Michael Osipoff

Michael Osipoff has covered high school, college and professional sports for more than two decades, primarily in Northwest Indiana. He previously worked for the Northern Virginia Daily and Newsday. He has won multiple awards in Indiana and Virginia. He was born in Brooklyn, raised in North Babylon, N.Y., and graduated from Cornell University.

Crown Point's Dikembe Shaw (23) takes a shot during the Class 4A state championship game against Mount Vernon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune)

UIC commit Dikembe Shaw scores 7 of his 24 points in last 36 seconds, but Crown Point falls short in 4A final

March 29, 2026 at 12:23 a.m.

Despite a final flurry, Dikembe Shaw can't push Crown Point past Mount Vernon in the Class 4A state championship game.

Kaiden Rhodes’ ‘amazing’ season, perhaps his last, may get even better when Crown Point plays for state title

March 26, 2026 at 6:59 a.m.

If the Class 4A state final is the last game of Kaiden Rhodes’ career, he can be content. He has helped Crown Point make history.

Michael Osipoff’s top 10 softball teams and 25 players to watch in Northwest Indiana for the 2026 season

March 24, 2026 at 9:25 a.m.

Lake Central is the defending Duneland Athletic Conference champion, but rival Crown Point is the defending Class 4A state champion.

For Lulu Johnston, confidence is a ‘big part of my game.’ Only a sophomore, she’s a big part of Crown Point.

March 24, 2026 at 8:20 a.m.

Lulu Johnston delivered in crunch-time situations as a freshman last season to help Crown Point win the Class 4A state title.

SIUE recruit Kaylee O’Connell goes to bat for Munster, even when pitching: ‘Nobody’s messing with her team’

March 20, 2026 at 9:25 a.m.

Kaylee O'Connell does it all on the softball field, even stand up for her Munster teammates.

East Chicago Central freshman Zayden Johnson heard doubters. Undaunted, he proves them wrong. He’s ‘fearless.’

March 19, 2026 at 7:25 a.m.

Zayden Johnson is one of several freshmen making an impact for East Chicago Central, which has advanced to semistate despite the graduation of its all-time leading scorer.

Adversity is the spark for Crown Point’s Caden Matusak. Catching fire, Michigan recruit ‘came out of nowhere.’

March 17, 2026 at 8:41 a.m.

Caden Matusak is coming off a breakout junior season for No. 1 Crown Point after missing the previous season with a back injury.

Mekhi Gillis has been ‘waiting for my whole life’ for this moment. To play for East Chicago Central. To win.

March 13, 2026 at 11:02 a.m.

Freshman guard Mekhi Gillis knows the history of the East Chicago Central boys basketball program and is proud to add to it.

Hanover Central’s Beau Wiancek follows in brother’s footsteps as sectional champion. ‘He’s a big role model.’

March 12, 2026 at 9:56 a.m.

Beau Wiancek helps Hanover Central win a sectional title, like his brother Max did last season. But unlike his brother, Beau is a first-year varsity player.

Crown Point senior Kingston Rhodes’ road from knee injury returns him to the scene. He’s just glad to be back.

March 11, 2026 at 12:27 p.m.

Kingston Rhodes will return to the gym where he suffered a knee injury this season when Crown Point plays in the Michigan City Regional.

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