High School football: East Aurora vs Fenton
East Aurora High School wide receiver, Sterling Williams, 5, seeks open space against Fenton defenders in Saturday’s Upstate Eight Conference game.
Baylor long-term recovery ends in national championship
By Woodrow Carroll It’s fun to argue with the pollsters and nearly all fans do it. Yet, those who put Gonzaga University and Baylor University in, or near, the top spot in the collegiate basketball rankings for most, or all, of the season, should have had smiles on their faces
Ethan Hampton of Aurora Christian in the mix at NIU
By Bobby Narang Aurora Christian High School recent graduate Ethan Hampton is making a name for himself in college football. And he’s yet to officially throw a pass. Hampton made a difficult decision to enroll early at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in January rather than finish his senior season at
Batavia football team remains No. 1 in Class 7A poll
The high school football season is halfway through its full season with three games remaining. Most teams have been forced to find ways to improvise, and have been hampered by the six-game schedule instead of the usual 10 games plus playoffs. Batavia High School’s Bulldogs must settle for playing six
High School Football: West Aurora vs. Yorkville
Wide receiver Lucas Fisher is under a pass on his way to a touchdown for a touchdown in front of a host West Aurora defender Friday.
High School Football: Aurora Central vs. St. Edward
Aurora Central Catholic’s Ty Hopp, on the ground, Tommy Fowler, and Jack Westrom, 72, tackle St. Edward ball carrier, Joe Sacco, 23, Friday.
College football: Aurora University vs. Concordia
Aurora University senior quarterback, Gavin Zimbelman, 10, eludes a visiting Concordia University Chicago defender Saturday.
Elite Eight teams in men’s NCAA: Tournament success
By Woodrow Carroll We love the underdog. The sports public long has been fascinated by an athlete or team overcoming odds, even if the perception is far from reality. At the start of the 2021 NCAA men’s Division I basketball tournament, we were introduced to a host of surprise teams.
Joe Logano, in spite of special dirt, prevails in Bristol race
By John Schutt NASCAR Cup Series, Food City Dirt Race, Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt, Bristol Tenn., Monday, March 29. The half-mile mile asphalt track nick-named the Colosseum of NASCAR racing, was converted to a dirt track. More than 2,000 truck-loads of special dirt was brought in to lay a perfect
Varied sports in crossovers with joy and disappointment
Sports treats: • Major League Baseball opening day, Thursday, April 1. Will it be a full season of games following last season’s delayed start and abbreviated season? It would be great. Hope springs eternal: Can both Chicago teams be successful this season? Injuries may be factors. • Minor League baseball
Return to football: Oswego High School vs. Plainfield South High School
Oswego High School’s Anthony Cikauskas brings pressure to Plainfield South quarterback Izaiah Huertz, 5, in Friday’s first game of the six-week season.
Perfect game for Aurora University softball pitcher Hannah Tomasko
Aurora University fastpitch softball pitcher Hannah Tomasko offers a challenge to a batter in a March 14 home game.
High School football: East Aurora vs. Elgin
East Aurora High School’s Nathaniel Mojica, 11, looks for an opening against Elgin defenders in Friday’s season-opener for both teams.
Oswego High School’s Evan Brown scores 3 touchdowns
Evan Brown of Oswego High School sees a clear field on his way to a 30-yard touchdown run, the team’s third TD of the evening against visiting Plainfield South High School.
On sports rankings, motivation, and March Madness
The knowledgeable sports fan understands that games are played on the field, in the courts, and not in the computerized world, or, within any rating system. It takes flesh, on occasion blood, physical prowess, and mental strength to achieve success. Each day is different and each game may have changing
Huskies seek improvement, consistency, in Spring football
By Bobby Narang Northern Illinois University head football coach, Thomas Hammock, kicked off Spring practice by discussing the upcoming season. The former Northern Illinois star running back enters a pivotal year in his head coaching tenure after the Huskies lost all six of their games last season in the condensed
Upsets reign in NCAA tournament
By Woodrow Carroll As nice as was Loyola University’s 71-58 victory over top-seeded Illinois Sunday, at least from the victorious Ramblers’ stand point in the Division I men’s college basketball tournament which started with a field of 68 teams, it was not the first time the Ramblers took a meaningful
High School Soccer: West Aurora vs. Plainfield East
West Aurora High School’s Elijah Hardersen, 6, receives a challenge from Plainfield East’s Joseph Duarte, 9, in the soccer match Thursday, March 18.
High School Basketball: Oswego High School vs. Metea Valley
Oswego High School’s Xavier Howard, 20, shoots over visiting Metea Valley defenders Saturday in the non-conference basketball game.
Illini on a roll into NCAA
By Woodrow Carroll True or false? The first team to enter the men’s NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) basketball tournament undefeated ended up losing to Illinois. True of course! The question would have looked silly if Illinois were not the correct answer. The first NCAA tournament was in 1939 with