UPDATE: Oak Forest's Skirha Gets the Biggest Roar from the Crowd

Oak Forest softball standout Jourdan Skirha came up big n the Bengals' drive to win the South Suburban Blue championship. She also came up big in Patch's MVP ballot, outpolling 10 others to become eligible for May Patch Athlete of the Month recognition.

Athlete of the Month: Marian Catholic Softball Standout Nickel Towers Above the Rest

On a recent trip to Florida, Marian Catholic junior shortstop and Patch Athlete of the Month Alex Nickel was thrilled to ride the coasters and just as happy to bond with her Spartan teammates. Her all-around game has Marian motoring toward the postseason.

Chicago Heights Native Dennis Kelly Achieves NFL Dream

From St. Kieran School to the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelly has grown physically and mentally into a force to be reckoned with.

Chicago Heights Native Dennis Kelly Drafted by Eagles

Former Marian Catholic star and Purdue offensive tackle selected as fifth-round pick in NFL draft.

Softball: Marian Catholic Outslugs Oak Forest

Marian Catholic 8, Oak Forest 3: Rebecca Stanton and Alex Nickel connect for homers as the Spartans rally from a 3-1 deficit to take the non-conference battle on Friday afternoon in Oak Forest.

UPDATE: L-W Central's Jackovich Gets the Biggest Roar from the Crowd

Lincoln-Way Central girls water polo standout Danijela Jackovich made a big splash in Patch's weekly MVP voting. She outpolled 11 others to become eligible for April Patch Athlete of the Month recognition.

Signing Coup: Marian Catholic Sends 15 Athletes to Collegiate Ranks

Marian Catholic wrestling standout Nate Jackson took action—this time with a pen, not a pin. Jackson signed a national letter of intent to continue his career at Indiana University. He was one of 15 Spartans to announce his plans in a ceremony at school.

UPDATE: Oak Forest's Naegele Gets the Biggest Roar from the Crowd

Oak Forest softball standout Emily Naegele outpolled 10 others in Patch's weekly MVP voting. She is now eligible for April Patch Athlete of the Month recognition.

Boys Basketball: Bloom Throws a Scare into Top-Ranked Simeon in 4A Semifinals

Simeon 45, Bloom 35: The Blazing Trojans started fast in the Class 4A state semifinals against the top-ranked Wolverines but were unable to sustain their momentum over the long haul in Friday's semifinal battle at Carver Arena in Peoria.

Boys Basketball: Bloom Headed to Class 4A State Semifinals

Bloom Township 53, Edwardsville 41: Donald Moore scored 15 points and powered the Blazing Trojans past the Tigers in the Class 4A Normal Supersectional on Tuesday night at Redbird Arena.

Bloom Trail Grad Cato Places 2nd in Heptathlon at NCAA Indoor Championships

Bloom Trail graduate Japheth Cato came within a whisker of winning his first national championship in the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 10 in Nampa, Idaho. He set a University of Wisconsin record en route to a second-place finish.

Johnson's Work Ethic Contagious in Bloom Boys Basketball Camp

Lejavius Johnson spent extra time in the gym preparing for his senior season. His leadership was a telling factor in the Blazing Trojans' 43-32 victory over Homewood-Flossmoor Friday in the Class 4A Lockport Sectional final.

Boys Basketball: Bloom Takes Out H-F in Sectional Final

Bloom 43, Homewood-Flossmoor 32: Donald Moore's 20 points paced the Blazing Trojans in the championship game of the Class 4A Lockport Sectional on Friday night.

Freeman Steals the Show in Bloom Boys Basketball Comeback Victory

DeJahown Freeman threw himself on the floor to come up with a huge steal in the frantic final moments of Bloom's 40-37 victory over Sandburg Friday in the Class 4A Joliet Central Regional championship game.

Boys Basketball: Bloom Rallies to Turn Tables on Sandburg

Bloom 40, Sandburg 37: The Blazing Trojans rallied from an 11-point first half deficit to win their first regional championship since 2008.

Williams Warns: No Time for Bloom Boys Basketball to Let Its Guard Down

Bloom Township boys basketball coach Jasper Williams wasn't particularly pleased with the Blazing Trojans' defensive effort in a 41-37 victory over Thornton Fractional North Tuesday at the Class 4A Joliet Central Regional.

Boys Basketball: Bloom Overcomes T.F. North's Best Effort

Bloom 41, Thornton Fractional North 37: Donald Moore scored a game-high 15 points and his leadership helped the Blazing Trojans stave off the Meteors in a semifinal game at the Class 4A Joliet Central Regional.

Bloom Standout Moore Selected to Play in Upcoming Hoops Classic

Bloom Township senior Donald Moore will play in the Chicago United Hoops Classic on May 5 at the University of Chicago's Ratner Athletic Center. The game is part of the Norm Van Lier Scholarship Fund and Non-Violence Legacy Campaign.

Bloom Boys Basketball Going 'Home' to Face Crete-Monee

Bloom Township boys varsity basketball will be back at Bloom Trail for the first time since 1995 on Friday night. The Trojans will face Crete-Monee in a "Whiteout" game.

Hicks Emerges as Finisher for Bloom Boys Basketball Team

Senior guard Henry Hicks has accepted his role—and been given a new nickname—as he helps Bloom Townshp's boys basketball team build on a terrific start.

Boys Basketball: Bloom Finds Perfect Remedy to End Two-Game Skid

Bloom Township 55, Joliet Central 35: The Trojans made 7-of-8 shots and built a 19-0 first-quarter lead. Henry Hicks scored a game-high 17 points.

Boys Basketball: Bloom Takes Lessons to Heart After Win Over Rich Central

Despite a 52-39 win, Bloom coach Jasper Williams was not pleased with his team's effort.

Boys Basketball: Bloom Guts Out Win Over Rich Central, Stays Undefeated

Bloom 52, Rich Central 39: Bloom's defense held Rich Central to only two points in the last six minutes and got its seventh victory of the season.

Give a Shout Out to Bloom for a Championship Win Over H-F! Let's Talk

A Patch reader made a good point when she said the boys basketball victory was something to brag about.

Bloom Trail Wrestling Legend McFarland Making Huge Impact as Coach at Fenger

Former Bloom Trail wrestling standout Chris McFarland credits his old high school coach, Ron Ray, with setting a foundation for his success on and off the mat.

Bloom Trail's 'Fantastic Five' Enjoyed Run to State Wrestling Championship in 1982

Reliving the Glory Days: Former Bloom Trail coach Ron Ray molded an inexperienced group of wrestlers into a state powerhouse.

Marian Catholic Girls Volleyball Places Fourth in Class 3A State Tournament

Marian Catholic placed fourth in the Class 3A girls state volleyball tournament. The Spartans dropped a 25-20, 25-11 decision to Wheaton St. Francis on Saturday at Redbird Arena in Normal.

Marian Catholic Bid Falls Just Short in Class 3A Girls Volleyball State Semifinals

Despite the strong play of Amber Clay and Kelsey Clark, Marian Catholic dropped a three-set thriller to Woodstock Marian in semifinal action in the Class 3A girls volleyball state tournament at Redbird Arena in Normal.

UPDATE: Fans Select Patch Athlete of the Week Winner

Jeremy Esparza's 28-yard field goal turned Evergreen Park into a winner in a second-round Class 4A football game vs. Rock Island Alleman. Fans voted him a winner in balloting for Patch Athlete of the Week, Oct. 31-Nov. 5.

Girls Volleyball: Marian Catholic Cruises Into State Semifinals

Spartans sweep past Payton College Prep, 25-18, 25-13, to win the Rich East Supersectional and earn a trip to the finals tournament at Illinois State University.

Girls Volleyball: Marian Catholic Edges Illiana, Wins Sectional Crown on Home Court

Led by a pair of underclassmen, the Spartans claim a hard-fought 25-21, 25-23 victory and move on to the Class 3A supersectionals.

Girls Volleyball Sectionals: Oak Forest Bows Out to Illiana; Marian Sweeps Past Queen of Peace

Bengals let leads slip away in both games of Tuesday night's Marian Catholic sectional semifinals. The host Spartans take care of business to advance to Thursday's final.

Former Marian Catholic Standout Marable Happy to See Dave Mattio Reach Football Coaching Milestone

What's he doing now? Marian's all-time leading rusher, Terence Marable, played at Illinois before joining the working world.

Nudge From Friend Helped Jumpstart Marable's Record-Setting Football Career at Marian Catholic

Reliving the Glory Days: Marian Catholic's all-time leading rusher, Terence Marable, helped the Spartans win the Class 4A state football championship in 1993.

Video: The CN100 Game of the Week—Rich East vs. Crete-Monee

Patch partners with Comcast to bring you the game of the week. Catch the highlights on video.

Football: Marian's Goal Is to Stop Being So Generous

Spartans' turnovers piled up in Friday's loss to Joliet Catholic, and special-teams play continues to be a problem.

Football: Marian Catholic Turnovers Make It Easy for Joliet Catholic

Joliet Catholic 64, Marian Catholic 13: First-half nightmare dooms the Spartans, as the host Hilltoppers score 34 unanswered points on the way to a blowout.

On His Game: Bloom's Munoz Doesn't Hide His Love of Soccer

Blazing Trojans senior sweeper Raymundo Munoz talks about how much it means to play his sport of choice at Bloom.

Watch: Rich Central, Crete-Monee Fans Stage 'Orange Out' at Volleyball Match

Fans from both Rich Central and Crete Monee decked themselves out in orange and helped raise money for leukemia awarenss and treatment on Thursday, Sept. 22.

Athlete of the Week: Rich Central's Clair Taking Her Volleyball Game to Ole Miss

Rich Central senior Nakeyta Clair has found her groove on the volleyball court and has earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Mississippi.