MIKE NIETO: A slam dunk for DePaul, Chicago

It appears to be the perfect private-public partnership.

MIKE NIETO: Crete's Finnin heads to Nebraska

It has been a different and rough road for former Crete-Monee football player Matt Finnin.

MIKE NIETO: Local student-athlete reflects on Boston Marathon bombing

T.J. Laurisch doesn't try to think about what if.

MIKE NIETO: McLegends games should be classics

Tim Zasada has been breaking down DVDs for two weeks.

MIKE NIETO: What have we learned from fallout from Class 2A boys state championship game?

What have we learned from the incidents that occurred during and after the Class 2A boys state championship game?

MIKE NIETO: Orris familiar with recruiting go-around

Former Crete-Monee boys basketball star Michael Orris doesn't expect a long, dragged-out recruitment.

MIKE NIETO: Anderson, Lagesse up to the task

SOUTH HOLLAND | Mark Anderson and Gary Lagesse stood on the softball field at Thornwood on Tuesday while the Thunderbirds worked on their baserunning techniques.

MIKE NIETO: Marian Catholic brings a lot back next year

The Marian Catholic boys basketball team enjoyed one heckuva ride this season.

MIKE NIETO: What does Add A. Tude have to say about this?

The message was played on the video board at Peoria's Carver Arena throughout the weekend.

MIKE NIETO: Oh, so close for Seton Academy

PEORIA | All year Seton Academy has won the close ones.

MIKE NIETO: It was a true Chicago Heights classic

HARVEY | You knew the ride would eventually end for Bloom Township boys basketball coach Jasper Williams and assistant coach Pete McGuire.

MIKE NIETO: Seton Academy building a pretty good tradition

Seton Academy boys basketball coach Brandon Thomas got a phone call Thursday morning from D.J. Cooper.

MIKE NIETO: Spartans dance the dance of champions

NORMAL | At Marian Catholic, it will be known as "The Shot."

MIKE NIETO: It was a busy year for Marian coach

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | When Marian Catholic beat Marist for the Mother McAuley Sectional championship, Spartans coach Annie Byrne was not among those celebrating and hugging her players.

MIKE NIETO: Phil Henderson went way too soon

To some, they will remember the late Phil Henderson dunking over Georgetown's Alonzo Mourning in a 1989 NCAA Regional final in East Rutherford, N.J.

MIKE NIETO: Half full or half empty glass for T.F. South?

LANSING | You could see the frustration on the faces of T.F. South boys basketball coach John O'Rourke and his assistant Rich Tarbunas after the Rebels fell 62-48 to Hillcrest on Friday night.

MIKE NIETO: Did wrestling get outmaneuvered?

When I first heard the news Tuesday while listening to the Mike McConnell Show on WGN radio, I did a double take.

MIKE NIETO: T.F. North students step up efforts for road safety

CALUMET CITY | The backdrop was a high school basketball game and it was as great of a place as any to get a message across to teens and adults alike.