Basketball is Back at the Riverside-Brookfield Shootout

I love the R-B Shootout. Gets me back into basketball. I get to see teams and players I don’t ordinarily see during the season.

The games don’t mean much. One always wants to win but it is more about seeing what teams have and what they lost.

Last year I realized the R-B is not a good time and place for photos. It is more of a place to get to know teams and players. Although I do love the main gym. It has excellent light and lots of space to get a good position.

I took some photos more to capture the atmosphere than game action.

R-B has 56 teams. A mix of traditional powerhouses, teams with standout players and just average teams but more of the former than the latter.

I hesitate to comment upon and evaluate players for want of proper bone fides for such an endeavor. My basketball credentials don’t get much past coaching my son’s grade school basketball team. But I am sticking with my decision to report because more coverage is better than less coverage. (Mike Clark encouraged me. So blame him if I get it all wrong.) So, in the venerable words of the late Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, “I know it when I see it.” I can recognize a good player, or maybe just a good play, when I set it. So here goes.

The first game of the day was St. Ignatius vs. Timothy Christian. I wanted to check out Timothy Christian’s 6’8” senior center Ben VanderWal. I also wanted to see how Chicago Catholic League contender and likely top ten team St. Ignatius looks.

VanderWal is the real thing. He has size and length. He can shoot. He plays defense. He will carry Timothy Christian.

St. Ignatius is very good. They move the very well. They make layups. They play defense. It seemed like they are much bigger than last year. Kolby Gilles, Richard Barron and A. J. Redd all looked bigger and faster. I do not remember big junior Jackson Kotecki from last year but I should have. He is the piece that rounds out this group. And they have a player named Emmett O’Shaughnessy. How can one not love that?

Next was Rolling Meadows vs. Ridgewood. I wanted to see Cameron Christie. He didn’t play much so I can’t draw any conclusions. It seemed like Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich wanted to see what the rest of his squad could do. Interestedly, when Christie was in, he brought up the ball like his older brother incoming Michigan State freshman, Max Christie.

Without too much of Christie to be contended with, Coach Chris Mroz’s scrappy Ridgewood squad made a game of it. Tons of effort in this game even without the East Gym packed with college coaches.

Next were the DePaul Prep games. First Oak Forest, then Glenbrook South. Oak Forrest has Robbie Avila. That kid is just big. He he can handle the ball, he can score and he can blot out the sun. But I have to say, DePaul Prep’s Dylan Arnett played him well. I would say Arnett got the better of him.

From the frying pan and into the fire for Arnett. Glenbrook South’s Nick Martinelli followed immediately. It’s no secret to even casual observers that Martinelli is one of the best players in the state but I had never seen him until today. He did not disappoint. Arnett played well but at times, many times, Nick Martinelli could not be denied.

Glenbrook South, last year’s Central Suburban League Champions over Evanston, is a much better team than Oak Forest. Glenbrook South held the young Rams in check. One noticed the absence of DePaul Prep’s scoring machines TY Johnson and Rashid Bello in this game. The Rams stayed close but lost 43-34.

Then Glenbard West vs. St. Rita. I had to see Glenbard West and I wanted to see how the young St. Rita team was coming along.

Glenbard West is the best high school basketball team I have seen in a long time; certainly the biggest. The 1-3-1 zone had St. Rita stymied in the first half. The Mustangs did not score for a long time at the beginning of the game. The Hilltopper’s 6’10” forward Braden Huff has length and nose for the basket. He just took the ball to the hoop. Caden Pierce, Paxton Warden, Bobby Durkin and Ryan Renfro rounding out an all 6’3” or better starting five. Oh, and they are athletic too. Fast. This team has to be a favorite to make it to the 4A finals.  

Then Loyola vs. Bogan. Loyola is always good. Tom Livatino gets a bunch of athletes, coaches them up and turns them into a winning basketball team. Just always expect Loyola to be very good. Nothing different with this group. I don’t think he has any D1 prospects but they will contend for the CCL for sure. As always.

Finally, Joliet West vs. Whitney Young. The last that I saw Whitney Young, TY Johnson put forty points on them and DePaul Prep upset the Dolphins at St. Patrick’s last March in the Chipolte season ending tournament. Coach Slaughter has his team hitting on all cylinders. Just a group of big, fast athletes. They are excellent shooters. Gotta be another favorite to win 4A.

I also learned today that DePaul Prep sophomore coach Sean Connor got the head coaching job at Antioch High School. Sean is a great coach. Seriously, this guy can coach. His teams won the sophomore division of the Chicago Catholic League for, I don’t know how many years in a row, eight, nine? And he won it with the best freshmen and sophomore playing up a lot of the time. Antioch will love Sean. Just a wonderful person. I am happy for him that he will be fifteen minutes away from his home and won’t be so far from his growing family. I am also happy he didn’t land at a Catholic League school.

There you go. I am so happy basketball is on again.

Hope you like the photos.

DePaul Prep Falls to Timothy Christian 7-6 in 2A Sectional Semi-final

I love high school baseball. It’s just so much fun to go and see baseball for free under the lights in the evening. It’s like having a minor league baseball team, or teams , in the neighborhood to go see in the evening.

But the season is over. It was fun while it lasted.

On Monday, the DePaul Prep Rams won their 2A IHSA Regional against University of Chicago Lab School at Kerry Wood Field earning.

On Wednesday, they fell to Timothy Christian 7-6 is a very exciting extra inning affair. I apologize for not having the time to do a write up on the game. However, I took photos. This is mostly a photo blog. I have to use my time to get better at photos. I write an article now and again for Inside Publications. I would love to do more but I just don’t have the time. Maybe next year.

I hope you like the photos. And I still have photos from the U. of C. that I will publish as time allows.

Lane Tech Pitcher Ryan Wong Bringing Wicked Curveball to Cal Tech

This is a preview of my upcoming article for Inside Publications:

By Jack Lydon

Lane Tech senior Ryan Wong is a serious high school scholar with a wicked curveball. So much so, that Ryan will be throwing that pitch for the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, as well as studying computer science.

Ryan’s Lane Tech coach Sean Freeman, who has coached the 6’1” 185 lbs, senior right-handed pitcher since Ryan was ten years-old, speaks of Ryan in glowing terms.

“Ryan is one of our top pitchers. I feel like we have four #1 pitchers and Ryan in one of them. Ryan throws a 2 seam, a 4 seam, a curveball and slider. And he’s working on a change. His curveball has got the most break. It’s almost at a major league level for its spin rate. Pure stuff-wise that’s his best pitch. But he obviously throws hard and has a good fast ball for a high school kid,” said Freeman.

“The Cal Tech coaches are extremely happy about getting Ryan. Cal Tech is a newer program that is starting to build. They have a young team so he should get a lot of innings right away. They were very excited to get him,” said Freeman.

Ryan has put up some impressive numbers, five wins against two losses with the losses being to Warren Township and Evanston, two top programs. His earned run average is 2.538. His WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) is 1.189. He has 29 strike outs.

I saw Ryan pitch against Von Stueben on May 19, 2021. He got in a little trouble in the first giving up an unearned run but got out of the jam.

He settled down in the second, third and fourth setting the batters down in order.

The fifth was another story. His pitches were up. Von Stueben’s Quinn Basta crushed a line drive up the middle and into center field. Von’s right fielder Anthony Zamora pasted an up-and-in fastball between third and short.

Ryan caught a break when Basta was caught stealing third.

But Ryan walked Von’s third baseman Joe Gonzalez and pitcher Jacob Sfikas singled sharply to left to load the bases.

Ryan threw one outside and in the dirt that Lane catcher Charlie Johnson could not handle. The ball came back to the screen and Anthony Zamora scored from third. The official scorer called it a passed ball. I scored it a wild pitch. Let’s call it a passed ball.

Von Stueben sophomore second baseman hit a fly ball to center deep enough to score Gonzalez from third.

Ryan caught the next hitter looking for the third out. It could have been so much worse. Three well hit singles and a walk for Ryan in the fifth but two runs, only one earned.

What struck me about Ryan’s performance was how mature he was. He did not get rattled. He was pitching in the moment. It was great fun to watch.

And Ryan is putting up these numbers for no ordinary team and against top level competition. Lane is one of the biggest high schools in the state. The Lane baseball team (no longer the Indians) went 25-7 this year and 14-0 in CPS conference play.

Lane won its 4A Regional but dropped a heartbreaking back-and-forth loss to rival New Trier in the 4A Sectional semi-final on June 9, bringing an end to their season and Ryan’s high school career with it.

But Ryan is going to play in college at Cal Tech, a serious academic institution. Not many people play baseball after the age of eighteen. It requires a kind of freakish talent that the Almighty grants to a precious few among us.

As important as that baseball talent is, and it is, Ryan is a scholar as well.

Sporting a 5.31/4.00 GPA and a 34 on the ACT, Ryan took thirteen advanced placement course in high school. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Lane Scholars, Student Council and the Chess Team. He is member of the IHSA All-State Academic Team (2021).

I asked him how he does it. How is he going to handle a computer science major and varsity baseball at Cal Tech?

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge. But I think the work that I have had through high school and juggling baseball has really prepared me for next year. I have been in thirteen AP classes through high school so I think I might be ready. But it’s definitely going to be a challenge,” Ryan said.

College sports is all consuming. For many, the ones we see on television, the student athlete is more athlete than student. How important is baseball?

“I love the game. It’s probably the top priority right now. I love just being around the guys, being part of the team. It takes some of the stress of school and outside stresses away,” Ryan said.

His love for the game was evident when we returned to talking baseball. His big breaking curveball is indeed wicked and he can throw it for a strike.

“To a righty, I love to through the curve ball low and away. Get the swing and miss. Early in the count, I like the backdoor curve. It’s coming at them and breaks into the zone. It really depends on the hitter and the count,” Ryan said somehow with equal measures of pride and humility.

Bright future for a computer programmer with a wicked curveball.

Oh, and he is a golf caddie too. Doesn’t surprise me at all.

Payton Defeats Phillips JV Squad 21-14

This is a preview of my article that will appear in Wednesday’s Inside Publications.

By Jack Lydon

This COVID delayed and shortened season came to a merciful but satisfying end Saturday afternoon for the Walter Payton College Prep football team against a junior varsity squad put together by CPS powerhouse Phillips. The Grizzlies came up with a 21-14 win against a very talented Phillips squad.

Short and unpredictable though it was, this season showed me one can play simply for the love of the game. It showed me how enjoyable the simply chance to play can be.

Payton was scheduled to play Solorio Academy on Saturday afternoon. Solorio had to cancel the game for none COVID related reasons. Injuries depleted its team to a point where the coach did not feel it was safe to play a game with so few players.

“We were not supposed to play Phillips,” Payton coach Craig Knocke said.

“Monday Solorio informed us that they would not be able to play this weekend. So CPS sports [administration staff] did a great job finding us an opponent that we could [play].

“This is not Phillips’ number 1 squad. They played last night.”

Phillips first team played Taft on Friday (April 23). Rebounding from a 30-0 defeat at Loyola the preceding Friday, the Wildcats defeated at tough and talented Taft team 26-21.

“This [Phillips] team that’s got, I don’t know how many, but has it 2-1 varsity players [as we do]. So the kids that didn’t play in the Taft game, played us,” said Knocke.

“Phillips is a great program. The kids who are not starters on this team, will be next year. They have some really good players.”

Everybody rips CPS. But these coaches, staff and administration found a way for the young men to play a football game when it could so easily have just called it a season.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Grizzlies punted the ball back to Phillips. Payton senior linebacker and running back Joe Savaiano, who will play college football next year at Washington University, picked off at quick slant from Phillips junior quarterback Avante Savage and returned the ball into Phillips’ territory.

After a clunch third down catch by sophomore wide receiver Charlie Newton, senior running back Jack Dawson took the handoff at the five yard-line and ran it up the middle into the end zone for the games’ first score. Senior kicker Thomas Melecio added the point after.

On the first play of the second quarter, Payton added to its lead with a 60ish yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Eamon Glascott to senior wide receiver Danny O’Connell to push the Payton lead to 14-0.

There was no quit in Phillips talented junior varsity. Quarterback Avante Savage took a keeper up the middle and down the left sideline with 1:49 remaining the in second quarter to keep it close. Phillips added the two-point conversion making the score 14-8.

But the half was not done, Payton received the kickoff. On the second play, Glascott dropped back to pass.

“Basically, it was a slugo—slant go. I was able to get past the defender, it was a perfect throw. That’s what we work on in practice. It clearly paid off,” Payton sophomore wide receiver Charlie Newton said after the game.

He has a gift for understatement.

Newton bolted past the cornerback and got a few steps on him. Glascott’s pass was indeed perfect, dropping right into Newton outstretched arms on a dead sprint. Newton dodged the free safety coming over in coverage and raced toward the goal posts, adding a little flip into the endzone at the goal line which could not have made his coaches too happy.

Payton 21-8 at the half.

Phillips came out of the half a different team. The found energy they did not have in the first have. With this new found energy, the moved the ball up and down the field on Payton but could not punch it in.

Late in the third quarter, Payton fumbled a handoff to the running back. Phillips linebacker Jason Cannon Jr., picked up the ball and raced it into the endzone drawing the Wildcats to within a touchdown.

The teams traded long drives throughout the fourth quarter as the time ticked away.

Inside the last minute, Phillips marched the ball down to the Payton three-yard line. On third-down at the three, Phillips quarterback Savage fumbled the handoff to running back Rayshaun Thompson but recovered the ball.

On fourth and goal from the four, with the game on the line, Payton linebacker Joey Savaiano broke up Savage’s pass to Phillips wide-out Cohen Waters Jr.

Payton went on to win 21-14.

“It’s awesome to go out with a win. Not many seniors can say that. It’s either a state playoff loss or something of that nature. To end the season on a win is really special to me. [This] was a makeshift year. We only had three games,” said Payton quarterback Eamon Glascott.

“But I love coming out and playing football. High school football is the best. This is a great group of guys that might not be the biggest, fastest, strongest guys but these kids have a lot of heart.”

Both teams, their coaches and even CPS sports administration just wanted the play. No championships. Nothing really to play for except for the fun of it.

It was fun. This COVID season showed us the love of the game. Win or lose. Let’s just play.

Refreshing.

Payton College Prep Football Senior Night, in the Parking Lot

The Payton College Prep Grizzles had their senior night on Friday (April 23, 2021). With the season cut short, the senior night had to be on Friday before the away game against Phillips. I hope you like the photos. Photos from the Phillips game to follow shortly.

Loyola defeats Phillips 30-0.

By Jack Lydon

 Lane Tech ran into a COVID hold that cancelled its game against Phillips schedule for Friday, April 16. Phillips coach Troy McAllister didn’t want to lose another chance to play in this abbreviated season. No. 1 ranked Loyola (5-0, 3-0) had a hole it its schedule this weekend.

“Lane cancelled on Phillips. Troy called and asked if we could schedule a game,” Loyola head football coach and former NFL player John Holecek said. Holecek quickly agreed to the unusual late afternoon Friday game for Loyola.

With its big lawn, new parking lot and tennis court, the addition to the football field, Loyola Academy has the feeling of a small college. Loyola Academy is a Chicago Catholic League powerhouse with the number one ranking. Despite being the top football program in the Chicago Public School system, Phillips (3-1, 1-0) had a tall task in front of it.

In another time, this would have been match up for the ages. As it was in August 2017, when Phillips opened its magically state championship season with a 20-14 victory over recent state champion Loyola. Could the Wildcats must the magic this time on Loyola’s home field after all the adversity of the COVID season?

Loyola got the opening kickoff and methodically moved down the field with a conservative and impressive ground attack.

“When you have Vaughn Pemberton running the ball, you can afford be conservative,” Holecek said.

“But we took our shots.”

One such shot was at the end of the Ramblers opening drive. On fourth and four at the Phillips 25-yard line, Loyola’s senior quarterback J. T. Thomas dropped back. Senior wide receiver Perrion Mcclinton ran a post and Thomas hit him at the goal line for the game’s opening score capping a 13 play, 74 yard drive that ate up over half of the first quarter.

Loyola senior kicker Nate Van zelst added an extra point giving the Ramblers a 7-0 lead.

After intercepting a pass, Loyola took over deep in Wildcat’s territory. Ramblers’ senior running back Vaughn Pemberton ran the ball in for a 16-yard touchdown. The Ramblers pushed to lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter.

Phillips was by means out of the game. With 4:18 left in the half, Loyola muffed a punt turning the ball over deep in their own end. The Wildcats moved the ball down to Loyola’s 11-yard line but could not score.

Taking over on downs and continuing their conservative game plan, the Ramblers run out the clock, happy to take the 14-point lead into the locker room.

The third quarter proved to be Phillips breaking point. After Loyola senior running back Aiden Brownlee took a reverse around end for a 26-yard touchdown. Ramblers 21, Wildcats 0.

On the next Phillips possession, the Loyola defense broke the back of the Phillips offense. Ramblers’ defensive from four, seniors Liam Conaghan, Omaru Konneh and Brandan Svets and junior Michael Williams, destroyed Phillips offensive line with three consecutive sacks. Phillips junior quarterback Tyler Turner made a tremendous player to reach the ball out of the endzone while being dragged down to avoid a safety during the third sack.

Loyola added a 39-yard field goal by standout kicker Nate Van zelst and a late touchdown pushing the score to 30-0 sealing the Ramblers victory and improving their record to 5-0 on this strange COVID season.

Loyola standing out running back Vaughn Pemberton summed up the feelings of both teams after the game.

“We don’t take any of these reps for granted. We just go out there and have fun with our brothers. James Kyle [Loyola senior tight end] gets hurt and can’t play. We all wrote [Kyle’s number] 81 on our wrists. I just appreciate it. I am just happy to be out here,” Pemberton said.

Loyola will face CCL/ESCC rival #5 Marist Redhawks at Marist for the championship of the combined leagues’ Blue Division championship.

Hope you like the photos.

DePaul Prep Defeats Fenwick to Advance to Chipotle Clash of Championship

With the blizzard of basketball games at the end of this COVID season and then the immediate start of football, not to mention that I am writing a high school sports column now, it has taken me a long time to process all the photos from the basketball season.

These are the photos from the afternoon game between Fenwick and DePaul Prep.

DePaul defeated Fenwick in a close game. DePaul went out to an early lead but Fenwick slowly got back in it. As I recall, they may have tied the game or even taken a one point lead late in the fourth quarter.

Right at the end, Bryce Hopkins had the ball only down by three. He could have forced overtime.

Instead he lost the handle on the ball under pressure by Brian Mathews and Rasheed Bello. TY Johnson scooped it up and DePaul went on to defeat Evanston later that same evening.

I am generally happy with these photos. But they are so graining because I was principally using my Canon 7D. I love that camera. I know how to use it and it has a high frame rate. It just produces graining pictures with its APC sensor. Very good camera—just not full frame .

Hope you like the photos.

DePaul Prep Defeats #1 Whitney Young 55-43

The Rams had lost to Fenwick a week before. Despite beating Brother Rice in an emotional last game in the Tom Winiecki Gym, it felt like DePaul limped into the Chipotle Clash of Champions. They were ranked 11 or 19 or something. I don’t even remember.

Coach Kleinschmidt had them ready. Ready to play their game. As is their game, the Rams opened a lead. The top ranked Dolphins rebounded and actually lead at half time.

No problem. Just keep playing the Rams’ game. Whitney Young was happy to oblige. Well, maybe not happy. They didn’t have much say in the issue. The Rams controlled the tempo, moved the ball around until they found a seem to exploit. And that they did.

TY had 32. Brian Mathews had 11.

Oh, and they made their free throws at the end. Doing that, when one has the lead at the end, makes winning look easy.

I was more of a spectator for this game. It shows in the photos. I don’t even care. I just enjoyed the game.

It was proof to me just how special this group of young men—this team—is. Proof that Tom Kleinschimdt is a special kind of coach. Proof that even in the disappointment and frustration of the season of COVID, we can all take something special from the experience.

This was just the first game of the Chipotle Clash of Champions; still more work to do. But all the proof I needed.

DePaul Prep Opens New Football Stadium. Rams fall to Marian Catholic 27-20

I didn’t realize what a football, soccer and lacrosse stadium can mean to as school. It is literally the front yard of the new DePaul Prep campus.

The Rams had their first football game at the new stadium last week on Holy Thursday. The team has improved. The kids have bought in. They were driving for a tying touchdown with a minute to go but came up short 27-20 against Marian.

I have no doubt that the Rams will be back in the Gordon Tech type football glory in years to come.

These are the photos. I hope you like them.

Should I continuing writing?

Sun-Times writer Mike Clark came to the DePaul Prep stadium opener to cover the Marian Catholic game for his main job as preps editor for the Northwest Indiana Times. It’s always great to see Mike. He is such a great guy and so much fun to talk to about prep sports. Just so much knowledge.

He asked me how I liked writing.

“Sports writing is hard,” I told him.

I like to think of myself as a competent writer. Most of what I do is technical writing. I concentrate on clarity and brevity. That should translate to sports writing I thought. I was not looking to win any Pulizer prizes. Just say what happened and publish a photo. Four or five weeks into writing pieces for Inside Publications, such as they are, I am not so sure it’s a good idea. My writing hasn’t been good. And by that I mean, it’s “bad.”

Ten years ago, I started covering sports and politics for Patrick Boylan’s Center Square Journal. It was hard and time consuming. I gave it up to concentrate on photography. I love the photography. I have gotten pretty good at it. It’s opened doors for me.

I knew all this when I approached Inside about writing a prep sports column. My thinking was I don’t have to write well. Who really cares? I didn’t want to be so proud that if I can’t do it as well as real sports writers, I won’t do it at all. There is so little coverage of high school sports that people will just be glad to have more. The Inside publisher loved the idea. He didn’t seem concerned with my amateur status.

As I was talking to Mike outside the DePaul Prep stadium, he clearly had read my articles although he graciously never said as much.

“You are telling a story. Nobody wants to hear too much of the game action,” he said. “Just figure out what the story is and write about it.”

Mike is so right. His gentle advise affirmed my thinking. He inspired me to keep going. He pointed me in the right direction on how to be a good sports writer.

Thanks Mike.

Payton Grizzles Chew Up Orr 44-8 in CPS Football Opener

This is a preview of my article that will be published in Wednesday’s Inside Publications Booster, Skyline and News-Star:

The Payton College Prep opening night 44-8 victory over Orr was the perfect metaphor this weird COVID football season: started late, ended early.

The preceding Schurz victory over Mather ran long. CPS sports administration cleared everyone out of the stadium and didn’t let in the players, coaches, staff, announcer Mark Farina and this reporter until 7:00 p.m. A few parents watched from outside the stadium at the south end of the field.

Once the game was on, there was plenty of action. After Orr took the opening kickoff, quarterback 6’1” senior Maqael Henderson ran a keeper on the first play for nine yards.

The Spartans moved the ball up the field but on a fourth and short they dropped back into punt formation. The Grizzlies were not buying it and did not send back a returner. So the Spartans punted. Grizzlies took over on their own 23 yard line.

On his first ever carry as a running back, Payton 6’0”, 205 lbs, senior Joey Savaiano took a hand off around end and sprinted up the sideline 77 yards to the season’s first score on the season’s first play from scrimmage for the Payton Grizzlies. The point after failed.

After taking Payton’s kickoff, the Spartans shifted tactics and began throwing. A couple of throws to Orr’s speedy split end, senior Jamarion Collins, failed to connect. Maquel Henderson has a big arm and he was getting protection. He was just overthrowing his receivers. Again, the Spartans punted.

Again, Joey Savaiano got the ball. On the second play of the series, splitting Spartan defenders, Savaiano sprinted up the middle of the field for another touchdown. This time 79 yards and a score. PAT was good.

With that, the first quarter ended. Grizzlies led 13-0.

Orr dressed only thirteen players of the fifteen on its roster. Almost the whole team had to play both ways. Of the fifteen, ten are sophomores.

Nevertheless, the game was not out-of-hand. If Orr could connect on a couple passes and stop Savaiano’s big runs, we would have a competitive contest.

It was not to be. Payton’s approach was methodical and balanced. The Grizzlies overwhelmed the undermanned Spartans in the second quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Payton moved the ball into Spartan territory. Payton’s 6’1” senior quarterback Eamon Glascott connected on a short out pass to senior wide receiver Danny O’Connell who turned up the sideline. In an acrobatic move worthy of an ESPN Sports Center highlight, O’Connell alluded a tackle from Orr’s Jamarion Collins, reached the ball out to the endzone pylon and scored the Grizzlies third touchdown of the game. PAT from senior kicker Thomas Melecio was good. Grizzlies 20, Spartans 0.

After an Orr turnover deep in their own end, Joey Savaiano added his third touchdown of the half on a ten yard run up the middle. Melecio added another PAT. Just that fast, Payton had pushed the led to 27-0.

Things got worse for Orr. Henderson through an interception. Payton had the ball and with 57 seconds left in the half and quickly moved the ball down to the Orr 15 yard line. A fade into the corner from Glascott to sophomore wide receiver Charlie Newton failed to connect.

Talented young kicker Melecio came on to tried to a 25 yard field goal. It was good as time expired. Grizzlies opened a 30-0 lead.

In the third period, Payton added touchdowns by junior 5’9” running back Jack Dawson on a short pass from Glascott and an impressive quick slant from Glascott to Charlie Newton. Newton ducked a tackle from Orr’s quarterback and free safety Henderson and sprinted up the middle of the field for the score.

Orr’s Henderson is just too good to be denied. With 5:00 minutes left in the third quarter, Henderson connected on a post route to Collins to get the Spartans on the board. Henderson added a two-point conversion on a keeper up the middle.

At the end of the third quarter, Payton led 44-8—then the lights went out.

Seriously. The stadium lights went off. Announcer Mark Farina suggested that the lights were on a timer and would quickly come back on.

After about 15 minutes of darkness, with the players standing around in the cold and a running clock for the fourth quarter, both coaches decided to call the game early. There would be no fourth quarter.

The first win of his head coaching career ended unceremoniously for Payton’s Craig Knoche. He wasn’t even able to get a photo of the scoreboard on his phone. But his tenure as head coach, started with two touchdowns on the first three plays.

“That’s Joey,” Knoche said, “and our offensive line. Really good players. We don’t have a lot of players but we have some really good players.”

“Joey is gonna play in college. He already knows that.”

Asked about his team’s goal, Knoche said, “We don’t really worry about that. I am just happy and excited that this group gets to play. That’s what we have tried to emphasize. I hope it came though in the game. Regardless of what would have happened in the game, the kids were excited to play. [We wanted to] make the most of the ones we have rather than focusing on the lack of nine [games].”

Grizzlies 44, Spartans 8.

Chicagohenge--Vernal Equinox from Adams and Wabash

I have been thinking about taking some “Chicagohenge” photographs ever since saw it several springs ago. It worked out well yesterday falling on a Saturday when I had some time to prepare and got downtown.

The first issue was when to be ready to take the photos. My iPhone weather app said sunset was at 7:03 p.m. Frankly, I did not know how long the effect lasts. I hear all the You Tube photographers talk about “golden hour.” An hour didn’t seem like too much time to wait so I thought I would be ready at 6:00.

Next was where to take the photos from. I wanted to get some El tracks in the foreground. From the Vashon Jordon’s photos I saw on Friday, I thought perhaps the Aon Building looking west down Stetson. The El tracks looked cool.

I wanted a little more of a canyon effect. So I was thinking an El station on Wabash. Turns out that the Washington and Wabash station is in the middle of the block so that wouldn’t work. Adams and Wabash was it.

There is a nice west facing walkway below the platform that works nicely, even a railing to attach my GoPro. I arrived about an hour early. When I got there, it was just me and a woman with her son. See was determined to photograph the event with her iPhone.

I set up my GoPro for a time lapse. GoPros are so easy, practically run themselves.

I figured the 70-200mm on my 5D Mark IV pretty much my best camera, especially for something like this.

Guess who shows up. Vashon Jordon himself. I met Vashon several years ago when we were both shooting a basketball game at Brooks. He was still in high school then. I have happened into him several times since then at various things. Wonderful young man and talented photographer. He quickly set up his stuff.

Not long thereafter the catwalk filled up with photographers and spectators. Show time.

What surprised me most was how quickly the effect comes and goes. It is just a few minutes. The sun doesn’t come straight down. It moves from about 11:00 on a clock face to 5:00.

I had never done this before and I did no research on camera settings (which I obviously should have). I figured light would not be an issue so I set the ISO on 100.

A fast shutter speed would be a must. I tried from 1/500 to 1/8000. Turns out that between 1/600 and 1/4000 work best. The sun itself is blown out anyway. I was afraid to go any slower fearing damaging the sensor.

I did not know what to do about f-stop. I figured it would have to be high. I tried f/22 and f/11. With a high shutter speed, even taking pictures of the sun at f/11, the photos were dark. I settled on f/8. Probably, could have gone lower. I will work on this part in the Fall—Autumnal Equinox.

It was all I could do to frame up the photo, snap off a few and then cycle through settings. Then it was over. Everyone disappeared.

Vashon and I snapped a few selfies and it’s time to go.

I included both color and black and white photos so one can see the difference and which look better.

I like the photos that reveal some of the street traffic. I will have to frame that up better and work on enough exposure for that next time. To do that right it would probably require putting together a composite photo. I don’t know if I have the patience for that. My photoshop skills are rudimentary.

Not for everyone I suppose but very much fun for me. I am pleased that I got usable photos out of it. Nothing too crisp but that will take a little practice.

See you September 22.

DePaul Prep Wins Chipotle Clash of Champions with Win 51-36 over Evanston

The DePaul Prep Rams defeated the Evanston Wildkits 51-36 to win the Chipotle Clash of Champions. Michael O’Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times has the Rams ranked #1—the best high school basketball in Northern Illinois.

I will do a story about the game for Inside Publications and publish it here as well later in the week.

I hope you like the photos. Not my best work but never enjoyed a game more.

DePaul Prep Falls to Providence Catholic 54-37.

The DePaul Prep girls varsity basketball team took on Providence Catholic Saturday afternoon on Senior Day. The young Rams only have one senior on the squad, point guard Eva Budziszewski.

The story on the game will follow. There will be a preview of my Inside article later in the week. For now, I hope you like the photos. It was great to get back to doing girls’ games. This weird COVID season has limited my availability. I should be able to get at least one more in before basketball comes to screeching halt.

As always, Go Rams!

DePaul Prep Falls to Fenwick 66-56 in CCL Blue Showdown

The DePaul Prep Rams traveled to Oak Park Friday to take on Fenwick. The Rams fell to the Friars 66-56.

North Lawndale Edges Lincoln Park 61-58

The Lincoln Park High School Lions boys varsity team had its home opener on Mar. 3, against North Lawndale in another down-to-the-wire affair. This time it was the visiting North Lawndale Pheonix that would edge the home team for a 61-58 victory.

No opening game jitters in this one. Both teams came out running and scoring. Lincoln Park jumped out to a 23-12 first quarter lead largely by senior center Sincere Malone controlling the boards.

Lincoln Park lead 42-35 at the half.

North Lawndale battled back in the second half eventually taking a 57-56 lead with 4:24 left in the fourth quarter.

“In the second half, we ran into a little foul trouble with our big fellow [senior center Sincere Malone] in the first half,” said new Lincoln Park head coach Antwon Jennings.

“We adjusted. We went from playing man-to-man to zone, just trying to give them a different look,” Jennings added. “We were just out of position. [North Lawndale’s] second chance shots killed us.”

Even after losing its lead the Lions battled the Phoenix in back-and-forth action late in the fourth.

Lincoln Park was in position to tie several times late in the game only done three in the last minute. The Lions had two open looks to tie late but two three pointers missed. A turned over by Lincoln Park with 15 seconds remaining sealed the victory for North Lawndale.

When asked what he told his players after missing two shots to tie, Jennings said, “Keep shooting the ball. I feel like I’ve got two of the best shooters in the City in Chris [Hammonds] and Julio [Montes].

“I told Julio I will live with him taking those shots. You gotta take ‘em,” Jennings added. “I wouldn’t do it any different.”

Final was North Lawndale 61, Lincoln Park 58.

This is something of a disappointing 0-2 start to the season for Lincoln Park who had a blowout loss to Whitney Young on Feb. 26. Antwon Jennings comes to Lincoln Park this year from the staff of Morgan Park under legendary coach Nick Irvin. Coach Jennings spent years under Coach Irvin including Morgan Park’s two 3A state championships.

Nevertheless, the future is bright for the Lions who take on archrival Lane Tech on Friday, March 5, at Lane.

Lake Tech Holds to Defeat Jones

After the last-minute postponement of the Farragut game on Friday, Feb. 26, the Lane Tech boys basketball team finally opened its season on Monday, Mar. 1, against Jones. The Lane boys (no longer known as the Indians) beat Jones 40-34, in a defensive struggle.

Both teams came out of the 360-day layoff since their last high school basketball game, very rusty. Shots just would not fall. These jitters combined with very strong defensive efforts by both teams meant that after one quarter of basketball, the score was Lane 7, Jones 5.

The second quarter was not a whole lot better. The score at the half was Jones 15, Lane 12.

“First game jitters; that’s gonna happen, especially after a year layoff and only having a couple practices,” said Lane Tech head coach and athletic director Nick Logalbo.

Things teams settled down at halftime and felt a little more normal, well COVID normal. Shots started falling. It turned into an exciting back and forth game. Lane’s junior guard Sean Molloy sparked the Lane boys with nine of this game high 14 points in the third quarter. Interestingly, Sean Molloy is the youngest brother of Lane’s girls’ varsity basketball coach Megan Molloy.

With 1:06 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Jones senior forward Niko Rosich tied the game at 37 with a long three-pointer.

Lane point guard senior Justin Brown quickly brought up the ball and with 50 seconds to go dished to Molloy. Off the shot fake, Molloy slashed into the lane and was called for a charge. With the foul, the ball went over to Jones with the game still tied with 39 second remaining.

Initially, Jones looked like it would play for the last shot but Rosich broke for the basket missing a layup. Molloy scrambled for the ball and dashed up court. Weaving way through defenders Molloy dropped in a right handed layup being fouled in the process with 20.2 seconds remaining.

Sean added the free throw giving Lane a 40-37 lead. There it would end.

“You know the Molloy boys; those kids are tough as nails. Sean gonna be obviously a really good player for us. We knew he would make those plays. The charge was questionable, but how about a junior responding like that? He wanted the ball right back,” Logalbo said of Molloy.

Sean’s older brother Michael Molloy was Lane’s starting point guard several years ago. Brother Neil Molloy played football at Lane from 2011 to 2015, later playing college football at Illinois Wesleyan.

Sean Molloy had 14 points. Lane’s senior center Aaron McQueen finished with 10 points. Justin Brown had seven.

Jones’ Rosich also with 14 points. Jones’ Devin Boston had 11 points.

One can view the entire game, include Lane Tech sophomore Alex Burstein’s play-by-play, on Lane Tech Athletic’s You Tube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxdhVaJI8sQ&t=53s

Rams 60, Montini 39

The now fifth ranked DePaul Prep Rams traveled to Lombard this morning for a rescheduled game against Montini and defeated the Broncos 60-39.

DePaul plays Loyola Academy tomorrow at home at 7:00. I don’t write much ahead of the Loyola game.

I hope you like today’s photos.

DePaul Prep Defeated Providence Catholic 55-38

The DePaul Prep Rams defeated the Providence Catholic Celtics 55-38 last night (Feb. 24) at the Tom Winiecki Gym.

TY Johnson was honored before the game for scoring his 1,000 point as a varsity player in the first game of the year against St. Joseph.

Today was my day for getting photos of the coaches and of blocked shots.

I hope you like the photos.

DePaul Prep Handles St. Ignatius 59-38

St. Ignatius has a good team. I have seen them a couple times this year and they have a good young team. Kolby Giles is a beast.

Let me tell you something. Tom Kleinschmidt’s DePaul Prep Rams handled them 59-38 last Friday (Feb. 19). The Rams jumped out to an early lead with tremendous defense and points off the break.

There was plenty of fight in the Wolfpack. Matt Monroe has his team playing well and playing as a team. After opening the game with an 18-6 run, the Rams went a little cold. When asked what happened, Kleinschmidt said, “Well Ignatius happened. They’re a good team. They spread us a little bit. We went to our bench. We haven’t played in eleven days. They’re a good team. That’s what happened to us.”

Nevertheless, the Rams just seemed too quick and too athletic. TY Johnson and Rasheed Bello are the best front court I have seen this year.

Mind you this is not expert analysis here. These are my impressions as a photographer. But man-o-man the Rams look good—fierce even.

In this COVID world, I don’t know how they stack up. I have seen other ranked teams in person and streaming. They are close to the best. If there was a normal playoff, this Rams team would be a 3A finalist. Do they beat Notre Dame to get to the title game? I don’t know. Notre Dame is loaded. I understand that match up is being planned so we might get to find out.

I hope you like the photos.