as Astros hitting coach.

Wheeler Sectional championship

Bishop Noll's Tyreon Gates looks to shoot in the first half of the Warrior's sectional game against Wheeler on Tuesday.

Wheeler Sectional championship

Bishop Noll's Larry Crisler passes off as Wheeler's Drew Heinold defends as they tumble for a loose ball Tuesday night at Wheeler High School.

Wheeler Sectional championship

Wheeler's Jeremy Truchan looks to pass as Bishop Noll's Tyreon Gates defends during the first half Tuesday night at Wheeler High School.

River Forest Sectional

Bowman Academy's Diamond Harvey moves in to steal from Bishop Noll's Elena Sobilo Tuesday in the River Forest Sectional.

Jeremy Truchan, Wheeler

Wheeler's Jeremy Truchan drives the lane against Noll's Jalen Hord in a game this season. Truchan is averaging 16.8 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals a game.

James Nabors III, Bishop Noll

Noll's James Nabors III drives toward the basket against Wheeler Saturday night.

Larry Crisler, Bishop Noll

Bishop Noll's Larry Crisler shoots over a wall of Wheeler Bearcats Saturday night.

James Miller, Wheeler

Wheeler's James Miller passes across court Saturday night in the loss to Bishop Noll.

Drew Heinhold drives, Wheeler

Wheeler's Drew Heinhold drives while Bishop Noll's Matt Sandoval defends.

Jeremy Truchan, Wheeler

Wheeler's Jeremy Truchan, right, is guarded Noll's Jalen Hord.

Nick Nelson, Bishop Noll

Bishop Noll's Nick Nelson grabs a rebound Saturday night at Wheeler.

Jason Graf, Wheeler

Wheeler's Jason Graf, top center, scraps for a rebound Saturday night.

Austin Greiner, Wheeler

Wheeler's Austin Greiner has his shot swatted away by Tyreon Gates Saturday night.

spt-GBK_WHE_NOLL, wheeler plays bishop noll, girls bball

Wheeler's Haley Livinson grabs control of a rebound as Bishop Noll's Marissa Radziwiecki, left, and Monica Martin, right, defend in the first half of Bishop Noll's 55-51 victory in Hammond.

Bishop Noll's Naomi House

Bishop Noll's Naomi House drives to the basket last week against the defense of Wheeler's Shannon Eden. The freshman House hasn't failed to score in double digits in any game this season and has led her team in scoring all but once. Bishop Noll 55, Wheeler 51 WHEELER (13-14-10-14) Shannon Ed…

spt-GBK_WHE_NOLL, wheeler plays bishop noll, girls bball

Wheeler's Nikole Finch looks to shoot as Bishop Noll's Elena Sobilo defends in the first half Friday of Bishop Noll's 55-51 victory in Hammond.

Bishop Noll's Naomi House

Bishop Noll's Naomi House grabs a rebound during Friday's Greater South Shore Conference game against Wheeler. The freshman leads her team in points per game, though she frequently comes off the bench.

spt-GBK_WHE_NOLL, wheeler plays bishop noll, girls bball

Wheeler's Nicole Skopelja loses control of the ball while going up for a shot in the first half of Wheeler's game with Bishop Noll Friday night in Hammond.

End of road: Merrillville, Andrean fall short of trips to state

Andrean High School's Dakota Cooper is comforted Friday after the 59ers lost to Bishop Luers 35-21 in the Class 2A Northern Semistate game in Merrillville.