St. Rita's Morez Johnson, an Illinois recruit, scored 16 points in Friday's sectional championship loss to Kenwood. Photo by Jeff Vorva
St. Rita’s season comes to end against Kenwood
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
If this St. Rita team returns intact next season, look out.
The Mustangs were six minutes away from winning their first sectional championship, holding a six-point lead against top-seeded Kenwood at the Class 4A Thornwood Sectional on March 4.
The Broncos, however, roared back and went on a roll the rest of the way for a 75-68 victory and the program’s first sectional title.
For St. Rita, there is plenty of reason for optimism moving forward. The Mustangs started two juniors, two sophomores and a freshman, and two players who came off the bench were freshmen.
However, high-level basketball being what it is, it can’t be ruled out those players will not return in 2022-23. Players transfer and the Mustangs have already lost one talented player. Jaedin Reyna, a sophomore who was a starter this season — and who has an offer from Illinois — left the team toward the end of the season.
So, nothing is guaranteed.
St. Rita Coach Roshawn Russell said he was happy with the steps his team took this season.
Junior Kaiden Space scored a team-high 19 points against Kenwood Friday night at the Class 4A Thornwood Sectional. Photo by Jeff Vorva
The Mustangs played national competition, scored 111 points in a wild shootout against Yorkville Christian, finished 11-3 in a strong Chicago Catholic League Blue conference, and got revenge on Homewood-Flossmoor for a 61-59 regular-season loss with a 68-58 victory over the Vikings in the sectional semifinals.
“We’re battle-tested now and we’ll be ready next year,” said sophomore Morez Johnson, an Illinois recruit who scored 16 points against Kenwood.
“I don’t want our guys to hold their heads down about anything,” added junior Kaiden Space, who led the Mustangs with 19 points in the sectional title game. “This year, it’s been the farthest we have been [in the playoffs] in school history. We made history and it’s time to get over that hump next year, and I guarantee we’ll be back.”
Kenwood junior Solomon Mosley, a transfer from St. Rita, started against his former team in the sectional championship. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Local News
Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.
Neighbors
As state continues to inventory lead pipes, full replacement deadlines are decades away
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, but they are still in use across the U.S. and in Illinois. The presence of lead pipes has persisted due in part to…
Capitol Briefs: State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Tackling homelessness requires addressing racial injustice, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. The report found that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Remedying this disparity, according to the report, would require “long-term…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Bears pitch $3.2B stadium plan, but Pritzker still ‘skeptical’ despite team’s $2B pledge
By DILPREET RAJU & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com The Chicago Bears laid out a $3.2 billion plan for a new domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront on Wednesday afternoon, painting pictures of future Super Bowls and other major public events while pinning their hopes on yet-to-be-had conversations with the governor and lawmakers. The Bears…
Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Natural gas is fueling a fight between consumer advocates, a powerful utility company and the state. Amid competing advertising campaigns, accusations of mismanagement and state decarbonization efforts, the Illinois Commerce Commission is starting a process that will shape how the state regulates the increasingly controversial industry. …
Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois Clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A mining truck manufactured by Komatsu was crowned the winner of the 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “the coolest thing made in Illinois” at the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday. The truck was one of more than 200 entries in the 5th annual contest hosted…
Giannoulias calls for disclosure of lobbyist contracts
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – For decades, lobbyists in the Illinois Statehouse have been required to report how much they spend wining, dining and entertaining lawmakers. Currently, though, there is no law requiring lobbyists to disclose how much they are paid by corporations, industry groups or other special interest organizations. That…
Illinois Senate advances changes to state’s biometric privacy law after business groups split
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than a year since the Illinois Supreme Court “respectfully suggest(ed)” state lawmakers clarify a law that’s led to several multi-million-dollar settlements with tech companies over the collection of Illinoisans’ biometric data. On Thursday, a bipartisan majority in the Illinois Senate did just that,…
Illinoisans can now get documents notarized online
By ALEX ABBEDUTO Capitol News Illinois abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office. This process is one of the latest initiatives of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ ongoing effort to modernize the office and its services. Notaries…
Prairie Band Potawatomi becomes 1st federally recognized tribe in Illinois
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Nearly 200 years after Native Americans were forced out of Illinois, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has become the first federally recognized tribal nation in the state after a decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior last week. The move represents the first victory in the tribe’s…