Joshua Welge –

Waubonsie Valley's Mason Kroening, right, battles for control during a regional match last season. Kroening is undefeated as a senior.

Tall order: Waubonsie Valley’s Mason Kroening uses height to build unbeaten run

June 6, 2018 at 7:50 a.m.

Waubonsie Valley senior Mason Kroening considers his height to be both a blessing and a curse. The 6-foot-3 Kroenig competes at 195 pounds, but doesn't exactly have a classic wrestler's...

Beyond Batgirl: Somonauk’s Madison Kawall overcomes torn ACL to top 1,000 points

June 6, 2018 at 9:52 a.m.

Madison Kawall will always be linked to Somonauk's moment in the sun. Two years ago, Kawall was the leadoff hitter as a sophomore for the Bobcats, who placed second in...

Sweet win for ‘Cinnamon’: Dajour Miles’ key basket helps West Aurora rally

June 6, 2018 at 10:18 a.m.

Since she was a baby, Dajour Miles has gone by "Cinnamon." Her mom gave her the nickname. Now everybody calls her that. Miles was heralded on the track before she...

Boys basketball notes: Naperville North’s Mitch Lewis feels best yet to come

June 6, 2018 at 10:58 a.m.

Naperville North senior Mitch Lewis has too much on his mind these days. Lewis, who's weighing 10 football scholarship offers, hopes to add a couple Big Ten schools to that...

Oswego's Kira Sneed, left, scores on a layup Tuesday night against the defense of Joliet Central's Annette Hymon.

Kira Sneed gets 12 of 14 points in second half as Oswego tops Joliet Central

June 6, 2018 at 11:02 a.m.

Kira Sneed is known for her trick shots at Oswego practices, but the senior guard rarely busts them out in games. This one should qualify. Lolllipopping a one-handed runner on...

Aurora Christian's Tori Henning, left, drives past Westminster Christian's Sophie Kovachevich during a game this season.

Leap of faith: Tori Henning takes Aurora Christian in right direction

June 6, 2018 at 11:39 a.m.

Tori Henning's pregame routine reflects her game. For the last few minutes, the 5-foot-8 sophomore guard has two Aurora Christian teammates stand in front of the basket. Henning then practices...

Oswego East's Amaya Johns drives between Edwardsville's Mriah Noodel-Haywood, left, and Criste'on Waters on Thursday.

Overtime special: Amaya Johns, Oswego East come up short in tourney title game

June 6, 2018 at 11:42 a.m.

Amaya Johns came to Oswego East for games like this. Johns, a 5-foot-9 junior guard who transferred from Plainfield North, is a big reason why the Wolves are better than...

Jack Nolan stands tall, but Benet falls to Simeon in Pontiac tourney final

June 8, 2018 at 12:35 p.m.

Benet's Jack Nolan has a new following south of I-80. Few fan bases appreciate boys basketball like those in the sleepy community of Pontiac. For three days, Nolan won them...

Commentary: Joshua Welge’s favorite Naperville-area sports stories of 2016

June 8, 2018 at 12:35 p.m.

Got a favorite Cubs memory from 2016? I do, too, and — surprise — it has nothing to do with baseball. It has everything to do with a very special...

Blaise Meredith, Neuqua Valley shoot way past East Aurora to take third

June 8, 2018 at 12:15 p.m.

To Blaise Meredith and Neuqua Valley, practice makes apparently much closer to perfect. The Wildcats practiced six times the week before Christmas. The theme never wavered. "Is it possible to...

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