Aurora Beacon-News Sports

St. Charles North's Abby Zawadzki (18) delivers a pitch against Burlington Central in the first inning of a nonconference game in St. Charles on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

After three years at first base, St. Charles North’s Abby Zawadzki steps up as pitcher. ‘That’s my main thing.’

By Rick Armstrong

March 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Abby Zawadzki throws a one-hitter as St. Charles North eases to an 8-0 victory over...

Batavia's Ben Johnson (5) rounds third base after hitting a three-run homer against Burlington Central during a nonconference game in Batavia on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

With a three-run homer, varsity newcomer Ben Johnson banks on his faith to elevate Batavia. ‘It means a lot.’

By Paul Johnson

March 25, 2026 at 11:08 p.m.

Paul feech.

Joliet Catholic's Cody Busch (9) flips the ball behind his back to shortstop Koen Lynes (11) for an out against Lincoln-Way Central during a nonconference game in New Lenox on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Baseball and softball scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County

By Josh Krockey

March 25, 2026 at 9:49 p.m.

High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and...

Oswego East coach Ryan Velasquez, left, gives instructions to Noah Yu (22) during a Southwest Prairie Conference game against Yorkville in Oswego on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

Citing his kids, Ryan Velasquez steps down as Oswego East’s boys basketball coach. ‘They’re everything to me.’

By Rick Armstrong

March 16, 2026 at 7:45 p.m.

Ryan Valesquez, who took over Oswego East's varsity in 2017, compiled a 198-71 record for...

St. Charles East’s Mya Leon (7) battle for the ball with St. Charles North’s Chloe Kirsten during the Class 3A Glenbard West Sectional semifinal game in Glen Ellyn on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

Patrick Z. McGavin’s top 10 girls soccer teams and 25 players to watch in Aurora-Elgin area for 2026 season

By Patrick Z. McGavin

March 16, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

St. Charles East brings back big-time punch on offense, but watch out for South Elgin...

Bartlett's Brandon Pelz (3) fields a grounder by Streamwood's Josh Zamora in the first inning of an Upstate Eight West game in Bartlett on Monday, April 7, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Back for fourth varsity year, Valparaiso-bound Brandon Pelz builds on big dreams for Bartlett. ‘A huge step.’

By Paul Johnson

March 15, 2026 at 8:46 p.m.

Valparaiso commit Brandon Pelz, a senior right-handed pitcher, returns for fourth varsity season to pace...

Waubonsie Valley’s Shane Torres (25) watches his hit head toward right field against Downers Grove North during the Class 4A Lockport Sectional championship game on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

Paul Johnson’s top 10 baseball teams and 25 players to watch in the Aurora-Elgin area for the 2026 season

By Paul Johnson

March 15, 2026 at 8:04 p.m.

Waubonsie Valley begins at top, but keep an eye on Geneva, South Elgin, Kaneland and...

Kaneland’s Jeffrey Hassan (34) grabs a defensive rebound against Deerfield during a Class 3A state semifinal game at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)

Kaneland’s Jeffrey Hassan goes toe-to-toe vs. Deerfield’s Jake Pollack in 3A state semifinals. ‘Great player.’

By Rick Armstrong

March 13, 2026 at 8:51 p.m.

Jeffrey Hassan scores 10 points as Kaneland rallies before losing 49-49 to Deerfield in OT...

St. Edward's Savannah Lynch (2) drives to the basket as Byron’s Alya Roschi (1) defends during a Class 2A state semifinal in Normal on Thursday, March 5, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / The Beacon-News)

Introducing the 2025-26 Beacon-News/Courier-News Girls Basketball All-Area Team

By Paul Johnson

March 13, 2026 at 1:21 p.m.

Two players each from Waubonsie Valley, Aurora Central Catholic and St. Charles East lead first...

Danyella Mporokoso is the 2025-26 Girls Basketball Player of the Year for Aurora, Elgin, Naperville

By Matt Le Cren

March 13, 2026 at 6:37 a.m.

Illinois State recruit Danyella Mporokoso is Waubonsie Valley's all-time leading scorer with 2,979 points.

Ben Schwieger, a Waubonsie Valley alum, holds up a piece of the net after Northern Iowa beat Illinois-Chicago 84-69 to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Andy Saigh / Northern Iowa)

After leaving Loyola, Waubonsie Valley’s Ben Schwieger gets Northern Iowa to NCAA Tournament

By Rick Armstrong

March 12, 2026 at 1:07 p.m.

Waubonsie Valley's Ben Schwieger, who played three years in college at Loyola, helps Northern Iowa...

South Elgin’s Allison Garbacz reacts after beating Freeburg’s Grace Stratton in the 155-pound final of the girls wrestling state meet at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)

Just perfect. South Elgin’s Allison Garbacz is the 2025-26 Beacon-News/Courier-News Girls Wrestler of the Year

By Patrick Z. McGavin

March 11, 2026 at 10:44 p.m.

South Elgin's Allison Garbacz, the 2025-26 Beacon-News/Courier-News Girls Wrestler of the Year, rolls to undefeated...

Marist’s Stephen Brown (5) finishes off a dunk against Peoria Richwoods during the Class 4A Illinois State Supersectional at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Monday, March 9, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)

Basketball and local scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County

By Josh Krockey

March 11, 2026 at 8:53 p.m.

High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and...