MIKE NIETO: It was a banner year

It was a very successful year for our teams in 2012-2013.

MIKE NIETO: Mount Carmel's Jason Gasser doubles his pleasure in football, now baseball

JOLIET | Amid the bedlam, backslapping, hugging and smiling faces, Mount Carmel senior Jason Gasser stood at the pitcher's mound and soaked up the moment.

MIKE NIETO: That extra oomph in their steps

JOLIET | The look of a champion is not something you can see in the Mount Carmel baseball team's eyes, but you can see it in its actions.

MIKE NIETO: It's been one of those special years for Mount Carmel

Mount Carmel baseball coach Brian Hurry gathered his team in left field at Reavis' Ron Czarnecki Field after it beat St. Rita to win the Class 4A Reavis Sectional and told them a story.

MIKE NIETO: What is Crete-Monee's next move?

So who will be Crete-Monee's next athletic director?

MIKE NIETO: Where has sportsmanship gone?

The question has been asked many times: "Has the sport gone out of sportsmanship?"

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.

MIKE NIETO: Beecher's Waznonis glad to be on bench

Beecher boys basketball coach Tony Waznonis couldn't wait to get back on the sidelines this week.

MIKE NIETO: Crete-Monee made the right choice in John Konecki

Not only did Crete-Monee act quickly, but it got the right guy for the football job in John Konecki.

MIKE NIETO: T.F. North should learn for loss to Hillcrest

CALUMET CITY | T.F. North boys basketball coach Tim Bankston didn't have to say much to his team after Friday's 68-47 loss to Hillcrest.

MIKE NIETO: Local schools proactive in security at sporting events

Just how much security is too much or too little?

MIKE NIETO: T.F. North boys basketball team has a tough road ahead

CALUMET CITY | Tim Bankston may be like the parent who maybe lets his child learn a lesson on their own.

MIKE NIETO: And the winner of Laquon Treadwell is? ...

Amidst all the tweets and just plain old gossip, Crete-Monee football star Laquon Treadwell will make his announcement at 5 p.m. today as to where he will play his college football.

MIKE NIETO: Mirko Jurkovic defined the Calumet City work ethic

Mirko Jurkovic was not only about what is right with athletics and the role it plays in life, but what is good in general.

MIKE NIETO: Modzelewski ready to lead St. Francis de Sales athletics

His career has taken him across the sea and now back to the east side of Chicago.

MIKE NIETO: T.F. South grad Stokes still has passion for the game

LANSING | Tiffany Stokes' basketball career took her from Lynwood and T.F. South High School in Lansing to the wheat fields of Kansas, then to the Bronx.

MIKE NIETO: Northern Illinois can build off Orange Bowl experience

In the end, there was no upset, but the Northern Illinois football team upset the status quo by making an appearance in the Orange Bowl.

MIKE NIETO: Rosati family were original McDipper sponsors

It is not playing at a movie theater near you, but it is one of the greatest stages for holiday tournament basketball.

MIKE NIETO: Crete-Monee needs to act soon to hire new football coach

The Crete-Monee football program reached the top of the mountain this year by winning the Class 6A state title.

MIKE NIETO: T.F. North boys basketball team maturing quickly

Tim Bankston said last week would be more than a test for his T.F. North boys basketball team.

MIKE NIETO: Crucial time for St. Francis de Sales athletics

You wonder what direction the St. Francis de sales athletic program is going in.

MIKE NIETO: Majerus was more than a coach

Rick Majerus is being remembered for his humor and one-liners, but the former Marquette, Ball State, Utah and Saint Louis University men's basketball coach was more than what people saw or heard in a 30-second video clip.

MIKE NIETO: T.F. North primed for big year

CALUMET CITY | In the T.F. North boys basketball team's 65-33 win over Evergreen Park on Friday, the Meteors showed they learned from last year's disappointing season.

MIKE NIETO: It was a memorable prep football season

Both Crete-Monee and Mount Carmel high schools capped off great seasons with state championships.

MIKE NIETO: Crete-Monee left no doubt

CHAMPAIGN | There is a fine line between confidence and being cocky.

MIKE NIETO: The ride is not over yet for the Crete-Monee football team

Jerry Verde is not auditioning to be in a video for a Billy Joel tune.

MIKE NIETO: T.F. South coach knows Lemont and Crete is too close to call

When you look at Saturday's Class 6A semifinal football matchup between Crete-Monee and Lemont, you see a great matchup.

MIKE NIETO: Former Crete-Monee football player cheers on his alma mater

Richard Blievernicht may just throw on his old letterman's sweater -- the one that reads: "K.V.C. Champs" -- when he goes to Saturday's Class 6A quarterfinal football game at Crete-Monee High School.