Blake Baumgartner

Benet's Will Engels, left, tries to shoot over Larkin's Jalen Shaw during the first half of the Class 4A NIU Supersectional game on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.

Blake Baumgartner’s team-by-team outlook in the Naperville area for the 2018-19 boys basketball season

December 12, 2018 at 4:44 a.m.

A team-by-team look at boys basketball in the Naperville area for the upcoming 2018-19 season: Benet (27-5): Senior forward Will Engels (8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds) and junior center Colin Crothers...

Marist's Mike Markett runs for a touchdown against Naperville Central on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018.

Mike Markett and Marist outduel Payton Thorne and Naperville Central in Class 8A playoffs

December 12, 2018 at 1:43 a.m.

With the way quarterbacks Mike Markett and Payton Thorne were dueling for Marist and Naperville Central, respectively, one could miss something in a blink of an eye. Given one final...

Football notes: Julian Cain helps reinvigorate Waubonsie Valley playing cornerback and wide receiver

December 12, 2018 at 5:38 p.m.

As one of the two main receivers for senior quarterback Jack Drow, Waubonsie Valley’s Julian Cain knew his plate would be full. But Cain has taken to playing both sides...

Bryce’s right: Logan runs for 3 TDs as Waubonsie Valley upsets Bolingbrook in 8A playoff opener

December 12, 2018 at 4:51 p.m.

Despite getting banged up at a couple different points Friday night, junior running back Bryce Logan refused to give in for Waubonsie Valley. The efficiency and pace of Bolingbrook’s Quentin...

Football notes: Cade McDonald and Payton Thorne turn into potent connection for Naperville Central

December 12, 2018 at 4:25 p.m.

Jayden Reed and Tommy Coyne are two pretty good role models. Cade McDonald, who’s in the spotlight now as Payton Thorne’s main target for Naperville Central, is taking full advantage....

Road warriors: Benet hopes 5-0 record away from Benedictine pays off in the Class 7A football playoffs

December 12, 2018 at 3:37 p.m.

Life on the road has been good this season to Benet. And the Redwings are hoping that trend continues. When the football playoff pairings were announced Saturday night by the...

Brandt Stare’s kickoff return TD late in the first half sparks Neuqua Valley past Naperville North

December 12, 2018 at 3:02 p.m.

Neuqua Valley senior Brandt Stare is quickly building a reputation for being dangerous any time he gets his hands on the football. And the Wildcats’ special teams are better for...

Football notes: Will Chevalier delivers a pick-me-up performance for Neuqua Valley

December 12, 2018 at 2:26 p.m.

After watching Naperville Central’s Jack Jopes return an interception for a touchdown, Neuqua Valley’s Will Chevalier walked right up to junior quarterback Mark Gronowski. “The first thing I did was...

Huge Hughes: Danny Hughes’ 99-yard kickoff return TD takes Naperville Central past Waubonsie Valley

December 12, 2018 at 1:12 p.m.

At times, all Naperville Central needs is just a little crease to snatch away any sense of momentum an opponent may feel is coming. From all angles Friday night against...

Football notes: Benet’s Billy Lawler doesn’t fight it, delivers two interceptions in return to cornerback

December 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

Benet’s Billy Lawler believes he know where his skills in the secondary are best utilized. With his senior season winding down, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Lawler is back at cornerback, ready...

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