Video: Athlete Lost to Cancer Remembered at Brother Rice vs. Marist Game

The players from rival schools honored the memory of Brother Rice graduate Andrew Weishar who died at age 21

The stands were filled with blue shirts printed with the number 45. It was Andrew Weishar's number, and they played for him.  The longtime rivalry between Brother Rice and Marist was forgotten for several minutes as the two schools came together to recognize a young man lost too soon.  Andrew Weishar died in October after a three year long battle with colorectal cancer. The Brother Rice graduate was just 21 years old.  Read: Days After Community Vigil, Brother Rice Alum Dies at 21 Weishar was a star football player for the Crusaders and his brother Nic Weishar was a major part of the Redhawks playoff run last football season.  Read: Athlete of the Month: Marist Wide Receiver Courageous After Death of Brother The Crusaders scored an easy 67…

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Junior Jordans and Eagles Face Off Saturday for Special Olympics Basketball Game

Special Olympics basketball teams and pep squad play at Mother McAuley High School on Saturday in fundraiser for special recreation programs.

  When the Junior Jordans and Eagles hit the court this weekend they’ll not only be showing how well they can play the game of basketball, they’ll be raising money for the special recreation programs that have been their lifeline to the community. The high school-aged Eagles and younger Junior Jordans will split their teams and square off against each other starting at noon Saturday (Jan. 19) at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. Both Special Olympic teams have been practicing for the big game for weeks in anticipation of playing in front of a big crowd. And like the Broadway musical Damn Yankees, they’ll be doing it with style and heart. “Not only are these kids great athletes, they’re great entertainers,” organizer John Zawaski …

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Players Prepare for Special Olympics Basketball Game and Fundraiser

The Junior Jordans and Eagles will be playing at Mother McAuley next week. All the proceeds go toward providing special recreation opportunities.

The basketball players are practicing their dribbling, lacing up their sneakers and gearing up for next week's big game.  The Junior Jordans and Eagles will be playing on Jan. 19 at Mother McAuley High School. The game is not only a chance for the Special Olympics teams to play in front of a big crowd, but it also serves as a major fundraiser.  John Zawaski started the event five years ago as a way to raise money for the teams. They receive no government funding and the funds go not just toward the basketball teams, but supplement athletic and social programs for special needs children and adults. Zawaski says that event not only raises money, but raises awareness while giving the players an experience to remember. All for the cost of just…

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Watch Basketball: Brother Rice vs. Bishop McNamara Live

Watch the high school game live on Patch.

The Brother Rice Crusaders (13-10) take on the Bishop McNamara Fightin' Irish (11-2) starting at 7:30 p.m.  You can watch the game live right here on Patch. If you misses it you can even catch a replay at anytime.  Watch more live basketball: St. Rita vs. De La Salle

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Girls Basketball: Marist's Motion-Activated Teamwork Leaves Foes Breathless

RedHawks' undefeated start is a product of the players' familiarity with one another and a willingness to keep the ball moving.

Watch Marist’s girls basketball team during warm-ups, and a couple of things stand out almost immediately. The drills involve more passing than most teams use, and rarely do you see any players standing around. There’s almost no dribbling, either. And that’s exactly how the RedHawks play: lots of passing, great ball movement and a transition game that few teams in the state can rival. “Our goal is to always keep running, keep the fast breaks, keep the defense on their heels,” senior Randyll Butler said. “Having played with these girls for so long, it’s pretty easy to know what we like and what we do.” Marist remained undefeated on the season with a 67-33 victory over Lockport on Monday night. The RedHawks had 16 assists on 18 buckets in …

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Girls Basketball: Marist Runs Past Lockport to Remain Undefeated

Marist 67, Lockport 33: RedHawks earn their ninth win of the season as their transition game is too much for the visiting Porters.

The Skinny: An active defense combined with a deadly transition game helped Marist put Monday night’s game away early, as the host RedHawks rolled to a 67-33 win over Lockport. Marist forced Lockport into 12 first-half turnovers and used its athleticism to get out in the open court and score a plethora of easy buckets. Lockport also couldn’t get any shots to fall from the outside against Marist’s zone defense. The RedHawks went up 18-4 after the first quarter and Lockport never got closer than that the rest of the way. Marist pulled all five of its starters for the fourth quarter. Patch’s MVP: Marist’s JeTaun Rouse. The athletic 5-foot-9 junior guard was unstoppable in transition. Whether Rouse was making no-look passes or being on the …

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Weekly Business Spotlight

Evergreen Racquet & Fitness: A Positive Presence in the Community for 36 Years

The Vuletic family takes great pride their business here in Evergreen Park and they hope to do so for years to come.

Since 1975, the Vuletic Family has proudly served the community at Evergreen Racquet & Fitness. Although back in the 70’s it was known by a slightly different name, The Evergreen Bath & Tennis Club.  Barbara Vuletic is the current owner and her son, Robert, manages the facility. Patch talked with Robert and got to know a little bit more about this 36-year-old thriving business. Vuletic said the original inspiration for the business came from his grandfather's love of tennis.  “My grandfather built and opened this business because he loved to play tennis and he knew how big tennis was, at that time. As time has gone on and things have changed, we also have had to change with the times. Not only being a tennis and racquetball club but now a …

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Extra Points: Stasaitis is McAuley's Go-To Girl

Molly Stasaitis scored 13 points for the Mighty Macs in Thursday's 53-25 girls basketball victory over Oak Lawn and her performance was consistent with her season-long play.

For senior guard Molly Stasaitis, putting points on the board is nothing new. And on Thursday night in a 53-25 girls basketball victory over Oak Lawn, she didn't disappoint. "Molly (Stasaitis) is usually our go-to kid on offense," Mother McAuley coach Karen Ade said. "We have a lot of threats, but Molly is the most consistent."  Stasaitis led the Mighty Macs with 13 points and two rebounds in the Class 4A regional final. She nailed three 3-pointers in the first half, which is a shot that she has been focusing on. "I've been practicing them a lot," Stasaitis said. "Our coach told us to just shoot with confidence. So, that's something I try to do." With the win, the Mighty Macs advance to the Lyons Township Sectional where they will play St.…

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