Von Steuben players unwind from tough senior season with some fun
By Karl Bullock After a disappointing end to their senior season at Von Steuben, members of the boys basketball team participated in the Illinois High School Association’s 3-point shooting contest at Whitney Young Magnet High School on Chicago’s near West Side. For Tyrus Jenkins, Rafael Cruz and Justan McNair-Sneed, the contest was a chance to have […]
Von Steuben seniors enter great unknown after prep careers end
By Karl Bullock With looks of dejection on their faces, members of the Von Steuben boys’ basketball team shook hands, grabbed their gym bags, and walked quietly off the court and into the visiting locker room. Their goals before the season had been lofty: a conference title, a playoff berth and ultimately to compete for […]
Von Steuben player finds motivation from tragedy
By Karl Bullock After failing to muster the required layups in a practice drill, Von Steuben players head to the sideline to face the consequences: sideline sprints. “Were you hustling?” Donovan Maxey asks freshman guard Chijioke Nwosu. With a look of frustration on his face, they begin to run back and forth. Before Nwosu can […]
The path least taken
By Karl Bullock As a scrawny 15-year-old freshman in 2013, Rafael Cruz Jr. sauntered up to Von Steuben basketball coach Marvin Williams with confidence. “I told him I was going to play varsity, and he just laughed at me,” Cruz said as he stretched his arms out on his living room couch with a slight […]
