Bob Narang

Sophomore Grant Smith's thundering dunk was one of several highlight-reel performances in a 17-point game as unbeaten Lyons held off visiting Hinsdale Central 39-33 on Friday.

Lemont's Zane Schneider earned a starting job as a freshman, but adjusted to a role off the bench last year. Now the junior is back in Lemont's starting lineup and emerging as the go-to man. That, Downers Grove North's football players settling in and more in basketball notes.

Montini junior quarterback Israel Abrams, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in leading the Broncos to a 14-0 season and second straight state championship, is the Suburban Life Player of the Year.

Here is the 2025 Suburban Life All-Area football team.

Wheaton Warrenville South junior guard David Showman opened up Friday’s DuKane Conference game St. Charles East with a 3-pointer. Sophomore AJ Rogers followed with a 3-pointer of his own to set the tone for the Tigers, who went on to a 57-39 rout in the conference opener.

As the 2025-2026 boys basketball season tips off this week, here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

How Tanner Glock is making an impact for St. Francis at multiple positions, junior center Michael Lombardo an unsung hero for Montini and Nazareth-Fenwick showdown set in Bob Narang's Suburban Life football notebook.

The Benet volleyball team's season ended Saturday with a loss to Marist in the Class 4A state championship match for the second year in a row.

Led by a 15-kill, 13-dig effort from senior Bridget Ferriter, Lockport bested Fremd in three sets in Saturday's IHSA Class 4A third-place game.

Nazareth's magical postseason run, after going 3-31 last year, ended with a runner-up finish in Class 3A as the Roadrunners came up short against Normal U-High 25-20, 25-20 in Saturday's Class 3A final.

Cinderella Nazareth, 3-31 last year, is back at the state volleyball tournament for the first time since 2022, and play in a Class 3A semifinal Friday. Meanwhile in Class 4A Benet is back for the fourth straight year, looking to top three straight runner-up appearances.

St. Francis junior running back Tivias Caldwell takes his game to another level in the playoffs, Montini set for trip down memory lane with matchup with Coal City and more in Bob Narang's Suburban Life football notebook.

Caden Chiarelli, a senior wide receiver and safety, is an integral player for Downers Grove North. But Chiarelli said he’s happy to follow in the long line of family members to make a name in football. That plus notes on Lyons and St. Francis in Bob Narang's football notes.

Simon Kodosky, York brace for playoff rematch with Lyons, Nazareth not getting caught up in talk of four-peat ahead of playoff opener and Lemont set for huge challenge of Kankakee in Bob Narang's Suburban Life football notebook.

Glenbard East senior Sam Walton got a late start to football, but the two-way starter has grown into a disruptive force on the defensive line as the Rams prepare for a Week 9 showdown with Riverside-Brookfield for the Upstate Eight East title. That and more in Bob Narang's notes.