Patrick McGavin

St. Laurence's Josh Pickett (1) reacts against Leo during a Catholic League crossover in Burbank on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.

Happy as can be, West Aurora transfer Josh Pickett settles into new home at St. Laurence. ‘He just fit right in.’

December 6, 2023 at 4:53 p.m.

The odyssey of St. Laurence's Josh Pickett could have been written by Homer himself. Amid changes of location, the 6-foot-5 guard has never lost sight of his greater objective, even...

Oak Lawn's Donte Montgomery (5) dribbles the ball up the court against Chicago Christian during a nonconference game on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.

A cool shooting night means Oak Lawn’s Donte Montgomery turns up heat on defense. ‘That is what wins games.’

November 29, 2023 at 4:21 a.m.

Junior combo guard Donte Montgomery has been red-hot for Oak Lawn, but even when his scoring inferno cools down like it did Tuesday night, there's more to his game than...

St. Charles East's Dom Munaretto, top, faces off against Sandburg's Rocco Hayes during the Illini Classic at Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2022.

After a setback in May, St. Charles East’s Dom Munaretto is on a mission to ‘make sure it never happens again.’

November 28, 2023 at 1:34 p.m.

It seems the only way to beat St. Charles East's Dom Munaretto is on a technicality. Go back to May in Las Vegas, and New Jersey wrestler Paul Kenny was...

Sandburg's Rocco Hayes holds onto Marmion's Nicholas Garcia in the third-place match at 106 pounds of the Class 3A state meet at the University of Illinois' State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.

A rising Rocco Hayes knows how to spin story for Sandburg. ‘I tell them I’m one of 10 kids and their jaws just drop.’

November 28, 2023 at 4:38 a.m.

Getting lost in a crowd is not a concept that registers with Sandburg junior Rocco Hayes. It's a family thing. Hayes, you see, has five brothers and four sisters. So,...

Bryce Heard scored 16 points for Homewood-Flossmoor against Bloom in the Chicago Heights Classic championship game on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.

Bryce Heard helps Homewood-Flossmoor turn back the clock at Chicago Heights Classic. ‘Sky’s the limit for us.’

November 25, 2023 at 2:44 a.m.

After dealing with the national glare, Bryce Heard just wanted to come home. Heard, a junior guard/forward for Homewood-Flossmoor, played last season at prestigious Montverde Academy in Florida. And the...

Lincoln-Way East defensive lineman Caden O'Rourke (91) storms the field after beating Barrington during a Class 8A state semifinal game in Frankfort on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

Moves like Caden? Lincoln-Way East relies on dominant Caden O’Rourke to down Barrington. ‘Do whatever I want.’

November 19, 2023 at 12:38 a.m.

Caden O'Rourke operates from an elevated perspective for Lincoln-Way East. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior defensive end uses those physical traits, along with his range, to wreak havoc in opposing backfields....

Marmion's Jack Lesher (6) catches a pass from Ryan Prell in the second quarter against Montini during a game in Aurora on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

Northwestern-bound Jack Lesher, who tore ACL in football, eyes Marmion wrestling return. ‘Bus never stops running.’

November 18, 2023 at 3:11 a.m.

The ordinary part about the play was what felt slightly odd to Marmion's Jack Lesher. The senior linebacker made a sharp hit on Carmel's running back during a Sept. 15...

Mount Carmel's Colin Kelly, top, wrestles against Brother Rice's Nate Chirillo in the 160-pound weight class at the Catholic League Meet in Chicago on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022.

Wisconsin commit Colin Kelly works his way back to winning form for Mount Carmel. ‘I felt like I didn’t attack.’

November 18, 2023 at 12:44 a.m.

Before the final whistle blew, Mount Carmel's Colin Kelly had already realized his fixable mistake. A tactical error upended his quest for a repeat state championship. As a junior, Kelly...

West Aurora's Noah Quintana, top, works to escape from Naperville Central's Christopher Ramirez during a 145-pound match at the Wheaton Warrenville South Mega Duals on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

Patrick Z. McGavin’s top 10 wrestling teams and 25 wrestlers to watch in Aurora-Elgin area for 2023-24 season

November 17, 2023 at 5:25 p.m.

Returning state champions Ben Davino, Dom Munaretto and Jayden Colon keep St. Charles East on top, while Marmion, Yorkville and Yorkville Christian look to make noise. Top 10 Teams 1....

Brother Rice's Gambino Perez looks to the fans after getting a point on Lemont's Nathan Wrublik in the sudden-victory round at 195 pounds during the Class 2A Brother Rice Dual Team Sectional in Chicago on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.

Patrick Z. McGavin’s top 10 wrestling teams and 25 wrestlers to watch in the Southland for the 2023-24 season

November 17, 2023 at 4:52 p.m.

Southland loaded in Class 3A with Mount Carmel, Joliet Catholic, Marist and Lockport, while Oak Forest, Sandburg and Lemont also look to make noise. Top 10 Teams 1. Mount Carmel...

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