High school and college basketball games take over in many ways with the arrival of early November, although top football teams are in center stage. No one size fits all.
Still, the Chicago Bears must do more to earn greater than the diehard interest. Their 2-7 record and last place in the North Division maintains a stance of difficulty this season while planning for next season.
High school sports in State tournaments in football, girls volleyball, and boys soccer, may ring in a few extra fans when excellence is the focal point. See page 9 for the high school football scoreboard.
In Girls volleyball last weekend, in the largest Class 4A, Barrington, Benet Academy, and Willowbrook were among three super-sectional victors, all in straight sets. Barrington defeated Libertyville, 25-11, 25-21; Benet Academy defeated Trier, 25-19, 25-14, and Willowbrook stopped Joliet West, 25-18, 25-19.
Among the 16 State sectional swimming and diving meets, team champions included Aurora Rosary, Lockport, West Chicago, Lincoln-Way East, Lake Park, and Lyons Township. The girls State swimming and diving meet will be at Westmont in the upcoming weekend. The girls State volleyball championships will be in the upcoming weekend in Normal at CEFCU arena.
In the boys State soccer meet, in Class 3A, New Trier defeated Lyons, 3-1, and Naperville North took third place with a 5-2 victory against Glenbrook North. Crystal Lake South took the Class 2A championship with a 2-1 victory against Peoria Notre Dame. With more sports and more divisions there is greater focus on many schools and many players. Years ago, there were fewer participants and a greater number of fans. Participation is the larger issue, rather than a greater number of spectators.
Basketball tournaments are on the horizon at Thanksgiving in boys and girls basketball with all Winter sports offering an emphasis on participation. The higher the level of competition the fewer there are participants. Most will not compete in college.