Meditation eases DePaul Prep baseball team in pursuit of postseason success

By Andrew Polk Medill Reports Before a Chicago Catholic League game against Mount Carmel High School on April 5, the DePaul College Prep Rams baseball team had some time to kill. After they finished their warmup exercises, the choices were endless. Some teams play pepper or hacky sack, while others might return to the dugout […]
‘Battle-tested’ Catholic League basketball teams thrive in postseason spotlight

By Andrew Polk Medill Reports A 15-school basketball conference isn’t supposed to have seven teams win 20 games in one season. A team with 21 losses usually doesn’t win a regional championship and advance to a sectional final. Snapping a 39-year regional championship drought is a big deal. Although DePaul College Prep and St. Ignatius […]
Following WM Phoenix Open, Phoenix restaurants brace for baseball postponement

By Andrew Polk Medill Reports Major League Baseball’s lockout continues, and restaurants in the Phoenix area are anticipating a decline in business for the third spring in a row due to decreased tourism. The MLB recently announced the postponement of its spring training season until at least March 8. Cactus League teams expected to welcome […]
To three or not to three? Chicago junior college teams grapple with rising basketball trend

By Andrew Polk Medill Reports From youth leagues to the NBA, the three-point shot is a game changer in basketball. Stars such as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors have altered the game with their stunning shooting range and efficiency, making three-pointers seem like wide-open layups. The NBA has caught the […]
Powerhouse Kenwood Lady Broncos set sights on state tournament run

By Andrew Polk Medill Reports In the blink of an eye, it was 17-0. Kenwood’s suffocating full-court press defense stunned Simeon on Jan. 19, leading to easy layups and wide-open jump shots from the start. Just over three minutes into the first quarter, before some fans had even taken their seats, Simeon was forced to […]
Shorthanded Chicago junior college teams soldier on during tumultuous basketball season

By Andrew Polk Medill Reports Harry S. Truman College men’s basketball coach John Cooksey paced up and down the sidelines last week just like at every other game in his 23-year coaching career. When Cooksey returned to his bench, however, he sat alone. No assistant coaches. No substitute players. Not even a student manager. On […]