Mike Helfgot’s blog: Class 4A regional finals present a chance for upsets
For every "Godfather II," there's a "Caddyshack II," "Hangover II" and any number of other sequels that should not have been made. Here we are on the anniversary of the...
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Boys basketball: Class 4A regional finals give plenty of teams a shot at payback
As he sat preparing for his next opponent, Pat Ambrose knew better than to count his college teammate out. Ambrose, the head coach of defending Class 4A champion Stevenson, wouldn't...
Boys basketball: No. 17 Evanston gets back on track in rout of Glenbrook South
The regular season is a marathon, and Evanston was cruising along blissfully all the way to mile 24. Then losses in their final three games made opening the playoffs on...
Mike Helfgot’s blog: Some super sectionals highlight deep 4A bracket
In postseason basketball, the team that should win usually does. It is certainly the case in the NBA, less so in college if only because it's usually not as clear,...
Boys basketball: Mike Helfgot’s Week 15 Top 20
Records through Sunday; Last week's rankings in parentheses. 1. Simeon 24-3, 4A (1) Preseason No. 1 finds itself in familiar role. 2. Morgan Park 22-3, 3A (2) 3A is tougher...
Boys basketball: Morgan Park looking for second scorer
In December, the idea that Morgan Park may need another scorer would have seemed absurd. The area's best teams were taking turns at failing to stop the Mustangs. They averaged...
Boys basketball: Crete-Monee’s Dwayne Rose, Derrick’s nephew, making own name
Jeremiah Matthews peaked his head out of the visitors' locker room at Lemont the first week of February and came up with an idea to throw off the strangest-looking crowd...
Boys basketball: DePaul Prep stays patient, tops Northridge for regional title
Regional finals to sectional semifinals is often the biggest step up in competition on the road to Peoria. DePaul Prep's next opponent will almost certainly not feel compelled to hold...
Basketball recruiting: Nick Rakocevic looks to spring signing period
Nick Rakocevic bet on himself. It appears to be paying off. Formerly considered the No. 1 player in Illinois' Class of 2016 before a disappointing spring and summer, Rakocevic chose...
Helfgot’s basketball blog: Evanston-Deerfield headlines four conference crossover title games
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the most (only?) glorious night in Sometimes-Weekly Picks Blog history — 5-for-5 on regional finals upsets (by seed) — it should be a...