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Evergreen Park senior guard Nolan Sexton moves the ball up court against Providence on Feb. 14. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Boys Basketball | Stagg tops Bradley to clinch program’s first conference title

By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Stagg came into this season looking for their first winning campaign since 2016.  The Chargers did better than that. In addition to being assured of finishing over .500 for the first time under coach Marty Strus, Stagg won the first conference championship in program history. The Chargers (19-11, 5-3 SouthWest Suburban…

The Richards girls bowling team won the Stagg Sectional to punch its ticket to the state tournament. Photo by Randy Whalen

Girls Bowling | Richards wins sectional title; Stagg also advances to state

By Randy Whalen Correspondent This season, there was no roll-off heartbreak for Richards. Instead, there was the Bulldogs’ first sectional championship in 32 seasons. A year after having their season end at the same stage of the state series, the Bulldogs rode a hot start to the Stagg Sectional title on Feb. 10 at Palos…

Richard Feuz is the new general manager of the Chicago Red Stars.

Pro Soccer Report | Red Stars choose Feuz as GM

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars have lit the Feuz. The team, which is under new ownership, hired head coach Lorne Donaldson in December, and on Feb. 5 hired his boss. The Red Stars named Richard Feuz the team’s general manager, after he served a stint as chief executive officer for Switzerland’s Servette…

The Mount Carmel wrestling team is sending 13 grapplers to the state tournament. Photo courtesy of Mount Carmel High School

Postseason Roundup | Area wrestlers and gymnasts are state-bound

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent Once again, the Southwest Regional area will send a ton of wrestlers to the IHSA boys state meet, including 17 sectional champions. The state matches are from Feb. 15-17 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. In Class 3A, Mount Carmel had four champs at the Hinsdale Central Sectional — Seth…

The Shepard girls basketball team celebrates the first conference title in program history. Shepard High School photo

Area Sports Roundup | Shepard and Oak Lawn share SSC Red girls hoops crown

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Shepard girls basketball program has been around for close to a half century. The team has had a handful of 20-win seasons and four regional championships. But until this season, the Astros had never won a conference title. A wild celebration took place in the Shepard gym after the Astros…

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Boys Hoops Wrap | Curie soars past Kenwood for Chicago city title

By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Curie powered through Whitney Young, Simeon and Kenwood to earn the Chicago Public League championship. The Condors defeated the Broncos, 65-59, in the city title game played Feb. 10 at Credit Union 1 Arena on the University of Illinois-Chicago campus. The win secured Curie’s third city title, with the other coming…

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Boys Basketball | Brother Rice tops Mount Carmel in CCL Blue battle

By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent No game seems too big for Brother Rice. Looking to make a statement against Mount Carmel, the Crusaders used a fourth-quarter surge to open up a close game en route to a 69-59 win in front of a capacity crowd in Mount Greenwood on Feb. 9. The loss was the Caravan’s…

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OLCHS bowler earns athlete of the month honors

By Brian Frangella             Charlie Dell was a picture of consistency for the month of December on the lanes for the Oak Lawn Community High School boys bowling team. He won Top 5 individual medals at three different invitationals, he rolled his career-best 289, and he was the South Suburban Conference Red Individual Champion. All this…

The Marist competitive cheerleading team won the IHSA state title in the large-team division. Photo courtesy of Marist High School

Postseason Roundup | Marist breaks through with first state cheerleading title

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent For years, Marist’s competitive cheerleading team was knocking on the door of a state championship. On Feb. 3, the RedHawks were like cops on television busting down the door. Marist won the IHSA state championship in the large-team division at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington with a score of 96.32, ahead…

Marist senior guard Darshan Thomas makes a move toward the basket during the RedHawks’ 65-64 win over Benet on Feb. 2. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Boys Basketball | Darshan Thomas scores late to lift Marist over Benet

By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent A life lesson can be learned anywhere and at any time. “Sometimes it is hard and it does not work out, but you have to keep fighting and he did,” Marist coach Brian Hynes said after the RedHawks defeated Benet on Feb. 2. The “he” Hynes was referring to was Marist…

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Area Sports Roundup | Larry Rothschild joins Windy City ThunderBolts

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent First Bobby Jenks. Now Larry Rothschild. The Windy City ThunderBolts are stacking their staff with some familiar names from the Chicago baseball scene. They hired Jenks, a former White Sox closer and member of the 2005 World Series-winning team, as manager earlier in the offseason and recently hired Rothschild to be…

Shepard is having its best season in 20 years. Photo courtesy of Shepard High School

Girls Hoops Wrap | Nazareth gets top seed at Class 4A Mother McAuley sectional

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent How about a dream Nazareth vs. Homewood-Flossmoor matchup, with the winner going to state and the loser staying home? If the girls basketball coaches’ seedings come true, that’s exactly what will happen in Class 4A. But there is a lot of basketball to be played — and a lot of upsets…

Khalil Jones of St. Laurence lines up a shot against St. Rita in a CCL battle on Jan. 30. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Boys Hoops Wrap | Riverside-Brookfield’s Stefan Cicic hits 1,000 career points

By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Riverside-Brookfield senior Stefan Cicic had a memorable week, scoring 28 points — surpassing 1,000 career points in the process — while leading the Bulldogs to a 55-47 conference win over Westmont on Feb. 2. Cicic also grabbed 15 rebounds and had five blocks in the win, one of R-B’s (22-4, 5-0…

The varsity cheerleaders from Shepard High School took second place at the IHSA Sectional at Hinsdale South to qualify for the IHSA state finals. (supplied photos)

Shepard, Richards cheerleaders earn highest sectional scores

The varsity cheerleaders from Shepard High School in Palos Heights on second place on Saturday at the IHSA Sectional tournament at Hinsdale South High School.  The team advanced to the IHSA state finals as a result. Coached by Shepard graduate Felicia Marr, the Astros earned their highest score ever at a sectional tournament.   The team…

Stagg senior Connor Williams attempts a shot over Sandburg’s Paulius Mizeras during the Eagles’ 82-78 win over the Chargers on Jan. 23. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Boys Basketball | Hot shooting fuels comeback as Sandburg tops Stagg in thriller

By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Sandburg spends 45 minutes of every practice just shooting the ball, so with the team trailing Stagg by double-digits late in the rival programs’ latest matchup, Eagles coach John Daniels had no worries. He told his shooters to “Just fire it.” Ryan Tomczak sank a deep 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds left…

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Boys Hoops Wrap | Marist, Oak Lawn have unbeaten weeks; Curie’s win streak snapped by Lindblom

Games played between Jan. 22-27 By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a week off, Marist got back on track with a week of wins. The RedHawks (19-4, 7-2 East Suburban Catholic) opened the week with a 70-54 conference win at St. Viator. Darshan Thomas led the charge with 23 points. Thomas continued his strong play with…

Brother Rice graduate Ahmad Henderson has been named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week four times this season, including three consecutive weeks in January. Photo courtesy of Niagara University Athletics

College Notebook | Niagara guard Henderson looks like lock for MAAC freshman of year

By Mike Walsh Correspondent Ahmad Henderson’s collegiate basketball career has gotten off to a promising start. The Niagara freshman guard was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Rookie of the Week for the period ending Jan. 24. Henderson, a Brother Rice graduate, paced the Purple Eagles to a 2-1 record that week as he averaged…

Red Stars defender Tatumn Milazzo, an Orland Park native, takes part in drills in the Bridgeview Sports Dome as the team held preseason workouts last week. Photo courtesy of Chicago Red Stars

Red Stars’s schedule and roster set for 2024

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent The schedule is set. The roster is set. The Red Stars are ready to roll. Once they get the preseason stuff out of the way, the Red Stars will open the NWSL slate at 6:30 p.m. March 16 with a road game against the expansion Utah Royals. Their home opener at…

Bruce Scaduto is retiring as Evergreen Park's girls basketball coach after a long career at the school. Photo courtesy of Evergreen Park High School

Area Sports Roundup | Longtime hoops coach Bruce Scaduto stepping down

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent Bruce Scaduto kept the family name going for a few more decades, but he is hanging it up after this season. Scaduto, the Evergreen Park boys basketball coach from 1997 through 2011 and the Mustangs girls coach since 2011, has announced he will retire after this season. “I feel that it’s…

The Evergreen Park competitive cheerleading team is heading to state after a second-place sectional finish. Photo courtesy of Evergreen Park High School

Postseason Roundup | Six area teams heading to state cheerleading finals

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Marist competitive cheerleading team has an impressive resume. The RedHawks have in their history brought home six IHSA large-school trophies. They took second place in 2013, 2018, 2019 and 2022, and earned third-place trophies in 2012 and 2020. They are still searching for that elusive state championship, and will get…

All eyes are on Shepard's Panagiotis Primbas' 3-point shot against Chicago Christian on Jan. 17. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Boys Hoops Wrap | Curie stays hot with four wins in four days

*For the period of Jan. 15-21 2024 By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Curie played games on four straight days last week, ending the stretch with an 86-60 victory over Joliet West for their 17th consecutive win In the Jan. 21 matchup played at the Ronald Chops Billinger Memorial Shootout at Whitney Young, five players scoring in…

CJ Cesario is Chicago Christian's new football coach. Supplied photo

Area Sports Roundup | Chicago Christian hires new football coach

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent Chicago Christian has a new football coach, and he comes from one of the best high school football programs in Illinois. CJ Cesario has been tabbed to head up the Knights program, replacing Dan Chiarito. In 2023, Cesario coached the sophomore team at Mount Carmel. The Caravan won back-to-back Class 7A…

Shea Groom, shown participating in a charity initiative in 2022 when she played for Houston, is now a Red Star. Photo courtesy of Houston Dash

NWSL champions Groom, Kuikka sign with Red Stars

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars continued to fill out their roster on both offense and defense last week, this time adding veteran talent with championship pedigrees. A latest additions in a busy offseason were free-agent signings Shea Groom and Natalia Kuikka. Groom, a midfielder, was inked to two-year deal. She is coming…

The Nazareth competitive dance team won the Class 1A Joliet West Sectional to qualify for the IHSA state finals. Photo courtesy of Nazareth Academy

Postseason Roundup | Nazareth dance team wins first sectional title

By Jeff Vorva Correspondent Will the streak continue? With a new team sharing the glory? Nazareth’s athletics programs have collectively won one IHSA state championships in each of the last five high school sports seasons, going back to spring 2022. The LaGrange Park private school’s baseball, football, girls volleyball and girls basketball teams each has…

Brother Rice earned the Pulaski Post after defeating Marist, 65-47, on Jan. 16. The trophy will be awarded annually to the winner of the annual rivalry game between the two Mount Greenwood schools. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Brother Rice tops Marist for first Pulaski Post

By Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Classes and athletics competitions across Illinois were called off due to bone-chilling temperatures early this week. That did not stop two of the area’s hottest teams from duking it out in the Battle of Pulaski. Brother Rice senior forward Zavier Fitch scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead Brother…

Local News

Veronica Shaw

Sandburg welcomes new associate principal of instruction

Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education is welcoming Dr. Veronica Shaw to Carl Sandburg High School as its new Associate Principal of Instruction. She begins July 1 and replaces Anita Huffman who was recently appointed as District 230’s Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. With ample education leadership experience, Shaw is currently the Associate…

Sheri Cannataro, of Cannataro Farms, demonstrates the gear she wears to extract honey from a bee hive for visitors who stopped by to see her products at the Hills Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Expo Saturday at Conrady Junior High School in Hickory Hills. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Residents warm up to Hills Chamber Business Expo

By Joe Boyle Spring has arrived but winter continues to leave its calling card. However, that did not prevent the Hills Chamber of Commerce from holding its 10th annual Business and Community Expo Saturday at Conrady Junior High School in Hickory Hills. While the temperatures were frigid and windy outside, the spirit inside the school…

Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters speaks about zoning codes at the March 25 council meeting. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Palos Park to tweak outdated village zoning codes

By Jeff Vorva The village of Palos Park has no grand plan to change the village landscape. But officials want to modernize some of its zoning codes. “The village has not comprehensively updated its development regulations since 1960,” Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters said at the March 25 village council meeting. “Due to this, there are many…

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SD122 psychologist resigns over Islamophobic posts

By Nuha Abdessalam A psychologist for Ridgeland School District 122 has resigned after hundreds of parents demanded she be fired for social media posts that were pro-Israeli and anti-Palestinian. District Supt. Joseph Matise announced at a schoolboard meeting last week that Dr. Laurie Hoke had resigned. “Dr. Hoke will no longer be working with students…

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City wants to buy armory at MDW

. Has been vacant since 2017 .  By Tim Hadac For decades, it served military purposes, as well as Chicago’s gateway for Presidents stopping off in the city. But the Army National Guard Midway Armory, 5400 W. 63rd St., has been mostly vacant since 2017, when the Illinois Army National Guard ceased operations there and…

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2 charged in Summit junkyard burglary

By Bob Bong Two men have been charged in connection with a break-in last month at the Pick-n-Pull used auto parts store and junkyard in Summit. George Ainalakis, 39, of Carol Stream, was arrested February 26 at the business, while Chad Wickert, 40, of Brookfield, was arrested March 13 by Hodgkins police. Police said they…

Mary Ellen Fox --Photo by Cosmo Hadac

A successful career serving thousands

. By Tim Hadac Editor Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound (708)-496-0265 . Most folks work for years at their jobs, expecting and receiving little fanfare, then retire quietly. Garfield Ridge resident Mary Ellen Fox planned to retire from her 30-year job in the City Clerk’s Office quietly; and she did, earlier this year. But co-worker Jim…

Priscilla Steinmetz, of Orland Park's Bridge Teen Center, has fun March 7 at Congressman Sean Casten's desk in Washington. (Bridge Teen Center photo)

Casten secures $11M for district; invites Bridge Teen founder to State of Union

By Jeff Vorva Congressman Sean Casten is bringing some big bucks home. Casten (D-6th) announced that he helped secure more than $11 million in federal funding for local community projects. Included in that bounty is: $1.28 million to Evergreen Park for water main replacement. $500,000 to La Grange for storm and sanitary sewer rehabilitation. $947,775…

Forest View Village Clerk Laura McGuffey (left) swears in Maria Guzman as a full-time police officer while Chief Bianel Zarate looks on. (Photos by Carol McGowan)

Forest View swears in new police officers

By Carol McGowan The Village of Forest View has a new full-time police officer and a newly promoted corporal on the force. In front of a full-house at their February 27 Board of Trustees meeting, Clerk Laura McGuffey did the honors swearing-in Maria Guzman as a full-time officer, and promoting Officer Jorge Sanchez to the…

Abraham Kiswani was sentenced to two years for income tax evasion.

Burbank businessman sentenced for income tax evasion

By Bob Bong A Burbank businessman has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for willfully evading more than $3.7 million in federal and state income taxes. Abraham Kiswani, 54, pleaded guilty last year to a federal tax evasion charge.  In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah last Thursday…

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