Crystal Lake South's Gaby Dzik, Makena Cleary and Laken LePage stepped up on offense in the second half, but the Gators fell just short against Wauconda 54-50 in the championship of the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic on Thursday.

On a night when Hampshire honored Deegan Kirschke, who tragically passed away on Aug. 16, the Whip-Purs defeated Dundee-Crown 65-9 in an Fox Valley Conference boys wrestling dual Thursday. "All of us are wrestling for Deegan. He brought a lot of joy and happiness."

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Crystal Lake South faces Wauconda in a Northern Illinois Holiday Classic Championship girl basketball game on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, at McHenry High School.

Alden-Hebron sophomore guard Hayden Smith has been a scoring machine for the Giants, including a 38-point performance against Hiawatha last week and 48 points in a win over Westlake Christian on Tuesday. Smith is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week.

Junior guard Ethan Taxis scored a game-high 20 points and made a driving shot in the final phase of the fourth quarter to lift Plano over Marengo 60-59 in a Kishwaukee River Conference boys basketball matchup Wednesday evening.

Marian Central's girls basketball team hit a season-high eight 3-pointers in a win over Prairie Ridge, Marengo and Crystal Lake Central also picked up wins at the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic, and more in Wednesday's Northwest Herald sports roundup.

Woodstock North guard Zaiden Vess scored a career-high 24 points against Johnsburg on Monday, and while the Thunder remain winless, the team stays positive. Plus, news on injured Richmond-Burton guard Gavin Radmer in the Northwest Herald boys basketball notebook.

Alden-Hebron's Hayden Smith tied a school record with 48 points against Westlake Christian in girls basketball, Max Haggerty led Woodstock's boys bowling team past Woodstock North, and more results in Tuesday's Northwest Herald sports roundup.

Gracey LePage sparked the Crystal Lake South defense, which forced several second-half turnovers and helped the Gators overcome a cold shooting night in the team's 54-44 win against Grayslake North in the semifinals of the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic.