Spread the love
UChicago Medicine Primary Care Creative 51123 UCM 017 D523 SAMEDAY v12

Local Sports News

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Boys Volleyball | Reavis on cusp of 1st conference crown since 2018

By Randy Whalen Correspondent Reavis is having such a good season it’s scary. “It’s terrifying trying to win the conference,” Reavis sophomore outside hitter Joey Walus said. “Every team wants to beat us but we’re not going to allow it.” Walus walloped the match-winning kill as Reavis held off visiting Richards 25-19, 25-23 to move…

From left, Chicago's Arin Wright and Tierna Davidson jostle with Gotham's Taylor Smith on May 5 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Red Stars finish rough week with Gotham loss

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The first week of May was a bad week for the Chicago Red Stars, on and off the field. It started May 3 with a 3-0 loss at Houston in the first round of the Challenge Cup. The next day, the team fired general manager Michelle Lomnicki for a “lapse…

Nazareth graduate Ryan McGee, a goalie for the Concordia Chicago women’s lacrosse team, was named to the All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference First Team. Photo courtesy of Concordia University Chicago Athletics

College Notebook | Concordia Chicago goalie McGee named to lacrosse all-conference team

By Mike Walsh Correspondent Ryan McGee is one of four Concordia University Chicago women’s lacrosse athletes to be chosen to the 2023 All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Team. McGee, a goalie who prepped at Nazareth, was one of two Cougars named to the All-NACC First Team. For McGee, this marks her third consecutive All-NACC First Team…

John Nee celebrates his Hall of Fame induction with friends and family. St. Rita photo

Baseball and Softball Wrap | St. Rita coach Nee honored with HOF nod

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer John Nee looks back with fondness at his early baseball days, when he was a big-time slugger playing with his friends for West Lawn’s baseball team. “Neighborhood baseball was all it could be,” Nee said. “Everybody played for their neighborhood team, and we have some really good teams at West…

Roshawn Russell is changing jobs from head basketball coach at St. Rita to associate coach at St Laurence. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Area Sports Roundup | St. Rita hoops coach resigns for job at St. Laurence

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The spinning carousal continues for the St. Rita basketball program. By the time the 2023-24 campaign rolls around, the talented team that picked up national attention last season will look a whole lot different — and it’s not just about players transferring. Roshawn Russell, who coached the Mustangs the past…

st. laurence logo

Baseball | St. Laurence senior Luke Geary embraces role in ‘pen

By Steve Millar Correspondent Many pitchers would prefer the certainty and routine of knowing when they were going to take the mound. St. Laurence’s Luke Geary, though, enjoys always being on-call. The senior is thriving in a bullpen role. “I really like it,” Geary said. “The starters have one day a week where they have…

Orland Park native Dylan Jacobs, a graduate transfer who runs distance for the Tennessee track and field team, set a new personal record and three other all-time marks in his first outdoor event as a member of the Volunteers.. Photo By Cayce Smith/Tennessee Athletics

Distance runner Dylan Jacobs has set records at every level, and he has his eyes on the Olympics

By Mike Walsh Correspondent If there is anything that Dylan Jacobs has learned over the years, it’s that Mom is always right. As youth growing up in Orland Park, Jacobs — now a standout runner at the University of Tennessee — played soccer, baseball and basketball. One day, he decided he was done with soccer.…

Chicago Christian senior shortstop Lizzie Sedakis was hitting .836 with 10 homers through 18 games. The IHSA season record for batting average is .768, set in 2018. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Baseball and Softball Wrap | Lizzie Sedakis is a hitting machine for Chicago Christian

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer When Lizzie Sedakis was playing t-ball at age 5, her father gave her some advice. Dave Sedakis was not a baseball player in his high school days, but his hitting suggestions resonate with her today. “My dad taught me how to hit,” Lizzie said. “He taught me three points of…

The Chicago House's Anthony Smith, Jr., left and the Chicago Fire's Mauricio Pineda both leap during a Lamar Hunt Cup match at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Fire burn House, prep to host St. Louis in 3rd round of U.S. Open Cup

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Fire topped the House in the battle of Chicago and have a quick return trip to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. The Fire beat the House, 3-0, April 26 in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kendall Birks scored a brace and Kacper Przybylko had a…

Hannah Kilbane continues to be a force on the course for Saint Xavier University. Photo courtesy of Saint Xavier University Athletics

Area Sports Roundup | Kilbane, SXU heading to golf nationals

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Hannah Kilbane helped the Saint Xavier women’s golf team qualify for the NAIA nationals for just the second time in program history. Kilbane, a junior, needed a playoff hole to be crowned the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference champion, and her red-hot shooting on the second day of the conference tournament…

Evergreen Park Community High School will host the IHSA state eSports championships on April 29. (EPCHS photo)

Area gamers head to Evergreen Park this weekend for state finals

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The best high school gamers from all over the state will battle is out for various state championships in Evergreen Park this weekend. The Illinois High School Association’s second eSports state championships will be held on Saturday, April 29, at Evergreen Park Community High School after it was held at…

U.S. Women's hockey star Abbey Murphy scored a goal seven seconds into a game April 7 at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship.

Area Sports Roundup | U.S. hockey star Abbey Murphy scores quickest goal in tourney

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer At age 20, Abbey Murphy did something that will be difficult to top. In the United States women’s hockey victory over Switzerland on April 7 in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, the Mother McAuley graduate scored the quickest goal in an IIHF championship final, finding the net seven…

Luke Sefcki, a freshman second baseman at Central Michigan, had 10 hits in 16 at-bats, drove in six runs, totaled 10 bases and stole three bases over a four-game stretch. Photo courtesy of Central Michigan University Athletics

College Notebook | Freshman Luke Sefcik is a force for Chippewas

By Mike Walsh Correspondent Luke Sefcik, a Marist graduate who is playing baseball at Central Michigan, was named the Mid-American Conference’s Player of the Week for April 10. The redshirt freshman second baseman hit .625 while helping the Chippewas to a 3-1 record for the week. He collected 10 hits in 16 at-bats, drove in…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Baseball | St. Rita goes 4-1 over five-day stretch of games

By Steve Millar Correspondent Ryder Johnson knows his role in St. Rita’s offense. Hitting in the leadoff spot, the senior outfielder looks to wreak havoc and put pressure on the opposing defense. “With my speed, being at the top, it’s my job to get on base and start rallies,” Johnson said. “I scratch and claw…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Baseball | Sandburg hitters are heating up

By Steve Millar Correspondent After relying heavily on its pitching staff for the first half of the season, Sandburg has been picking things up in a big way offensively. The Eagles are confident in their ability to put up big run totals. “The bats have been clicking recently,” senior outfielder Jason Sullivan said. “It’s getting…

Zoe Jeanes (8) is about to get mobbed by her Sandburg teammates after hitting a home run against Homewood-Flossmoor on April 18. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Baseball and Softball Wrap | Sandburg trying to find footing as season hits halfway mark

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Sandburg softball team dropped 10 of its first 13 games to open the season, but the Eagles record heading into this week was not indicative of how well they have played at times. Their three wins during that stretch were each by 10 or more runs, beating Lyons, 11-1,…

Arin Wright scored in a 5-2 loss to the OL Reign for her first NWSL goal since 2019. Photo by IMAGN

Pro Sports Report | Dual braces doom Red Stars

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars and the Chicago Fire II teams were on the losing side of scoring braces on April 22. For the Red Stars, it was double trouble against the OL Reign as Bethany Balcer and Jess Fishlock scored braces in a 5-2 Reign victory in a NWSL matchup…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Baseball | St. Laurence bounces back from trouncing with wins downstate

By Steve Millar Correspondent After the type of disastrous inning St. Laurence does not endure often, let alone at home, the Vikings did not go down without a fight. Lincoln-Way Central stunned the Vikings by scoring 10 runs in the top of the first inning of a non-conference showdown on April 12. St. Laurence answered…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Baseball | Sandburg rides hot arms to encouraging first half of season

By Randy Whalen Correspondent Focusing on the game in front of them has contributed to Sandburg’s success this season, which reached a notable point last week when a strong stretch of play enabled them to match its win total from 2022. With a 6-4 road win over Joliet West on April 15, the Eagles concluded…

Orland Park resident Robbie Precin finished a second consecutive unbeaten season with his second NCAA Division III national championship in as many years. Photo courtesy of North Central College Athletics

College Notebook | North Central’s Precin finishes an unbeaten champ for 2nd straight season

By Mike Walsh Correspondent As senior seasons go, it’s tough to top the one authored by North Central College wrestler Robert Precin. Precin, an Orland Park resident, won his second consecutive national championship at 133 pounds at the NCAA Division III tournament held on March 10-11 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia. He finished…

Austin O’Connor, a graduate of St. Rita, won his 2nd NCAA championship in March while competing for the University of North Carolina. Photos courtesy of UNC Athletics

Elite wrestler Austin O’Connor aspires to be UFC champ

By Mike Walsh Correspondent There are 38 North Carolina wrestlers who stepped on the mat at least once for the Tar Heels this season. Nine competed in at least one match at 149 pounds. Seven battled at 165. At 157, however, there is but one name listed: Austin O’Connor. Competing as a graduate student this…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Orland Park native David Gust nets goal on first NHL shot

By Alison Moran Correspondent Orland Park native David Gust is living the dream. It was a year ago the 2012 Marist graduate helped the Chicago Wolves win the 2022 Calder Cup, tallying five goals and seven assists in 18 postseason games. Shortly after, Gust and his wife Lexi, found out they were going to be…

Stagg grad Max Strus launches a 3-point attempt against the Chicago Bulls on April 14. Miami Heat photo

Area Sports Roundup | Strus gets loose, helps Heat bury Bulls

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Max Strus had a money game on April 14. Chicago Bulls fans, however, may not have been too happy with the Hickory Hills native’s performance in a 102-91 win to knock the Bulls out of the NBA postseason. Strus, a former Stagg star who played briefly with the Bulls, scored…

Chris Mueller and the Chicago Fire return to SeatGeek Stadium in Beidgeview to take on the Chicago House on April 26 in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Fire and House ready to battle in Bridgeview

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The official name of the tournament is the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. But the way things have been shaping up in 2023, there wouldn’t be much of an argument if it was changed to the Peter Wilt U.S. Open Cup. Three soccer teams that Wilt had a hand in…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Baseball | Sandburg drops two of three after hot start to season

By Steve Millar Correspondent Colin Kissane has played a big role in Sandburg’s fast start, producing some big hits out of the middle of the order. Kissane, who was injured for much of last season, is making up for lost time. He came through with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly as the host…

DVN JCs Restoration House Ad

Local News

Former Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy (right) and Keith Pekau talk before a meeting in 2022. McCarthy will have the police station named in his honor. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Orland Park police station to be named after former chief Tim McCarthy

By Jeff Vorva Sometime in the near future, Tim McCarthy will be driving by or visiting his old home at the Orland Park police station and he will notice something new. His name. The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees voted to name the station the Tim McCarthy Police Headquarters at its June 5…

Perfect attendance students (front row, from left) Adrian Buenrostro, Ryan Arethas, Saanvi Patel, Matthias Davis; (back row, from left) Jack Bledsoe, Deijon Feliciano, Alan Martinez, Rosebud Summers, Makayla Knight, Nadia Gilmore and LeeSean McCorker. (Supplied photo)

23 EPCHS students achieve perfect attendance

Twenty-three Evergreen Park Community High School students were recognized by Principal Bill Sanderson at a breakfast in the school cafeteria on May 19 for having achieved perfect attendance for the 2022-2023 school year. Perfect attendance is truly an accomplishment, and we commend the following students and their parents for their focus on coming to school…

Salud Martinez Ruiz

Chicago man charged in Palos Heights motor vehicle thefts

From staff reports A Chicago man was charged last week with possession of stolen motor vehicles after Oak Lawn police found him allegedly driving a van stolen in Palos Heights. Police said they responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of Good Shepherd Church at 7800 McCarthy Road about noon…

regional 2023-0605-Palos_118_Foundation

Palos 118 foundation donates $30,000 for new classroom displays

The Palos 118 Educational Foundation recently made a $30,000 donation to Palos School District 118 for classroom equipment upgrades. The donation will be used for the purchase and installation of new 70-inch interactive displays in all of the district’s third-grade elementary classrooms. “Our hope is that the new displays can be delivered and installed over…

Bobalicious at 12250 S. Harlem Ave. offers dozens of teas, smoothies and other drink combinations.

Family-run Bobalicious pops up on Harlem with community focus

By Isabella Schreck Families can bond and kids can have fun at Bobalicious in Palos Heights, according to co-owner Gustavo Godinez. The cafe, which opened in late November at 12250 S. Harlem Ave., offers dozens of teas, smoothie and other drink combinations. It sells boba toppings and features free popcorn, cotton candy, foosball, air hockey…

reporter puss n boots

Moraine Valley to host summer Movie in the Moonlight series

Moraine Valley Community College is hosting its popular Movie in the Moonlight series this summer. The college will show three movies on a 16-foot inflatable screen at the Gateway, between Buildings F and M, on campus, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. Admission is free. The first movie is the Oscar-nominated “Puss in Boots” on…

Shepard High School senior Lauren Sinisi announces award winners at the annual U.S. Air Force JROTC program awards ceremony. (Supplied photos)

Shepard JROTC closes year with awards ceremony

The U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Shepard High School concluded its academic year recently with an awards ceremony honoring cadets who distinguished themselves. Many national organizations presented awards to students for scholastic excellence, JROTC leadership and involvement, conduct, and military bearing. Students named the top cadets in their academic class…

reporter worth welcome sign

Worth passes parking restrictions for better safety

By Joe Boyle A series of parking regulations have been established in Worth in an effort to provide improved public safety within sections of the village. Trustee Brad Urban, who is the head of the public works committee, mentioned that an ordinance was being considered to eliminate parking on the south side of 116th Street…

Palos Heights Alderman Jack Clifford announced current road construction projects in the city. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Contruction headaches starting, splash pad coming to Palos Heights

By Jeff Vorva Road construction time is in full swing and already residents of Palos Heights are experiencing some headaches. At a brief June 6 city council meeting that had four of eight aldermen absent, Alderman Jack Clifford said that an Oak Park Avenue construction project had started and is inconveniencing residents along that street…

dvn lyons logo

Repaving project set for part of 44th Street in Lyons

By Steve Metsch Residents of 44th Street in Lyons, between Riverside and Lawndale avenues, can look forward to smoother driving on an improved roadway. The village board on May 16 unanimously approved a resolution regarding the awarding of a Cook County Community Development Block Grant for the work. M&J Asphalt Paving Company Inc., based in…

DVN Complete Auto Service House Ad
Regional First Secure Bank House Ad

Neighbors