Chicago News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Oswego Easts basketball team secured a victory over Yorkville, with junior Jacsen Tucker delivering a standout performance. Tucker, a committed Oklahoma State shortstop, scored sixteen points and grabbed eleven rebounds, achieving a double-double. Mason Lockett, a senior guard, also played a key role, scoring nineteen points and setting up Tucker for baskets. Yorkville faced challenges due to injuries and illness, with their six-foot-eight sophomore forward, Joey Jakstys, missing the game. Oswego Easts coach, Ryan Velasquez, emphasizes teamwork and ball movement, with the young team quickly adapting to the varsity level.

Geneva High Schools basketball team, led by senior point guard Gabe Jensen, secured a thrilling double-overtime victory against rival Batavia, with Jensen scoring eighteen points, including six three-pointers. Despite Batavias strong defensive efforts, particularly against Jensen, Genevas coach, Scott Hennig, praised Jensens performance, highlighting his ability to shoot the ball since becoming a starter three seasons ago. Nathan Palmer led all scorers with twenty-two points for Geneva, while Joe Reid paced Batavia with twenty-one points. The victory continues Genevas undefeated season and showcases a strong tradition of point guard play under Coach Hennig, with freshman Cody Rader already showing promise as Jensens successor.

Adoni Vassilakis, a senior basketball player at Marist, recently surpassed one thousand career points despite battling a persistent knee injury for three seasons. He showcased his talent in a game against Marian Catholic, scoring eleven points and contributing seven assists. Coach Brian Hynes praised Adonis dedication and perseverance, describing him as a fighter and a son. Adoni manages his injury carefully, prioritizing game-time readiness, and has seen his offensive game blossom since his freshman year.

High school basketball action was intense this past Friday, with boys teams like Argo, Carmel, Deerfield, Geneva, Hinckley-Big Rock, and girls teams like Andrew, Aurora Central Catholic, and Geneva securing impressive wins. In boys basketball, Darron Greer Junior led Argo with twenty-seven points, while Ethan Matz scored thirty-three for Carmel. Jake Pollack and Evan Nagler contributed twenty-seven and eighteen points respectively for Deerfield. In girls basketball, Ana Cisek scored sixteen for Andrew, and Ali Thomas led Batavia with nineteen points. Earlier in the week, on Thursday, boys teams like Beecher and Benet had strong showings, with Wences Baumgartner and Jayden Wright scoring twenty and eighteen points respectively. In girls basketball, Beecher had a huge win against Illinois Lutheran. Local colleges also saw exciting matchups, with Lake Forest College beating Ripon seventy-four to sixty-nine, and North Central Colleges womens team defeating Rockford University eighty-one to forty-five.

A 23-year-old woman was critically injured in a shooting on Chicagos Southwest Side Friday evening. She was a passenger in a vehicle when shots were fired, striking her in the head. The incident occurred around 7:21 PM in the 600 block of West Twenty-Third Place. The woman was immediately transported to a local hospital where she remains in critical condition. Authorities are searching for those responsible and urge anyone with information to come forward. The community hopes for a swift recovery and justice.

Laura Hubka, a Chicagoan hat designer, creates stunning hats at her pop-up shop inside the Drake Hotel. Her collection ranges from elegant to whimsical, with each hat taking up to ten hours to make. Lauras passion for fashion began in kindergarten and led her to open her own shop after a bad haircut inspired her. She finds immense joy in helping people, especially those with hair loss, feel beautiful in her hats.

John Brown the Fourth, a sophomore basketball player at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, is defying expectations with his versatile play. Standing at six feet, six inches tall, Brown is known for his unpredictable game, particularly his ability to shoot from long range. Recently, he scored a career-high eighteen points, including four three-pointers, in a crucial victory over Lockport. His coach, Brandin Brown, attributes his success to increased confidence and understanding of the games speed. Off the court, Brown is a quiet individual who prefers to listen to music before games. With his unique style of play and family athletic legacy, Brown is proving to be a significant asset to his team this season.

Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls center, has been on a remarkable run, defying expectations after a recent slump. Despite appearing visibly tired, he delivered two back-to-back outstanding performances, including a twenty-four-point, fifteen-rebound, and eleven-point fourth-quarter game against the Cavaliers. This resurgence contrasts with his play during a seven-game losing streak, when he struggled due to a lack of guard play and his high self-expectations. A four-day break helped him regroup and return to his natural game. The Bulls also showed resilience in the recent game, with seven players reaching double figures, marking a significant step forward in their ability to handle key moments and close out games.