SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Boys Hoops: St. Rita hands Brother Rice first loss

By Steve Millar 
Correspondent

St. Rita came into this season with plenty of hype, boasting a stacked roster led by the top three junior recruits in the state.

Three early losses may have left some people questioning whether the Mustangs are legit, but junior forward Morez Johnson said he and his teammates are ready to prove the naysayers wrong.

St. Rita got a much-needed big win over Catholic League Blue rival Brother Rice on Dec. 9. The Mustangs got 19 points from Nojus Indrusaitis and pulled through with a 57-51 road win over the Crusaders in front of a large crowd in Mount Greenwood.

“People were saying we’re overrated and we’re waking them back up,” Johnson said. “Now we’ve got to keep it going.”

Johnson, an Illinois recruit, had 16 points and eight rebounds for the Mustangs (4-3, 2-0). Junior center James Brown finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds and Homewood-Flossmoor transfer Nashawn Holmes added eight points.

Niagara recruit Ahmad Henderson poured in 28 points for Brother Rice (9-1, 2-1). Jimmy Navarette scored eight points off the bench and Zavier Fitch chipped in seven points.

The game was tied 29-29 at halftime, but Johnson came out on a mission in the second half. He scored all seven of his teams’ points during a 7-2 third quarter-opening surge.

“It just happened that way,” Johnson said. “It changed the momentum of the game. We were able to build our lead.”

The Crusaders battled back to tie it 40-40 after three quarters and took a 43-40 lead on Henderson’s 3-pointer early in the fourth.

St. Rita answered with the next eight points, including five from Indrusaitis, a transfer from Lemont.

The game’s biggest momentum swing came when Brother Rice, trailing 49-45, missed five shots on one possession. The Mustangs then went the other way and Brown threw down a huge alley-oop dunk off a pass from Jordan Chandler.

“We were unable to get the rebound on the possession before, so it was good we were able to get out in transition and make a play,” Brown said.  “I feel like that’s where we’re most dangerous as a team, in transition, with the size and athleticism we have on the wings playing with me and Morez.

“That’s our greatest strength as a team and I’m glad we were able to utilize it.”

Brown hit four free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Brown was also impressed with how Indrusaitis performed in his first big Catholic League road game.

“I see him embrace it a lot,” Brown said. “Nojus is a great player. He’s got incredible talent. He knows how to score the ball. I’m glad to see him thriving in this type of environment. It’s really not easy coming on the road in the Catholic League and getting a win so I’m really happy to see him thriving.”

Despite the defeat, Henderson put on a show against a team filled with high-major recruits.

“There’s definitely a lot of motivation for me playing against guys like that,” Henderson said. “I’ve been kind of doubted my whole life. It’s a big motivator for me.”

Brother Rice responded from its first loss with a big 50-46 win over Bloom (5-2) on Dec. 11 at the Team Rose Shootout at Mount Carmel.

Henderson led again with 14 points, including two free throws with nine seconds left to seal the victory.

Fitch scored eight points, while Nick Niego, Tre Dowdell and Khalil Ross each had six points.

The Crusaders stepped up huge defensively down the stretch to hold despite scoring only two points — on Henderson’s free throws — in the entire fourth quarter. Bloom managed just six points in the quarter.

“It’s a really big win after our first loss,” Brother Rice coach Conte Stamas said. “That was a big game for us Friday night. We gave the guys Saturday off and just prepped for this game [Sunday] morning. It really was big to bounce right back.”

Local News

Sinead Cannon, 15, of Oak Lawn, found the perfect dress at Mother McAuley's Mother’s Club Graduation and Prom Dress Resale. (Supplied photos)

Mother McAuley gives new life to prom, graduation dresses 

By Kelly White  Finding the perfect prom dress can be costly and stressful. The task was made a little easier for students this year thanks to the Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School Mother’s Club’s Graduation and Prom Dress Resale. The event took place February 18-19 at the high school located at 3737 W. 99th…

Leticia Vilhena Ferreira, 33, of Indian Head Park (circled) inside the Capitol on January 6, 2021. (Photo courtesy of FBI)

Brazilian woman from Indian Head Park charged in Capitol invasion 

By Bob Bong  A woman from Indian Head Park was charged last week in the January 6, 2021, invasion of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Leticia Vilhena Ferreira, 32, told FBI investigators last April that she was a Brazilian citizen in this country on a work visa and, despite not voting for him, had…

Safaa Zarzour

SD229 names former board to replace Cruz 

By Bob Bong  Oak Lawn High School District 229 board members opted for a familiar face to replace ousted school board member Rob Cruz. Former board member Safaa Zarzour, 58, was named last week to fill Cruz’s term. Cruz was removed from the board by a 6-1 vote at a special board meeting on January…

Richard Chavez, 24, of Oak Park, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Charisma Ehresman of Forest View. (Booking photo)

Oak Park man charged in Forest View woman’s murder

By Carol McGowan and Bob Bong A 24-year-old Oak Park man has been arrested and charged in the strangulation death last month of 20-year-old Charisma Ehresman, of Forest View. Richard Chavez, of the 600 block of South Maple Street in Oak Park, was arrested on February 18 at Cook County Jail where he was already…

Kathy Headley

Years later, he still takes the cake

By Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 In the past I’ve started columns dated Feb. 25 by giving a shout out to former Beatle George Harrison, who would have celebrated his 79th birthday today. Today is no different. He was my favorite of the Fab…

Joan Hadac

Laff-Jam coming to St. Bede, no foolin’

By Joan Hadac GSWNH Columnist At-Large joan.hadac@gmail.com Once again this week, it’s my privilege and pleasure to write the Greater Southwest News-Herald’s column for Greater Ashburn (the Wrightwood, Ashburn, Parkview and Scottsdale neighborhoods). As usual, there are plenty of interesting things happening in this special, vibrant part of Chicago. St. Bede School’s athletics program is…

Mary Stanek

Best of all, spring is coming

By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 284-7394 Mardi Gras, Paczki Day, Fat Tuesday and the start of the Lenten season all happen this coming week. But the absolute best part is, March is here. Spring is just around the corner (we can only hope).…

Peggy Zabicki

A sweet treat, right on 63rd Street

By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327 Hi neighbors! Today is Chocolate Covered Nuts Day. Celebrate wisely. I suggest a trip to Villa’s Nuts and Candy, 4635 W. 63rd St. They have scrumptious chocolate-covered everything and so much more. Call them for information on days and hours at (773) 581-8313. There is…

Olympic Silver Medalist Abbey Murphy was welcomed back to her home block on 92nd and Ridgeway Avenue in Evergreen Park Thursday night. She stands here alongside Evergreen Park Mayor Kelly Burke (left). (Photos by Kelly White)

Warm homecoming on cold, snowy night for Olympian Abbey Murphy

By Kelly White Streets lined with residents welcomed back USA Olympic Silver Medalist Abbey Murphy Thursday night to Evergreen Park. The Evergreen Park community has been cheering on 19-year-old Murphy as she and Team USA battled in the women’s hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Countless residents have decorated their houses and proudly…

The late CPD Officer Ella French. --Supplied photo

St. Patrick’s Day parade dedicated to Officer Ella French

Heroism, sacrifice to be honored By Tim Hadac A 29-year-old woman remembered as a hero and martyr among many—in Chicago and elsewhere—will be saluted at the Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day parade, set for Saturday, March 12. The late Chicago Police Officer Ella French, shot to death during a traffic stop near 63rd and Bell…

Neighbors

Federal judge strikes down Illinois assault weapons ban, setting up likely appeal

Federal judge strikes down Illinois assault weapons ban, setting up likely appeal

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – A federal judge in East St. Louis on Friday struck down Illinois’ assault weapons ban on the grounds that it violates the Second and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution and issued an order barring the state from enforcing it. That order, however, was stayed for 30 days, giving the…

Illinois school Superintendent Tony Sanders discusses strategy to boost math scores

Illinois school Superintendent Tony Sanders discusses strategy to boost math scores

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education recently released the 2024 School Report Card, showing a record-high proficiency rate for students in grades 3-8 in English language arts while math scores still have not fully recovered from the low point they hit during the pandemic. In response, ISBE has announced plans…

Jury sees relentless ComEd job placement requests from Madigan co-defendant

Jury sees relentless ComEd job placement requests from Madigan co-defendant

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Had they been any other job applicants, electric utility Commonwealth Edison likely wouldn’t have given a second look to candidates who made “politically inappropriate” comments during an interview, failed basic screening tests or didn’t even show up to take those tests – twice. Some of the company’s top executives wouldn’t…

Wiretaps show McClain arranging checks for Madigan loyalist fired after #MeToo allegations

Wiretaps show McClain arranging checks for Madigan loyalist fired after #MeToo allegations

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – It had been a tumultuous winter and spring for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as he was forced to fire or distance himself from several top allies, three of whom were accused of sexual harassment at the height of the #MeToo movement. But after the seismic events of June 6,…

Utility assistance applications open for low-income Illinoisans

Utility assistance applications open for low-income Illinoisans

Capitol News Illinois The state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is accepting applications for all households beginning Friday, Nov. 1. The program offers financial assistance for utility bills to low-income families. Other discounts are also available, even if someone is not enrolled in LIHEAP. Applications opened on Oct. 1 for adults age 60 and…

Statewide effort planned to boost student math scores

Statewide effort planned to boost student math scores

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois education officials plan to launch a statewide initiative over the next several months aimed at boosting student performance in math. State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders made that announcement during a recent media briefing to unveil the most recent school report card. That annual report shows how individual schools,…

Pritzker’s budget office projects $3.2B deficit in early look at upcoming fiscal year

Pritzker’s budget office projects $3.2B deficit in early look at upcoming fiscal year

Capitol News Illinois The first extensive public look at next year’s state finances contains a warning to lawmakers from the governor’s office: “The ability to fund new programs will be severely limited” next fiscal year. That comes from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, which projected a potential budget shortfall of $3.2 billion for…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Jury sees more evidence surrounding payments to Madigan campaign worker ousted for sexual harassment

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – On the eve of his retirement announcement in late 2016, longtime Statehouse lobbyist Mike McClain wrote letters to longtime colleagues, expressing his appreciation for them. In one letter – shown to four federal juries in the last two years – McClain effusively praised his close friend, then-Illinois House Speaker Michael…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

It’s Election Day. Officials ask for patience in waiting on the results.

Capitol News Illinois By Matt Vasilogambros,Stateline It’s Election Day in America. Voters are heading to the polls in one of the most consequential elections in American history. In a politically polarized country, potential delays in reporting results might further fuel conspiracy theories that have spread widely. Across the country, more than 77 million voters already…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

‘They were being paid as a favor to Mike Madigan’: Feds’ star witness takes stand

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – As chief lobbyist for electric utility Commonwealth Edison, Fidel Marquez had an expansive role that put him in charge of “approximately 130, 135 people.” But in June 2013, more than a year into that job, Marquez received an email about someone he was ostensibly supposed to be overseeing – but…