When Manteno and Bishop McNamara get together for boys basketball, there is more on the line than just wins and losses.
The coaching staffs from both schools got together and raised money and collected stuffed animals for patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago when the programs battled in Kankakee last season.
This year, the Panthers and Fighting Irish were scheduled to get together on Jan. 13 with Harbor House being the recipient of either money or items of need.
Harbor House, based in Kankakee, provides safety, resources and hope for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
“I talked with some people and this is a local organization who I think we can really help,” Panthers coach Zack Myers said. “My freshman coach, Zairius West, is a Manteno police officer so he has had a lot of interaction with them before.
“I feel like as a school and as a district we have a connection with the people who work there.”
Myers said that last year’s event at McNamara was a success.
“We made it a big community thing,” he said. “We brought in two students from each school who were cancer survivors and recognized them before the game.”
He said it raised more than $1,000 in cash and six industrial-sized garbage bags full of stuffed toys for the Lurie patients.
“It was a crazy amount because each player brought one and each cheerleader brought one and multiple fans brought several stuffed animals,” Myers said. “I’m hoping we can have as big of an effect this year.”
Those who were unable to attend but want to donate may visit harborhousedv.org.
Manteno brought in an 8-8 record into the game after a 52-38 Illinois Central Eight win over Coal City Jan. 9 at home, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Ramsey Owens had 19 points and Quinn Campbell added 16.
Three losses this season have been by less than five points.
“We’re a little younger this year and we’re going through the growing pains,” Myers said. “We’re learning about ourselves and learning how to adjust to varsity basketball.
“With starting three sophomores and playing two more, there is a big learning curve there so we’re just learning and we’re being competitive in games. Now we have to figure out how to win them.”
Know your assignments
The IHSA recently released its postseason basketball assignments
For the boys, in Class 1A, Illinois Lutheran and Grant Park are in the Momence Sectional.
Manteno, Beecher and Peotone are in the Class 2A Seneca Sectional. Manteno is in Sub-Sectional A while Beecher and Peotone are in Sub-Sectional B.
In Class 3A, Crete-Monee is at the Hillcrest Sectional.
In girls Class 1A, Grant Park is in Sub-Sectional B of the Iroquois West Sectional and Illinois Lutheran is in Sub-Sectional A of the Fenger Sectional.
In 2A, Manteno, Peotone and Beecher are in Sub-Sectional B of the Pontiac Sectional.
In 3A, Crete-Monee is in the Hillcrest Sectional.
Wall of Famers
Manteno announced its 2026 Wall of Fame inductees, who will be honored on Jan. 23, the night the Panthers play host to Peotone.
Volleyball coach Cheryl Davis, soccer player Christian Davis and golf coach/basketball announcer Pat Mellin will be inducted.