Rick Armstrong

Rick Armstrong has spent most of his 43-year career in journalism covering high school and college sports throughout Chicago's west and southwest suburbs with stops in DeKalb, Joliet, Elgin and Aurora. The Northern Illinois graduate enjoys discovering and telling the stories of athletes from all levels in the communities he covers.

Batavia's Dane Farrar (15) defends under the basket against Geneva's Gabe Jensen (2) in the fourth quarter of a DuKane Conference game in Geneva on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Dane Farrar develops into more than just a scoring guard for Batavia. It’s his defense too. ‘Kind of my role.’

January 26, 2026 at 9:27 p.m.

Dane Farrar tallies 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists for Batavia in a 55-37 win over Hinsdale Central.

Burlington Central’s Patrick Magan (0) picks up his dribble and looks to pass the ball to a teammate against Jacobs during a Fox Valley Conference game in Burlington on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Rick Armstrong’s high school boys basketball rankings and player of the week for the Aurora-Elgin area

January 25, 2026 at 10:25 p.m.

Kaneland maintains the top spot, while Burlington Central and Batavia both enter the rankings.

West Aurora’s Jordan Weeks (24) fakes a pass to Travis Brown (1) against Downers Grove North during a game in the Batavia Night of Hoops on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Jordan Weeks, a late summer transfer from Aurora Christian, makes strong start for West Aurora. ‘Warming up.’

January 25, 2026 at 9:59 p.m.

Jordan Weeks puts up 13 points and eight rebounds for West Aurora in 66-62 OT loss at the Batavia Night of Hoops.

Yorkville's Braydon Porter (22) pushes the ball up the court on a fast break against Minooka's Nehemiah Brown (4) during a Southwest Prairie West game in Yorkville on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

After tough first half of season, Braydon Porter sees bigger, better future for Yorkville. ‘Get it together.’

January 23, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

Braydon Porter scores eight of game-high 12 points in first quarter to help Yorkville to 54-30 rout of Minooka.

Oswego’s Mariano Velasco (5) passes the ball to a teammate on the wing against Metea Valley during a nonconference game in Oswego on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Coming off visit to Air Force for football, Mariano Velasco flies high for Oswego basketball. ‘Passion for it.’

January 22, 2026 at 12:27 a.m.

Mariano Velasco scores 11 of his 14 points in the first half as Oswego squeaks out 59-58 win over Metea Valley.

Waubonsee Community College’s Freddy Hassan (1) drives to the basket as Elgin’s Derek Clark (20) defends during a Skway Conference game in Sugar Grove on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News)

Kaneland graduate Freddy Hassan already gets Division I looks as freshman at Waubonsee. ‘Our most consistent.’

January 21, 2026 at 11:25 a.m.

Kaneland's Freddy Hassan comes up with 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead Waubonsee to 100-85 win over Elgin.

Waubonsie Valley’s Kyler Payne (33) starts to pass over Oak Park-River Forest’s Jerome Delaney during a game in the Wheaton Warrenville South MLK Showcase on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Jon Cunningham / The Beacon-News)

A taller Kyler Payne keeps growing his inside-outside game for Waubonsie Valley. ‘Do some of those things.’

January 18, 2026 at 9:05 p.m.

Kyler Payne scores 12 of his 18 points in the second half in Waubonsie Valley's 57-50 win over Oak Park-River Forest.

West Aurora's Drew Lundberg (12) fights for position under the basket against Bartlett's Joey Cwik (2) during an Upstate Eight Conference game in Aurora on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

Drew Lundberg, a former tight end in football, goes from wing to the post for West Aurora. ‘Used to contact.’

January 17, 2026 at 12:29 a.m.

Drew Lundberg, a tight end through his junior year in football, scores nine points in West Aurora's win over Bartlett.

Kaneland's Connor Kimme (23) grabs the ball against St. Charles North in the first quarter of a nonconference game in Maple Park on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Once known for his shot, Connor Kimme carves out much bigger role as senior for Kaneland. ‘Become a key guy.’

January 15, 2026 at 12:32 a.m.

Connor Kimme scores nine points as Kaneland continues to roll, cruising to 77-45 win against St. Charles North.

Metea Valley's Sincere Williams (33) powers his way to the basket against East Aurora's Jason Moore (14) during a nonconference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

In third year of organized basketball, Sincere Williams gets into groove for Metea Valley. ‘Come a long way.’

January 14, 2026 at 12:46 p.m.

Sincere Williams comes up with 13 points and grabs six rebounds for Metea Valley in 90-53 win over East Aurora.

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