York (Elmhurst) Preps

Sophomore Nora Ezike had varsity career highs of 22 points and 17 rebounds, powering Lyons past York 57-50 to the Lions' second straight undefeated West Suburban Silver championship.

As two of the area's top guards, Lyons Township's Ally Cesarini and York's Mariann Blass rarely catch a break during their games – and have fueled the top contenders in the West Suburban Silver. That and more in Bill Stone's girls basketball notebook.

York junior Stella Kohl, who had 14 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in York’s 50-42 win over Maine South, snapping the Hawks’ 16-game winning streak, is the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is her Q&A with Joshua Welge.

The pair of York girls’ basketball players were well aware of Maine South’s 16-game winning streak before the teams met at York Saturday afternoon in Elmhurst. "Oh, yeah,” Blass, a senior guard, said after she and the Dukes downed the Hawks 50-42.

York had no answers for Prospect’s Alex Georgakas and Ben Schneider, who combined for 49 points and 11 3-pointers in a 64-29 win over York at the MLK Holiday Shootout held Monday at Geneva High School.

Bennett Schwanke's 3-pointer with three seconds left gave Glenbard West a win at Lyons, AJ Levine scored 26 points in York's win, Amalia Dray scored 15 points and Nazareth girls basketball rolled past Naperville North and Nora Ezike scored 17 in Lyons' win over Glenbard West.

Here is a midseason report for gymnastics teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Downers Grove North won the championship of the East Aurora Holiday Tournament, York, St. Francis and Wheaton North were winners at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic and Wheaton North and Willowbrook winners at the Bill Neibch Falcon Classic in Thursday's roundup.

Lemont rallied past Downers Grove South and York and Timothy Christian also won Jack Tosh first-round games, Ben Oosterbaan's 27 points powered Hinsdale Central to a comeback win and Wheaton North, Hinsdale Central and Downers North were winners at the Falcon Classic.

From one of the most dominant basketball teams in Illinois history, to a no-hitter in a state championship softball game, to a record turnaround season in football and a volleyball power returning to glory, here are the Top Sports Stories of 2022 in the Suburban Life area.

Indiana recruit Lenee Beaumont scored Benet's final nine points of the third quarter and ended with 20 points and 14 rebounds, helping the Redwings turn away visiting York 47-37.

With Lyons clinging to a one possession lead midway through the fourth quarter, freshman Avery Mezan drilled a corner 3-pointer and scored on a difficult drive on the following possession to spark the Lions to a 49-39 victory over the Dukes in West Suburban Silver action.

Four returning starters – seniors Mariann Blass and Lizzie Baldridge, junior Hannah Meyers and Stella Kohl – have York off to a 9-0 start heading into Friday's huge conference showdown against Lyons. That, plus notes on Wheaton Warrenville South and St. Francis from Bill Stone.

Junior guard A.J. Levine, who has emerged as a go-to player for York, and the Dukes, are motivated to make a better showing at their Jack Tosh Holiday Classic later this month. That, and notes from Timothy Christian and Downers Grove South from Bob Narang.

Tea Rubino's two free throws with no time left on the clock gave St. Francis a dramatic win over IC Catholic Prep, Maggie Fleming's 20 points led Downers Grove North past Hinsdale Central plus wins for Willowbrook girls and York boys in Tuesday's roundup.