Category: News
While reaching 1,000 career points, Adoni Vassilakis battles knee pain for Marist. ‘The game comes, I’m ready.’
On the surface, Adoni Vassilakis has had a career that has gone quite swimmingly at Marist. A four-year varsity player, he recently went over the 1,000-career point mark.
But it’s definitely been far from easy for Vassilakis. The senior guard has spent the last three seasons in a constant fight to stay on the court, battling with patellar tendinitis in his left knee.
“It’s difficult to deal with,” Vassilakis said. “Constantly playing on it makes it worse, but when the game comes, I’m ready.”
That was the case again Friday night. He hit three early 3-pointers and scored all 11 of his points in the first half as visiting Marist rolled to a 61-27 East Suburban Catholic Conference win over Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights.
Vassilakis also dished out seven assists, while Charles Barnes led the RedHawks (7-1, 1-0) with 18 points and six rebounds. TJ Tate and Kendall Meyers added nine points apiece and Karson Thomas contributed six rebounds.
The RedHawks played without star senior forward Stephen Brown. Marist coach Brian Hynes said the North Carolina State football recruit was out for “personal reasons.”
Marist’s Adoni Vassilakis (0) drives to the basket around Marian Catholic’s Carden Gordon (4) during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago Heights on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Cameron Daniels finished with seven points and seven rebounds for Marian Catholic (3-6, 0-3). Landon Mays added five points.
Vassilakis, meanwhile, has been consistently walking a tightrope between staying prepared to play and making sure his knee gets enough rest. He knows when he needs to take it easy in practice.
“Coach is really lenient with me,” Vassilakis said. “If I’m telling him it’s hurting, he’ll give me time off in practice. I get ice on it. I get treatment.
“I make sure I manage it so that when the game comes, I’m ready and my body feels the best when I need it to feel the best.”
Marist’s Adoni Vassilakis (0) drives through Marian Catholic’s defense on his way to the basket during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago Heights on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Hynes has seen the struggles that Vassilakis goes through.
“He has to get treatment every day,” Hynes said. “It’s 50-50 whether he’s going to be able to practice. It’s tough seeing someone you care about go through that. You try to teach a kid that if you do the right thing, things work out. For him, that thing hasn’t gotten better.
“But he’s just a fighter.”
That made Vassilakis reaching 1,000 career points even more special for Hynes. It happened Tuesday night during a 66-23 win over Ag Science.
Marist’s Kendall Meyers (20) blocks a layup by Marian Catholic’s Cardan Gordon (4) during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago Heights on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
“Adoni is like a son to me,” Hynes said. “He’s battled that knee injury for three years. Just to see what he’s gone through and to see him get to 1,000 points, I gave a talk in the locker room after the game and I was crying like a baby.
“He’s just such a special kid who has a bright future on and off the court.”
Vassilakis feels his offensive game has blossomed in a big way over the past couple seasons. At the beginning of his high school career, he considered himself more like a scrappy role player.
“I’m so much more confident and I trust my game a lot more now,” Vassilakis said. “All the countless hours of work, over time it builds that confidence.
Marist’s Adoni Vassilakis (0) takes a shot from the top of the key against Marian Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago Heights on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
“As a freshman, I felt like I was really a defensive player. I still got some buckets every now and then. But now, I feel like I can really hit shots. I’m definitely a way better shooter.”
Vassilakis and his teammates pretty much all shot lights out Friday night. Behind his fast start, along with seven points in the first quarter from Meyers, the RedHawks jumped out to a 21-8 lead after one quarter and rolled from there.
Tate was thrilled with how Marist played. And he’s just as excited to see Vassilakis’ continued success.
“Adoni plays hard, he can shoot, he leaves it all on the floor,” Tate said. “He can do everything. I was very happy when he hit 1,000 points. That was a special moment.”
CFP: No. 9 Alabama rallies from 17-point deficit to beat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 in playoff opener
NORMAN, Okla. — Ty Simpson passed for 232 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 9 seed Alabama rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 on Friday night in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Alabama freshman Lotzeir Brooks, who did not score a touchdown in the regular season, scored two and had season highs of five catches and 79 yards.
It was the third meeting between the schools in 13 months. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 24-3 last November at home, then beat the Crimson Tide 23-21 last month on the road.
It was the first playoff for the Crimson Tide since coach Kalen DeBoer arrived from Washington two years ago. Alabama (11-3) advanced to play No. 1 seed Indiana and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza in a quarterfinal game at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
Oklahoma’s John Mateer passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns, but he threw a costly interception that Alabama’s Zabien Brown returned 50 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Deion Burks had seven catches for 107 yards and a score for the Sooners (10-3).
Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner for the nation’s best kicker, tied an FBS single-season record for most made field goals of 50 yards or more. He drilled a 51-yarder into a stiff wind to give the Sooners a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter, his 24th consecutive made field goal. The Sooners outgained the Crimson Tide 118-12 in the opening period.
Mateer’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna early in the second quarter pushed Oklahoma’s lead to 17-0.
Alabama, which went three-and-out on its first three possessions, finally got its offense going midway through the second quarter when Simpson hit Brooks for a 10-yard score to trim Oklahoma’s lead to 17-7. Later in the quarter, Brown’s interception return tied the score at 17.
Brooks caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Simpson early in the third quarter to give Alabama its first lead. The Crimson Tide took a 27-17 advantage on a 40-yard field goal by Conor Talty.
Burks caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Mateer two plays into the fourth quarter to cut Alabama’s lead to 27-24. Oklahoma had chances to stay in the game, but Sandell missed from 36 yards with just under three minutes remaining to end his streak. He missed again from 51 yards with 1:18 to play.
The takeaway
Alabama: The Crimson Tide played mistake-free ball and stayed focused after struggling early. They scored the next 27 points after falling behind 17-0.
Oklahoma: Mateer has been mistake prone this season. He played a relatively clean game, but the second-quarter interception was a backbreaker and turned the momentum.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/19/cfp-alabama-oklahoma/
Alabama remonta 17 puntos y vence a Oklahoma 34-24 en playoffs de fútbol americano colegial
NORMAN, Oklahoma, EE.UU. (AP) — Ty Simpson lanzó para 232 yardas y dos touchdowns por Alabama, que se recuperó de un déficit de 17 puntos y venció el viernes 34-24 a Oklahoma en la primera ronda de los playoffs del fútbol americana colegial.
El novato Lotzier Brooks, quien no consiguió un solo touchdown en la temporada regular, anotó dos en la jornada por Alabama, noveno peclasificado. Brooks logró sus mejores números de la temporada con cinco recepciones y 79 yardas.
Fue el tercer encuentro entre ambas escuelas en 13 meses. Oklahoma, octavo preclasificado, derrotó a Alabama por 24-3 en noviembre pasado en casa. Y el mes pasado, superó 23-21 como visitante al Crimson Tide.
Fue el primer playoff para Alabama desde que el entrenador Kalen DeBoer llegó procedente de Washington hace dos años. Alabama (11-3) avanzó para jugar contra el primer preclasificado Indiana y el ganador del Trofeo Heisman, el mariscal de campo Fernando Mendoza, en un partido de cuartos de final en el Rose Bowl el 1 de enero.
John Mateer de Oklahoma pasó para 307 yardas y dos touchdowns, pero lanzó una intercepción costosa que Zabien Brown de Alabama devolvió 50 yardas para un touchdown en el segundo cuarto. Deion Burks aportó siete recepciones para 107 yardas y una anotación para los Sooners (10-3).
Tate Sandell, ganador del Premio Lou Groza al mejor pateador del país, empató un récord de más goles de campo de 50 o más yardas en una sola temporada. Conectó un gol de campo de 51 yardas contra un viento fuerte para dar a los Sooners una ventaja de 10-0 al final del primer cuarto.
Fue su vigésimo cuarto gol de campo consecutivo. Los Sooners superaron a los Crimson Tide 118 yardas a 12 en el primer período.
El pase de touchdown de seis yardas de Mateer a Isaiah Sategna a principios del segundo cuarto aumentó la ventaja de Oklahoma a 17-0.
Alabama, que tuvo tres series de tres y fuera en sus primeras tres posesiones, finalmente puso en marcha su ofensiva a mediados del segundo cuarto cuando Simpson conectó con Brooks para una anotación de diez yardas, reduciendo la ventaja de Oklahoma a 17-siete. Más tarde en el cuarto, la devolución de intercepción de Brown empató el marcador a 17.
Brooks atrapó un pase de touchdown de 30 yardas de Simpson a principios del tercer cuarto para darle a Alabama su primera ventaja. Los Crimson Tide tomaron una delantera de 27-17 con un gol de campo de 40 yardas de Conor Talty.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
EEUU restringe visa a funcionarios de Honduras por impedir recuento de votos
TEGUCIGALPA (AP) — Estados Unidos decidió el viernes restringir las visas a dos funcionarios hondureños por lo que dijo es una interferencia en el recuento de votos de las elecciones generales del 30 de noviembre en el país centroamericano.
En un comunicado, el Departamento de Estado estadounidense informó que revocó la visa de Mario Morazán, magistrado del Tribunal de Justicia Electoral, y rechazó la solicitud de visa de Marlon Ochoa, consejero del Consejo Nacional Electoral. Ambos pertenecen al partido oficialista Libertad y Refundación (Libre), de izquierda.
El Departamento de Estado alega que los dos están contribuyendo a “socavar” la democracia en Honduras al “impedir el recuento de votos”.
Casi 20 días después de que se llevaron a cabo las elecciones, los hondureños todavía no conocen los resultados en el nivel presidencial, debido a que, por el estrecho margen de votos que existe entre los dos candidatos en liza, el proceso se encuentra en una etapa de escrutinio especial que comenzó el jueves.
En esa etapa del proceso se están contabilizando 2.792 actas de los comicios presidenciales que presentan supuestas inconsistencias y errores que deberán ser subsanados, con el fin de tener un dato exacto del número de votos que definirán a un ganador.
Con el 99,85% del escrutinio hasta la fecha, el conservador Nasry Asfura, del Partido Nacional, encabeza ligeramente la votación con el 40,24% de los sufragios, frente al 39,64% del también conservador Salvador Nasralla, del Partido Liberal.
En un distante tercer puesto figura la candidata del oficialismo, Rixi Moncada, de Libertad y Refundación, quien lleva el 19,12% de los sufragios. Moncada no reconoce los resultados.
La restricción de visas, según explica el documento del Departamento de Estado, se realiza de conformidad con el artículo 221 de la Ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA, por sus siglas en inglés).
En el documento también se menciona que se aplicaron “medidas para imponer restricciones de visa a otra persona por socavar la democracia en Honduras”.
Además, señala que esas acciones se toman bajo la Sección 212 de la INA, que en general prohíbe la entrada a aquellos cuyas actividades propuestas tengan consecuencias adversas potencialmente graves para la política exterior de Washington.
“Estados Unidos no tolerará acciones que socaven nuestra seguridad nacional y la estabilidad de nuestra región. Consideraremos todas las medidas apropiadas para disuadir a quienes impiden el recuento de votos en Honduras”, agregó.
El secretario de Estado estadounidense, Marco Rubio, escribió en su cuenta en la red social X que “las voces de 3,4 millones de hondureños deben ser respetadas y escuchadas”, en referencia a lo expresado en las urnas por el pueblo.
Oliver Erazo, analista y catedrático de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH), considera que la restricción de visas a funcionarios hondureños era algo que se veía venir “por sus actos antidemocráticos”.
“Los personeros del partido Libre (Libertad y Refundación), actualmente en el gobierno, son contrarios a los lineamientos de la política (norteamericana) establecida para El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras”, manifestó.
Basketball and local scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County
High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County coverage areas.
Email Daily Southtown results to southtownsports@gmail.com, Beacon-News, Courier-News and Naperville Sun results to tribwestsports@gmail.com and News-Sun results to newssunsports@gmail.com.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Argo 74, Universal 42
Argo (4-6): Darron Greer Jr. 27 points.
Carmel 44, Nazareth 39
Carmel (4-5, 2-1 ESCC): Ethan Matz 33 points.
Deerfield 68, Maine South 56
Deerfield (7-3, 1-2 Central Suburban South): Jake Pollack 27 points. Evan Nagler 18 points.
Geneva 55, Batavia 53 (2 OT)
Hinckley-Big Rock 60, Indian Creek 57
Hinckley-Big Rock (7-1, 3-0 Little Ten): Marshall Ledbetter 20 points. Jacob Orin 14 points.
Indian Creek (5-3, 2-1): Cooper Rissman 14 points. Isaac Willis 14 points.
Homewood-Flossmoor 64, Lockport 57
Huntley 43, Hampshire 40
IC Catholic 53, Aurora Central Catholic 39
Kaneland 81, Plano 44
Kankakee 82, Bloom 72
Bloom (4-5, 1-1 Southland): Keiwon Gulley 23 points, 9 steals, 8 assists. Troy Garner 18 points, 5 rebounds.
Leo 64, St. Francis de Sales 48
Leo (8-1, 2-0 CCL White): Brian Kizer 23 points, 6 rebounds. Andre Tucker 12 points, 4 assists.
Lincoln-Way Central 56, Lincoln-Way West 53 (OT)
Lincoln-Way Central (8-2, 4-1 SWSC): Alex Panos 17 points. Micah Evans 17 points. Nick Brzezniak 17 points.
Lincoln-Way East 52, Bradley-Bourbonnais 43
Loyola 53, St. Laurence 43
Marist 61, Marian Catholic 27
Marmion 68, Providence-St. Mel 49
Marmion (5-3, 3-0 CCL White): Joey Kramer 15 points, 10 rebounds. Colin McEniry 12 points, 8 rebounds.
Mount Carmel 58, Fenwick 35
Mount Carmel (7-3, 2-1 CCL Blue): Logan Wessel 29 points.
Naperville Central 55, DeKalb 37
Naperville North 49, Metea Valley 34
Neuqua Valley 56, Waubonsie Valley 51
Neuqua (8-1, 3-0 DuPage Valley): Lucas Balgro 19 points. Danny Mikuta 13 points.
Waubonsie (5-3, 2-1): Aidan Lee 21 points. Kris Mporokoso 13 points.
Newark 55, Somonauk 33
Newark (7-3, 3-0 Little Ten): Reggie Chapman 18 points, 6 steals, 4 assists. Cody Kulbartz 11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks.
Somonauk (4-7, 2-1): Landin Stillwell 10 points.
Niles West 46, Highland Park 42
Highland Park (2-8, 0-3 Central Suburban North): Evan Mintzer 12 points. Gray Kanter 11 points.
Oswego 80, Minooka 71
Oswego (5-4, 2-3 Southwest Prairie West): Graham Schwab 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals. Ethan Vahl 25 points.
Oswego East 57, Yorkville 37
Plainfield North 45, Sandwich 33
Sandwich (3-7): Nick Michalek 11 points.
Providence 57, Montini 45
Providence (3-8, 2-1 CCL White): Reece Kras 25 points.
Rich Township 50, Shepard 32
Rich Township (6-2): Kavon Ammons 23 points. Dyron Watson 12 points, 7 rebounds.
Shepard (4-6): Peter Primbas 10 points.
St. Charles North 60, St. Charles East 46
St. Charles North (2-6, 2-2 DuKane): Besnik Memedoski 14 points. E.J. Mondesir 12 points.
St. Patrick 58, Joliet Catholic 45
JCA (4-3, 1-2 ESCC): Danny Cervantes 13 points. Donavyn Simmons 10 points.
St. Rita 68, Jones 56
St. Rita (5-5): Eze Nwagwu 19 points. Mike Hampton 16 points.
Sandburg 49, Andrew 46
Stevenson 59, McHenry 27
Stevenson (7-2): Donny Williams 17 points, 4 rebounds. Rocco Pagliocca 12 points, 4 steals.
Thornton 69, Thornridge 37
Thornton (2-4, 1-2 Southland): Dakari Nesbitt 30 points. DeAndre Higgs 13 points.
Vernon Hills 69, Maine West 37
Vernon Hills (8-2, 3-0 Central Suburban North): Brady Larsen 22 points. Daniel Odhiambo 15 points.
Wauconda 77, Dundee-Crown 51
Wauconda (6-2): Austin Carlsen 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks. Alex Ortega 16 points.
Dundee-Crown (0-7): Rasheed Trice 22 points.
West Aurora 54, Elmwood Park 31
West Aurora (4-7): Travis Brown 15 points. Drew Lundberg 13 points.
Yorkville Christian 96, La Follette (Wis.) 80
Yorkville Christian (6-2): Jayden Riley 30 points.
‘IOLANI (Hawaii) CLASSIC
Brentwood (Calif.) 69, De La Salle 49
KSA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT (Fla.)
Aurora Christian 47, The Awtry International (Texas) 40
ACC (10-0): Preston Morel 13 points. Luke Baumann 13 points.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Andrew 55, Sandburg 43
Andrew (6-4, 3-3 SWSC): Ana Cisek 16 points. Christa Olson 12 points.
Sandburg (5-6, 2-3): Zoe Trunk 14 points.
Aurora Central Catholic 65, Harvest-Westminster 24
Geneva 42, Batavia 30
Batavia (2-9, 1-3 DuKane): Ali Thomas 19 points.
Huntley 43, Hampshire 28
Lake Zurich 46, Lake Forest 30
Lakes 46, North Chicago 6
Libertyville 51, Mundelein 29
Libertyville (9-2, 5-0 North Suburban): Lily Fisher 21 points. Ella Pawelczyk 11 points.
St. Charles East 38, St. Charles North 33
St. Charles East (7-2, 4-0 DuKane): Stella Trask 12 points. Brooklyn Schilb 11 points.
St. Charles North (9-0, 3-1): Bronwyn How 12 points.
T.F. South 60, Munster (Ind.) 15
Wauconda 48, Grant 32
Wauconda (12-0, 4-0 Northern Lake County): Alessandra Rodriguez 12 points, 4 rebounds.
Waukegan 64, Stevenson 52
NIKE TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS (Ariz.)
Zion Prep (Md.) 47, Homewood-Flossmoor 41
ST. VIATOR BLENNER CLASSIC
Lincoln-Way West 60, Metea Valley 16
Lincoln-Way West (7-5): Molly Finn 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals.
Vernon Hills 58, New Trier 45
Vernon Hills (10-2): Eve Engler 19 points. Emma Jocson 16 points.
Glenbrook North 64, Grayslake Central 45
Grayslake Central (6-5): Peyton Hoffmann 18 points.
BOYS WRESTLING
Grant 36, Marist 32
LOCAL COLLEGES
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Lake Forest College 74, Ripon (Wis.) 69
Lake Forest College (4-5, 1-1 Midwest): Cristian Rodriguez 17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
North Central College 81, Rockford University 45
NCC (8-3, 2-1 CCIW): Kennedy Hartwig 17 points.
Ripon (Wis.) 76, Lake Forest College 47
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Beecher 59, Illinois Lutheran 31
Beecher (3-6, 3-2 River Valley): Wences Baumgartner 20 points, 3 steals. Gavin Van Vess 13 points, 5 assists, 4 steals.
Benet 49, Lake Forest 25
Benet (9-1): Jayden Wright 18 points. Edvardas Stasys 14 points. Colin Stack 10 points.
Libertyville 58, Vernon Hills 43
Libertyville (5-3): Bryce Wegrzyn 17 points, 10 rebounds. Trevor Wallace 15 points. Nick Baker 12 points.
Vernon Hills (7-2): Daniel Odhiambo 16 points.
Morgan Park 65, Bogan 58
Morgan Park (5-2, 2-1 Chicago Public League Red-South): Jacque Lewis 23 points. Kelly Taylor 16 points.
Oak Forest 67, Ag. Science 48
Oak Forest (8-1): Jordan McCoy 14 points. Hayden Noha 11 points.
Rich Township 55, Thornwood 43
Rich Township (5-2, 2-0 Southland): Amari Winters 15 points. Kavon Ammons 13 points.
Thornwood (9-2, 1-2): Jordan Jones 12 points. Mekhi Young 11 points.
Wauconda 63, Mundelein 31
Wauconda (5-2): Tony Salemi 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals.
‘IOLANI (Hawaii) CLASSIC
Kailua (Hawaii) 60, De La Salle 58
De La Salle (4-7): Lucas Johnson 20 points. Remi Edwards 13 points, 13 rebounds.
KSA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT (Fla.)
Aurora Christian 60, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (Ga.) 58
ACC (9-0): Jacob Baumann 26 points.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Beecher 77, Illinois Lutheran 14
Beecher (6-6, 5-2 River Valley): Gianna Bonomo 13 points. Madison Smith 12 points.
Bloom 55, Thornridge 28
Kaneland 54, Burlington Central 51
Kankakee 64, Rich Township 23
Larkin 42, Elgin 37
Larkin (9-2, 5-0 Upstate Eight West): Mia Carter 17 points.
Lincoln-Way East 74, Bradley-Bourbonnais 33
Lincoln-Way West 42, Lincoln-Way Central 29
Manteno 67, Newark 22
Minooka 54, Oswego 35
Naperville North 45, Metea Valley 25
Oswego East 70, Yorkville 31
Oswego East (5-4, 2-1 Southwest Prairie West): Aubrey Lamberti 23 points, 10 rebounds. Nicole Warbinski 17 points.
Reed-Custer 53, Somonauk 50
Richards 48, Chicago U-High 37
Richards (6-4): Ariana Grvelas 19 points. Ameera Martin 12 points.
St. Laurence 67, Hancock 15
Vernon Hills 48, Maine West 32
Vernon Hills (9-2, 4-0 Central Suburban North): Madison Mays 12 points, 9 rebounds. Keira Thomas 12 points.
West Aurora 35, Elmwood Park 21
MCHENRY NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOLIDAY CLASSIC
Wauconda 54, Crystal Lake South 50, championship
Wauconda (11-0): Kelsey Piehl 15 points, 12 rebounds. Alessandra Rodriguez 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists.
Grayslake North 40, Deerfield 20
LOCAL COLLEGES
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Bethel (Ind.) 95, Governors State 73
Kishwaukee 67, Prairie State 62
Park-Gilbert (Ariz.) 73, Trinity Christian 62
South Suburban College 91, Southwestern Michigan 66
South Suburban College (10-2): Tanner Fields 23 points.
Waubonsee Community College 128, Harper 72
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
College of Lake County 70, Sauk Valley 53
St. Xavier 68, Fisk (Tenn.) 55
St. Xavier (9-4): Veronica Bafia 23 points, 12 rebounds.
Waubonsee Community College 70, Harper 57
Truman College 62, Elgin Community College 58
Compiled by Josh Krockey.
Buzelis y Vucevic anotan 24 puntos cada uno en victoria de Bulls 136-125 sobre Cavaliers
Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — Matas Buzelis y Nikola Vucevic anotaron cada uno 24 puntos mientras los Bulls de Chicago se alejaron el viernes por la noche en el último cuarto para lograr una victoria de 136-125 sobre los tambaleantes Cavaliers de Cleveland.
Vucevic, quien también capturó 15 rebotes, sumó 11 puntos y seis rebotes en el último cuarto mientras los Bulls ganaron juegos consecutivos por primera vez desde el 19 de noviembre.
Siete jugadores anotaron en cifras dobles para Chicago. Josh Giddey tuvo 17 puntos y Tre Jones agregó 16 desde el banco.
Darius Garland anotó un máximo de temporada de 35 para Cleveland, que no contó con el guardia All-Star Donovan Mitchell debido a una enfermedad. El alero All-Star Evan Mobley estará fuera al menos otra semana por una lesión en la pantorrilla.
El guardia novato Tyrese Proctor anotó 16 puntos en su primera titularidad en la NBA, y Nae’Qwan Tomlin sumó 15 desde el banco.
Los Cavaliers han perdido tres seguidos y cuatro de cinco. También han perdido cinco de sus últimos seis juegos en casa.
El oficial del juego Tre Maddox se lesionó la pierna al final del primer cuarto, reduciendo el equipo de arbitraje a dos para el resto del juego: Ray Acosta y Phenizee Ransom.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
He’s big and tall, but John Brown IV makes four 3-pointers for Homewood-Flossmoor. ‘Don’t know what to expect.’
Homewood-Flossmoor’s John Brown IV upends all of the typical presuppositions.
The 6-foot-6 sophomore forward might be the tallest player for the Vikings, but it doesn’t mean that he’s simply content to battle down low or do most of his work inside of the lane.
“Unpredictable is how I’d describe my game and my style,” Brown said. “People don’t know what to expect from me. They see my size and they think I’m going to be one type of player.
“But I’m different and not that way at all.”
Brown showed the way Friday night for host H-F, making four 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 18 points in a 64-57 SouhtWest Suburban Conference win over Lockport in Flossmoor.
Junior guard Ethan Jackson added 14 points for Homewood-Flossmoor (9-0, 5-0). Senior forward Marvin Douglas scored 12 points. Senior guard Danny Ruffin totaled 11 points and five assists.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s John Brown IV (14) lines up his shot against Lockport during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Flossmoor on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Twin brothers Nojus and Nedas Venckus combined for nine 3-pointers in scoring 24 and 15 points, respectively, for Lockport (8-2, 4-1). Trace Schaaf added nine points and seven rebounds.
But on a team marked by more dynamic wing players and athletic guards, Brown still stands out. His outside shooting helped offset a sluggish first half that ended in a 19-19 halftime tie.
“Those 3-pointers he hit were like energy switches,” Jackson said of Brown, who also had seven rebounds and a blocked shot. “When John’s on fire like that, it just makes everybody go.
“You see that he can shoot the ball, but he’s also a hustle player who crashes the boards and rebounds.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Darrius Hawkins Jr. (4) dribbles up the court against Lockport during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Flossmoor on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Brandin Brown, in his first season as H-F’s coach, pointed out that John Brown has proven his shooting performance last season in his varsity debut wasn’t a fluke.
“We watch him every day in practice and just see how capable he is in terms of shooting the basketball,” Brandin said. “This is his second year, and he’s more confident.
“He understands the speed of the game, and he’s extremely athletic. We tell him to go rebound. The rebounds are what get him going.”
Brown hit two 3-pointers for eight points during a scale-tipping performance in the third quarter.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Danny Ruffin (5) passes to a teammate through the Lockport defense during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Flossmoor on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
“No matter what, even if you miss them, you always have to keep shooting with confidence,” he said. “Most people think I’m an athletic big who just rebounds and plays defense.
“They’re not expecting me to shoot the ball like that.”
Brown’s sensibility is more bookish and contemplative. Off the court, he spends time taking photographs and learning about web design.
“I’m more of a quiet guy,” he said. “Before games, I usually sit by myself and listen to music to get ready to play.”
Last season as a freshman, Brown played for the reigning Class 4A state champion. He had the best possible incubation period. Nothing was expected and he could develop at his own pace.
”I was actually just happy I made the team,” he said. “It was very fun to sit on the bench and watch my teammates get college offers.”
Lockport’s Gavin Anderson (3) drives into Homewood-Flossmoor’s John Brown IV (14) and Marvin Douglas (0) in a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Flossmoor on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Brandin Brown credited H-F’s previous coaching staff for giving John Brown the room to breathe and develop on his own accord. He started playing basketball in the seventh and eighth grades.
“He didn’t play a ton or have a lot of opportunities,” Brandin said. “Last season, he got beat up a little bit every day, but this season is just paying dividends for him.”
John Brown IV, the fourth generation of his family to carry the suffix of his name, has learned how to embrace the expectations. His father, John Brown III, played at Leo and Illinois State.
“It’s my name and nobody else will ever have it,” Brown said. “I feel very proud and honored. Everything about the game right now is learning, growing and developing chemistry. It’s fun.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
EEUU ataca al Estado Islámico en Siria tras muertes de estadounidenses
Por KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, BEN FINLEY y AAMER MADHANI
WASHINGTON (AP) — El gobierno del presidente Donald Trump lanzó ataques militares el viernes en Siria para “eliminar” a los combatientes del grupo Estado Islámico y sus almacenes de armas en represalia por una emboscada en la que murieron dos soldados y un intérprete civil estadounidenses hace casi una semana.
Un funcionario de Estados Unidos dijo que se trató de un ataque “a gran escala”, el cual alcanzó 70 blancos en áreas de toda Siria central que tenían infraestructura y armas del EI. Otro funcionario estadounidense, que también habló a condición de guardar el anonimato para poder declarar sobre operaciones delicadas, indicó que es de esperar que haya más ataques.
“Esto no es el comienzo de una guerra, es una declaración de venganza. Los Estados Unidos de América, bajo el liderazgo del presidente Trump, nunca titubearán ni se rendirán para defender a nuestro pueblo”, manifestó el secretario de Defensa, Pete Hegseth, en redes sociales.
La nueva operación militar en Siria se lleva a cabo incluso después de que el gobierno de Trump ha dicho que busca enfocar su atención más cerca de casa en el hemisferio occidental, acumulando una armada en el mar Caribe mientras apunta a presuntos barcos de contrabando de drogas, y comprometiéndose a seguir incautando buques petroleros sancionados como parte de una campaña de presión sobre el presidente venezolano Nicolás Maduro. Washington ha desviado recursos significativos del Oriente Medio para avanzar en esos objetivos: su portaaviones más avanzado llegó a aguas sudamericanas el mes pasado desde el mar Mediterráneo.
Trump prometió represalias
Trump prometió que habría “represalias muy serias” después del tiroteo en el desierto sirio, del cual culpó al EI. Los fallecidos estaban entre los cientos de efectivos estadounidenses desplegados en el este de Siria como parte de una coalición que lucha contra el grupo miliciano.
Durante un discurso en Carolina del Norte el viernes por la noche, el presidente elogió la operación, llamándola un “ataque masivo” que eliminó a los “matones” del EI en Siria “que intentaban reagruparse”.
Previamente, en su publicación en redes sociales, reiteró su apoyo al presidente sirio Ahmad al-Sharaa, quien, según Trump, estaba “totalmente a favor” de la ofensiva estadounidense.
Trump también lanzó una amenaza, advirtiéndole al EI que no vuelva a atacar a personal de Estados Unidos.
“Todos los terroristas que sean lo suficientemente malvados como para atacar a estadounidenses están aquí advertidos: serán golpeados más fuerte de lo que nunca han sido golpeados antes si, de alguna manera, atacan o amenazan a Estados Unidos”, agregó el mandatario.
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La periodista de The Associated Press Abby Sewell en Beirut contribuyó a este despacho.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Toros sufren 4ta derrota en fila y siguen sin asegurar pase a postemporada
Por The Associated Press
Los Toros del Este, que sólo necesitan una victoria para asegurar su pase a la postemporada en la Liga Dominicana de Béisbol, deberán seguir esperando al menos un día más.
Los Leones del Escogido derrotaron el viernes por 5-4 en entradas extra a los Toros, quienes perdieron su cuarto juego en fila y siguen suspirando por su clasificación.
Abajo por una carrera en la parte baja de la décima entrada, Erick González respondió por los Leones con un sencillo remolcador que empató el encuentro. Enseguida, Junior Lake aprovechó un sorpresivo toque de sacrificio de Sócrates Brito para definir el duelo.
En San Pedro de Macorís, Rodolfo Castro empató un dramático encuentro con un sencillo remolcador en la parte baja de la duodécima entrada. Dos bateadores después, Abraham Almonte negoció una base por bolas con las bases llenas, para que las Estrellas Orientales anotaran caminando la carrera del triunfo y se impusieran 4-3 a los Gigantes del Cibao, revitalizando así sus opciones de postemporada.
Los Tigres del Licey se impusieron 4-2 sobre las Águilas Cibaeñas en Santiago de los Caballeros. Emilio Bonifacio sacudió un jonrón de tres carreras.
Senadores quedan al borde de la eliminación
Los Gigantes de Carolina derrotaron 6-2 a los Senadores de San Juan, que perdieron su quinto juego consecutivo y quedaron al borde de la eliminación en la Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente.
Daniel Ortiz remolcó dos anotaciones con un doble, mientras que Abimelec Ortiz añadió un cuadrangular de dos carreras para encabezar la ofensiva de los ganadores.
En Mayagüez, Edwin Arroyo bateó de 5-2 con dos carreras producidas y Jack López se fue de 3-2 con dos dobles y dos empujadas, en la victoria de los líderes Cangrejeros de Santurce por 7-2 sobre los Indios de Mayagüez.
Los Leones de Ponce superaron 2-1 a los Criollos en Caguas. Eilliam Simoneit conectó un cuadrangular de dos carreras en el quinto episodio.
Jaison Chourio empuja 7 en paliza de Águilas sobre Leones
Jaison Chourio lució nuevamente con el madero para conducir a las Águilas del Zulia hacia una paliza de 14-3 sobre los Leones del Caracas.
Chourio, uno de los mejores prospectos de los Guardianes de Cleveland y hermano del astro de los Cerveceros de Milwaukee Jackson, bateó de 6-5, con un doble, un triple y siete carreras producidas, para convertirse en la gran figura del encuentro. Ángelo Castellano también destacó al irse de 5-3, con un doble y dos empujadas.
En Barquisimeto, Renato Núñez conectó tres cuadrangulares solitarios, Tucupita Marcano añadió un jonrón y produjo tres carreras, mientras que Diego Velázquez bateó de 4-2 con un doble y dos remolcadas, en la victoria de los Navegantes del Magallanes por 11-6 sobre los Cardenales de Lara.
Los Tiburones de la Guaira doblegaron 6-3 a los Caribes de Anzoátegui en Caracas. Alcides Escobar bateó de 4-2 con dos dobles y una carrera producida, y Franklin Barreto se fue de 3-2 con una remolcada.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
A Russian-US ‘New Détente’ Could Revolutionize The Global Economic Architecture
A Russian-US ‘New Détente’ Could Revolutionize The Global Economic Architecture
Authored by Andrew Korybko via Substack,
It was explained in this analysis about “How A Rapprochement With Russia Helps The US Advance Its Goals Vis-à-vis China” that joint strategic resource investments after the end of the Ukrainian Conflict, particularly in energy and critical minerals, can assist the US in economically competing with China.
This vision aligns with the new National Security Strategy’s (NSS) focus on securing critical resource supply chains and can prospectively be expanded to aid the US’ allies with this for further advancing its goals.
After all, the bulk of the NSS’ Asian section isn’t about the US’ military competition with China (though a subsection details efforts to deter it in Taiwan and the South China Sea), but their economic competition and the ways in which the US’ allies can help the West keep pace with the People’s Republic. It even proposes joint cooperation “with regard to critical minerals in Africa” for gradually reducing and ultimately eliminating their collective dependence on China’s associated supply chains.
Given Russia’s richness in critical minerals deposits, the central role that their development is expected to play in the “New Détente”, and the importance of these investments for advancing the US’ NSS goals vis-à-vis China, it’s possible that associated projects could include the US’ Asian allies. This could take the form of the US providing sectoral secondary sanctions waivers to India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and others as rewards for Russia’s compliance with a Ukrainian peace deal to incentivize joint investments.
Not only would this help the US and its Asian allies reduce their collective dependence on China’s critical minerals supply chains, but it would also help avert the scenario of Russia becoming disproportionately dependent on China, thus serving both sides’ interests vis-à-vis China. Furthermore, the proposed sectoral secondary sanctions waivers could expand to include energy and tech, which would unlock their access to Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 megaproject while also reducing Russia’s dependence on Chinese chips.
The resultant complex strategic interdependence would be mutually beneficial.
US pressure along Russia’s western (European), northern (Arctic), eastern (East Asian), and potentially also southern (South Caucasus and Central Asia as proposed here) flanks would be greatly reduced due to Russia’s newfound national security significance brought about by its irreplaceable strategic resource and associated supply chain roles.
Russia has wanted this for decades, and it might finally be within reach.
Likewise, Russia would be incentivized to comply with whatever Ukrainian peace deal the US brokers in order to maintain this outcome, which also averts the scenario of it becoming disproportionately dependent on China all while bringing tangible economic benefits.
The US and its Asian allies would essentially be paying Russia to comply with that deal and turn its de facto entente with China, in which it might one day become the junior partner, into just one of several near-equal strategic partnerships.
Through these means, the renascent Russian-US “New Détente” could revolutionize the global economic architecture by removing China’s centricity therein, which would help the US and its Asian allies better compete with it per their shared goal through the help that Russia would be providing.
Significantly, Russia would also move from the periphery of the existing global economic architecture towards its core due to the importance of its strategic resources in this paradigm, thus fulfilling its grand economic goal.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 12/19/2025 – 23:25
