PR’s Ramsey to play junior hockey in Atlanta

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There are days when Jeff Ramsey’s type 1 diabetes makes playing hockey difficult.

“I’ve had days when my blood-sugar level is so high, and it stays that way for no reason,” the Prairie Ridge senior said. “And I can’t practice [hockey].”

Ramsey battled through that physical problem and forged a productive career as a three-year varsity defenseman on Prairie Ridge’s hockey team. Now, Ramsey is ready to take the next step. He is set to play with the Atlanta Knights, a Junior B hockey team, for the 2010-11 season.

The Knights saw Ramsey at the EHK Showcase in Vernon Hills shortly after the high school season, in which Prairie Ridge advanced to the quarterfinals of the AHAI Blackhawk Cup Red Division State Tournament.

“It’s pretty cool,” Ramsey said. “The owner [of the Knights] flew me down there, and it’s a really, really nice area with nice people.”

Ramsey said he likely will get a job at the ice rink where the Knights play and will have a host family.

“They said they liked my smarts and felt like I know how to play hockey,” Ramsey said. “I know I need to cut some weight, and they want to get me in shape to move on to play Junior A.”

Ramsey, who already has dropped 30 pounds, hopes to earn an NCAA Division I scholarship for hockey. He learned he had diabetes in eighth grade and has battled the disease since.

“It’s made it a lot harder, and it’s affecting my weight,” Ramsey said. “Sometimes, it’s unpredictable, and that makes it hard.”

Ramsey will try out for Junior A teams this summer, but if nothing comes from those tryouts, he happily will join the Knights in August.

Prairie Ridge coach Casey Van Damme said Atlanta’s a good fit for Ramsey.

“That’s a good place and a good opportunity for him to start,” Van Damme said. “He can accomplish things at the next level, but it’s more difficult for him with the diabetes. He’s an excellent stay-at-home defenseman, with excellent hockey skills. He sees the ice well and moves the puck well.”

Top programs for Tigers: Crystal Lake Central’s Tony Castranova and Tom Hooker recently finalized their college plans to continue their baseball careers.

Castranova, the Tigers’ shortstop, will play at Wisconsin-Whitewater, ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division III. Hooker, Central’s center fielder, will play at Parkland College, a junior college, in Champaign, which is one of the NJCAA’s top programs.

Whitewater recently won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for the regular season and postseason tournament. Castranova said Warhawks coach John Vodenlich has a little different approach.

“I’ll go there and work out in the fall with the team, but there are no guaranteed spots,” Castranova said. “Everyone has to try out every season. They try out in November. It’s highly competitive, and I’m looking forward to going out and working hard. It looks like a good opportunity.”

Castranova has turned in a strong offensive season with a .422 batting average, a .475 on-base percentage, five home runs and 22 RBIs. He has eight doubles and has scored 25 runs.

Hooker is hitting .357 with 13 RBIs, one homer and five doubles. He attended a Prep Baseball Report showcase in the winter, and Parkland spotted him there.

“I wanted to go to a two-year school so I could play right away,” Hooker said.

Hooker has been hitting third in Central’s lineup and played last summer for the Crystal Lake American Legion.

C-G’s Lorman to Luther: Cary-Grove senior wide receiver Bryan Lorman will continue his football career this fall at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Lorman had only one catch for the Class 6A state champion Trojans, but it was a huge catch. He hauled in a 37-yard pass in the second quarter of C-G’s 34-17 victory against Providence Catholic in the state title game. That reception allowed the Trojans to drive in for a 14-10 halftime lead.

Trojans coach Bruce Kay’s team was blessed with great speed all over, but Kay said Lorman was the fastest player on the team. Ten seniors from C-G’s state championship team are moving on to play in college.

• Joe Stevenson covers high school sports for the Northwest Herald. He can be reached by e-mail at jstevenson@nwherald.com.