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Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Dec. 4-5

Dec. 5 Boys TF North 67, Argo 52: Kassam Saleh scored 15 for the Argonauts (2-3, 0-1 South Suburban Red). Girls Reavis 49, Tinley Park 25: Emily Grochola scored 13 points to lead the Rams (4-2, 1-0 South Suburban Red) past the Titans. Shepard 52, TF South 49: Jessica Manley’s 21 points helped the Astros…

With his mom Nicole at his side, Richards running back Myles Mitchell made his college commitment to North Dakota State official on Dec. 4. Photo by Mike Clark

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…

Brad Johnson Jr. scored a game-high 19 points to help Curie rally past Lane 48-46 on Dec. 5. Photo by Mike Clark

Brad Johnson Jr. finds range, leads Curie past Lane

Facing what was literally a tall task against Lane on Dec. 5, Curie was in serious need of a spark. Brad Johnson Jr. provided it. Led by 6-foot-10 Penn recruit Dalton Scantlebury, Lane is one of the area’s biggest teams. Curie was undersized by comparison in the Public League Red Shield opener and trailed by…

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Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Dec. 2-3

Dec. 3 Boys Andrew 72, Argo 50: Darron Greer Jr. led the Argonauts (2-2) with 14 points. Evergreen Park 70, U-High 58: Keshaun Vaval had 25 points to lead the Mustangs (3-1). Lonnie Mosley added 17 points and Camryn Dandridge grabbed 14 rebounds. Lemont 65, Stagg 35: Omar Barakat scored 17 for the Chargers (0-4).…

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Football signing day: Local recruits

Here is a list of football players in the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area committed to Division I schools. Please email additions or corrections to mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com. Brother Rice Tyler Lofton, RB, Illinois State Jimmie Maxson, WR, North Dakota Charlie Stec, Edge, Western Illinois Lyons Tyler Chambers, OL, Northern Illinois Travis Stamm, WR, Illinois State Marist…

Junior Michael Oliver Jr. will be counted on for scoring and leadership for Curie this season. Photo by Mike Clark

Michael Oliver Jr. offers veteran presence for new-look Curie

There are a lot of new faces at Curie this winter. Gone are the five senior starters from a 31-3 team that won the Public League title and lost by two points to eventual Class 4A champion Homewood-Flossmoor in the Elite Eight. But veteran coach Mike Oliver is back and so is his son, junior…

Argo's Kassam Saleh tries to split defenders on his way to the basket for a layup against Plainfield South on Nov. 27. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Boys basketball notebook: Kassam Saleh, Argo aiming high this season

Kassam Saleh is ready to set the tone for Argo. “As time goes on you gain the most experience on the team and become that leader for everyone else,” said Saleh, a senior guard. “They follow you.” The Argonauts finished runner-up in the John McBride Classic at Stagg, falling 50-44 to Plainfield South on Nov.…

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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Kenny Jager’s running powers Chicago Christian to semifinal win

At 5-foot-7, height isn’t something that Chicago Christian running back Kenny Jager has much of. In terms of heart, however, the senior running back possesses that in abundant amounts. Last Saturday afternoon, Jager carried 37 times for 217 yards and three touchdowns as the Knights defeated host Farmington 34-20 to earn Chicago Christian’s first trip…

Several Worth-Ridge Panthers youth players wrapped up their Richards career on Nov. 23. They are (standing from left): Seamus Doyle, Austin Synoga, Chase Dryier, Nathan Cole, Robert Humbles and (kneeling) Khalil Lavalle. Photo by Tim Cronin

Richards’ season ends with semifinal loss to East St. Louis

EAST ST. LOUIS – Often the end is sudden, unexpected. Great plans are made and then upended. So it was on Saturday for Richards. The Bulldogs walked into Clyde C. Jordan Memorial Stadium hopeful, knowing they were playing a fleet favorite in the East St. Louis Flyers, but believing they had a chance in the…

Chicago Christian football players celebrate the school's first state championship in a boys sport after defeating Maroa-Forsyth 47-0 on Nov. 29. Photo by Tim Cronin

Kenny Jager, Christian Flutman lead Chicago Christian to Class 2A state title

NORMAL – They’ve been playing football at Chicago Christian since 1968, when the Knights, long a basketball power, kicked off with a sophomore team. The varsity squad began in 1969. The IHSA began the state football playoffs five years later. For a long time, Chicago Christian and football championship games were mutually exclusive concepts. Friday,…

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Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Nov. 27

Boys Benet 66, De La Salle 47: Charles Barnes had 19 points for the host Meteors (2-1) in the pool-play loss at the De La Salle-St. Ignatius Tournament. De La Salle will play for third place at home at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Brother Rice 79, Zion-Benton 25: Jack Weigus’ 18 points led the two-time defending…

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Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Nov. 26

Boys Argo 54, Stagg 50: Kassam Saleh scored 16 points and Syncere Westbrook had 15 as the Argonauts (2-0) edged the host Chargers (0-2) at the McBride Classic. Domas Narcevicius scored a game-high 18 for Stagg. De La Salle 68, King 48: Charles Barnes scored 19 points to help the Meteors move to 2-0 overall…

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Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Nov. 22-25

Nov. 25 Boys Argo 67, Nazareth 64: Kassam Saleh had a game-high 22 points and Darron Greer Jr. added 15 as the Argonauts edged the Roadrunners in the McBride Classic at Stagg. Matthew Callahan’s 1 points led Nazareth. Brother Rice 67, Thornwood 45: Marcos Gonzales scored a game-high 18 points as the Crusaders opened play…

Mount Carmel quarterback Jack Elliott looks for a receiver during a 43-24 Class 7A quarterfinal win over St. Rita on Nov. 23. Photo by Jerrold D. Berry | Alpha Photography

Jack Elliott throws five TD passes as Mount Carmel rolls past St. Rita

It wasn’t that Mount Carmel defeated St. Rita in the Class 7A state semifinal between the two teams that was so surprising. After all, in nine postseason meetings, the Caravan have won eight times. Rather, it’s the dominant way in which Mount Carmel won that was striking. St. Rita – which shut out Quincy in…

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Mike Walsh’s Football Top 10, Week 14

1. MOUNT CARMEL (10-3) Last week: 7A, Beat St. Rita 43-24 This week: vs. Batavia Comment: Mount Carmel defeated Batavia in the state title game in 2022 and the semifinals last season. Caravan looking for 16th state championship. 2. ST. RITA (10-3) Last week: 7A, Lost to Mount Carmel 43-24 This week: Season over Comment: In nine playoff matchups all-time,…

Oak Lawn Park District hosted its annual Howl-O-Ween on Oct. 19 at the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge, located at 109th Street and Laramie Avenue in Oak Lawn. (Supplied photos)

Oak Lawn’s Howl-O-Ween Brings Thrills, Chills, and Family Fun

On a crisp October evening, the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge transformed into a magical, spooky wonderland as families gathered for Oak Lawn’s annual Howl-O-Ween celebration. Laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves, while costumed children raced from one activity station to the next, collecting treats and creating memories under the twilight sky. The Oak Lawn Park…

Jill Stein’s suburban campaign stop in Orland Park. (Photos by Julius Allen)

Presidential candidate Jill Stein advocates for People Power at Green Party Forum in Orland Park

Nonprofit organizations Al Hub and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) co-hosted a Q&A forum on Wednesday, Oct. 16, featuring Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein. Held at an office building in Orland Park, located at 16101 S. 108th Avenue, the event showcased the Green Party’s focus on community-driven activism, branding itself as a…

The Oak Lawn girls volleyball team won the SSC Red title for the second year in a row. (Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn Community High School)

Oak Lawn girls volleyball repeats at SSC Red champs

The Oak Lawn Community High School girls volleyball team opened the season steamrolling the competition. In fact, they repeated as champions at the Fenton Bison Blast-off Tournament, and didn’t even lose a single set before heading into their own Spartan Classic in late September. They finished fourth there, but they learned how to react when…

Wolniak Funeral Home has erected a huge Day of the Dead altar. (Photo by Kathy Headley)

Wolniak Funeral Home celebrates Day of the Dead

The 102-year-old Wolniak Funeral Home has served generations of families throughout the years. Sitting on the southwest corner of 57th and Pulaski, the Polish Funeral Home is reaching out with what they are calling a “legacy of love to the community.” Respecting the traditions and heritage of the Hispanic members of the community, the folks…

Burbank Police Chief Jack Garcia discusses most recent arrest and ticket numbers and the support for the 12-hour schedule change at the Oct. 23 meeting. (Photo by Sean Kirchman)

Burbank police adopt a 12-hour work schedule

Burbank police will make permanent a trial program that moved them from working eight-hour tours to now working 12-hour shifts. The city approved the work schedule at its Oct. 23 city council meeting. The city confirmed the 12-hour work schedule memorandum of understanding with the Illinois Council of Police. This means that Burbank police officers,…

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Bridgeview man faces felony charges in carjacking, armed robbery spree

Two men were charged Thursday with multiple felonies after a series of armed robberies and a carjacking in Chicago, authorities said. James Robinson, 21, of the 100 block of East 119th Street in Chicago, and Damian Macias, 21, of the 8800 block of South Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, were arrested by the Citywide Vehicular Hijacking…

Tommy Lotto and Crew split the purchase of a Lucky Day Lotto ticket – and were shocked and thrilled when they realized it was worth a cool $1.4 million. (Photo courtesy of Illinois Lottery)

3 Midway-area friends win $1.4 million playing Lucky Day Lotto

Three Illinois Lottery players went in together on a Lucky Day Lotto ticket and struck big – winning $1.4 million. The lucky three, nicknamed “Tommy Lotto and Crew,” have been friends for decades. Tommy purchased the jackpot-winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket for the Monday, October 4, midday drawing at his local Mobil gas station near…

WWII Army veteran Rich Olund (center) celebrated his 100th birthday at Lumes in Palos Heights. Also pictured, Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters, John Wall and Ernie Yamich. (Photo by Nuha Abdessalam)

WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday at favorite pancake spot

World War II veteran Rich Olund celebrated his 100th birthday sipping coffee with his best friend at his favorite diner, Lumes Pancake House in Palos Heights. He drew quite a crowd. Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters and Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau even stopped by to wish the local centenarian a happy birthday at a…

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Palos Bridge Club bonds boomers and beyond

In the 1970s, while attending the University of Illinois in Champaign, David Groebe looked for ways to spend his free time. Alongside some classmates, he discovered bridge – a game he calls “the ultimate trick-taking card game” and “one of the greatest card games played by four people.” “It started as something to do instead…

Orland Park Trustee Brian Riordan said problems with getting audits done on time are 'easily fixable.' Photo by Jeff Vorva

Orland Park Mayor Pekau criticizes state comptroller as village works to file late audits

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has called on the Village of Orland Park to address its financial reporting delays. Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau responded by suggesting Mendoza should focus on her own office’s reporting shortcomings. The village has yet to submit its 2022 and 2023 audits. Pekau attributed the delays to changes in auditors and…

Newly elected 8th District school board member Angel Gutierrez celebrates his win at Moe's Cantina in downtown Chicago on Nov. 5. (Photos by Robin Sluzas)

Gutierrez wins Chicago’s 8th District school board seat; CTU’s Lopez takes 7th District

While Tuesday’s election night at Moe’s Cantina on West Hubbard Street was filled with supporters of new Illinois Attorney General Eileen O’Neill Burke, Angel Gutierrez celebrated his 8th District school board victory in Chicago with a small group of supporters at the same venue. Gutierrez, a pro-school choice candidate, defeated Felix Ponce, who was backed…

Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School took to the polls during a mock election. The event, held on Monday, Nov. 4, engaged all 1,100 students and staff in a hands-on experience of civics and democracy. (Supplied photos)

Oak Lawn-Hometown students back Trump in mock election

Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School took to the polls during a mock election. Even though they were too young to actually vote, students at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School participated in a mock election. The event, held Monday, Nov. 4, engaged all 1,100 students and staff in a hands-on civics and democracy experience. “I liked that…