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.

St. Charles East’s Reese Dumpit (3) grab the ball as Bartlett’s Brandon Johnson (4) looks on during a nonconference game in Bartlett on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

Small in stature, Reese Dumpit comes up big as St. Charles East snaps 15-game losing streak. ‘It feels great.’

January 13, 2026 at 12:44 a.m.

Getting 24 points from Reese Dumpit, St. Charles East holds off Bartlett 73-59 to snap 15-game losing streak.

Oswego’s Ethan Vahl (3) advances the ball up the floor against Waubonsie Valley's Ishmaiah Elliott (23) during a nonconference game in Oswego on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon News)

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

January 12, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.

Kaneland takes over the top spot, while Metea Valley and West Aurora enter the rankings.

Metea Valley's Tre Watkins (3) takes the ball to the basket against Oswego East's Dshaun Bolden (24) during a nonconference game in Aurora on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

After scoring 1,000th career point, Metea Valley’s Tre Watkins tops his dad and Oswego East. ‘It’s always fun.’

January 11, 2026 at 10:57 p.m.

Illinois Springfield recruit Tre Watkins scores team-high 15 points for Metea Valley in 52-50 win over Oswego East.

Kaneland's Isaiah Gipson (2) converts a layup against Winnebago during a nonconference game in Maple Park on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

Isaiah Gipson knows how to get Kaneland fired up in key moment coming off bench. ‘Bring the energy.’

January 8, 2026 at 11:26 a.m.

Isaiah Gipson fills bill perfectly in key sequence of Kaneland's 74-54 nonconference blowout of Winnebago

Yorkville Christian's Jayden Alford (24) rebounds the ball against Fenger during a nonconference game in Yorkville on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

Freshman guard Jayden Alford already provides spark off bench for Yorkville Christian. ‘Feel more comfortable.’

January 7, 2026 at 11:35 a.m.

Jayden Alford comes off the bench and leads Yorkville Christian in scoring with 11 points in 66-53 loss to Fenger.

Senior defensive end Jordan Buckley takes a break before practice at Batavia on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Rick Armstrong / The Beacon-News)

Batavia’s Jordan Buckley joins two other local football players entering transfer portal. ‘Find a better shot.’

January 6, 2026 at 11:43 a.m.

Aurora Christian's Ethan Hampton and Batavia's Tyler Sapit join Jordan Buckley in entering NCAA transfer portal.

Aurora Central Catholic’s Braden Dillon (40) gets into the lane and goes up for a layup against Joliet Catholic during a Jeremy Izzo Shootout game in Aurora on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Back from concussion protocol, Braden Dillon provides big boost for Aurora Central Catholic. ‘Take it at them.’

January 5, 2026 at 11:29 a.m.

Braden Dillon scores team-high 15 points for host Aurora Central Catholic in 69-52 loss at Jeremy Izzo Shootout.

Kaneland's Marshawn Cocroft (3) shoots a free throw against Yorkville Christian during the 62nd annual Plano Christmas Classic championship game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

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

January 5, 2026 at 1:42 p.m.

Oswego takes over top spot again, while East Aurora and Yorkville Christian enter the rankings.

Kaneland’s Jeffrey Hassan (34) converts a layup against Yorkville Christian's Carter Wells (11) during a Plano Christmas Classic championship game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

Double-double producer Jeffrey Hassan adds blocking shots to Kaneland’s list. ‘Just plays winning basketball.’

January 2, 2026 at 7:04 p.m.

Jeffrey Hassan blocks five shots in first five minutes to lead Kaneland to 78-47 win in Plano Christmas Classic final.

Oswego East's Jacsen Tucker (2) takes the court during introductions before tipoff against Yorkville for a Southwest Prairie West game in Oswego on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

Oklahoma State baseball commit Jacsen Tucker turns into a basketball gem for Oswego East. ‘A different game.’

December 20, 2025 at 1:11 a.m.

Jacsen Tucker posts double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds for Oswego East in 57-37 win over Yorkville.

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