Beacon News :: Sports ::

Four-peat complete for Rosary swimmers

By NEIL SHALIN For Sun-Times Media — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Senior Mackenzie Powers believes that in addition to talent and hard work, attitude is a big reason why Rosary has made it a habit of winning the IHSA girls state swimming championship. The Beads took their fourth straight title Saturday, easily outdistancing the competition with 177 points to 129 for second-place host New Trier. Fenwick won third place.

Batavia presses its way to title

By BRIAN MILLER For Sun-Times Media — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

In a Hoop Happenings tournament semifinal win over Elmwood Park, Batavia senior Sara Fruendt was off her game, hobbled from a quadricep injury. It was Batavia's fullcourt press that was the difference in the win.

Looking better than ever

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Here's a scary thought for rival Upstate Eight Conference basketball coaches: He's back and he's better. Much better. Beacon-News Player of the Year Ryan Boatright returns for his junior year at point guard for East Aurora after averaging 17.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists for last year's 20-8 team.

Area roundup: Oswego girls defeat Elgin

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Brittany Collier poured in 22 points and teammate Samiya Wright added 15 as the Panthers won at the Geneva Thanksgiving Tournament.

Bears' defense needs to make a stand

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Jay Cutler seems to have found a way to keep his bad games from following one another, and while he has struggled in prime time, none of his stinkers have come at Soldier Field.

Streaky Bulls fade away

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Basketball is a game of runs and momentum swings, but the Bulls and Denver Nuggets took it to ridiculous extremes Saturday night in the Pepsi Center. After controlling much of the first half and leading by 14 points, the Bulls fell apart in the fourth quarter in suffering a 112-93 loss.

No Khabibulin helps

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

That first matchup between Nikolai Khabibulin and Cristobal Huet -- the Blackhawks' well-paid goaltending tandem of last season -- still hasn't materialized. Only Huet played Saturday as the Hawks took a 5-2 win over Khabibulin's Edmonton Oilers in the second game of their six-game road trip. The Hawks are 2-0 on their journey, which resumes tonight at Vancouver.

Weber to McCamey: Box out or you'll sit

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

CHAMPAIGN -- Now the season officially has started at Illinois: Bruce Weber brought out his first message hook for enigmatic playmaker Demetri McCamey in No. 23 Illinois' 94-48 rout of Presbyterian on Saturday.

OHIO 38, NIU 31: Huskies rally twice but still fall short

SMALL COLLEGE NOTES BY DARYL VAN SCHOUWEN — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

ATHENS, Ohio -- It looked like all Northern Illinois' potent offense needed was one final at-bat to pull off a come-from-behind victory in a wild-and-wooly affair with Ohio on Saturday. But the Huskies failed twice in the final five minutes to seal their fate in a 38-31 loss in a Mid-American Conference crossover.

Notre Dame, Weis suffer devastating blow

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Arms locked with his players, emotions anything but in check, Charlie Weis walked onto the field at Notre Dame Stadium for what certainly will be the last time as Irish coach. ''Just us being behind coach Weis 110 percent,'' quarterback and captain Jimmy Clausen said of the idea he and other team leaders devised.