Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound November 2, 2022

Local News

All-tournament selection Will Johnson of Sandburg drives in for a layup against Crete Monee in the title game of the Spartan-Ram Classic on Nov. 29 at Oak Lawn. Photo by Vince Olejniczak

Will Johnson helps Sandburg finish second at Spartan-Ram Classic

Will Johnson likes where he is, but knows he has to go farther. Johnson earned a spot on the all-tourney team as Sandburg finished runner-up in the Spartan-Ram Classic with a 53-41 loss to Crete-Monee in the title game on Nov. 29 at Oak Lawn. “I shot the ball well,” said Johnson, a 6-2 junior…

All-tourney selection Charles Barnes helped De La Salle finish third in the De La Salle/St. Ignatius Windy City Turkey Classic. Photo by Mike Walsh

Charles Barnes’ leadership a key for young De La Salle

As one of the veterans on a young De La Salle boys team, Charles Barnes knows he must be a leader. That’s a role the 6-foot-5 junior forward embraces wholeheartedly. Barnes’ leadership skills were on full display in Saturday’s third-place game of the De La Salle/St. Ignatius Windy City Turkey Classic at De La Salle.…

Mount Carmel was named the No. 1 football program in the IHSA over the 50 years the sport has had a state series. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Mount Carmel named top football program in IHSA since 1974

Mount Carmel’s football team edged out Joliet Catholic for the No. 1 spot in the Illinois High School Association’s top 50 teams in the first 50 years the organization sponsored state championships in the sport. Before the poll was released, the Caravan and Joliet Catholic had each won 15 state championships. After the poll was…

Andrew Bowman and Sydney Devore-Bowman show off the frozen turkeys they won for finishing first in their respective divisions at the Orland Park Turkey Trot. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Running couple races to victories at Orland Park Turkey Trot

The husband-and-wife team of Andrew Bowman and Sydney Devore-Bowman won their first race together at the Detroit Free Press Marathon in October. “Before that, it never happened,” Bowman said. “We both won the marathon in Pittsburgh, but in different years.” They enjoyed winning together so much, they did it again. The Ferndale, Mich., couple won…

Mount Carmel quarterback Jack Elliott runs against Batavia during the Class 7A championship game on Nov. 30. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Jack Elliott’s seven touchdowns help Mount Carmel win 16th state title

NORMAL — Mount Carmel has won state titles in several different decades under several different coaches and running several different offenses. But maybe never have the Caravan won a championship quite like this, overcoming so many hurdles. “The big challenge for us (is) no Mount Carmel team has won state (after) losing three games,” coach…

Nazareth football players hoist the six state championship in school history Saturday in Normal. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Logan Malachuk, Nazareth win third straight Class 5A state title

NORMAL — When the pandemic came, the players left Nazareth. With no prep football in Illinois in fall 2020 because of COVID, star quarterback JJ McCarthy transferred to national power IMG Academy in Florida. Other players moved elsewhere, including Iowa and Indiana, in order to continue their careers. When the football calendar returned to normal…

Brother Rice graduate and Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (right) chats with then-Crusaders athletic director Michael Fahey at a basketball game in January. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Life is good for Kansas City Royals mainstay Michael Massey

It’s been a busy and happy couple of months for Michael Massey. In the span of a few weeks, the Brother Rice graduate and Kansas City Royals second baseman had a successful postseason debut, came home to help his brother, Evergreen Park coach Andrew Massey, with a youth camp and married his fiancee, Jane. Just…

As part of the 50th anniversary of IHSA girls volleyball, Mother McAuley has been named the state’s top program. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Area roundup: Mother McAuley named No. 1 in IHSA volleyball

To almost no one’s surprise, Mother McAuley was named as the state’s top girls volleyball program in the first 50 years the Illinois High School Association sponsored the sport.  The IHSA compiled the list and for McAuley, the numbers have been staggering: 26 state trophies, including 17 state championships. The Mighty Macs have enjoyed four…

Sophomore Olivia Barsch helped Marist girls basketball start 4-0 and win the Bobby Bolton Tip-Off Classic. Photo by Mike Clark

Girls basketball notebook: Olivia Barsch, Marist flip script

Last season was something of a trial by fire for Olivia Barsch and several of her Marist teammates. Playing a demanding schedule with a roster that featured four freshmen and only one senior, the RedHawks finished 10-22. But one week into this season, they’re almost halfway to that win total after going 4-0 to win…

Jake Cestone (from left), Logan Malachuk and Trenton Walker played key roles in Nazareth’s 40-21 win over St. Francis in a Class 5A semifinal on Nov. 23. Photo by Mike Walsh

Logan Malachuk, Jake Cestone lead Nazareth back to state

As Nazareth quarterback Logan Malachuk took a knee on the final snap, wide receiver Jake Cestone was lined up near midfield just in case something happened. Once Cestone saw that everything was indeed fine, he celebrated the Roadrunners’ 40-21 Class 5A semifinal victory over St. Francis on Nov. 23 in memorable fashion: with a well-executed…

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