Scoring is only part of Yigit Akgunlu’s job for Reavis. “I try to be a leader out there,” Akgunlu said after a 54-53 loss to visiting Tinley Park on Dec. 5. “I want to get our guys going. That’s the most important thing. … “We’re sort of a young team with only one senior starter. […]
Category: DVN Prep Sports
R-B’s Cameron Mercer takes inspiration from dad
Like most prep athletes, Riverside-Brookfield’s Cameron Mercer is always looking for ways to improve his game. There’s one method available to him that most kids don’t have, however: highlight clips from his dad’s highly successful career. Mercer’s father Ron was a high-school national player of the year and the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year […]
Karson Thomas fits right in at Marist
If Marist coach Brian Hynes didn’t want to check his phone during the offseason, who could blame him? “There was a couple rough days I was at work, and twice I just got pictures of X-rays,” Hynes said after the RedHawks raced past Hyde Park 62-31 on Dec. 7 at the Chicago Elite Classic. “So […]
Mike Walsh’s Final Football Top 10
Three state finalists from the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area. Three state champions. As the final Top 10 of the 2024 season is published, we’d like to laud Mount Carmel for winning its 16th overall state title – an Illinois record – and third in a row. The Caravan are the Class 7A champs. For Nazareth, […]
Richards’ Myles Mitchell signs with North Dakota State
Myles Mitchell is one of the state’s premier running backs, with a bright future with one of the nation’s best FCS programs. But the path hasn’t always been easy for the Richards senior, who made his college commitment to North Dakota State official during a signing ceremony on Dec. 4. “Eighth grade was kind of […]
Chicago Christian’s C.J. Cesario is Southwest Regional Football Coach of the Year
The seeds for Chicago Christian’s stunning rise to supremacy in football were planted beginning last year, at Maroa-Forsyth, which dominated the Knights 42-6 in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. “That stuck in my craw,” lineman Brock Sperling said. “We were only down 14-6 at the half.” More seeds were planted this year, […]
Mount Carmel’s Jack Elliott is Southwest Regional Football Player of the Year
It was common knowledge that Mount Carmel quarterback Jack Elliott was playing hurt this year. Exactly how much he was hurt didn’t come out till after the Caravan wrapped up a three-peat on a frigid evening in Normal last month. Elliott accounted for 416 total yards and seven touchdowns as the Caravan rolled past Batavia […]
Adam Nissen out as St. Laurence football coach
A year after leading St. Laurence to its first state championship game in 44 years, Adam Nissen is out as St. Laurence football coach. The school announced in a statement on Dec. 13 that Nissen’s coaching contract will not be renewed, ending his six-year tenure. “I’m still in complete shock,” Vikings senior running back Harley […]
Southwest Regional basketball roundup, Dec. 18-19
Dec. 19 Boys Curie 64, Phillips 47: Michael Oliver Jr. scored 15 points as the Condors (7-1, 4-1) won in the Public League Red Shield. Jahkil Jackson added 11 points, while Brad Johnson Jr. contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. Kennedy 79, Horizon-Southwest 30: Jovanni Navarrete (16 points, 12 rebounds) and Joseph Dahl (10 points, […]
Southwest Regional basketball roundup, Dec. 17
Boys Addison Trail 79, Evergreen Park 72: Keshaun Vaval’s 33 points paced the Mustangs (4-4). Lenear Bolden added 19 points and Anshawn scored 12. Crete-Monee 63, Richards 49: Travon Gourdine scored 28 points and Nick Jafilan for the Bulldogs (2-7). Curie 86, Taft 42: Michael Oliver Jr., Tobyus Banks and Kendall Holliday scored 12 points […]
