About Mike Nieto

Mike Nieto is The Times' Illinois Prep Coordinator. He has been with the paper a total eight years.

He was W.I.N. Magazine's 2001 National Wrestling Writer of the year and has won Indiana wrestling writer of the year twice, and was the South Suburban Wrestling Coaches' Newsman of the Year in 2008 and 2009.

He writes a Prep Beat column and always tries to give the readers their money's worth by giving insight into a game or event.

The Gary native is an Andrean High School and Marquette University graduate.

p>Reach Mike Nieto at (219) 933-3232 or mike.nieto@nwi.com

MIKE NIETO: T.J. Shirley was a credit to the coaching and teaching profession

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

They held a moment of silence Thursday at the SouthWest Suburban Red Conference boys track meet in memory of the one person who went way too long before his time.

MIKE NIETO: More than a soccer match

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

If you have a chance to attend Monday's Grant Park at Beecher girls soccer match, please do.

MIKE NIETO: Stevenson still a builder

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

It may be a bit of an understatement to say Ken Stevenson likes a challenge.

MIKE NIETO: Jerry Colangelo, Wes Mason and Chicago Heights basketball

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | If you played Trivial Pursuit, you could make a whole game of Bloom athletics and particularly basketball.

MIKE NIETO: Seton hoping to build off on-court success

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

SOUTH HOLLAND | Seton Academy's success on the basketball court is much deeper than just what a school can accomplish in the athletic arena.

MIKE NIETO: Thornridge making its way back in the hoop scene

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

DOLTON | The players walk by the trophy case in the foyer outside of Thornridge's gymnasium.

MIKE NIETO: Who will advance?

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

Though March Madness got started with a February Frenzy, it will heat up tonight for local teams in postseason play.

MIKE NIETO: Could Meteors make a surprising run?

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

CALUMET CITY | It took an entire regular season, but maybe the T.F. North boys basketball team is putting it all together.

MIKE NIETO: Thornridge: The perfect movie?

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

It may not be coming to a theater near you soon, but it may be on the marquee one day.

MIKE NIETO: How high can these T'birds fly?

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

SOUTH HOLLAND | Is Thornwood a sleeper in Class 4A come the postseason?

MIKE NIETO: Runaas turns Lemont basketball program around

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

LANSING | You figured it would be a matter of a few years and Rick Runaas would turn the Lemont boys basketball program around.

MIKE NIETO: Moore or less, The Donald can play

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

RICHTON PARK | Bloom Township's Donald Moore is starting to get some look from colleges.

MIKE NIETO: Jakubczak is back, leading the Mighty Macs

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

Call it deja vu or a coincidence, but Laurie Jakubczak is back on the girls high school basketball sidelines again.

MIKE NIETO: Illiana Christian has its own 'Green Monster(s)'

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

LANSING | Even Timothy Christian guard Chris Ridolphi felt honored on Friday night.

MIKE NIETO: T.F. North girls basketball team overachieving

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

LANSING | They say winning begets winning -- and the T.F. North girls basketball team is proof of that.

MIKE NIETO: It's been a long, trying season for the T.F. North boys basketball team

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

COUNTRY CLUB HILLS | The schedule has been a tough one, but T.F. North boys basketball coach Tim Bankston has always played a tough schedule so as to have his team ready for postseason.

MIKE NIETO: Time off good for T.F. South

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

Sometimes a little time off isn't too bad.

MIKE NIETO: It was a lot of fun at Bloom Trail

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

STEGER | It was kind of special Friday night at Bloom Trail High School.

MIKE NIETO: Crete-Monee and Bloom Twp. go at it again

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

This will be the second meeting in 15 days -- weather permitting -- tonight.

MIKE NIETO: Can T.F. South kick it into gear?

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

LANSING | When you look at the score of the T.F. South boys basketball team's win over Shepard on Friday night, it will look like the Rebels had everything under control.

MIKE NIETO: Two days of hoops for a good cause

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

If you just want to come out Saturday and Sunday to T.F. North High School and watch basketball, you will be treated to four great games on each day.

MIKE NIETO: Super-sizing and Ronald McDonald

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

RICHTON PARK | Melvin Buckley is determined to provide a value meal of high school basketball.

MIKE NIETO: Egofske got the McDipper started

By Mike Nieto Prep Beat

RICHTON PARK | George Egofske sat at the top of the south bleachers Monday at Rich South High School at the McDipper XXXIX, watched the game in front of him and just observed the packed house.

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