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WEB SPORTS CHICAGO

A PHOTOGRAPHIC AND REPORTORIAL LOOK AT ON AND OFF FIELD

SPORTING ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND THE CHICAGO AREA

WE UPLOADED MANY, MANY UNEDITED VIDEO CLIPS TO OUR FACEBOOK. GO BEHIND THE SCENES FOR FULL ALL-ACCESS VIDEO OF OUR SHOOTS. CLICK

Update: 7/27/10; 10:12 pm

It's never to early to return so here we go again. Time to put Chicago area's true basketball stars front and center. That's YOU! We catch you doing your thing at your favorite outdoor hoopin' spot and let you--not coaches and officials but you--KILL! Let us know who you and when you will be at that spot and we eventually will get there.

7-27 EDITION #13 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 GETTIN IT IN AT 43RD. AND THE LAKE click

Video from this shoot is on our Facebook page

7-19 EDITION #12 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 HIGH SKILL LEVEL ON DISPLAY click

7-13 EDITION #11 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 THE KING OF HIS COURT AT HAYES click

7-8 EDITION #10 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 CRAZY ATHLETICISM AND SO MUCH MORE click

7-7 EDITION #9 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 SOLID HARD RUNS AT RAINBOW BEACH click

7-5 EDITION #8 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 63rd AND HAYES CHICAGO STREETBALL MECCA click

7-4 EDITION #7 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 FIREWORKS IN BROADVIEW ON INDEPENDENCE DAY click

6-29 EDITION #6 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 RAW WESTSIDE ACTION AT IT'S BEST click

6-28 EDITION #5 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 HOT SHOTS AT THE BEACH OAKWOOD DR. (43RD AND THE DRIVE) click

FORMER LANE TECH STAR CAMERON HILL THROWS DOWN CLICK CAMERON HILL VIDEO UPDATE HD

6-7 EDITION #4 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 INNER CITY MEMORIES MADE NEAR 55TH. & HALSTED click

5-24 EDITION #3 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 WE RETURN TO MEMORIAL PARK; THINGS STILL THE SAME click

5-3 EDITION #2 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 TOUGH EARLY YEAR ACTION AT MEMORIAL PARK click

5-2 EDITION #1 CHICAGO STREETBALL 2010 LAVARIO ALLEN (r) AND BROTHER WILLIE (JULIAN HS) STAR AT FERNWOOD PARK click

Update: 6/11/10; 10:21 pm

CATCHING UP WITH CHRIS COLVIN

We're not going to lie---we have our favorites. These would be the players who combine both athletic marvel on the court and are top class people off the court. Former Whitney Young star Chris Colvin is one of these players. We've chronicled Chris as well as his influential dad Ike before Chris even attended Young. We felt it was time to do some catching up with Chris after his freshman year at Iowa State. Chris now will be looking for another school to finish his college career at. He explains that as well as how his life has changed this last year as well as reflecting on glorious memories at WY.

Update: 5/7/10; 11:21 pm

SPECIAL TRIBUTE FOR A GIFTED YOUNG MAN

Fasion Robinson(l), the younger brother of Hyde Park's Fabyon Harris, left us recently as a direct result of needless stupid violence. To the Harris family--our deepest condolences. Also our condolences on their loss of a special friend Izael Jackson. As a tribute to his brother Fabyon has organized a series of fundraising games. Here's a FULL PACKAGE LOOK at the first game 2 weeks ago. CLICK HERE or pic above for a look at tonight's game.

Update: 3/26/10; 9:02 pm

EAST-WEST STARS CONTRIBUTE TO SCHOOLS BASKETBALL SUCCESS

LEO BAYLOR (L) AND CLIFF MANNING

Excellent local talent shined this year at downtown Chicago's East-West University. Check out the story of these players on the rise and a schools basketball program also on the rise.

Update: 3/18/10; 10:44 pm

ABA PLAYOFFS--DEFENDING CHAMPS KENTUCKY BISON DEFEAT CHICAGO STEAM

Stellar Chicago basketball stand-outs Royce Parran(l) from Chicago State and Steve Strong from Robert Morris now play locally for the Steam

At South Suburban College in South Holland the Kentucky Bison overtook the Chicago Steam 114-106 and elimanated Chicago from the playoffs.

Update: 3/16/10; 11:29 pm

DOLPHINS BACK TO PEORIA

Young's Anthony Johnson (l) and team celebration with Ahmad Starks (l) and James Reynolds (c).

Congratulations to Whitney Young for defeating Maine South Tuesday at the UIC Super-Sectional. The defending 4A champs proved what a great team with great coaches are suppose to do; despite loosing key players to graduation other great one's are there to carry on the mantle. Coach Slaughter--great success downstate we hope and to your fantastic and talented seniors...great success in life.

Update: 3/12/10; 10:21 pm

YOUNG TAKES PROVISO EAST SECTIONAL

Young's Ahmad Starks after sinking a pivotal mid-court shot at the end of the 3rd quarter

It was the damndest shot we've ever seen-- Young, once down 17 points against Foreman is now making a furious comeback. Ahmad Starks fires one up from half court as the 3rd quarter buzzer sounds--the ball hits left rim and pops out high and now further to the left striking the backboard. The crowd is already doing its 'aghhhh' thing--so close but no. The ball somehow lands back down on the left rim but instead of popping out left it goes right and strikes the other rim--than it goes down! You had to be there. Whitney Young has won the Proviso East Sectional 65-60 over a devastated Foreman. Things got testy--very testy-- at the end but we will see Young Tuesday at UIC.

Ahmad Starks (l) puts Young ahead and (r) tempers flare with .04 seconds to go

TUESDAY (3-16) UIC SUPER-SECTIONALS

YOUNG VS MAINE SOUTH 4A

ROBESON VS HILLCREST 3A

BEST PHOTO COVERAGE RIGHT HERE

Update: 3/9/10; 10:21 pm

YOUNG HOLDS OFF RESILIENT PROVISO WEST

Young's Sam Thompson with a series of important dunks

Young's Sam Thompson hits for15pts in Tuesday's 63-60 sectional victory over Proviso West at Proviso East. Anthony Johnson of Young led all scorers with 22 points and Ahmad Starks nailed 12 points.

Update: 2/25/10; 12:02 am

WAUKEGAN OVER DEERFIELD DESPITE THEIR DRAMATIC COMEBACK

Waukegan's Jereme Richmond is guarded by Deefield's Duje Dukan

Down 10 points at home with 2 minutes to play Deerfield fought back incredibly to tie Waukegan at the buzzer on a Duje Dukan three-pointer. But it was all Bulldogs from there as they won the Central Suburban League Showcase 93-87.

Update: 2/21/10; 8:11 am

WAUKEGAN NO PROB OVER YOUNG AT CITY-SUBURBAN

Waukegan's Jereme Richmond

An unexpectedly easy 59-52 win for Waukegan over Whitney Young Saturday at the City-Suburban Showdown at UIC. The game was a rematch of last years class 4A title game won by Young.

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CHICAGO PUBLIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS SEMIS AND FINAL

Update: 2/20/10; 11:10 pm

MORGAN PARK 2010 CHICAGO PUBLIC LEAGUE CHAMPS

Morgan Park head coach Nick Irvin and Wayne Blackshear in locker room(top) after defeating Marshall; Blackshears dunk and winning shot

What a thriller at UIC Friday as Morgan Park defeated Marshall 61-60.

PHOTOS (POST GAME CELEBRATION)

Update: 2/17/10; 11:43 pm

STUNNER! OR IS IT? MARSHALL PUTS OUT FOREMAN

Marshall's Vicent Garrent celebrates near end of game

An excellent Marshall team flew under the radar this season and please forgive us also for not noticing the fine display of talent on display at this storied west-side school. They stood tall against favored Foreman, stayed composed, and hit all their key free throws in their 65-59 Chicago Public League semi-final victory Wednesday at DePaul.

MORGAN PARK DEALS HYDE PARK A VERY TOUGH LOSS

(l)Morgan Park and Hyde Park superstars Wayne Blackshear and Fabyon Harris and (r) Harris in grief after a devastating defeat

It doesn't matter to these guys that the Chicago Public League Championship does not mean a guaranteed trip to the Elite 8 like it use to. If you think that diminishes winning the city title to these players you think wrong. NOTHING means more to a Chicago high school baller than calling himself city champs and we mean nothing. Players never play harder and emotions never run deeper than at these games. With that said we congratulate Morgan Park on it's thrilling 76-74 OT win over Hyde Park Wednesday in the CPL Semis. Also a very special player to us still has one last shot at glory..an IHSA state title.

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Update: 2/13/10; 9:20 pm

LOCAL FLAVOR ON DISPLAY AS 20-6 DALEY OUTLASTS TRUMAN IN OT

Daley College's Diante Watkins

As we get ready for the CPL playoff semi's and final next week, no better time to check in with a boat-load of former public league players who are doing their college thing locally now. Very good talent was on display Saturday at Truman College, which saw Daley College beat Truman 75-72 in overtime. Hubbard('08) standout Diante Watkins led all scorers with 25 points defeating (Hyde Park '09) Martell Jackson's led Truman team.

Update: 2/9/10; 9:20 pm

MUSTANGS CARVE UP DOLPHINS IN YOUNGS OWN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE

(l)Morgan Park freshman Billy Garrett Jr. and (r) head coach Nick Irvin celebrates

On it's own home floor and on senior night, Young head coach Tyrone Slaughter watched his defending state champs loose a shocker against Morgan Park in round 2 of the CPL playoffs. Congratulations to the Mustangs of Morgan Park and for Young its time to get ready to defend your 4A crown.

Update: 2/9/10; 9:44 pm

FLYING UNDER THE RADOR--LOOK OUT FOR ORR

Orr head coach Louis Adams

Tuesday we spent a snowy afternoon at Orr High School watching the Spartans practice in advance of their Chicago Public League playoff game against Hyde Park. Head coach Lou Adams, now in his second year at the helm at this west side school, likes his 19-7 squads offensive ability. “Curtis (CJ) Jones is only a sophomore but already has one of the best mid-level jump shots in the city,” he told us. 6’6” jr. guard Mycheal Henry “is already in my top 3 in Chicago and can rebound with the best of them,” he flatly stated. The coach also singled out jr. Malik Logan’s tough defensive ability, especially around the basket as well as the exceptional court sense of jr. Santino Siggers.

Update: 2/3/10; 8:39 pm

FABYON HARRIS AND HYDE PARK TAKE DOWN GAGE PARK

In the first round of the Chicago Public League Playoffs Hyde Park eliminated Gage Park 72-49. Senior Fabyon Harris hit for 14 points with 7 assists and 5 steals. Marcus Dover (#2) also had 14 points and Aqui Shareef (#12) hit for 10 points. Hyde Park faces Orr next Wednesday in round 2.

Update: 1/31/10; 11:42 pm

BOW WOW AND NELLY CELEBRITY GAME AND THEY CAN PLAY

On a slow Sunday we checked out an interesting event at UIC. Stars/moguls Bow Wow and Nelly led their celebrity teams into a battle against each other. You know what--it was not bad and in fact it was entertaining. Both these guys were serious. Bows Cash Ent. won in double overtime.

Update: 1/22/10; 11:00 pm

JEREME RICHMOND AND WAUKEGAN COAST

It was an easy win at nearby Waukegan Friday for the home team as superstar Jereme Richmond and a talented group of his Bulldog teammates chewed up and spat out Glenbrook South. Our first look at Richmond and although not called on to perform at superman standards against this opponent he did not at all disappoint. What caught our eye is his presence; the way he keeps yapping in his opponents faces and how he continually works the referees. That's a leader.

Update: 1/20/10; 10:18 pm

VOCATIONAL PUTS AWAY SIMEON

Vocational senior Aaron Williams with a dunk early against Simeon Wednesday.

The Cavaliers of Vocational handed Simeon their first Red-South loss of the season beating them 45-43 at home. Vocational actually led in the 2nd. quarter 21-5 but Simeon, who would never lead after that cut it to one point in the third.

WATCH IN IT'S ENTIRETY THE DRAMATIC FINAL SECONDS AS SIMEON HAS ONE LAST SHOT AT THE WIN

Update: 1/19/10; 9:08 pm

FOREMAN STAYS ON TOP OF RED-NORTH

Foreman's Lavonte Dority Tuesday at Lincoln Park

The tiny size of Lincoln Parks gym did nothing to squash the frenzied atmosphere that existed for this Red-North battle for first between Lincoln Park and Foreman. The Hornets prevailed 67-51 thanks to a dominating third quarter.

Update: 12/29/09; 11:14 pm

WHITNEY YOUNG OVER GLENBROOK NORTH AT PROVISO WEST SEMI'S

(l)Jermaine Morgan of Whitney Young blocks a shot and (r) Alex Dragicevich of Glenbrook North dunks

We (finally) ventured into the Proviso West tourney and saw Whitney Young advance into the finals with a victory over Glenbrook North. They will take on Foreman Wednesday. Also we checked out Alex Dragicevich of GBN.

Update: 12/21/09; 10:00 pm

BLACKSHEAR AND MORGAN PARK KEEP ROLLING

Wayne Blackshear Monday in Morgan Parks 77-48 win over Uplift

Our first look at Wayne Blackshear in a Morgan Park uniform well...went as expected. He dominated Uplift Monday at the Chicago Public League Holiday Tournament at Malcolm X leading all scorers and posterizing more than a few of his oppenents.

HYDE PARK HOLDS OFF RESILIENT FARRAGUT AT CPL MALCOLM X

Also Monday at the CPL Holiday tourney Hyde Park was severely tested by Farragut but eeked out a 54-51 victory. Fabyon Harris scored 23 points in the win. Aqui Sharee had 12 points.

Update: 12/18/09; 11:21 pm

MOUNT CARMEL TOPS RIVAL LEO

Mount Carmels Tracy Abrams

It was generally an easy night for the Caravan as they beat Catholic League rival Leo 80-61 at Mount Carmel. Junior guard Tracy Abrams led all scorers with 20 points and fellow guard Malcolm Hill-Bey, an active and intregal dazzler himself, hit for 15 points.

Update: 12/12/09; 10:10 pm

FOREMAN EASILY OVER EISENHOWER (DECATUR)

Foremans Tommy Woolridge

Foreman rolled over Eisenhower 68-51 Saturday night at the Foreman Winter Jamboree played at Northwest Sports Middle School. Michael McCall led all scorers as the Hornets guard hit for 20 pts. Tommy Woolridge added another 17 pts,

Update: 12/10/09; 9:09 pm

BLACKSHEAR AND MORGAN PARK READY FOR PRIME TIME

Morgan Park junior Wayne Blackshear is now in command at this south side high school. Coming off a 42 point/18 rebound romp over East Aurora last Saturday at Chicago State, Blackshear has put his Mustangs BACK on the basketball map in Chicago. Affable head coach Nick Irvin, a refreshing and welcome change from what usually passes as a high profile Chicago coach here is another reason why they are on that map. But a team has been built aroung him thanks to Irvin, with freshman guard Markee Williams and senior leader Leron Smith leading the way. Listen to Irvin talk about his entire team in this

interview. Morgan Parks next game is their Red-South conference opener at Harlan Monday 12/14.

Update: 12/8/09; 10:40 pm

GAGE PARK HOLDS OFF MANLEY

Javon Worthy of Gage Park

Gage Park's sr. Javon Worthy continued on his strong early season start in his teams 59-56 victory over Manley. Worthy led all scorers in this non-conference game at lighting-challenged Manley. He hit for 15 pts in his teams third victory of the season. Hitting for 14 pts was Kevin Wims and adding 13 pts was Ernest Pitts.

Update: 12/7/09; 11:01 pm

NCAA DIV. 3 BASKETBALL NORTH PARK DOWNS EAST-WEST NILES NORTH STAR NICK WILLIAMS SCORES 27 WITH 12 BOARDS.

D3 NORTH PARK OVER NON-CONFERENCE EAST-WEST 72-55. ST. RITA STANDOUT EMANUEL CROSBY HITS FOR 17 POINTS CLICK

CHICAGO STATE CITY-SUBURBAN SHOWDOWN

Update: 12/7/09; 9:22 am

SIMEON ROLLS IN OPENER

It's going to be another dominating season of boys basketball at Simeon once again! Players like Jabari Parker, Jaleni Neely, Brandon Spearman and a whole lot of talented others started off big with a convincing 50-37 win over Thornton at Chicago State. Parker led all Simeon scorers off the bench in his Simeon debut!

Update: 12/6/09; 10:45 pm

WHITNEY YOUNG STARTS OFF RIGHT

It was a sensational and also scary start for the defending champions Dolphins Sunday at Chicago State's City-Suburban Showdown. Stellar guard Anthony Johnson drained 17 points in Whitney Young's 74-61 win over Homewood-Flossmoor. Fifteen of those points came in a third quarter that also saw Johnson tumble violently to the floor. However he did return and appears to be ok.

Coming Soon: Simeon rolls over Thornton

HILLCREST MANGLES UP FOREMAN 64-52

CHICAGO STATE CITY-SUBURBAN SHOWDOWN

Update: 12/3/09; 10:42 pm

RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACKYARD--A LEADING NATIONAL POINT GUARD

YouTube video from Dan Poneman courtesy ILLINOISHSBASKETBALL.COM

Diante Watkins, a sophomore point guard out of Hubbard, is set to help lead the upstart Daley College basketball team into national prominence. After a stellar freshman year in which he averaged 18 pts, 6 assists, and 4 steals Watkins battered the summer conditioning program. This 5’9” 155lb. dynamo not only hit the gym but also the pool in a special swim club to help his conditioning along. At this time Watkins is the leading scorer for all of NJCAA Div. 1 nationwide. He is averaging close to 35 ppg this year and last week was named player of the week. This due to an amazing performance against Kankakee where he scored 48 points in a 102-97 win on Nov. 21. He was 13-for-25 from the field, including 5-for-11 from three-point range, and also contributed two rebounds, six assists and three steals. He also scored 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting in a 60-54 win over Truman on Nov. 17. In that contest he also had three rebounds, six assists and two steals. Hardwork has paid off and has steered ‘Rockem’ Watkins into national recognition while Div. 1 schools increase their presence and attention towards him. Hasn’t hurt put this school at 75th. And Pulaski on the basketball map as well.

--Story courtesy Tunis Jackson and Mike Kosman

Update: 12/1/09; 9:55 pm

HYDE PARK TROUNCES WASHINGTON IN SEASON OPENER

Hyde Park's Aqui Shareef thunder-slams

Hyde Park dominated Washington 80-35 Tuesday in both teams season opener at Hyde Park. Leading all scorers with 20 points was senior Fabyon Harris(#3) of Hyde Park and leading the Minutemen of Washington was Devante Rutledge(#23) with 11 points.

Aqui Shareef video from Dan Poneman courtesy ILLINOISHSBASKETBALL.COM

Update: 11/24/09; 10:44 pm

HYDE PARK HAS UNFINISHED BUSINESS TO RESOLVE

Hyde Park head coach Donnie Kirksey and senior point-guard Fabyon Harris at Hyde Park Tuesday 11-24-09

They lost 9 seniors from last year, mainly Malcolm Griffin and Anthony Dixon. They lost last year to North Lawndale in the Chicago Public League championship game. They rebounded big but lost days later to Whitney Young in the IHSA Super-Sectionals and saw a trip to the Elite 8 vanish. So close to glory. Twice within a few weeks. Although not yet ranked up there with the Simeon's, Foreman's, and Young's of the public league, this team is still stacked and better not to be taken lightly. Led by Fabyon Harris, poised to take over team leadership now that other stars have graduated, the Thunderbirds look to rule in the Red-Central and find at least one of those pot-of-golds from last seasons once brilliant rainbows.

At left, Coach Kirksey and Fabyon Harris talk about the 2009-2010 Thunderbirds and fill you in on all you need to know. At right is Colton Kolowski. This 7th grader from the west suburbs is looking to become a Thunderbird in a couple years or so. Click on him to hear his very interesting connection to Hyde Park.

Update: 11/21/09; 8:27 pm

MAINE SOUTH ALL THE WAY AGAIN

Maine South QB Tyler Benz unloads against Loyola 11-21-09 CLICK PHOTO FOR MORE

Once again Maine South is traveling to Champagne to play for the class 8A title. At their severely packed home field stadium in Park Ridge the Hawks defeated Loyola 21-14 in a thriller.

We're right in the middle of the madness as the final dramatic moments play out

Update: 11/20/09; 1:48 pm

FOREMAN HOPING D1'S TAKE THEM TO NUMBER 1

Foreman guard Lavonte Dority (l) and head coach Terry Head

Sky high expectations abound at this emerging Red-North powerhouse school land-locked near Cicero and Belmont. Shouldn't they what with four players already signed to attend D1 universities? (G)Lavonte Dority (South Florida), (F)Edward Denard (UIC), (G)Mike McCall (St. Louis), and (G)Tommy Woolridge (Eastern Illinois) all are pronged to bring significant hoops glory to a school and an area not accostomed to experiencing it. Head coach Terry Head, who properly mixes in all the right measures of tough love so as to mesh this team as a cohesive unit , describes his squad as "Ready to go for it."

Foreman's players discuss their college choices and this years chances

Update: 11/3/09; 1:48 pm

THEY'RE OUT ! CHICAGO PUBLIC LEAGUE 2009-2010 CONFERENCE SCHEDULES CLICK ON THE CHAMPS BELOW

2008-2009 Chicago Public League champs North Lawndale celebrate their title

Update: 10/31/09; 8:41 pm

MORGAN PARK 16 - QUINCY 7 IHSA 6A PLAYOFFS AT GATELY STADIUM

Morgan Park quarterback DaRon Brown begins a 82-yard run touchdown run against Quincy Saturday in Chicago. The Mustangs never looked back in their first round victory.

Update: 10/31/09; 8:30 pm