Andrean grad Kenny Mahala back from minor wrist injury

WHITING | Kenny Mahala spent last summer playing for the now-defunct Illinois Lincolns, keeping his game sharp during the college offseason.

Oilmen pitcher, recent prep grad has fared well against college hitters

FLOSSMOOR | As one of the best pitchers in Indiana during his high school career, recent Bishop Noll grad Danny Pobereyko is getting an advantage in preparation not many other pitchers can say they've experienced.

Former RailCat Mike Coles helping coach Oilmen

Hammond grad Mike Coles is getting his first taste of helping coach college baseball close to home.

Crown Point's Mike Lee ready for top competition at state finals

As a freshman, Mike Lee was one shot away from qualifying for the state golf state individually, shooting a 73 at the LaPorte Regional last season.

Whiting Oilmen drop home opener to Lexington Snipes

WHITING | As the ace of the Oilmen pitching staff last summer, it's obvious the team is expecting big things from Crown Point grad Josh Negele again this season.

Lowell's Kyle Snyder utilizing new-found confidence in postseason

Kyle Snyder admitted he has always had the potential to turn in low scores.

Andrean's Jack Musgrave ready for tough competition at Lake Central Sectional

Looking at Andrean junior Jack Musgrave's accomplishments this season, it's obvious he has peaked at the right time.

Excitement buzzes for NWI Oilmen home opener

Cody Dykema and the rest of the Northwest Indiana Oilmen have a lot to live up to this season due to their success in 2012.

Portage edges Munster for Class 4A regional title

PORTAGE | The task at hand was simple for Portage's Haley Hodges. She had to make a big impact in a key situation to continue the Indians' postseason Tuesday.

Beecher's Pignatiello has come up big in the postseason

Mike Pignatiello admitted that batting in the cleanup spot can be a little weird at times, but the Beecher senior being shuffled into a big RBI spot has paid its dividends for the Bobcats in the 2013 postseason.

Wheeler wins Class 2A Lake Station Sectional championship on walk-off single

LAKE STATION | As Wheeler's Karessa Sweeney pulled up to second base, she jumped in the air with the feeling of postseason softball euphoria overtaking her.

Crete-Monee's Kevin Zych ready for state

Kevin Zych has singlehandedly put Crete-Monee High School boys tennis back on the map.

Wheeler routs River Forest with 12-run third inning

LAKE STATION | Nickole Finch doesn't need a reminder of what transpired during last season's softball sectional.

C.P. freshman Miller exceeding expectations

CROWN POINT | With a family background that includes a legend in Crown Point High School golf, freshman Grant Miller already had an advantage coming into high school that few golfers his age can relate to.

Munster's Gauthier aims to lead team to state

AJ Gauthier can vividly remember the mental turning point of his high school golf career like it happened yesterday.

Crown Point's Ronnie Plesac solid in first start of season

HAMMOND | In a classic pitcher's duel Tuesday between Times No. 3 Crown Point and No. 5 Bishop Noll, something eventually had to give.

Lake Central's Meneghetti ready to step up to No. 1 golfer role

ST. JOHN | From the time he was able to pick up a golf club, Lake Central's Matt Meneghetti has been swinging away with his father, also named Matt.

E.C. Central grad Harris maturing on and off court

SOUTH HOLLAND | Michael Harris calmly took jump shots Sunday at South Suburban College's gym wearing a smile on his face and laughing with teammates.

Purdue's Moses continues to blossom

Whenever snow settled on the tiny town of Sweetser, Courtney Moses took to her driveway with a shovel in one mittened hand and a basketball in the other.

Portage captures first state title since 1975

MUNCIE | Portage senior Mackenzie Barcelli simply couldn't stop smiling at the incredible way she ended her prep gymnastics career, especially given the way her past three state meets have gone.

C.P.'s Best first medalist since 2005

MUNCIE | Crown Point freshman Hannah Best was the only competitor from Lake County at Saturday's IHSAA gymnastics state finals at Ball State's Worthen Arena.

Bishop Noll grad Eger ready for strong season

Ryan Eger admitted he felt overmatched at the plate last season at South Suburban, and adjusting to college pitching was difficult.

Hanover Central grad Gibson hopes for improvement this season

Tiffany Gibson can't wait for her second season.

Turner, Purdue Calumet ready for postseason

HAMMOND | Even though Merrillville grad Tierra Turner admitted she isn't feeling 100 percent healthy on the court this season, the Purdue Calumet junior still has earned her fair share of accolades this season.

Merrillville coach Diane Roberts a model of loyalty

MERRILLVILLE | In high school sports, coaches sometimes leave for greener pastures when given a chance, looking for better opportunities to claim state championships and other accolades.

Chesterton wins third boys swimming state championship

Blake Pieroni wll have a chance to catch his breath today. The Chesterton sophomore was a little rushed during the early stages of Friday's preliminary round of the the IHSAA boys swimming and diving finals in Indianapolis.

Griffith diver Rosales finishes fourth at state

INDIANAPOLIS | When thinking of Griffith High School, boys swimming is never the first sport that springs to mind.

Purdue Cal rebounds in second half to win

HAMMOND | The previous two times Olivet Nazarene and Purdue Calumet met on the basketball court, both teams combined for more than 200 points as the teams split their regular-season series.

Warriors take over in third quarter to beat T.F. South

LANSING | For two quarters, T.F. South hung tough with Crete-Monee, fighting tooth and nail to prevent the Warriors from taking a big lead.

Munster wins 28th consecutive sectional championship

CROWN POINT | It wasn't easy by any means, but Munster coach Matt Pavlovich and his swimmers were still able to take a celebratory dip in Crown Point's pool on Saturday.

Munster swimmers in good shape for sectional finals

CROWN POINT | As the favorite to win the Crown Point Sectional on Saturday, Munster set itself up in excellent position to fulfill that likely prediction on Thursday.

Hobart gymnast Dominguez anchors Brickies

HOBART | Hobart's Madalyn Dominguez has embraced gymnastics ever since joining Mommy and Me classes when she was just 18 months old.

Solid fourth quarter gives T.F. South the win

LANSING | Kameron Dickens has never played varsity basketball in an atmosphere or in front of a crowd quite like the one that filled T.F. South's gymnasium to near capacity Friday night.

Seahorses in excellent position for sectional finals

MUNSTER | Thursday's performances in the Munster Sectional preliminaries left the host Seahorses in good position to excel in Saturday's finals.

T.F. South's Dickens confident in first full varsity season

LANSING | The look in Kameron Dickens' eyes isn't hard to read.

L.C.'s Wartman has bright future ahead

Lake Central sophomore Andi Wartman has the talent to excel in gymnastics.

Beckman helps Seahorses win 23rd straight conference title

MUNSTER | Wilson Beckman admitted he didn't even feel like he was going to swim well before it came time to hop in the pool for his 100-yard backstroke.

Globetrotters give region fans their money's worth

GARY | Donning a white basketball jersey adorned with bright yellow stitching with the number “00”, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson wasn’t hesitant to get on the basketball court at the Genesis Center with other players towering over her.

Starr's sharp shooting leads Peregrines to rout

HAMMOND | A legitimate 3-point threat, Purdue Calumet senior guard Alex Starr doesn't hesitate at an opportunity to connect from long range.

Munster's Blocher helps Seahorses cruise to NCC title

HIGHLAND | Mary Beth Blocher had a good practice on Friday, but she came into Saturday's Northwest Crossroads Conference meet feeling muscle soreness all over her body.

Athletic department growth continues at Purdue Calumet

HAMMOND | Dave Griffin has been a name synonymous with baseball in Northwest Indiana for two decades.

Girls basketball: Oak Lawn defeats T.F. South

LANSING | According to T.F. South coach Steve Breshock, the Rebels have had a lot of trouble putting together four quarters of solid basketball this season.

Senior paces Warriors in lopsided McDipper win

RICHTON PARK | Laquon Treadwell wasn't feeling well over the extended holiday weekend, under the weather enough that the Crete-Monee senior missed Monday's Christmas Eve practice.

Crown Point's Best confident as a freshman

CROWN POINT | Some freshmen can walk into a high school gymnastics room for the first time with wide, anxious eyes. Though they may be excited for what lies ahead, nervous feelings can also overcome them.

C.P. grad Lipton brings tough defense

RENSSELAER | For the past several years, Michael Lipton has shared the basketball court with athletes who have a greater knack for putting up gaudy scoring numbers than he does.

E.C. Central grad Matthew Page enjoying increased role at Ball State

In 2008, Matthew Page was just a kid toiling in the trenches of E.C. Central's offensive line as a high school senior, getting the dirty work done at a school known more for its boys basketball success at that time.

Hammond grad Jones provides spark in Calumet College's lopsided win

WHITING | Brannon Jones was an All-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference player last season, and he is known to play his best basketball as the season goes on.

Wildcats edge Red Devils behind Johnson’s game-winner

LOWELL | Max Johnson knew he had to put the game on his shoulders when Hanover Central was struggling offensively, and when the game was on the line.

Lowell routs Hanover Central behind second-half surge

LOWELL | With her hands folded over her mouth, Lowell’s Katie Bobos could only watch from the bench for a large portion of the second quarter, having already committed three fouls.