Sam Brief

Sam Brief is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Lake Forest's Lauren Richards (11) gets the ball past midcourt during a North Suburban Conference game against Waukegan in Lake Forest on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.

Lake Forest’s Lauren Richards puts Achilles and ACL injuries behind her. The junior guard sees ‘big picture.’

November 7, 2023 at 5:09 p.m.

Lake Forest's Lauren Richards took the first step toward a long varsity career when she made the team as a freshman two years ago. But injuries have held Richards back...

Grayslake North's Lucy Roscoe lunges to receive a serve against Lake Forest during the Class 3A Lake Forest Regional championship match on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022.

‘More like friends,’ Lucy and Jeana Roscoe are teammates in 4 sports at Grayslake North, where father is principal

October 18, 2023 at 4:05 p.m.

It's difficult to go through a day at Grayslake North without running into a Roscoe. Jim Roscoe is in his 12th year as principal at the school, and his daughters,...

Vernon Hills' Giuseppe Urso (24) gets past Maine West's Kyle Ramirez (19) during a Central Suburban North game in Vernon Hills on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

Giacomo and Giuseppe Urso say they’re ‘almost the same.’ Both do play significant roles for Vernon Hills.

October 11, 2023 at 4:37 p.m.

Vernon Hills football players Giacomo and Giuseppe Urso aren't twins. The brothers feel like they are, though. "Our bond is so tight," Giuseppe Urso said. "It's like our brains are...

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong runs to first base after laying down a sacrifice bunt in his first major league at-bat during a game against the Colorado Rockies in Denver on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023.

Seeing son Pete Crow-Armstrong play for Chicago Cubs ‘doesn’t feel real’ to Matt Armstrong, a former Naperville resident

October 7, 2023 at 5:54 a.m.

Matt Armstrong recalls tears were streaming down his cheeks. His son, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, had arrived in the majors. "I remember I just sobbed when Pete made that...

Zion-Benton's Rmoni Beals catches a pass during a practice in Zion on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

All eyes on Rmoni Beals as Zion-Benton tries to build on win and ‘prove a point’ behind do-it-all junior captain

October 4, 2023 at 5:44 p.m.

Watch Zion-Benton junior Rmoni Beals on the football field, and it becomes clear there isn't much he can't do. There isn't much he doesn't do, for that matter. Wide receiver....

Deerfield's Uma Schulz, right, blocks, Glenbrook North's Emma Fraczek during a Central Suburban South match in Deerfield on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

Deerfield standout Uma Schulz is back on the court and doesn’t take that for granted: ‘I’m lucky to play’

September 25, 2023 at 6:23 p.m.

Deerfield middle blocker Uma Schulz remembers she was on the move. Sprinting to the ball during a match early last season, Schulz collided with her setter, smashing her hand against...

Grayslake North's Will Verber (17) moves the ball through traffic during a Northern Lake County Conference game against Grayslake Central in Grayslake on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

Will Verber has returned. So have wins for Grayslake North. ‘There are certain players that raise the bar.’

September 18, 2023 at 12:40 p.m.

Will Verber is back, and it's no coincidence that Grayslake North is winning again. Verber missed all but the first 30 minutes of last season after tearing the ACL in...

Lakes' Katie Mercure chats during a Northern Lake County Conference match against Antioch in Lake Villa on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Pressure doesn’t bother Lakes setter Katie Mercure. She embraces it. ‘Confidence just exudes from her.’

September 8, 2023 at 7:04 p.m.

By the time she turned 13, Lakes' Katie Mercure had sampled just about every position volleyball has to offer. But she hadn't tried playing setter — until her youth coaches...

Grayslake Central's Sean Mullen returns an interception during a Northern Lake County Conference game at Round Lake on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

Former gymnast Sean Mullen meets high bar for Grayslake Central in two sports. He picked up football quickly.

August 22, 2023 at 6:17 p.m.

Grayslake Central's Sean Mullen remembers being nervous as he got ready for his first varsity football game. After all, Mullen didn't have much experience in the sport at the time....

Libertyville's Caleb Baczek, top, wrestles against Grayslake Central's Matty Jens during a match in the 182-pound weight class at the Lake County Invitational in Libertyville on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023.

Libertyville’s Caleb Baczek isn’t satisfied after successful sophomore year. To improve, he isn’t on his own.

August 18, 2023 at 7:21 p.m.

Libertyville linebacker Caleb Baczek stood in an expansive green field and ran the beep test. Known by other names, including the shuttle run test, the drill is used to gauge...

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