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Top 10 Stories of 2024: No. 4 Crystal Lake Central's Run to Becoming 3A State Champs

December 26, 2024
By: Tyler Defibaugh
Area Scout, Content

Crystal Lake Central's run to a 3A State Title was one of the more intriguing and yet, surprising outcomes of the 2024 spring season in Illinois. Not only did the Tigers enter the postseason as a 10-seed in their regional after finishing the regular season 15-14, but they survived an extra-inning battle against St. Viator in their first matchup in the playoffs.

The Tigers would then knock off the 2-seed in their next matchup, defeating Grayslake Central 5-2. From there on, the Tigers' pitching staff was dominant the rest of the postseason; not allowing more than three runs in any of their remaining contests. Leading the pitching staff en route to a title were RHPs John Gariepy (2025; Missour-St. Louis), Tommy Korn (2024; USMMA), Rhett Ozment (2025; uncommitted), and Connor Gibour (2025; Ohio).

Gariepy was the ace of the staff for the Tigers in 2024, starting the State Final, and leading the team in innings pitched (56.0), wins (6), and strikeouts (60). Korn, who would close out the title game for the Tigers, was a steady presence all spring posting a 2.41 ERA in 32 innings, while adding 36 punchouts. Ozment and Gibour were both big contributors as two-way players; with Ozment batting .299 with 11 doubles and a 1.84 ERA in 19 innings with 20 strikeouts, while Gibour swatted two homers in the middle of the Tigers lineup and also recording a 0.70 ERA in 20 innings on the mound. 

To read more about the 3A State Champs, click HERE.

Below you’ll find our game story from the Tigers’ victory in June:

Lemont vs. Crystal Lake Central

Crystal Lake Central defeated Lemont 3-2 to capture the 3A State Title on Saturday afternoon. RHP John Gariepy (2025) gave the Tigers a strong start on the mound, and 3B Rhett Ozment (2025) came through time and time again on offense. Gariepy turned in a final line of: 5.2 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 K; while Ozment finished the day 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, and an RBI.

Lemont surged out to an early 2-0 lead through the first four innings of play. Cannon Madej (2026) singled to begin the inning before coming around to score on a passed ball in the top of the third inning. Nick Berardi (2024) would then add onto the Lemont lead with an RBI single, scoring Brett Tucker (2026), who reached earlier via an error.

But in the bottom of the fifth, The Tigers would storm back to tie the game. After a walk, and two hit-by-pitches, the bases were loaded for James Dreher (2025) who delivered a big two RBI single into left field to tie the game at two.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Tommy Korn (2024; USMMA) would single to begin the inning, bringing up 3B Rhett Ozment (2025), who would deliver the game-winning hit; smacking a triple to the right-centerfield gap to give the Tigers the 3-2 lead heading into the final frame. RHP Tommy Korn would slam the door for the Tigers, clinching the State Title for Crystal Lake Central.

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