Category: News
John Deere project in Lowell granted economic revitalization area
The Lake County Council approved an economic revitalization area for John Deere Thursday during a special meeting, during which eight members of the public spoke to voice overall support but also some concerns.
John Deere plans to invest $125 million to open a 1.2 million square-foot distribution center on 234 acres of land southwest of Interstate 65 and Ind. 2 near the Lowell-Hebron area, according to a press release from the Lake County Council.
The distribution center will bring in $7.2 million in new property tax revenue to Lake County over the 10-year tax abatement period, said Matt Reardon, with MCR Partners LLC, an economic development consultant.
John Deere will pay a development fee of $435,000 to be used for further economic development in the area. Lake County will offer up to $1.25 million in personal property tax abatement and $4.56 million in real property tax abatement over 7 years, according to the press release. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation also agreed to offer up to $2,500,000 in incentive-based tax credits for the project.
The project is expected to generate 150 jobs, which means the company will pay $9.7 million in wages from which the county will receive income tax revenue, Reardon said. The company has agreed to project labor agreements with the building trades, he said.
John Deere representative Jen Hartmann said an exact timeline is not available, but the facility will likely take a year to complete. Hiring details will also be announced at a later date.
Justin Galante, with Venture One Real Estate working on the project, said John Deere participated in a multi-state search for a new distribution center. Lake County stood out because of the labor, trades and incentives opportunities, he said.
“We’re working through approval with the state and looking forward to breaking ground in the spring,” Galante said.
Eight people addressed the council during the public hearing portion of the meeting.
Tri-Creek School Corporation Superintendent Andy Anderson said he would like to see the school district be part of a structured tax benefit of the economic revitalization area.
Local property taxes pay for school buildings, maintenance, repairs, heating, cooling, lighting, cyber security and buses, among other things, Anderson said.
Under Senate Enrolled Act 1, which was passed in the 2025 legislative session, Tri-Creek School Corporation will lose $1.8 million this year because of a circuit breaker imposed on property taxes, Anderson said. The state capped the maximum amount of the school levy, which impacted funds, he said.
Further, the state has limited when schools could hold referendums and how the ballot quefstion could be written, Anderson said. The state also allowed for residential tax increment financing districts, which has resulted in Lowell capturing property taxes from nine new subdivisions that the school district hasn’t benefited from, he said.
“The state has taken away a large degree of local control of government in Indiana,” Anderson said. “Public schools have been hung out to dry.”
While the county will also start seeing impacts from SEA 1, which will decrease property tax funding for schools and other taxing units, Anderson said residential TIFs are the district’s second cut in revenue. The district won’t be able to make payroll within the next four years, he said.
“I respectfully ask for you to use your local control to make school-friendly decisions,” Anderson said.
Lowell Fire Chief Chris Gamblin said fire service is the responsibility of the township or towns and cities. As more development comes to Eagle Creek Township, Gamblin said the increase in fire service, including personnel and equipment, will be “shouldered by” the township trustee, he said.
“While no money is coming out of the system and the tax base, the very buildings and the very things that are going out there exceed our ability to protect,” Gamblin said.
While John Deere is welcome in the area, West Creek Township Trustee Heidi Laub said townships and schools have a difficult time budgeting as tax increment financing districts and tax abatements are created.
Cedar Creek Township Trustee Alice Dahl said townships are in need because of the property tax cuts made at the state level.
“We’re going to come to you and ask you guys to help us because we can’t afford to pay the ambulance. We can’t afford to pay the fire department,” Dahl said. “What we’re trying to get across to everybody is that we need money.”
Lake County Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-7th, said a structured economic development agreement gives the county “cash up front to work with.” Over the course of the 10-year tax abatement, the tax rate will be lowered incrementally, he said.
The assessed value of homes and businesses could grow in an area, but the state will only give counties 3% of the growth financing because of the maximum levy growth quotient, Niemeyer said.
“The idea that somehow a structure like this is going to steal money from other units is just false. That’s not how a rate-based system works in the state of Indiana,” Niemeyer said. “This won’t take anything away from any school system, any government unit. All it’s doing is limiting the assessed value growth over the first few years of it.”
The way to address the concerns of local officials is through working with development partners, Niemeyer said. When the assessed value reenters the tax system, it lowers the tax burden and allows a city or town to issue bonds for projects, he said.
“There is no undoing the damage of SEA 1. It has created a loss of growth for every taxing unit,” Niemeyer said. “If we do this right, we can buoy some of those needs, we can relieve that pressure. Then once all of that taxable assessed value hits the system, while we won’t realize that much more in tax collection, it’ll be spread out over more units so that will lower the amount per unit that’s paid.”
Randy Palmateer, business manager of the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, said he supports the project and the project labor agreement that comes with it.
Nick Pollock, with the Carpenters Local 1485, said he appreciated that local carpenters were included in the project. To address Anderson’s concerns, Pollock said students learning about construction and technology could learn from the project.
“The more community members that we get on these construction projects the more we’re able to give back to our communities,” Pollock said. “We want to use local labor to keep the money in our communities.”
The council voted 5-0 to approve a resolution for the economic revitalization area, real property tax deductions and personal property tax deductions.
“With that, I’d like to welcome John Deere to our community,” said Lake County Council President Christine Cid, D-5th.
Freelance reporter Anna Ortiz contributed to this report.
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 66, Evergreen Park 63 (OT)
Argo (6-17, 3-7 SSC Red): Darron Greer Jr. 28 points. Joseph Navarez 21 points.
Evergreen (7-13, 3-6): Lenear Bolden 22 points.
Benet 52, St. Viator 24
Bloom 73, Crete-Monee 34
Bolingbrook 83, Oswego East 54
Oswego East (14-9, 7-4 Southwest Prairie West): Dshaun Bolden 20 points. Mason Lockett 19 points.
Bremen 62, T.F. North 61
Bremen (11-15, 6-4 SSC Blue): Jalen Clardy GW three-point play. Kishawn Gantt 22 points. Josh Johnson 14 points.
T.F. North (9-11, 4-5): Marlin Jenkins 12 points. Chris Pulliams 12 points.
Burlington Central 65, Crystal Lake Central 46
Cary-Grove 53, Dundee-Crown 52 (OT)
De La Salle 46, Wheaton St. Francis 44
De La Salle (11-13, 3-3 CCL Blue): Lucas Jackson 16 points; GW 3-pointer with 46.1 seconds remaining. Steph Dixon 14 points.
Deerfield 52, Maine South 41
DePaul Prep 62, Brother Rice 38
Brother Rice (15-9, 3-4 CCL Blue): Kevin Salkauskas 11 points.
Grant 84, North Chicago 66
Grayslake Central 69, Round Lake 50
Grayslake Central (17-7, 8-1 Northern Lake County): Carson Woods 13 points. Cole Halverson 10 points.
Herscher 50, Beecher 39
Beecher (4-17): Jadyn Stout 15 points, 9 rebounds. Aaron Harden 13 points.
Hillcrest 59, T.F. South 49
Hinckley-Big Rock 79, LaMoille 33
Hinckley-Big Rock (15-6, 6-0 Little Ten): Judah Miceli 11 points. Emeka Ezuma 10 points.
IMSA 52, Somonauk 20
IMSA (11-6, 4-2 Little Ten): Lota Onwuameze 16 points.
Indian Creek 58, Serena 33
Indian Creek (15-5, 4-2 Little Ten): Parker Murry 18 points. Isaac Willis 14 points.
Jacobs 46, Prairie Ridge 39
Johnsburg 59, Sandwich 31
Sandwich (7-17, 3-6 Kishwaukee River): Brady Behringer 15 points, 8 rebounds.
Joliet Catholic 63, Nazareth 57
JCA (14-7, 3-3 ESCC): Jayden Armstrong 25 points. Brady Tunkel 14 points. Danny Cervantes 11 points.
Kaneland 78, LaSalle-Peru 60
Kaneland (22-0, 5-0 Interstate Eight): Marshawn Cocroft 22 points; reached 2,000 career points. Evan Frieders 18 points. Isaiah Gipson 13 points.
Kankakee 72, Thornwood 61
Lake Zurich 39, Lake Forest 23
Lakes 58, Grayslake North 39
Lakes (12-10, 6-3 Northern Lake County): Carter Martin 24 points. Aidan Hopkins 10 points.
Grayslake North (9-14, 2-7): Jared Von Donselaar 15 points.
Libertyville 68, Mundelein 26
Libertyville (12-7, 6-2 North Suburban): Bryce Wegrzyn 29 points.
Lincoln-Way Central 58, Bradley-Bourbonnais 39
Lincoln-Way Central (16-6, 8-3 SWSC): Nick Brzezniak 20 points. Alex Panos 14 points. Drew Woodburn 12 points.
Lincoln-Way East 64, Lincoln-Way West 52
Lincoln-Way West (12-13, 4-8 SWSC): Luke Gouty 18 points. Drake Been 13 points.
Lockport 55, Stagg 47
Lockport (19-4, 10-2 SWSC): Trace Schaaf 24 points. Nedas Venckus 10 points, 6 rebounds.
Stagg (11-11, 3-7): Omar Barakat 17 points, 4 assists. Mohammad Farhan 11 points, 8 rebounds.
McHenry 53, Hampshire 47
Hampshire (7-16, 2-9 Fox Valley): Sean Roth 13 points.
Marian Catholic 54, Carmel 44
Marian (10-8, 1-4 ESCC): Shane Lunford 12 points. Cardan Gordon 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists.
Marist 51, Niles Notre Dame 36
Marmion 67, IC Catholic 45
Marmion (14-9, 5-2 CCL White): Joey Kramer 17 points, 10 rebounds. Ben Piekarz 16 points, 4 assists.
Naperville North 63, Naperville Central 42
Naperville North (18-6, 6-1 DuPage Valley): Miles Okyne 19 points.
Naperville Central (9-15, 1-6): T.J. Hillman 21 points.
Neuqua Valley 74, Metea Valley 56
Newark 71, DePue 36
Newark (13-10, 7-0 Little Ten): Cody Kulbartz 19 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists.
Oak Forest 80, Tinley Park 45
Oak Forest (17-7, 9-1 SSC Blue): Neiko LeFlore 20 points. Gary Manso 12 points.
Oak Lawn 53, Richards 47
Plano 75, Woodstock North 47
Plano (14-10, 7-2 Kishwaukee River): Jayden Zepeda 16 points. Eric Nunez 15 points.
Providence 63, Aurora Central Catholic 53
Providence (9-15, 4-2 CCL White): Jayde Wyett 24 points. Reece Kras 13 points.
ACC (10-13, 1-5): Nick Czerak 23 points.
St. Ignatius 63, St. Laurence 51
St. Rita 81, Providence-St. Mel 65
St. Rita (11-15, 3-3 CCL White): Eze Nwagwu 19 points. Brendan McDevitt 11 points.
Sandburg 51, Andrew 29
Shepard 100, Reavis 38
Shepard (13-12, 6-4 SSC Red): Billy Massey 14 points. Brendin Thomas 12 points, 8 rebounds. Danny McGovern 12 points, 7 assists.
South Elgin 46, Larkin 37
Stevenson 77, Waukegan 75
Stevenson (17-6, 6-2 North Suburban): Rocco Pagliocca 41 points, 5 rebounds. Donny Williams 18 points, 4 rebounds.
Waukegan (16-7, 6-3): Simereon Carter 37 points. Rico Love 17 points.
Vernon Hills 59, Maine West 50
Vernon Hills (17-7, 7-1 Central Suburban North): Jeremy Zamost 18 points. Brady Larsen 14 points.
Wauconda 71, Antioch 49
Wauconda (18-5, 9-0 Northern Lake County): Austin Carlsen 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals. Tony Salemi 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals.
Warren 76, Zion-Benton 47
Warren (19-2, 9-0 North Suburban): Jaxson Davis 23 points. Joel Paasch 15 points.
West Aurora 59, Ridgewood 57 (OT)
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Burlington Central 54, Crystal Lake Central 25
Evergreen Park 36, Argo 35
Evergreen (20-6, 7-2 SSC Red): Ella Throndson 13 points.
Argo (17-11, 3-7): Morgan Murphy 15 points.
Geneva 45, Batavia 31
Geneva (11-13, 6-5 DuKane): Keira McCann 12 points. Emma Peterson 12 points.
Hampshire 43, McHenry 26
Hampshire (11-12, 6-5 Fox Valley): Mikala Amegasse 17 points.
Lake Zurich 54, Lake Forest 33
Libertyville 42, Mundelein 27
Libertyville (19-5, 10-1 North Suburban): Lily Fisher 14 points, 9 rebounds.
Maine South 71, Deerfield 30
Morgan Park 58, Julian 37
Mother McAuley 53, Marist 52 (OT)
McAuley (20-5): Quinn Arundel 13 points; GW layup with :05 remaining. Taji Alexa 17 points. Delia Sullivan 13 points.
Marist (20-7): Lily Porter 17 points. Caroline Flynn 10 points. Lucy Cosme 10 points.
Naperville Central 50, Naperville North 39
Naperville Central (21-4, 6-1 DuPage Valley): Annabelle Kritzer 18 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks. Erin Hackett 16 points, 3 steals. Trinity Jones 14 points, 5 rebounds.
Parkview Christian 44, Aurora Christian 22
Reavis 68, Shepard 63
Reavis (14-9): Delyanna Arocho 26 points. Dajiah Vidana 15 points.
St. Charles East 45, St. Charles North 36
St. Charles East (16-9, 9-2 DuKane): Brooklyn Schilb 30 points.
St. Charles North (17-6, 8-3): Lelanie Posada 15 points. Bronwyn How 15 points.
Unity Christian 46, Chicago Christian 43
Vernon Hills 47, Maine West 38
Vernon Hills (19-5, 9-0 Central Suburban North): Emma Jocson 12 points, 5 rebounds. Eve Engler 12 points, 4 steals. Won conference title.
Waukegan 49, Stevenson 41
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Aurora Christian 72, Hinckley-Big Rock 71 (OT)
Hinckley-Big Rock (14-6): Marshall Ledbetter 19 points, 9 rebounds.
Batavia 45, Lake Park 33
Batavia (15-8, 6-3 DuKane): Dane Farrar 16 points. Xavier Justice 11 points.
Christ the King 74, Chicago Christian 54
Crete-Monee 67, Thornridge 62
Glenbard North 66, St. Charles East 50
Harvest-Westminster 71, Mooseheart 40
Illinois Lutheran 67, Grace Christian 27
Mount Carmel 68, Eisenhower 34
Eisenhower (4-17): Logan Costa 15 points.
Newark 47, Gardner-South Wilmington 37
Newark (12-10): Reggie Chapman 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. Cody Kulbartz 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks.
Wheaton North 58, St. Charles North 49
St. Charles North (9-13, 3-5 DuKane): Cooper Mellican 21 points.
Wheaton Warrenville South 67, Geneva 37
CHICAGO PUBLIC LEAGUE SOUTH TOURNAMENT
Morgan Park 87, EPIC 42
Corliss 57, Ag. Science 49
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Andrew 52, Sandburg 45
Andrew (14-10, 6-6 SWSC): Ana Cisek 23 points.
Beecher 65, Gardner-South Wilmington 16
Beecher (14-11, 10-3 River Valley): Gianna Bonomo 14 points. Madison Smith 12 points.
Bolingbrook 72, Oswego East 52
Oswego East (12-9, 8-4 Southwest Prairie West): Desiree Merritt 21 points. Aubrey Lamberti 10 points.
Crete-Monee 52, Thornton 31
Crete (14-7, 7-2 Southland): Jada Franklin 22 points. A’Laura King 11 points.
Indian Creek 58, Hinckley-Big Rock 56
Indian Creek (12-10, 5-2 Little Ten): Elsie Betz 20 points. Gretta Oziah 13 points.
Kankakee 51, Rich Township 12
Lincoln-Way Central 60, Bradley-Bourbonnais 26
Lincoln-Way Central (11-15, 6-7 SWSC): Katie Barrett 13 points. Ava Birmingham 12 points. Olivia Gehrke 11 points.
Lincoln-Way West 55, Lincoln-Way East 47
Lincoln-Way West (17-9, 8-5 SWSC): Mackenzie Roesner 19 points.
Lockport 48, Stagg 34
Lockport (18-9, 9-4 SWSC): Laura Arstikaits 10 points.
Stagg (12-12, 6-6): Raven Brewer 11 points.
Morton 47, Southland Prep 37
Neuqua Valley 65, Metea Valley 26
Oak Forest 53, Tinley Park 22
Oak Forest (18-9): Natalia Covarrubias 18 points. Maddie Martinez 14 points. Kynzie Oliver 11 points.
Oak Lawn 74, Richards 37
Oak Lawn (16-10, 6-4 SSC Red): Bianca Fleitas school record 42 points, 5 assists, 3 steals.
St. Edward 54, Montini 39
St. Laurence 74, Hope 44
Somonauk 41, Serena 30
South Elgin 52, Streamwood 48
T.F. North 75, Bremen 12
T.F. North (17-7, 8-1 SSC Blue): Kamariyah McClinton 24 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists. Lauryn Jackson 21 points, 14 rebounds.
T.F. South 55, Hillcrest 51
Waubonsie Valley 69, Lyons 49
Waubonsie (24-1): Danyella Mporokoso 31 points. Arie Garcia-Evans 19 points.
West Aurora 59, Larkin 31
West Chicago 58, East Aurora 37
Wheaton St. Francis 55, Kaneland 51 (OT)
Kaneland (17-8): Amani Meeks 22 points. Dani Ridolfi 11 points.
Woodstock North 51, Lakes 49
Lakes (7-18): Natalie Floren 11 points. Wrenna Streicher 10 points.
Compiled by Josh Krockey.
Jeff Wilder scores five crucial points late as Oak Lawn stages huge rally to beat Richards. ‘A big impact.’
Jeff Wilder began the season as a starter for Oak Lawn, but he has had to adjust to coming off the bench the last few weeks.
While the junior guard definitely felt some disappointment, he has been able to put that behind him and dedicate himself to his new job.
“I’ve had my ups and downs this season,” Wilder said. “I had to mentally get myself locked back in and back in the flow of my game. When I’m coming off the bench, I kind of have a different approach.
“I just know that I want to come in and play an even bigger role, really giving it my all in the minutes that I get out there to make the biggest impact I can while I’m in the game.”
Wilder was ready to provide a big spark Friday night.
He scored nine points, including five crucial ones in the fourth quarter that ignited a huge rally for the visiting Spartans, who fought back for a 53-47 South Suburban Red win over crosstown rival Richards.
Oak Lawn’s Jeff Wilder (1) looks to pass away from a leaping Reginald Johnson against Richards during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Omar Saleh led Oak Lawn (18-6, 8-2) with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Marc Harvey finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Jack Dempsey scored 10 points and Ben Delberto chipped in seven. Karmoni Polk provided seven rebounds and was huge defensively down the stretch.
Jordan Shaw ended up with 12 points and 11 rebounds for Richards (12-10, 6-4). Messiah Horton scored 11 points, while Travon Gourdine added 10 points.
The Bulldogs led by 13 late in the third quarter, but Wilder started a frantic comeback in the fourth with five points in 40 seconds. He buried a 3-pointer then converted a layup after the Spartans came up with a steal.
That cut the Richards lead to 46-42.
Oak Lawn’s Jeff Wilder (1) shoots from the corner against Richards during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
“It was a big spark in momentum,” Wilder said. “It feels great to do this for my team. In my heart, it means a lot to me to step up for my teammates.
“I know they need me — and to do it against Richards, it feels great.”
Saleh knew Wilder would be ready to come through when the Spartans needed him.
“Jeff is a one-of-a-kind shooter,” Saleh said. “I trust him shooting, no matter what. When I see that ball flying out of his hands, I’m confident it’s going in and when it goes in, it’s always a big impact for us.”
Oak Lawn’s Jeff Wilder (1) stretches out as he keeps the ball away from Richards’ Sammy Childs (1) during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Oak Lawn coach Jason Rhodes credited Wilder for dealing with the role change and staying energized.
“I think one of my jobs as a coach is to help steer players in the right direction when they get a little off course,” Rhodes said. “Me and him had a productive conversation a couple weeks ago and I told him, ‘If you want to start, you have to fight a little bit and earn it back.’
“He didn’t start this game, but he was ready coming off the bench and did some really good things for us.”
The Spartans outscored the Bulldogs 11-0 over the final 4:49 to pull out the win and take control atop the South Suburban Red standings as they search for their fifth straight conference title.
Oak Lawn’s Jeff Wilder does a reverse layup against Richards during a South Suburban Red game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
A 3-pointer from Delberto with 2:19 to go put Oak Lawn ahead for good.
“Our comeback was really rooted in the history of the rivalry,” Saleh said. “It’s always the biggest game of the season for us. Whoever runs this town is whoever wins it.
“We knew we had to win this game, no matter what. It doesn’t matter how we started, it’s how we finished. We fought to the end, baby.”
Wilder certainly kept battling. After delivering some heroics against the crosstown rival, he has a whole new outlook for the rest of the season.
“This gives me a big confidence boost,” he said. “I feel a lot better and more energized about myself.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/jeff-wilder-oak-lawn-richards-basketball/
Jokic regresa tras lesión de rodilla y guía a Nuggets a triunfo 122-109 sobre Clippers
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic anotó 31 puntos y capturó 12 rebotes en su primer partido en un mes, Tim Hardaway Jr. sumó 22 unidades y los Nuggets de Denver derrotaron el viernes 122-109 a los Clippers de los Ángeles.
Jokic, tres veces elegido el Jugador Más Valioso de la NBA, se perdió 16 partidos tras lesionarse la rodilla izquierda en la primera mitad del encuentro del 29 de diciembre, que los Nuggets perdieron en Miami. Denver tuvo una foja de 10-6 durante ese período, que también incluyó ausencias prolongadas de los titulares Cameron Johnson y Christian Braun.
El 29º doble-doble de la temporada de Jokic llegó a pesar de que el astro serbio jugó bajo una restricción de minutos impuesta por el entrenador David Adelman. Jokic, de 30 años, fue limitado a 25 minutos, su segundo menor tiempo en un partido de esta temporada.
James Harden facturó 25 puntos y nueve asistencias por Los Ángeles. Los Clippers habían ganado 16 de sus últimos 19 partidos, el mejor porcentaje de victorias en la NBA durante ese período.
Jokic anotó 11 puntos en un tramo de 3:47 minutos en el cuarto periodo, lo que extendió la ventaja de Denver, de cinco a 16. Los Nuggets mejoraron a 7-3 esta temporada en el segundo partido cuando juegan en noches consecutivas.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Suns consiguen triunfos en noches consecutivas al vencer 126-113 a los Cavs
PHOENIX (AP) — Dillon Brooks anotó 27 puntos y los Suns de Phoenix vencieron el viernes 126-113 a los Cavaliers de Cleveland para ganar dos encuentros en noches consecutivas y poner fin a la máxima racha ganadora de los Cavaliers de la temporada con cinco juegos.
El jueves, ante Detroit, los Suns repartieron camisetas de “Dillon el Villano” antes de que Brooks anotara un récord personal de 40 puntos en la victoria 114-96. Phoenix ha ganado tres seguidos con el líder anotador Devin Booker fuera de juego por un esguince de tobillo.
Brooks acertó 9 de 14 tiros de campo. Encestó dos de cuatro triples y siete de ocho tiros libres. Los Suns acertaron 23 de 48 desde la línea de tres puntos.
Jordan Goodwin sumó 17 puntos para ayudar a Phoenix a mejorar a una marca de 30-19. Collin Gillespie tuvo 16 tantos.
Jalen Green regresó de una lesión en el tendón de la corva derecha para disputar apenas su quinto partido de la temporada. Adquirido de Houston en el acuerdo que envió a Kevin Durant a los Rockets, Green anotó 11 puntos en 15 minutos y medio.
De’Andre Hunter lideró a Cleveland con 17 puntos. Donovan Mitchell y Jaylon Tyson tuvieron 16 cada uno, con Mitchell cometiendo ocho pérdidas de balón.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Photos: 2026 SoxFest Live
Photos from SoxFest Live on Jan. 30-31, 2026, at the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport.
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White Sox mascot Southpaw leaps as players leave the stage after being introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery is introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery, from left, catcher Kyle Teel and second baseman Chase Meidroth have some fun on stage after being introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox catcher Kyle Teel is introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Shane Smith is introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Tanner McDougal is introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Sam Antonacci (24) is introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas is introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox manager Will Venable flashes a smile while on stage during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Kyle Teel looks at a new bobblehead of himself and fellow White Sox catcher Edgar Quero together during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chase Meidroth looks at a new bobblehead of the White Sox second baseman during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth (10), third baseman Miguel Vargas (20) and pitcher Shane Smith stand on stage after being introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Anthony Kay signs an autograph for a fan during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Shane Smith has a laugh with a fan during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A White Sox fan wearing a SoxFest jersey waits in line for autographs while attending SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox catcher Kyle Teel high-fives a young fan during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Sam Antonacci (24) and shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) pose for photos with fans during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox general manager Chris Getz, left, and manager Will Venable have a laugh on stage during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Davis Martin (65) has a laugh with fans during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Tanner McDougal poses for a photograph with a fan during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A White Sox fan has a laugh during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A fan holds a Colson Montgomery bobblehead in the crowd during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox fans have some fun in the crowd during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox players Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, and Kyle Teel unveil their bobbleheads during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox fans wait in line to meet players during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox players, including prospect Sam Antonacci (24), look on from a balcony during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Tanner McDougal interacts with fans during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Anthony Kay is introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Pitcher Shane Smith is introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A White Sox fan waits for player introductions at SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (8), second baseman Chase Meidroth (10) and third baseman Miguel Vargas stand on stage during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery (12), catcher Kyle Teel (8), second baseman Chase Meidroth (10), and third baseman Miguel Vargas stand on stage during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox infielder Chase Meidroth (10) is introduced during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Fans pose for a photo with White Sox mascot Southpaw at SoxFest Live on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox fans get settled at the Ramova Theatre during SoxFest Live on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The Simple Remedy entertains the crowd during SoxFest Live at the Ramova Theatre on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Trumpet player Romel Sims entertains fans as they enter the Ramova Theatre for SoxFest Live on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Bridgeport. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/photos-2026-soxfest-live/
Cómo crear un fondo de emergencia, pagar deudas y planificar sus finanzas en 2026
Por ADRIANA MORGA
NUEVA YORK (AP) — El comienzo de un nuevo año suele traer motivación renovada para alcanzar metas como comer más saludable o finalmente ordenar su sótano. Muchos propósitos también se centran en objetivos financieros, tales como pagar la deuda de la tarjeta de crédito, ahorrar para una casa nueva o simplemente educarse más sobre el dinero.
“El Año Nuevo es realmente un buen momento para revisar y realinear sus objetivos financieros en general”, apuntó Erica Grundza, planificadora financiera certificada en Betterment, una aplicación de inversión y ahorro.
Al establecer sus metas para 2026, Grundza recomienda enfocarse menos en el pasado y más en una visión optimista, pero realista, para el futuro. Recomienda que se concentre en restablecer el “por qué” detrás de su enfoque hacia el dinero y cómo quiere hacer que funcione para su vida. Esto puede ser tan simple como ahorrar 10 dólares cada semana en una cuenta de ahorros, o una meta más grande como ahorrar para comprar una casa en los próximos años. Todo es acerca de su propio recorrido.
The Associated Press habló con personas que están haciendo propósitos financieros para 2026. A continuación presentamos un vistazo a lo que planean y cómo puede usted obtener inspiración para sus propios propósitos:
Haciendo planes alcanzables
Los propósitos pueden convertirse fácilmente en metas inalcanzables que parecen más bien un sueño, comentó MarieYolaine Toms, entrenadora y fundadora de Focused Fire, una empresa de asesoría financiera. Para evitar expectativas poco realistas, Toms adopta una mentalidad de “no hacer propósitos” y, en cambio, se centra en elaborar un plan viable.
“Lo que digo cada año es que no estoy haciendo propósitos, estoy haciendo planes que se pueden seguir hacia adelante, rastrear hacia atrás y ajustar hasta completarlos”, expresó Toms.
Recientemente, Toms alentó a sus clientes a revisar su informe de crédito con las tres agencias crediticias y, con base en sus reportes de crédito, hacer un plan alcanzable para iniciar una cuenta de ahorros. Por ejemplo, agregar 25 dólares a dicha cuenta cada semana.
Ya sea que usted esté tratando de pagar deudas o ahorrar para unas vacaciones en el extranjero, el primer paso hacia la creación de un plan puede ser elaborar un presupuesto. Al hacer uno, es mejor encontrar una técnica que le funcione, ya sea el clásico plan 50/30/20 (asignar el 50% para necesidades, el 30% para deseos y el 20% para ahorro y pago de deudas) u otro estilo.
Si está creando un presupuesto por primera vez, aquí puede encontrar algunas recomendaciones de expertos.
Pagando deudas
Después de perder su trabajo como editora de una revista en septiembre, Rachel Pelovitz, de 33 años, tuvo que examinar más de cerca sus finanzas. Tras haber adquirido una cantidad significativa de deuda en los últimos años debido al desempleo de su esposo durante año y medio, Pelovitz exploró varias opciones para pagarla. Finalmente, ambos decidieron vender su casa y trabajar con una organización de consolidación de deudas.
“En lugar de depender de endeudarnos más, actualmente estamos vendiendo nuestra casa”, manifestó Pelovitz.
El objetivo principal de Pelovitz para 2026 es pagar la mitad de su deuda de tarjeta de crédito. Y, con parte del dinero de la venta de la casa, comenzar a invertir moderadamente.
Si usted también ha experimentado un despido, aquí puede leer recomendaciones de expertos para ayudarle a cuidar sus finanzas y su salud mental.
Crear una cuenta de ahorros
Para Jenni Lee, de 27 años, este va a ser el año en que se pondrá estricta con fortalecer su cuenta de ahorros. Aunque en general Lee se considera buena en el manejo del dinero, en los últimos seis meses ha gastado de más y quiere controlarlo. Su objetivo a largo plazo con sus ahorros es comprar una casa.
“Ahora estoy a fines de mi década de los 20, estoy empezando a pensar realmente en dónde puedo ahorrar ahora para que no duela más tarde cuando finalmente decida comprar y poseer un lugar”, explicó Lee, trabajadora en el sector de la tecnología y creadora de contenido de estilo de vida en TikTok, quien vive en Chicago.
Mientras ahorra para su futura casa y posiblemente un viaje a Corea del Sur, Lee quiere reducir los gastos innecesarios en ropa y salidas a comer.
Las microtendencias en redes sociales son una influencia común en las decisiones de compra de las personas, y esto puede llevar a gastar de más. Si usted desea evitar gastar dinero en microtendencias, puede encontrar recomendaciones de expertos aquí.
Crear un fondo de emergencia
Si está en posición de hacerlo, tener varios objetivos financieros en los que usted trabaje al mismo tiempo puede ser una excelente manera de acelerar su progreso. Para Melanie Duarte, de 23 años de edad y residente de la localidad de Worcester, sus metas de dinero para el Año Nuevo incluyen pagar sus préstamos estudiantiles y deudas de tarjetas de crédito mientras desarrolla un fondo para emergencias.
“Me aseguré de incluirlo en mi presupuesto, incluso si es una cantidad tan pequeña como 50 dólares. Sólo quiero asegurarme de seguir poniendo algo en (el fondo de emergencia) para que a la larga se multiplique”, declaró Duarte, quien posee una agencia de mercadotecnia.
La familia de Duarte no hablaba abiertamente sobre finanzas cuando ella crecía. Pero desde que ella abrió su propio negocio, ha estado trabajando poco a poco en reescribir su relación con el dinero.
Si usted desea iniciar un fondo de emergencia o crear mejores hábitos mientras ahorra, puede leer algunas recomendaciones de expertos aquí.
Encontrando equilibrio
Encontrar un equilibrio entre ahorrar para sus metas a largo plazo mientras se asegura de disfrutar su dinero es importante, pero también puede ser un reto. Después de la muerte de su abuelo tan sólo unos años después de jubilarse, Tiana Stewart, de 26 años, sintió que él no pudo disfrutar los frutos de su trabajo. Así que, el año pasado, Stewart decidió disfrutar su vida y viajar.
“Entiendo que ahorrar para la jubilación es importante, pero también quiero disfrutar mi vida y el dinero por el que trabajo en este momento, especialmente estando en mi década de los 20”, comentó Stewart, quien vive en Maryland.
Pero ahora, al reflexionar sobre su futuro financiero, Stewart quiere enfocarse en pagar deudas, ahorrar e invertir. Desea trabajar en tener un equilibrio saludable entre disfrutar la vida y ahorrar para el futuro.
Para algunos, participar en retos de presupuesto como un año sin compras puede ser una excelente manera de establecer límites en sus gastos y reservar dinero para sus metas financieras. Muchas personas comienzan tales retos cuando empieza el año y se comprometen a continuar hasta el final, pero otras comienzan con un mes sin efectuar compras.
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The Associated Press recibe apoyo de la Fundación Charles Schwab para reportajes educativos y explicativos con el fin de mejorar la alfabetización financiera. La fundación independiente está separada de Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. La AP es la única responsable de su periodismo.
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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.
Indian Christians Facing Rising Persecution Look To America For Help
Indian Christians Facing Rising Persecution Look To America For Help
Authored by Nathan Worcester via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
Amit recounted a familiar story for Christians in his region of India: pastors jailed; parishioners afraid to worship in public.
The situation, Amit said, is getting worse “day by day.”
Almost two millennia after St. Thomas the Apostle brought Christianity to the subcontinent, believers in northern India bear witness to a rise in persecution. Laws on religious conversion and physical attacks, including during the 2025 Christmas season, have driven fear into sanctuaries of love and faith.
Deepak, another Christian in northern India, said “there’s a lot of intimidation and harassment going on.”
He said Hindu radicals regularly “attack or disrupt [Christian] gatherings or go to mob violence.”
As a condition of speaking with The Epoch Times, both Amit, who has worked in Uttarakhand, and Deepak, who is based in Delhi, requested that their names and the details of their activities be anonymized out of fear of reprisal.
Statistics from the United Christian Forum, published on local website, The Wire, reflect an increase in violence against Christians in India in recent years. They documented 734 attacks targeting Christians in 2023. In 2024, that figure climbed to 834.
Genocide Watch, the Voice of the Martyrs, and other organizations have also chronicled anti-Christian trends in the country, in line with a similar pattern of growing violence against Muslims and other non-Hindu Indians.
Amit, Deepak, and others who spoke to The Epoch Times linked what is happening to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a political party that has ruled India since 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They decried the influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a street-level Hindu nationalist group associated with the BJP.
Much of the organized, sometimes violent opposition to Christianity is concentrated in northern India, a BJP stronghold.
Nigel Barrett of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, the episcopal conference for India’s Latin Catholic bishops, told The Epoch Times in an email that “the persecution is not confined to northern India,” citing attacks in the western state of Rajasthan after it passed a conversion law, in the southern state of Karnataka, and elsewhere across the country.
Henry Hiinii, another Indian Christian in Delhi, told The Epoch Times that “the governments are not doing much to help the Christian community” as it comes under attack.
The BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh did not respond to requests for comment from The Epoch Times.
Some Indian Christians and close observers hope President Donald Trump—the man who has pledged to save Christians worldwide—will respond.
Commissioner Stephen Schneck of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom told The Epoch Times that the U.S. government should “issue targeted sanctions against Indian government officials and entities who participate in or tolerate egregious religious persecution of Christians, Muslims, and others.”
Escalating Hostility
Scott Bledsoe, who served as a pastor for 28 years, has visited India twice, cultivating relationships with Christians there. He said his latest visa to visit this past summer was denied.
Bledsoe told The Epoch Times he started to hear about anti-Christian persecution “in the last 10 years,” describing local mob violence against groups attempting to build churches.
Over the same period, major Christian nonprofits operating in the country faced setbacks and scrutiny, often tied to their receipt of money from abroad, including from the United States.
In 2017, Compassion International, a humanitarian organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, said it left India under pressure from the government.
The Missionaries of Charity, the group founded by Mother Teresa, sustained a serious blow in 2021, when it was barred from receiving foreign funding.
Deepak said these incidents are a bad sign for the homegrown Christian missionaries planting and nurturing small churches, including in unfriendly parts of the country.
“If you can go after them, then smaller organizations don’t have any chance,” he said.
In recent years, states across India have passed laws against forced conversion and numerous Christians, accused of coercing people into accepting their faith, have been jailed under the statutes.
Some Christians believe the opposition even extends to a kind of low-level surveillance enforced by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and similar groups. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh alone is estimated to have 4 million members nationwide.
“There are spies and people that are always watching what you’re doing,” Deepak said.
He said some believers worry that singing a religious song in their own home could draw scrutiny from neighbors, leading to arrests and prosecution under forced conversion laws.
Deepak recounted a visit to a church where that fear meant services were kept very quiet.
“I did a small devotion with them from the Bible and how the church was persecuted,” he said.
A wave of attacks on Christmas celebrations in late 2025, linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and similar groups, renewed concerns about the safety and freedom of Christians in India.
“Christians are actually afraid to celebrate Christmas openly now,” Deepak said.
Amit said Christmas services were restricted in many parts of northern India.
Schneck described “a sharp increase in targeted attacks against religious minorities” over Christmas 2025.
“Similar attacks have continued into the new year,” he said.
Amid rising tensions late last year, Modi attended a Christmas service at New Delhi’s Cathedral Church of the Redemption.
The Indian Christians who spoke with The Epoch Times, however, were skeptical of the sincerity of that gesture, attributing it to concerns over votes.
“It is disturbing to see limited official condemnation from the political authorities,” Barrett said.
However, a recent judicial decision on a conversion law drew praise from them.
In December 2025, judges on the Allahabad High Court ruled that merely preaching Christianity and distributing Bibles does not run afoul of a forced conversion statute in Uttar Pradesh, a heavily Hindu state in northern India.
Hiinii described the ruling as “good news” but said many people do not yet know about it.
American Response
The plight of Indian Christians has started to attract the attention of American political leaders.
In a Dec. 19, 2025, op-ed in The Hill, Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) and U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom leaders asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate India as a Country of Particular Concern, a designation outlined in the International Religious Freedom Act. They cited its controversial conversion laws and the resultant mob violence.
A 2023 State Department report on religious freedom in India noted Christians’ concerns about those laws and their reports of harassment.
That same year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom held a forum on religious freedom in India.
Read the rest here…
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/30/2026 – 23:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/indian-christians-facing-rising-persecution-look-america-help
Bane lidera la remontada del Magic en el último cuarto para vencer 130-120 a los Raptors
ORLANDO (AP) — Desmond Bane anotó 16 de sus 32 puntos en el último cuarto para ayudar al Magic de Orlando a superar un déficit de 13 unidades para vencer el viernes 130-120 a los Raptors de Toronto.
Paolo Banchero añadió 20 tantos, diez rebotes y seis asistencias para Orlando. Wendell Carter Jr. sumó 23 puntos y siete rebotes, y Anthony Black tuvo 25 unidades y seis asistencias en la segunda victoria consecutiva del Magic después de cuatro derrotas seguidas.
Brandon Ingram anotó 35 puntos para los Raptors, que llegaron a liderar por hasta 14 al final del tercer cuarto y buscaban su quinta victoria consecutiva como visitantes. Scottie Barnes terminó con 19 puntos, nueve rebotes, seis asistencias y cuatro bloqueos.
Ingram y Barnes anotaron casi todos los tiros en una racha de 19-8 que cerró el tercer cuarto con los Raptors liderando 99-86.
Bane encestó tres tiros consecutivos, incluyendo un par de triples, en un estallido en el último cuarto que ayudó al Magic a despegarse de un empate 104-104.
Los cinco titulares de Toronto anotaron en cifras dobles y Ja’Kobe Walter salió del banquillo para anotar 13 puntos.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
A football safety and baseball shortstop, Sandburg’s Jake Tomczak rides basketball wave. ‘Being relentless.’
Sandburg’s Jake Tomczak plays with a tenacity marked by his natural talent for disruption.
The junior point guard loves to throw caution to the wind and insert himself right into the middle of the action, causing upheaval for the opposing team while leaving no stone turned.
“I’m always going out there and being relentless,” Tomczak said. “I don’t care how big they are even. If they’re 6-foot-7. I’m putting my hands down and I’m coming after you.”
The 5-11 Tomczak took that attitude another level Friday night.
He scored 10 points to go with three rebounds, three assists and two steals in sparking the host Eagles to a 51-29 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over Andrew in Orland Park.
Senior forward Will Hooks also contributed 10 points and five rebounds for Sandburg (15-10, 6-6), which received scoring output from 10 different players.
Sandburg’s Jake Tomczak (11) starts a fast break against Andrew during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Orland Park on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Junior forward Ryan Dinnon produced 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots for Andrew (10-14, 4-8). Junior guard Malik Mahmoud hit two 3-pointers in adding seven points.
The ball pressure and thievery of Tomczak was crucial in Sandburg’s half-court pressure that generated more turnovers for Andrew with 16 than made baskets with 12.
Junior forward Kendall McDowell, who chipped in with seven points for the Eagles, has played football and basketball with Tomczak since youth league.
“Jake has always been pushing us to be the best version of ourselves, especially in practice,” McDowell said. “The way he pressures the ball makes playing defense easier for us.
Sandburg’s Jake Tomczak (11) reaches up for a rebound against Andrew during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Orland Park on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
“He does a great job of talking and communicating with us.”
Senior guard Daniel Morakinyo, who finished with six points, also credited the energy and effort of Tomczak.
“Jake is a great player,” Morakinyo said. “I’ve been playing with him for seven years now.
“He’s a leader out there. He’s funny and outgoing, but when the time of the games gets serious, he knows how to lead the team.”
Sandburg’s Daniel Morakinyo (21) drives the lane against Andrew’s Malik Mahmoud (3) during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Orland Park on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
A two-year varsity player, Tomczak operates in the manner of one of his favorite players, Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell.
Tomczak scored six points during a 14-4 run in the third quarter, breaking the game open.
“I was watching a game of his once and he had like nine steals,” Tomczak said of McConnell. “My game is just like that. Now, my shot is coming along.
“If teams play off me, I can be physical and get to the basket and finish.”
Tomczak also plays bigger than his size and knows how to optimize his opportunities.
“Playing three sports in high school is not easy,” Tomczak said. “When you’re out there competing every day, you learn how to outdo the others.
“With baseball or football, you need quick feet and toughness, so being small, you just have to outwork everybody else.”
Sandburg’s Jake Tomczak (11) drives to the basket and puts up a shot against Andrew’s Qasam Alzir (1) during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Orland Park on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
A two-year starter at safety in football, Tomczak is Sandburg’s starting shortstop in baseball as well. He’s a generalist with versatile abilities and the desire to push himself beyond the norm.
“I hear a lot of people saying sometimes why do I push myself like that and do it,” he said. “I do it for myself but also for my family. My grandparents love coming to these games.
“It’s hard to put muscle on compared to others, but I love staying busy and proving I can outdo people at bigger weights.”
In rare downtimes, he loves to work as a caddy in golf. It fits his attention to detail. Sports are a platform for self-expression, underlining his desire to cut against the grain or go his own way.
“Every time I play something, I go out as if it’s the last game ever,” Tomczak said. “You put 100% into your effort and never look back. Now, we just have to finish like our first game with Homewood-Flossmoor. We finished this game.
“I’m a spark and I always want us to keep our foot on the gas.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/jake-tomczak-sandburg-andrew-basketball/
