Limited space here, therefore short bursts and quick comments in the whirl of sports:
• High school basketball tournaments this year, even with intermittent cancellations because of COVID-19, remain superior to last year. Simply: The Christmas holiday tournaments one year ago were nearly all canceled. Most tournaments have done their best with what they were presented. Half a loaf remains better than no loaf.
• The chatter on the firing of Matt Nagy, head coach of the Chicago Bears, is misplaced. Perhaps he is the not the cream of the crop in coaches, however, when the franchise does not want to pay top dollar for the best coach, what remains is less than supreme. Who will come to the Bears for less money and be a top-flight coach? Round peg, square hole.
• University of Illinois men’s basketball continues to show signs of encouragement, especially with the 88-63 drubbing of rival Missouri in St. Louis, Mo. or the trophy in the Braggin’ Rights annual game December 22. Illini broke a three-game losing streak. Next expectation will be the return of second-year point-guard Andre Curbelo who has been out since November 23 with a concussion. Illinois, 9-3 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference moves into serious Big 10 play at Minnesota January 2, 2022.