Definitely sarcasm. Everyone knows how good the Metro East is. Liddell, Mark Smith, Malachi Smith, Pickett, Goodwin, etc.
One of the great things about ball in Illinois is the intra-State rivalry among regions.
As we know well... Chicago Public League is a thing.
And then, the suburban schools around Chicago are another thing.
Metro East is a region. Deep Southern Illinois is a region.
Quad Cities area... Rockford area...
(in the old days) Quincy was a thing.
Peoria. And other mid-State.
Different styles at times. Different ways to win games. Different size players with different skill sets.
All proud regions within Illinois with great traditions and great rivalries among them when they play each other for State bragging rights.
Everything from small gyms and small towns to big shiny suburban gyms and tough City ball.
We hope that the Beloved always keep strong pipelines to each of these regions while at the same time continuing to recruit the American Southeast, California, and All The World in bringing ‘E-Word’ talent to the Prairie State.
In the State of Illinois... Madness is not just reserved for March. It is all year long. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.