The Courier News Sports

The total package

By BRANDON MANGIA For Sun-Times Media — 12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

The two-time Courier-News Player of the Year wanted to excel in every aspect of her game -- not just hitting -- and she did just that. Burlington Central volleyball star Stephanie Holthus of Elgin finished her senior season with an area-best 94 aces thanks to a lethal jump serve that continues to evolve. She also slammed down 437 kills and ended with an eye-popping .493 hitting efficiency.

Kull guided Saints through adversity

By BRANDON MANGIA For Sun-Times Media — 12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Some athletics programs are happy with a conference title. For others, a regional title will suffice. The St. Charles East volleyball program has become the most successful in the area, almost to the point where it's State Finals or bust.

Hampshire starts quickly in victory over Yorkville

From Staff Reports — 12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Alex Dumoulin scored 20 points to lead Hampshire to a 56-27 victory over Yorkville at the DeKalb Tournament on Saturday.

Tough times for area teams at D-C

By ANDY ROHR For Sun-Times Media — 12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Hampered by a turnover-filled game that kept its inside trio from being able to get rolling, Streamwood fell to St. Viator 50-45 on Saturday at the Dundee-Crown Thanksgiving Tournament. The Sabres (1-1) and Lions (1-1) combined for 54 turnovers in the contest, with Streamwood committing 29.

Ferguson, Sterricker lead ECC to victory

From Staff Reports — 12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Double-doubles from Tracy Ferguson and Sophie Sterricker propelled the Elgin Community College women's basketball team to a 57-41 win over visiting South Suburban College on Saturday.

Venlos garners pair of medals

From Staff Reports — 12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

St. Edward's Megan Venlos earned two medals at the girls swimming State Finals on Saturday. Venlos placed eighth in the 100 freestyle (52.54 seconds) and 10th in the 200 freestyle (1:53.42). The top 12 finishers in each event earn medals.

Mohamed, DeSilva making big strides

By DANIEL CHAMNESS For Sun-Times Media — 12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Two area cross country runners made big news recently. Mohamed Mohamed returned from injury in grand fashion at Southern Illinois, while Matt DeSilva made a major impact for his new team at Cornell University.

Former coaches and players of the year

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Past Honor Roll Players of the Year:

Honorable mention

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Honorable mentions:

First Team All-Area Volleyball

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

The Courier-News First Team All-Area Volleyball:

Second Team All-Area Volleyball

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

The Courier-News Second Team All-Area Volleyball:

Bears' defense needs to make a stand

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Jay Cutler seems to have found a way to keep his bad games from following one another, and while he has struggled in prime time, none of his stinkers have come at Soldier Field.

Streaky Bulls fade away

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Basketball is a game of runs and momentum swings, but the Bulls and Denver Nuggets took it to ridiculous extremes Saturday night in the Pepsi Center. After controlling much of the first half and leading by 14 points, the Bulls fell apart in the fourth quarter in suffering a 112-93 loss.

No Khabibulin helps

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

That first matchup between Nikolai Khabibulin and Cristobal Huet -- the Blackhawks' well-paid goaltending tandem of last season -- still hasn't materialized. Only Huet played Saturday as the Hawks took a 5-2 win over Khabibulin's Edmonton Oilers in the second game of their six-game road trip. The Hawks are 2-0 on their journey, which resumes tonight at Vancouver.

Weber to McCamey: Box out or you'll sit

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

CHAMPAIGN -- Now the season officially has started at Illinois: Bruce Weber brought out his first message hook for enigmatic playmaker Demetri McCamey in No. 23 Illinois' 94-48 rout of Presbyterian on Saturday.

OHIO 38, NIU 31: Huskies rally twice but still fall short

SMALL COLLEGE NOTES BY DARYL VAN SCHOUWEN — 12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio -- It looked like all Northern Illinois' potent offense needed was one final at-bat to pull off a come-from-behind victory in a wild-and-wooly affair with Ohio on Saturday. But the Huskies failed twice in the final five minutes to seal their fate in a 38-31 loss in a Mid-American Conference crossover.

Notre Dame, Weis suffer devastating blow

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Arms locked with his players, emotions anything but in check, Charlie Weis walked onto the field at Notre Dame Stadium for what certainly will be the last time as Irish coach. ''Just us being behind coach Weis 110 percent,'' quarterback and captain Jimmy Clausen said of the idea he and other team leaders devised.

SPORTS WIRE: NASCAR crown nearly Johnson's

12:01 AM, Nov 22, 2009

Barring a total collapse today, Jimmie Johnson will become the first NASCAR driver to win four consecutive championships. Johnson will take a 108-point lead over Mark Martin into the NASCAR Sprint Cup season finale -- the Ford 400 (2:15 p.m., Ch. 7, 99.5-FM) -- at Homestead-Miami Speedway.