Riverside-Brookfield Preps

Willowbrook senior Evan Weder has high hopes for the high jump, aiming to become the program's third All-Stater in the event and eyeing the outdoor school record. That, Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South lead girls conference champs and more in Bill Stone's track notes.

The 2024 high school softball season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Downers Grove North senior Jack Stanton was voted First Team All-State by Illinois Media, while Riverside-Brookfield's Stefan Cicic is Second Team and York's AJ Levine, Benet's Gabriel Sularski, Oswego East's Jehvion Starwood and Kaneland's Troyer Carlson honorable mention.

Riverside-Brookfield lost to Simeon in the Class 4A Hinsdale Central Regional final Friday.

Downers Grove North wrestler Kayleigh Loo missed last year's postseason with a knee injury. Now a senior, Loo is headed to state after winning the 170-pound championship Saturday at the Schaumburg Sectional. Batavia senior Sydney Perry was among other locals to advance.

AJ Levine had a memorable two-week personal run of accomplishments that coincided with York rebounding from a blowout road loss to Downers Grove North to win six straight. That, Riverside-Brookfield sophomore Cameron Mercer shows vast potential and more in basketball notes.

Cameron Mercer hit six 3-pointers, Stefan Cicic had three dunks and Steven Brown caused havoc all game pushing the pace and banging the boards as Riverside-Brookfield maintained a double-digit lead for much of the game in an eventual 68-60 win over Lyons.

Downers Grove South, which won a combined 15 games the last two seasons, is enjoying a big bounce-back season behind three-year starter Justin Sveiteris and a deep group of guards. That, Riverside-Brookfield winning close ones and a big even in Wheaton in Bob Narang's notes.

Palatine advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic for the second consecutive year with a 53-51 win over Riverside-Brookfield on a Connor May layup off a give-and-go pass from Tommy Elter as time expired.

Brady Chambers' 3-pointer in the final minute boosted Lyons past St. Patrick in the first round of the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic. Downers Grove North and Riverside-Brookfield were big winners at the Tosh, and Downers Grove North and Hinsdale Central were winners at Wheaton North.

Despite a big changeover in its roster, Riverside-Brookfield – led by 6-foot-11 senior center Stefan Cicic – is still off to 7-1 start. That, Lemont playing at a high level despite key losses and brackets revealed for the 49th Annual Jack Tosh Holiday Classic in basketball notes.

An imposing rim protector with the bulk to cause problems for opponents at both ends, 6-foot-8 Downers Grove North senior center Jake Riemer has worked to add elements to his game. That, plus notes on Downers Grove South and Benet from Bob Narang.

Stefan Cicic had 10 points and nine rebounds and was part of a key defensive stop in the final seconds, and Riverside-Brookfield rallied from a seven-point deficit over the final two minutes to pull out a 50-49 victory against St. Ignatius in the Chicago Elite Classic.

The girls basketball season starts this week. Here are preview capsules for teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Fifteen of the 16 higher seeds survived and advanced in Round 1, but the matchups look much more even in Round 2. Steve Soucie breaks down the second round of the 2023 IHSA Class 6A playoffs.