Crystal Lake Central co-op's Anna Starr scored 19 goals in three wins against St. Charles East co-op, Hampshire co-op and Lincoln-Way Central co-op and surpassed 300 in her career. Starr is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week.

With the Fox River in the McHenry County area yet to crest, people battle the rising waters with sandbags on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Banks overflowed, docks were submerged and basements and low-lying streets were flooded.

The Northern Illinois University football team holds a spring practices Tuesday in Huskie Stadium at NIU in DeKalb.

Woodstock sophomore Megan Kuiper struck out 38 batters in her first 14 1/3 innings of the season, including 20 in a near no-hitter against Round Lake. Kuiper is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week in an online vote.

Crystal Lake South senior Drake Lenckus, playing under his father Tim and alongside his freshman brother Derek, posted one goal and three assists to lead the undefeated Gators over Burlington Central in a Fox Valley Conference boys lacrosse game Thursday.

Six 1,000-career point scorers will headline the 22nd McHenry County Area All-Star Basketball Extravaganza, set for Sunday, April 12 at Alden-Hebron’s Tigard Gymnasium.

Toussaints brought heat to McHenry County hoops this winter. Johnsburg coach Mike Toussaint is the Northwest Herald Boys Basketball Coach of the Year after leading the Skyhawks to a sectional title. His nephew Trey shined at guard. Nieces Summer and Skye starred for the girls.

Crystal Lake South junior Carson Trivellini already has won five regional titles in baseball and basketball but isn't satisfied. The guard averaged 18.1 points this season in leading South to a sectional final. He is the 2026 Northwest Herald Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Meet the 2026 Northwest Herald All-Area boys basketball team.