DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic anotó 30 puntos y capturó 12 rebotes, incluso en una noche en que la puntería no lo acompañó, para ayudar a que los Nuggets de Denver derrotaran el miércoles 103-84 a los Celtics de Boston

Denver jugó la mayor parte del partido sin el escolta Jamal Murray. Se retiró tras disputar 7:51 minutos debido a una enfermedad y no regresó.

Tim Hardaway Jr. sumó 14 puntos para que los Nuggets se recuperaran de una gira con foja de 1-2 tras el receso del Juego de Estrellas, que incluyó una derrota en Golden State el domingo.

Denver le siguió el paso a Houston en la apretada clasificación de la Conferencia Oeste. Los Nuggets están a unos puntos porcentuales de los Rockets en la lucha por el tercer puesto.

Jaylen Brown volvió a la alineación de Boston después de perderse el partido del martes por la noche en Phoenix por una contusión en la rodilla derecha. Anotó 23 puntos por los Celtics, que terminaron con un registro de 3-1 una gira por el oeste.

Habían ganado cinco duelos seguidos y nueve de 10 antes de quedarse sin energía en la altitud de Denver.

Derrick White, oriundo de Colorado, anotó 18 de sus 20 puntos en el segundo cuarto.

Jokic tuvo dificultades en tiros de campo y desde la línea de tres. Encestó 11 de 28 en total y acertó 4 de 13 triples, pero ayudó a generar una racha de 11-0 para cerrar el tercer cuarto, lo que dio a Denver una ventaja de 10 puntos de cara al último periodo.

_____

Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/26/jokic-anota-30-puntos-y-captura-12-rebotes-para-que-nuggets-derroten-103-84-a-celtics/ 

Dear Eric: For the past several years, our family has celebrated the new year with another family at a very specific location on the Jersey Shore. It’s been a lovely yearly tradition.

This year, for whatever reason, we did not book the hotel. There was no mention of the trip all year, with us assuming it was not happening.

Then, a couple of weeks before the new year, the other family sheepishly mentioned they had booked a room at the same hotel we have stayed at for years. They asked if we wanted to join them, but of course it was quite short notice so we could not.

I suspect they knew for a while and simply didn’t want us there. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have reached out while making the reservation?

At any rate, they went to the shore and did all the things we usually do – posting all of it on social media – without us. I became more upset as I saw the photos. I feel this was a huge betrayal, enough that I do not care to see them for a while.

My husband feels I’m being petty, and that I should forgive them and move on. He agrees what they did is hurtful and selfish but doesn’t want to dwell on it. I feel something shifted in our relationship, and not in a good way. I’m seeing them in a whole new light and feel they truly did not want our presence.

We’ve been very close friends for more than a decade. I’m not sure how to get over this hurt. It really dampened my spirits this holiday season. What should our next steps be? Break up?

– Left Behind

Dear Left Behind: Ask them outright, “what happened with our New Year’s trip?” You might even tell them how you’re feeling about what happened. They may not know what you’re thinking, and they might be eager to make things right.

They might also be feeling something similar. It’s possible, isn’t it, that since you didn’t mention anything about the trip either, they could have thought you were backing away from them. Better to clear the air, and establish better communication for next time, than to break up hurting.

Dear Eric: I am a regular reader of “Asking Eric” and would like to offer another idea for the letter signed “Dining Dilemma”, from an older couple who were distressed about not being able to afford to tip when they went out to eat. I’m even older and address this problem by going out for lunch instead of dinner. Food is just as good and there is usually some to take home for later. The biggest bonus is that it is usually cheaper. My local restaurant has a special luncheon menu: Soup or salad, main course, dessert and coffee or tea. I live where the tip needs to be 20 percent but the total still comes out less than a dinner main course. Keep up the good advice, I enjoy your “good read.”

– Happy Diner

Dear Diner: Lunch instead of dinner is another great option, especially for folks who, like the letter writers, eat out multiple times a month.

I also want to correct something in my original response. I wrote that “most servers earn $2.83 an hour” and quite a few readers, especially those reading in Oregon (hello, and thank you for reading), pointed out that that’s not accurate.

I regret the error. Per the Department of Labor’s Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees chart (available online at: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/tipped), the minimum cash wage varies state-to-state. There are eight states and territories where the minimum cash wage is much higher, and the restaurants are required to pay servers the full state minimum wage before tips. On the other hand, there are 29 states and territories with a minimum cash wage under $4, with the majority of those being $2.13.

Related Articles

Tipping remains a flash point for many. But, no matter how one feels about tipping, this isn’t a system that servers created or are perpetuating any more than any of us created the expectations of our jobs. In America, the position has a built-in agreement that they will be tipped for the work, which is often quite demanding. Additionally, servers are usually required to give a portion of their tips to bartenders, bussers and sometimes other staff. Being resentful that servers “expect” a tip is putting the blame in the wrong place. This isn’t an ideal system, but it’s the system we’re in. There are many restaurants where the restaurant pays a living wage, and tipping isn’t part of the culture. It’s helpful for all diners to find out what the economic structure of your favorite restaurants are. It’s something in which you’re an active participant, tip or not, so it’s good to know.

(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/26/asking-eric-friends-booked-annual-trip-without-us/ 

Dear Eric: For the past several years, our family has celebrated the new year with another family at a very specific location on the Jersey Shore. It’s been a lovely yearly tradition.

This year, for whatever reason, we did not book the hotel. There was no mention of the trip all year, with us assuming it was not happening.

Then, a couple of weeks before the new year, the other family sheepishly mentioned they had booked a room at the same hotel we have stayed at for years. They asked if we wanted to join them, but of course it was quite short notice so we could not.

I suspect they knew for a while and simply didn’t want us there. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have reached out while making the reservation?

At any rate, they went to the shore and did all the things we usually do – posting all of it on social media – without us. I became more upset as I saw the photos. I feel this was a huge betrayal, enough that I do not care to see them for a while.

My husband feels I’m being petty, and that I should forgive them and move on. He agrees what they did is hurtful and selfish but doesn’t want to dwell on it. I feel something shifted in our relationship, and not in a good way. I’m seeing them in a whole new light and feel they truly did not want our presence.

We’ve been very close friends for more than a decade. I’m not sure how to get over this hurt. It really dampened my spirits this holiday season. What should our next steps be? Break up?

– Left Behind

Dear Left Behind: Ask them outright, “what happened with our New Year’s trip?” You might even tell them how you’re feeling about what happened. They may not know what you’re thinking, and they might be eager to make things right.

They might also be feeling something similar. It’s possible, isn’t it, that since you didn’t mention anything about the trip either, they could have thought you were backing away from them. Better to clear the air, and establish better communication for next time, than to break up hurting.

Dear Eric: I am a regular reader of “Asking Eric” and would like to offer another idea for the letter signed “Dining Dilemma”, from an older couple who were distressed about not being able to afford to tip when they went out to eat. I’m even older and address this problem by going out for lunch instead of dinner. Food is just as good and there is usually some to take home for later. The biggest bonus is that it is usually cheaper. My local restaurant has a special luncheon menu: Soup or salad, main course, dessert and coffee or tea. I live where the tip needs to be 20 percent but the total still comes out less than a dinner main course. Keep up the good advice, I enjoy your “good read.”

– Happy Diner

Dear Diner: Lunch instead of dinner is another great option, especially for folks who, like the letter writers, eat out multiple times a month.

I also want to correct something in my original response. I wrote that “most servers earn $2.83 an hour” and quite a few readers, especially those reading in Oregon (hello, and thank you for reading), pointed out that that’s not accurate.

I regret the error. Per the Department of Labor’s Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees chart (available online at: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/tipped), the minimum cash wage varies state-to-state. There are eight states and territories where the minimum cash wage is much higher, and the restaurants are required to pay servers the full state minimum wage before tips. On the other hand, there are 29 states and territories with a minimum cash wage under $4, with the majority of those being $2.13.

Related Articles

Tipping remains a flash point for many. But, no matter how one feels about tipping, this isn’t a system that servers created or are perpetuating any more than any of us created the expectations of our jobs. In America, the position has a built-in agreement that they will be tipped for the work, which is often quite demanding. Additionally, servers are usually required to give a portion of their tips to bartenders, bussers and sometimes other staff. Being resentful that servers “expect” a tip is putting the blame in the wrong place. This isn’t an ideal system, but it’s the system we’re in. There are many restaurants where the restaurant pays a living wage, and tipping isn’t part of the culture. It’s helpful for all diners to find out what the economic structure of your favorite restaurants are. It’s something in which you’re an active participant, tip or not, so it’s good to know.

(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/26/asking-eric-friends-booked-annual-trip-without-us/ 

Dear Eric: For the past several years, our family has celebrated the new year with another family at a very specific location on the Jersey Shore. It’s been a lovely yearly tradition.

This year, for whatever reason, we did not book the hotel. There was no mention of the trip all year, with us assuming it was not happening.

Then, a couple of weeks before the new year, the other family sheepishly mentioned they had booked a room at the same hotel we have stayed at for years. They asked if we wanted to join them, but of course it was quite short notice so we could not.

I suspect they knew for a while and simply didn’t want us there. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have reached out while making the reservation?

At any rate, they went to the shore and did all the things we usually do – posting all of it on social media – without us. I became more upset as I saw the photos. I feel this was a huge betrayal, enough that I do not care to see them for a while.

My husband feels I’m being petty, and that I should forgive them and move on. He agrees what they did is hurtful and selfish but doesn’t want to dwell on it. I feel something shifted in our relationship, and not in a good way. I’m seeing them in a whole new light and feel they truly did not want our presence.

We’ve been very close friends for more than a decade. I’m not sure how to get over this hurt. It really dampened my spirits this holiday season. What should our next steps be? Break up?

– Left Behind

Dear Left Behind: Ask them outright, “what happened with our New Year’s trip?” You might even tell them how you’re feeling about what happened. They may not know what you’re thinking, and they might be eager to make things right.

They might also be feeling something similar. It’s possible, isn’t it, that since you didn’t mention anything about the trip either, they could have thought you were backing away from them. Better to clear the air, and establish better communication for next time, than to break up hurting.

Dear Eric: I am a regular reader of “Asking Eric” and would like to offer another idea for the letter signed “Dining Dilemma”, from an older couple who were distressed about not being able to afford to tip when they went out to eat. I’m even older and address this problem by going out for lunch instead of dinner. Food is just as good and there is usually some to take home for later. The biggest bonus is that it is usually cheaper. My local restaurant has a special luncheon menu: Soup or salad, main course, dessert and coffee or tea. I live where the tip needs to be 20 percent but the total still comes out less than a dinner main course. Keep up the good advice, I enjoy your “good read.”

– Happy Diner

Dear Diner: Lunch instead of dinner is another great option, especially for folks who, like the letter writers, eat out multiple times a month.

I also want to correct something in my original response. I wrote that “most servers earn $2.83 an hour” and quite a few readers, especially those reading in Oregon (hello, and thank you for reading), pointed out that that’s not accurate.

I regret the error. Per the Department of Labor’s Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees chart (available online at: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/tipped), the minimum cash wage varies state-to-state. There are eight states and territories where the minimum cash wage is much higher, and the restaurants are required to pay servers the full state minimum wage before tips. On the other hand, there are 29 states and territories with a minimum cash wage under $4, with the majority of those being $2.13.

Related Articles

Tipping remains a flash point for many. But, no matter how one feels about tipping, this isn’t a system that servers created or are perpetuating any more than any of us created the expectations of our jobs. In America, the position has a built-in agreement that they will be tipped for the work, which is often quite demanding. Additionally, servers are usually required to give a portion of their tips to bartenders, bussers and sometimes other staff. Being resentful that servers “expect” a tip is putting the blame in the wrong place. This isn’t an ideal system, but it’s the system we’re in. There are many restaurants where the restaurant pays a living wage, and tipping isn’t part of the culture. It’s helpful for all diners to find out what the economic structure of your favorite restaurants are. It’s something in which you’re an active participant, tip or not, so it’s good to know.

(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/26/asking-eric-friends-booked-annual-trip-without-us/ 

Dear Eric: For the past several years, our family has celebrated the new year with another family at a very specific location on the Jersey Shore. It’s been a lovely yearly tradition.

This year, for whatever reason, we did not book the hotel. There was no mention of the trip all year, with us assuming it was not happening.

Then, a couple of weeks before the new year, the other family sheepishly mentioned they had booked a room at the same hotel we have stayed at for years. They asked if we wanted to join them, but of course it was quite short notice so we could not.

I suspect they knew for a while and simply didn’t want us there. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have reached out while making the reservation?

At any rate, they went to the shore and did all the things we usually do – posting all of it on social media – without us. I became more upset as I saw the photos. I feel this was a huge betrayal, enough that I do not care to see them for a while.

My husband feels I’m being petty, and that I should forgive them and move on. He agrees what they did is hurtful and selfish but doesn’t want to dwell on it. I feel something shifted in our relationship, and not in a good way. I’m seeing them in a whole new light and feel they truly did not want our presence.

We’ve been very close friends for more than a decade. I’m not sure how to get over this hurt. It really dampened my spirits this holiday season. What should our next steps be? Break up?

– Left Behind

Dear Left Behind: Ask them outright, “what happened with our New Year’s trip?” You might even tell them how you’re feeling about what happened. They may not know what you’re thinking, and they might be eager to make things right.

They might also be feeling something similar. It’s possible, isn’t it, that since you didn’t mention anything about the trip either, they could have thought you were backing away from them. Better to clear the air, and establish better communication for next time, than to break up hurting.

Dear Eric: I am a regular reader of “Asking Eric” and would like to offer another idea for the letter signed “Dining Dilemma”, from an older couple who were distressed about not being able to afford to tip when they went out to eat. I’m even older and address this problem by going out for lunch instead of dinner. Food is just as good and there is usually some to take home for later. The biggest bonus is that it is usually cheaper. My local restaurant has a special luncheon menu: Soup or salad, main course, dessert and coffee or tea. I live where the tip needs to be 20 percent but the total still comes out less than a dinner main course. Keep up the good advice, I enjoy your “good read.”

– Happy Diner

Dear Diner: Lunch instead of dinner is another great option, especially for folks who, like the letter writers, eat out multiple times a month.

I also want to correct something in my original response. I wrote that “most servers earn $2.83 an hour” and quite a few readers, especially those reading in Oregon (hello, and thank you for reading), pointed out that that’s not accurate.

I regret the error. Per the Department of Labor’s Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees chart (available online at: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/tipped), the minimum cash wage varies state-to-state. There are eight states and territories where the minimum cash wage is much higher, and the restaurants are required to pay servers the full state minimum wage before tips. On the other hand, there are 29 states and territories with a minimum cash wage under $4, with the majority of those being $2.13.

Related Articles

Tipping remains a flash point for many. But, no matter how one feels about tipping, this isn’t a system that servers created or are perpetuating any more than any of us created the expectations of our jobs. In America, the position has a built-in agreement that they will be tipped for the work, which is often quite demanding. Additionally, servers are usually required to give a portion of their tips to bartenders, bussers and sometimes other staff. Being resentful that servers “expect” a tip is putting the blame in the wrong place. This isn’t an ideal system, but it’s the system we’re in. There are many restaurants where the restaurant pays a living wage, and tipping isn’t part of the culture. It’s helpful for all diners to find out what the economic structure of your favorite restaurants are. It’s something in which you’re an active participant, tip or not, so it’s good to know.

(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/26/asking-eric-friends-booked-annual-trip-without-us/ 

Wes Shelby started Lincoln-Way East’s playoff run with a bang. Or maybe it was more like a boom.

The junior forward’s thunderous dunk over a defender off a baseline inbounds pass brought the house down. And it was just the beginning of Shelby’s surge in the first quarter.

“It was electric,” Shelby said. “I’ve been waiting to do that my whole life. It felt great. Then I went and hit a three, got a block and some rebounds. I just brought a lot of energy that we needed.”

The Griffins took off after the spark from Shelby and never looked back Wednesday night, rolling to a 54-39 win over the host Eagles in a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal in Orland Park.

Shelby finished with 10 points to lead 10th-seeded Lincoln-Way East. Oliver Lavin, Jaymon Hornsby and KaiJay Brown each scored eight points, while Jonathan Aluyi finished with seven points and eight rebounds and Aaron Stauffacher added six points and eight rebounds.

“Wes’ dunk, that got us hyped,” Hornsby said. “It gave us a lot of energy, especially at the start of the game. He’s a great teammate and he’s coming up. You’ll see him next year, for sure.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) lines up a 3-point shot in front of his bench during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Next year can wait, however. Lincoln-Way East (17-13) will play at 7 p.m. Friday in the regional final against top-seeded Homewood-Flossmoor (27-3), which topped Andrew 53-44.

Will Johnson finished with nine points and seven rebounds to lead eighth-seeded Sandburg (21-11), which had a seven-game winning streak snapped and went 0-3 this winter against the Griffins. Johnson’s twin brother, Jonah, scored eight points, while Liiban Debela added five points.

The Griffins completely dominated early and led 20-6 a minute into the second quarter. Shelby set the tone, according to coach Luke Yaklich.

“The start was awesome,” Yaklich said. “Wes Shelby was a possessed human being.”

Sandburg’s Bryson Dagon (10) tries to get a shot off over Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Yaklich, the former Illinois-Chicago coach, is in his first season at Lincoln-Way East. Getting to know Shelby wasn’t easy at first.

“It took me a month to hear Wes’ voice in the summer,” Yaklich said. “Then he ordered Subway. He loves Subway. I finally learned what he could talk like.”

So, what’s Shelby’s sandwich of choice?

“Pepperoni and salami on Italian herbs and cheese bread,” he said. “Then I do pickles, jalapenos, green peppers, onions, mayonnaise and oregano.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Jaymon Hornsby (11) drives to the basket as Sandburg’s Will Johnson (3) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Aside from the lunch order, Shelby’s work ethic did the talking.

“I didn’t know how much he loved basketball because he’s so quiet ,” Yaklich said. “But that dude’s in the gym at 6 a.m. three or four days a week. He’s earned it. There’s nothing lucky about Wes.

“He put himself in position to do what he did (Wednesday).”

Shelby has switched between starting and coming off the bench throughout the season, but he has been in the initial lineup the last five games.

“When I start, I know I have to bring it right away,” he said.

Down by as many as 18 points, Sandburg rallied within eight twice in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) finishes off a slam dunk against Sandburg during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

“We had to finish it off,” Hornsby said. “Being a senior in the playoffs, it makes me want to go harder. We haven’t won a regional since I was a freshman.

“I want to do it for my school and for my team and go out with a bang for my senior year.”

Shelby got things started right. He’s a relative newcomer to basketball and didn’t take the sport seriously until high school.

“I played rec basketball when I was younger, but I only started playing AAU and travel freshman year,” he said. “I used to play baseball but I didn’t make the team freshman year.

“I realized it was time to focus on basketball. I’m tall, so why not go for it? I think I’m learning every day. I started a little later, so I’ve got to work harder than everybody else.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/25/wes-shelby-lincoln-way-east-basketball/ 

Wes Shelby started Lincoln-Way East’s playoff run with a bang. Or maybe it was more like a boom.

The junior forward’s thunderous dunk over a defender off a baseline inbounds pass brought the house down. And it was just the beginning of Shelby’s surge in the first quarter.

“It was electric,” Shelby said. “I’ve been waiting to do that my whole life. It felt great. Then I went and hit a three, got a block and some rebounds. I just brought a lot of energy that we needed.”

The Griffins took off after the spark from Shelby and never looked back Wednesday night, rolling to a 54-39 win over the host Eagles in a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal in Orland Park.

Shelby finished with 10 points to lead 10th-seeded Lincoln-Way East. Oliver Lavin, Jaymon Hornsby and KaiJay Brown each scored eight points, while Jonathan Aluyi finished with seven points and eight rebounds and Aaron Stauffacher added six points and eight rebounds.

“Wes’ dunk, that got us hyped,” Hornsby said. “It gave us a lot of energy, especially at the start of the game. He’s a great teammate and he’s coming up. You’ll see him next year, for sure.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) lines up a 3-point shot in front of his bench during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Next year can wait, however. Lincoln-Way East (17-13) will play at 7 p.m. Friday in the regional final against top-seeded Homewood-Flossmoor (27-3), which topped Andrew 53-44.

Will Johnson finished with nine points and seven rebounds to lead eighth-seeded Sandburg (21-11), which had a seven-game winning streak snapped and went 0-3 this winter against the Griffins. Johnson’s twin brother, Jonah, scored eight points, while Liiban Debela added five points.

The Griffins completely dominated early and led 20-6 a minute into the second quarter. Shelby set the tone, according to coach Luke Yaklich.

“The start was awesome,” Yaklich said. “Wes Shelby was a possessed human being.”

Sandburg’s Bryson Dagon (10) tries to get a shot off over Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Yaklich, the former Illinois-Chicago coach, is in his first season at Lincoln-Way East. Getting to know Shelby wasn’t easy at first.

“It took me a month to hear Wes’ voice in the summer,” Yaklich said. “Then he ordered Subway. He loves Subway. I finally learned what he could talk like.”

So, what’s Shelby’s sandwich of choice?

“Pepperoni and salami on Italian herbs and cheese bread,” he said. “Then I do pickles, jalapenos, green peppers, onions, mayonnaise and oregano.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Jaymon Hornsby (11) drives to the basket as Sandburg’s Will Johnson (3) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Aside from the lunch order, Shelby’s work ethic did the talking.

“I didn’t know how much he loved basketball because he’s so quiet ,” Yaklich said. “But that dude’s in the gym at 6 a.m. three or four days a week. He’s earned it. There’s nothing lucky about Wes.

“He put himself in position to do what he did (Wednesday).”

Shelby has switched between starting and coming off the bench throughout the season, but he has been in the initial lineup the last five games.

“When I start, I know I have to bring it right away,” he said.

Down by as many as 18 points, Sandburg rallied within eight twice in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) finishes off a slam dunk against Sandburg during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

“We had to finish it off,” Hornsby said. “Being a senior in the playoffs, it makes me want to go harder. We haven’t won a regional since I was a freshman.

“I want to do it for my school and for my team and go out with a bang for my senior year.”

Shelby got things started right. He’s a relative newcomer to basketball and didn’t take the sport seriously until high school.

“I played rec basketball when I was younger, but I only started playing AAU and travel freshman year,” he said. “I used to play baseball but I didn’t make the team freshman year.

“I realized it was time to focus on basketball. I’m tall, so why not go for it? I think I’m learning every day. I started a little later, so I’ve got to work harder than everybody else.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/25/wes-shelby-lincoln-way-east-basketball/ 

Wes Shelby started Lincoln-Way East’s playoff run with a bang. Or maybe it was more like a boom.

The junior forward’s thunderous dunk over a defender off a baseline inbounds pass brought the house down. And it was just the beginning of Shelby’s surge in the first quarter.

“It was electric,” Shelby said. “I’ve been waiting to do that my whole life. It felt great. Then I went and hit a three, got a block and some rebounds. I just brought a lot of energy that we needed.”

The Griffins took off after the spark from Shelby and never looked back Wednesday night, rolling to a 54-39 win over the host Eagles in a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal in Orland Park.

Shelby finished with 10 points to lead 10th-seeded Lincoln-Way East. Oliver Lavin, Jaymon Hornsby and KaiJay Brown each scored eight points, while Jonathan Aluyi finished with seven points and eight rebounds and Aaron Stauffacher added six points and eight rebounds.

“Wes’ dunk, that got us hyped,” Hornsby said. “It gave us a lot of energy, especially at the start of the game. He’s a great teammate and he’s coming up. You’ll see him next year, for sure.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) lines up a 3-point shot in front of his bench during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Next year can wait, however. Lincoln-Way East (17-13) will play at 7 p.m. Friday in the regional final against top-seeded Homewood-Flossmoor (27-3), which topped Andrew 53-44.

Will Johnson finished with nine points and seven rebounds to lead eighth-seeded Sandburg (21-11), which had a seven-game winning streak snapped and went 0-3 this winter against the Griffins. Johnson’s twin brother, Jonah, scored eight points, while Liiban Debela added five points.

The Griffins completely dominated early and led 20-6 a minute into the second quarter. Shelby set the tone, according to coach Luke Yaklich.

“The start was awesome,” Yaklich said. “Wes Shelby was a possessed human being.”

Sandburg’s Bryson Dagon (10) tries to get a shot off over Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Yaklich, the former Illinois-Chicago coach, is in his first season at Lincoln-Way East. Getting to know Shelby wasn’t easy at first.

“It took me a month to hear Wes’ voice in the summer,” Yaklich said. “Then he ordered Subway. He loves Subway. I finally learned what he could talk like.”

So, what’s Shelby’s sandwich of choice?

“Pepperoni and salami on Italian herbs and cheese bread,” he said. “Then I do pickles, jalapenos, green peppers, onions, mayonnaise and oregano.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Jaymon Hornsby (11) drives to the basket as Sandburg’s Will Johnson (3) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Aside from the lunch order, Shelby’s work ethic did the talking.

“I didn’t know how much he loved basketball because he’s so quiet ,” Yaklich said. “But that dude’s in the gym at 6 a.m. three or four days a week. He’s earned it. There’s nothing lucky about Wes.

“He put himself in position to do what he did (Wednesday).”

Shelby has switched between starting and coming off the bench throughout the season, but he has been in the initial lineup the last five games.

“When I start, I know I have to bring it right away,” he said.

Down by as many as 18 points, Sandburg rallied within eight twice in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) finishes off a slam dunk against Sandburg during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

“We had to finish it off,” Hornsby said. “Being a senior in the playoffs, it makes me want to go harder. We haven’t won a regional since I was a freshman.

“I want to do it for my school and for my team and go out with a bang for my senior year.”

Shelby got things started right. He’s a relative newcomer to basketball and didn’t take the sport seriously until high school.

“I played rec basketball when I was younger, but I only started playing AAU and travel freshman year,” he said. “I used to play baseball but I didn’t make the team freshman year.

“I realized it was time to focus on basketball. I’m tall, so why not go for it? I think I’m learning every day. I started a little later, so I’ve got to work harder than everybody else.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/25/wes-shelby-lincoln-way-east-basketball/ 

Wes Shelby started Lincoln-Way East’s playoff run with a bang. Or maybe it was more like a boom.

The junior forward’s thunderous dunk over a defender off a baseline inbounds pass brought the house down. And it was just the beginning of Shelby’s surge in the first quarter.

“It was electric,” Shelby said. “I’ve been waiting to do that my whole life. It felt great. Then I went and hit a three, got a block and some rebounds. I just brought a lot of energy that we needed.”

The Griffins took off after the spark from Shelby and never looked back Wednesday night, rolling to a 54-39 win over the host Eagles in a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal in Orland Park.

Shelby finished with 10 points to lead 10th-seeded Lincoln-Way East. Oliver Lavin, Jaymon Hornsby and KaiJay Brown each scored eight points, while Jonathan Aluyi finished with seven points and eight rebounds and Aaron Stauffacher added six points and eight rebounds.

“Wes’ dunk, that got us hyped,” Hornsby said. “It gave us a lot of energy, especially at the start of the game. He’s a great teammate and he’s coming up. You’ll see him next year, for sure.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) lines up a 3-point shot in front of his bench during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Next year can wait, however. Lincoln-Way East (17-13) will play at 7 p.m. Friday in the regional final against top-seeded Homewood-Flossmoor (27-3), which topped Andrew 53-44.

Will Johnson finished with nine points and seven rebounds to lead eighth-seeded Sandburg (21-11), which had a seven-game winning streak snapped and went 0-3 this winter against the Griffins. Johnson’s twin brother, Jonah, scored eight points, while Liiban Debela added five points.

The Griffins completely dominated early and led 20-6 a minute into the second quarter. Shelby set the tone, according to coach Luke Yaklich.

“The start was awesome,” Yaklich said. “Wes Shelby was a possessed human being.”

Sandburg’s Bryson Dagon (10) tries to get a shot off over Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Yaklich, the former Illinois-Chicago coach, is in his first season at Lincoln-Way East. Getting to know Shelby wasn’t easy at first.

“It took me a month to hear Wes’ voice in the summer,” Yaklich said. “Then he ordered Subway. He loves Subway. I finally learned what he could talk like.”

So, what’s Shelby’s sandwich of choice?

“Pepperoni and salami on Italian herbs and cheese bread,” he said. “Then I do pickles, jalapenos, green peppers, onions, mayonnaise and oregano.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Jaymon Hornsby (11) drives to the basket as Sandburg’s Will Johnson (3) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Aside from the lunch order, Shelby’s work ethic did the talking.

“I didn’t know how much he loved basketball because he’s so quiet ,” Yaklich said. “But that dude’s in the gym at 6 a.m. three or four days a week. He’s earned it. There’s nothing lucky about Wes.

“He put himself in position to do what he did (Wednesday).”

Shelby has switched between starting and coming off the bench throughout the season, but he has been in the initial lineup the last five games.

“When I start, I know I have to bring it right away,” he said.

Down by as many as 18 points, Sandburg rallied within eight twice in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) finishes off a slam dunk against Sandburg during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

“We had to finish it off,” Hornsby said. “Being a senior in the playoffs, it makes me want to go harder. We haven’t won a regional since I was a freshman.

“I want to do it for my school and for my team and go out with a bang for my senior year.”

Shelby got things started right. He’s a relative newcomer to basketball and didn’t take the sport seriously until high school.

“I played rec basketball when I was younger, but I only started playing AAU and travel freshman year,” he said. “I used to play baseball but I didn’t make the team freshman year.

“I realized it was time to focus on basketball. I’m tall, so why not go for it? I think I’m learning every day. I started a little later, so I’ve got to work harder than everybody else.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/25/wes-shelby-lincoln-way-east-basketball/ 

Por JAMEY KEATEN, JON GAMBRELL y MELANIE LIDMAN

GINEBRA (AP) — Irán y Estados Unidos se preparaban para mantener el jueves en Ginebra una nueva ronda de negociaciones nucleares, consideradas como una última oportunidad para la diplomacia, mientras Washington reúne una flota de aviones y buques de guerra en Oriente Medio para presionar a Teherán a alcanzar un acuerdo.

El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, quiere un acuerdo que limite el programa nuclear de Irán, y ve la oportunidad de lograrlo en un momento en que la República Islámica atraviesa dificultades internas con un creciente descontento tras las protestas nacionales del mes pasado. Irán, por su parte, ha mantenido que quiere seguir enriqueciendo uranio, aunque su programa está en ruinas después de que Trump ordenó en junio un ataque contra tres de sus instalaciones nucleares.

Irán ha señalado que, si se produce un ataque estadounidense, todas las bases militares de Washington en Oriente Medio serían consideradas objetivos legítimos, poniendo en riesgo a decenas de miles de militares. Teherán ha amenazado también con atacar a Israel tras la dura guerra de 12 días que libraron el año pasado, lo que podría suponer el estallido de una nueva guerra regional.

“No habría victoria para nadie. Sería una guerra devastadora”, señaló el ministro iraní de Exteriores, Abbas Araghchi, en una entrevista con India Today grabada el miércoles, justo antes de volar a Ginebra.

“Como las bases estadounidenses están dispersas por distintos lugares de la región, desafortunadamente quizás toda la región podría verse involucrada y afectada, que es un escenario muy terrible”, apuntó.

Conversaciones en Ginebra, las terceras desde junio

Araghchi volverá a sentarse frente a Steve Witkoff, un multimillonario promotor inmobiliario amigo de Trump que se desempeña como enviado especial del presidente para Oriente Medio. Ambos participaron en múltiples rondas de conversaciones el año pasado que se derrumbaron después de que Israel iniciara su guerra contra Irán en junio. Este último diálogo vuelve a estar mediado por Omán, un sultanato ubicado en el extremo oriental de la península arábiga que, desde hace tiempo, actúa como interlocutor entre Irán y Occidente.

Esta vez, Trump ha presionado para que se detenga por completo el enriquecimiento de uranio por parte de Teherán, además de abordar su programa de misiles balísticos y su apoyo a fuerzas insurgentes regionales. La República Islámica, por su parte, ha insistido en que las conversaciones deben seguir centradas únicamente en cuestiones nucleares.

El secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Marco Rubio, dijo a reporteros el miércoles que Irán “siempre está tratando de reconstruir elementos” de su programa nuclear, y que en este momento no enriquece uranio “pero están tratando de llegar al punto en el que, en última instancia, puedan hacerlo”.

Irán sostiene que no ha enriquecido uranio desde junio, pero ha impedido que inspectores del Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica visiten los sitios bombardeados por Estados Unidos. Fotografías satelitales analizadas por The Associated Press mostraron actividad en dos de esos emplazamientos, lo que sugiere que las autoridades están tratando de evaluar y posiblemente recuperar material allí.

Occidente y el OIEA dicen que Irán tuvo un programa de armas nucleares hasta 2003. Antes del ataque de junio, había estado enriqueciendo uranio hasta una pureza del 60%, a un paso técnico corto de los niveles de grado armamentístico del 90%.

Las agencias estadounidenses de inteligencia dicen que Teherán aún no ha reiniciado su programa de armas, pero ha “emprendido actividades que lo colocan en una mejor posición para producir un dispositivo nuclear, si decide hacerlo”. Aunque insiste en que su programa tiene fines pacíficos, en los últimos años funcionarios iraníes han amenazado con fabricar la bomba.

“El principio es muy simple: Irán no puede tener un arma nuclear”, declaró el vicepresidente de Estados Unidos, JD Vance, a periodistas en la Casa Blanca el miércoles.

Vance afirmó que Trump está “enviando a esos negociadores para tratar de abordar ese problema” y que “quiere abordar ese problema por la vía diplomática”.

“Pero, por supuesto, el presidente también tiene otras opciones”, añadió.

Amenaza de acción militar aviva temores de guerra

Si las conversaciones fracasan, la incertidumbre se cierne sobre el momento en el que se produciría un posible ataque.

Si el objetivo de una posible acción militar es presionar a Irán para que haga concesiones en las negociaciones nucleares, no está claro si un ataque limitado funcionaría. Si la meta es derrocar a la teocracia iraní, probablemente Estados Unidos tenga que comprometerse a una campaña militar más grande y prolongada. No ha habido señales públicas de que se esté planificando lo que ocurriría después, incluyendo la posibilidad de que se desate el caos en Irán.

También hay incertidumbre sobre el significado que podría tener cualquier acción militar para la región en general. Teherán podría tomar represalias contra los aliados de la Casa Blanca en el golfo Pérsico o contra Israel. Los precios del petróleo han subido en los últimos días en parte debido a esos temores, y el crudo Brent, el valor de referencia, se sitúa ahora en torno a los 70 dólares por barril. En la última ronda de conversaciones, Irán dijo que detuvo brevemente el tráfico marítimo en el estrecho de Ormuz, la estrecha boca del golfo por la que pasa una quinta parte de todo el petróleo que se comercia en el mundo.

Imágenes satelitales tomadas el martes por Planet Labs PBC y analizadas por la AP parecían mostrar que los buques estadounidenses que normalmente atracan en Bahrein, sede de la Quinta Flota de la Marina de Estados Unidos, estaban todos en el mar. La Quinta Flota remitió las preguntas al Comando Central del ejército estadounidense, que declinó hacer comentarios. Antes del ataque de Irán contra Qatar en junio, la flota también dispersó sus barcos en el mar para protegerse de un posible ataque.

___

Gambrell informó desde Dubái, Emiratos Árabes Unidos, y Lidman desde Jerusalén. El periodista de The Associated Press Will Weissert en Washington 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.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/25/eeuu-e-irn-mantienen-3ra-ronda-de-dilogo-mientras-washington-aumenta-sus-tropas-en-oriente-medio/