Noah Poser
Noah Poser is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
All Stories

East Chicago Central freshman Naji Meux is staying grounded. But his play suggests ‘the sky’s the limit.’
East Chicago Central's Naji Meux, who leads all freshmen in the Great Lakes Athletic Conference in scoring, is showing signs that he can be a complete player.

Zack Mikash steps forward for Kankakee Valley. ‘You can just tell he has confidence.’ And teammates’ trust.
A role player for Kankakee Valley last season, senior forward Zack Mikash has emerged as the team's leading scorer.

Ellie Nemeth’s athletic career at Kouts will be remembered. Competing in 4 sports, she’s a standout in each.
Kouts junior Ellie Nemeth has no plans to give up any of her sports in high school. But she expects to pick one — or maybe two — in college.

Hobart freshman Corabella Wesley is dominant on the mat. Even at state. ‘She’s just not scared of anybody.’
Corabella Wesley appeared on Hobart coach Tomas Westberg's radar long before she arrived on campus but has exceeded even his most ambitious expectations.

Igboamaka Odeluga’s first name isn’t all that distinguishes her. The Munster senior ‘has so much to her.’
For Munster's Igboamaka Odeluga, basketball is one of many. To teammate Arroya Mongerie, Odeluga is one of one.

Boone Grove’s Sammie Grieger earns varsity minutes with hard work on defense. That ‘motivates everybody’ too.
Sammie Grieger, who also plays on Boone Grove's junior varsity team, causes the kind of defensive chaos that doesn’t always show up in the box score.

Dane Van Essen follows parents and brothers into Illiana Christian basketball. No wonder he’s a ‘connoisseur.’
For Dane Van Essen, Illiana Christian basketball is the family business. So it’s only fitting that the Vikings' newest Van Essen eats, sleeps and breathes the sport.

Only a freshman, Kouts’ Avery Elijah leads state in steals. ‘She’s always thinking one or two plays ahead.’
Avery Elijah, a 5-foot-10 freshman guard, paces Kouts in points and assists. But it’s her defense that has drawn the most attention.

Ace defender Delaney Myers is surprised to be Andrean’s top scorer. ‘I didn’t know how I was going to do it.’
Scoring had never been Delaney Myers' focus, so she had reservations about transforming her game.

Kyle and Brogan Banker are ‘pushing each other to be better.’ Can they push Washington Township to new heights?
Kyle Banker and Brogan Banker are the leading scorers for Washington Township, which has never won a sectional title.
