Basketball is upon us.
The men’s college basketball games can begin Monday, Nov. 7 in all Division I top level play. The other divisions will be gin at approximately the same time. The women’s high school basketball games can begin Monday, Nov. 14 and the men’s high school basketball games can begin Monday, Nov. 21, on the eve of Thanksgiving basketball tournaments. Other Winter sports soon will be under way. The Chicago Bulls are working to move higher than a .500 standing.
• Now we have the convergence of basketball and football. The University of Illinois football team is at an uncommon overall record of 7-1 and ranked an uncommon No. 14 and on its way to a postseason bowl game. See page 10. The Illini must carry through, however, to avoid disappintment in both football and basketball this season must follow through. What determines success at this point? The Illini are only half-way through the tunnel. No time to stop. Defense and determination have been their calling cards. The talented Big Ten Conference East Division awaits the Illini Saturday, Dec. 3 if they follow through successfully.
• High school football playoffs will bring second-round competition to teams in 8A and lower in class from Lincoln-Way East, Neuqua Valley, South Elgin, Glenbard West, York, Minooka, Lyons, Plainfield North, Downers Grove North, St. Charles North, Batavia, Yorkville, Wheaton North, Kaneland, Lemont, Nazareth Academy, Joliet Catholic Academy, Wheaton St. Francis, IC Catholic Prep. See pages 9-10 and see coaches’ comments below.
• Yorkville rallied from an early playoff game one deficit to defeat visiting Libertyville, 33-8, in 7A.
“Credit to Libertyville, they came out fast and ready to go from the beginning,” said Yorkville head coach Dan McGuire. “We were sluggish at the start and were lucky our kids responded.
“(Second round opponent) Moline is a very physical team…good up front on both sides of the ball.
“Our defense and special teams really played well (against Libertyville)…Luke Zook and Blake Kersting, and our kicker Hudson Fiene had his best game….”
• Batavia defense was led by Brody Osbone, Tyler Jansey, and Ben Fiegel