Football Class 4A Playoffs | Les, Ball lead St. Laurence over Dixon
By Mike Walsh Correspondent Sharing a backfield with running backs Aaron Ball and Harley Rizzs, it’s easy for St. Laurence quarterback Evan Les to be overlooked. However, the senior signal-caller is quite proficient when carrying the ball. In the Vikings’ 31-21 victory over Dixon in the second round of the IHSA Class 4A playoffs —…
Football Wrap | Nazareth lays waste to Glenbard South, advances to 5A quarterfinals
By Mike Walsh Correspondent There’s just something about playing postseason football that suits Nazareth very well. Saturday afternoon in LaGrange Park, the Roadrunners (6-5) rolled into the Class 5A quarterfinals with a 42-0 victory over Glenbard South. Quarterback Logan Malachuk threw two TD passes, including a 17-yarder to Jake Cestone. Malachuk also scored on a…
College Notebook | JJ McCarthy keeps balling for Wolverines
By Mike Walsh Correspondent The plaudits are piling up for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The former Nazareth star was named the Big Ten’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week for Oct. 23, sharing the award with Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The LaGrange Park resident was also selected to the Davey O’Brien Great Eight…
Oak Lawn’s Walsh earns all sectional honors again
After finishing his third season on the Oak Lawn Community High School’s varsity boys soccer team this year, Dylan Walsh can admire some impressive numbers for himself. He scored 13 goals and five assists this season. He’s amassed 35 career goals. He’s contributed nine career assists. And now, he can reflect on earning his second…
It’s all Grevengoed | Family with volleyball bloodlines represents in supersectionals
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Between daughters, nieces and the other players he has coached, Troy Grevengoed enjoyed an elite season. The Chicago Christian girls volleyball coach took the Knights to Sandwich on Nov. 3 for play in the Class 2A supersectional – basically the IHSA’s version of the Elite Eight – where the team…
Minooka defense stymies Sandburg in 8A playoff opener
By Jason Maholy Sports Editor Sandburg’s potent offense never found its footing and the Eagles dropped their IHSA Class 8A playoff opener on a soggy night in Minooka. Junior quarterback Anthony Shelton hit Charlie Snorek on a 44-yard touchdown pass three minutes into the game, but the Eagles would not score again in a 27-7…
Richards rolls over Hubbard in first round of 6A playoffs
By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Six different Richards players found their way into the end zone in a 55-7 win over Hubbard to open the IHSA Class 6A playoffs. Richards needed just 93 seconds to drive the ball 57-yard for their first score of the game, a Myles Mitchell 5-yard rushing touchdown. Mitchell and his running…
Football Class 6A Playoffs | Kaneland knocks out Riverside-Brookfield for second straight year
By Kyle Garmes Correspondent Sam Styler is in only his second year as head coach at Riverside-Brookfield, but he’d probably prefer if the Bulldogs didn’t have to see Kaneland in a first-round playoff matchup for a while. For the second consecutive year, R-B’s season ended at the hand of the Knights in the opening round…
Girls Volleyball | Sandburg tops Homewood-Flossmoor for 19th straight regional title
By Randy Whalen Correspondent Kate Walsh had tears in her eyes as she made her way toward where her Sandburg teammates were taking group pictures. The senior outside hitter had a great match, helping the Eagles to another regional championship. Walsh walloped a match-high 15 kills as Sandburg defeated Homewood-Flossmoor 25-17, 21-25, 25-15 on Oct.…
Sandburg girls volleyball eyes 19th straight regional championship
By Randy Whalen Correspondent David Vales said it wasn’t a “win one for the Gipper” moment. But it was still special for the Sandburg coach. After a first half of the season spent in mediocrity, the Eagles got going and rolled to their first conference championship in five seasons. They defeated Lincoln-Way East, 25-18, 25-21,…
Red Stars Review | Swanson injury hurt season
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Was the Chicago Red Stars season doomed on April 8 in Austin, Texas? In a game they didn’t even play in? That’s when and where super-scorer Mallory Swanson, playing for the U.S. national team in a friendly against Ireland, was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after suffering a…
Area Sports Roundup | Sandburg’s running Giblins nearly produce twin titles
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer There were almost twin champions at the two Class 3A Marist Regional cross country meets. Literally. Sandburg senior Grant Giblin won the boys race on Oct. 21 in 15:16.53 on the 2.98-mile course at Midlothian Meadows, finishing more than eight seconds ahead of the next competitor. Giblin’s championship effort helped…
Girls State Tennis | Sisters from Sandburg take 2nd in doubles; Marist’s Klooster finishes 6th
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Orland Park is not known as a hotbed of tennis. But at the 2023 IHSA girls tennis state tournament, three players from the village made a lot of noise. The sister doubles team of Maia and Estela Loureiro finished second in the Class 2A state finals, held Oct. 19-21 at…
Richards tops Reavis for 22nd straight time, enters playoffs on seven-game win streak
By Mike Walsh Correspondent Among are public schools, Richards has arguably the richest tradition when it comes to football. The Bulldogs have won two state titles (1988, 1989), 34 league championships and qualified for the playoffs 37 of the past 38 seasons. That includes this year, in which Richards enters the postseason on a seven-game…
Brother Rice tops St. Rita to clinch playoff berth
By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Brother Rice entered its final regular-season matchup needing fifth win to be eligible for a spot in the IHSA playoffs. Their opponent, St. Rita, had won the week before to avoid being in the same situation. But with the goal of a deep playoff run and the opportunity to earn a…
Argo makes Class 7A playoffs, will open against top-seeded Normal
By Mike Walsh Correspondent After addressing his Argonauts following their comeback victory over T.F. South in the regular-season finale — a win that two days later officially punched their ticket to the IHSA playoffs for a second straight season — Argo head coach Phil Rossberg stood by himself in the south end zone. Rossberg, standing…
Argo’s girls varsity tennis team wins South Suburban Red title
Argo High School’s girls varsity tennis has won the South Suburban Red conference title for the fourth time in school history. Prior to this season, the last title was won in 2017. This year’s team consists of Gabriela Dabrowski, Olivia Dlugi, Abigail Grenier, Julia Grenier, Ashley Jauregui, Sofia Jauregui-Ibarra, Athena Litsogiannis, Olivia Lopez, Lana Murphy, Isabel…
EP hands Argo 3rd straight loss, playoff berth in jeopardy
By Mike Walsh Qualifying for the IHSA state playoffs in back-to-back campaigns has proven to be elusive for Argo. The program has never made postseason appearances in consecutive years, and entered Week 8 needing one win in its last two games to get to five victories and a likely playoff berth. Six wins clinches a…
Area Sports Roundup | SouthWest Suburban and DuPage Valley merging for football
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Taking a page out of the Chicago Catholic League-East Suburban Catholic Conference playbook, the SouthWest Suburban Conference and DuPage Valley Conference are forming a football alliance that will begin play next season. Lockport Township High School Superintendent Robert McBride confirmed the merger in a statement. Nine of the 10 current…
Tennis and Cross Country | Eagles soar to titles
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer It was a Sandburg Saturday. It was raining and reigning on Oct. 14 as the Orland Park school was able to add three titles to its collection of hardware in cross country and girls tennis. The Eagles won their ninth straight girls tennis sectional title, scoring 29 points and holding…
Red Stars Report | Rapinoe sinks Chicago with two goals in season finale
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Women’s soccer legend Carli Lloyd’s career ended on the SeatGeek Stadium field in 2021. There was a chance that another legend, Megan Rapinoe, was also going to play her final contest in Bridgeview. But the 38-year-old Rapinoe, who will retire after this season, will put those plans on hold for…
Argo’s Coach McCarthy hosts basketball clinics for area schools
By Carol McGowan Argo’s Head Girls Basketball Coach, Dan McCarthy, has been busy getting area students ready for their upcoming season, as well as ready for Argonaut basketball. McCarthy recently hosted two basketball clinics. One was at Heritage Middle School in Summit, and one was held at Argo High School in Summit. The first, a…
Hickory Hills native son completes 20th straight Chicago Marathon
By Dermot Connolly Hickory Hills native Steven Rice completed his 20th consecutive Chicago Marathon on Sunday—without losing much time from his first one two decades ago. “I didn’t do badly. It wasn’t my best and it wasn’t my worst,” Rice said on Monday. “What I am finding is, they are not getting any easier—maybe a bit…
Sandburg thumps Bolingbrook, earns right to play for conference crown
By Jason Maholy Sports Editor Sandburg running back Luke Basiorka’s teammates believe he is the best running back in Illinois. The sophomore breakout star endearingly referred to as “Bazooka” by his Eagles brethren isn’t ready to declare himself such just yet, but he is working hard to be in that conversation. In a Week 7…
Football Wrap | Evergreen Park tops Eisenhower, likely earns playoff spot
By Mike Walsh Correspondent In his first year as the head coach at Evergreen Park, Jim Ramazinski has had plenty of items to address on his to-do list. One of them, however, was not finding a bell-cow running back. Senior Antonio Clay-Jones is a three-year starter who is both talented and reliable. One week after…
Cool Kids see Santa
. Several dozen special-needs boys and girls were let in early at the Midway Chamber of Commerce’s annual Snack With Santa, held earlier this month at Mayfield Banquets. The special time was the brainchild of the Midway Cool Kids Club, a social club founded earlier this year by Geno Randazzo of All Exterior Contractors. The…
Palos 118 school board member honored for continued learning
Pam Paris, a member of the Palos School District 118 Board of Education, has been recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards for her participation in a number of professional development and leadership activities during her service as a school board member. IASB recognizes school board members who show a dedication and desire to learn more about local school governance, adding to their leadership skills, knowledge of state and national educational issues, and commitment to serving in trust of their community and their students. Paris acquired 40 credits to earn IASB’s Board Leader Recognition status. Because of Paris’ ongoing commitment to…
Nazareth Academy girls’ art on religious Christmas cards
. From staff reports Two local girls are among four students at Nazareth Academy whose works of art are available on the CSJ (Congregation of St. Joseph) Ministry of the Arts website for free download Christmas cards. “These four incredible art students have become part of the tradition honored by the CSJ Sisters to spread…
Pekau encourages discussions between residents and officials
By Jeff Vorva Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau was philosophical about local and national politics. During the Dec. 4 village board meeting, he relayed a story about some events he recently attended and how he got to know some high-profile politicians in a more relaxed setting, and he encouraged residents of Orland Park to do…
Openlands grant brings 40 new trees to Justice park
From staff reports A total of 40 new trees were recently planted at Commissioners Park in Justice thanks to an Openlands TreePlanters Grant awarded to the Justice Park District. Over 50 people gathered on October 28 to participate in the tree planting event, including community members, volunteers, Openlands staff, Justice Park District staff and commissioners,…
High 5 Heights retail shop opens in Palos Heights
By Kelly White The first retail store to train, employ, sell products made by adults with special needs opened its doors in Palos Heights. The store, called, High 5 Heights at 12213 S. Harlem, Palos Heights, provides a new era of opportunity for adult students with special needs within the District 218 community. High 5…
Fine, community service for woman who killed man in fatal accident
Victim’s family outraged over outcome By Steve Metsch Six months after the car she was driving hit and killed Murod Kurdi, Leanne Cusack had her day in court. On Tuesday, she was found guilty of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident – the only charge against her – for the fatal June 5…
Palos Heights celebrates holiday season at Kris Kringle Market
By Kelly White The Palos Heights community welcomed in the Christmas season by showcasing its small-town charm and holiday cheer this past weekend. Residents from Palos Heights, along with those from surrounding communities, came out to celebrate the Holidays in the Heights at the city’s Kris Kringle Market on December 1 and December 2 at…
Unique, cheerful, local crafts at Hale Park
. By Tim Hadac Editor Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound . I’ve never been one to decorate for Christmas, just for the sake of decorating. And I’m not a fan of many of the things we see these days. I’ll take a pass on Christmas decorations that involve images of celebrities, pro sports logos, off-color jokes,…
Keeping fighters flying
Garfield Ridge native Brandon Tapia recently graduated from U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training with honors – a recognition earned by only the top 10% of each class. After Air Force BMT, airmen begin technical training to learn the technical skills needed to perform in their career field specialties. The field Tapia will be…
Offer cash reward in Chrysler Village slaying
. By Tim Hadac . Someone somewhere knows who shot and killed Misael Sanchez. To help bring that person forward, the Cook County Crime Stoppers group is offering a cash reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the killer’s arrest. Sanchez, 23, was shot in the 5200 block of West 64th Place (close…
OLCHS Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive aids needy
By Kelly White Donating to those in need during the holiday season are students at Oak Lawn Community High School. The Student Council at the high school, 9400 Southwest Hwy. in Oak Lawn, recently hosted its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. “I like the Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive because it’s an opportunity to give back…